One of the things we have really enjoyed since being back in Scotland is the four seasons. For our years in Africa and in Australia we didn’t have the same variation. We do, however, miss seeing the sun for longer periods of time as well as warmer temperatures😊. In just over a month, we will have been in Scotland for one year. In some ways it is difficult to believe that its already a year and in other ways it seems longer. Between us we have lived in 6 different countries and had the privilege of travelling to many more. One thing that strikes us the most is the people we encounter along the way. We have been blessed to have friends all over the world and that is what makes a place - the people.
As we look ahead to 2024 (I know it’s a bit early to think like that 😊) it looks like we will continue the schedule we have had in 2023. Simon will continue to support the programmes in Africa in a fly in fly out capacity. I will mostly be working remotely from Scotland with a few trips in between. We would value your prayers as we navigate this season of our lives and care for Mum during everything else.
Since I last wrote there has been lots of travel for us all. Zara had an amazing opportunity to visit a friend in the States for two weeks and had some amazing experiences. She came home full of stories and photos to share. As I write she is at a job interview for a barista job in Edinburgh. Her plan for the next few months is to work and start her own Etsy business – watch this space!
Joshua is currently finishing his first year of University in Brisbane. God has really provided a loving church fellowship and friends since he moved north of Brisbane, and we are really thankful for that since we are not close by. It has been a challenging year for him but thankful for answered prayers along the way. In September he travelled back up to Cairns for a friend’s wedding. This was a friend that he grew up with in Uganda and so it was a special time of celebrating together this momentous occasion.
Simon is currently in Guinea, West Africa supporting the programme with flying as well as other needs. The programme is short staffed, and we are praying for more people to join this team. He will return at the end of October and then we will spend some time doing support raising in Scotland. We are thankful that we can share with two churches in November of our work with MAF. If anyone reading this would like us to come and share at your church or prayer group then please let us know.
At the beginning of October, we flew to Switzerland for a short home assignment (2 weeks). We were able to meet with several of our supporters and spend some time with family. The weather was beautiful as was the scenery. We hope to return and visit more supporters early next year in between all the other travel commitments.
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| I wonder what this conversation was about ? Who is going to get Mum with the first snowball!!! |
