Back to Nepal!

My family arrived in Edinburgh on 3rd May 2010, and I attended the International Christian College for training on Mission, children at Risk and Leadership. The Church of Scotland supported me during the training which was useful as it reinforced my knowledge and skill to work with the poor and the marginalized.

My family have enjoyed - and we thank everyone who supported and encouraged us during - our stay in Scotland. Thanks to all Church of Scotland congregations in Kilmanock, Irvine and Inverness Presbyteries for welcoming and being with us.

Farewell at Barclay's

My commissioning service was at Barclay View Forth Church and was attended by Members, Church of Scotland World Mission Council staff and others.

We are now packing and leaving for Nepal.

Our August vist to Inverness Presbytery

At the Palace Hotel, Inverness for High Tea!

We arrived at Inverness on Friday 20 August and Mrs Issy Freudenthal from the World Mission Committee met us at Inverness Station. She took us to High Tea at the Palace Hotel, along with Rev Bart Buell and Mrs Heather Beck. It was a lovely opportunity to meet them, and afterwards Issy took us to Beauly where we spent with Reverend Edgar and Jean, where we enjoyed being with the family.

On Saturday, we visited the Church of Scotland congregation at Ness Bank Church Inverness. Rev Fiona and the members spent time with us informally. It was an opportunity to interact and for the congregation to learn about the work we are doing in Nepal. The members were encouraged and they committed to pray for my family. They requested us to send updates on our progress. Rev Fiona Smith, minister of Ness Bank, provided lunch for us and we enjoyed being with Andrew, Katie and Liza.

On Sunday, I also visited Kilmorack and Erchless Parish and met Church of Scotland congregation in Struy about ten miles from Beauly. We all then visited Beauly Church where there were more than 100 members. We were happy to meet the people, and shared about our work in Nepal using PowerPoint presentation and a 3- minute Video to show the challenges that women and children infected and affected by HIV face in Nepal.

Then we also visited Alan and Pamela Lemon, at Ardendrain. It was a good opportunity to meet the family and to learn about their experiences and their link with needy people in Kolcatta, India.

We went on to Drumnadrochit - 12 miles south of Beauly beside Loch Ness where we met the Congregation members from Urquhart and Glenmoriston. The members encouraged and prayed for us. I thank Rev Hugh Watt for praying and meeting us. Our appreciation also goes to Andy Fothergill for taking us back to Beauly. On Monday 23 August we left Inverness and returned to Edinburgh

It was a successful visit and we thank the Church of Scotland for giving us the opportunity to visit such a wonderful and beautiful area. The congregations were welcoming and we were so much touched by their love. We thank World Mission Council staff for linking my family with these congregations and also Rev Edgar Ogston and Jean for hosting us.

Scottish links

It was wonderful to visit the Church of Scotland congregation in Irvine and Kilmarnock presbytery. It was lovely to meet Rev George Lind and Rae - and of course a dog called “Sam”. The congregation warmly received us at the Manse of St. Columbus Parish. We had a good opportunity to interact, get to know each other and I shared about my work in Nepal. I was happy to meet some people who had lived and worked in Kenya.

The congregation was welcoming: we had delicious snacks and lunch, and afterwards a quick visit to Kilmarnock and Irvine. It was encouraging to hear the congregation ask questions, amongst others  specifically about condom use in regard to the fight against HIV.

My family and I felt connected to the congregation because of the prayers and love that was extended to us. It was fulfilling to hear about the church’s support in Africa and continued support for God’s work in Nepal. We are happy to know that they will be praying and connecting with us while we are working in Nepal