Go!

Well, after several days graft we are almost ready.All our belongings are either in our son's garage or in suitcases ready for the flight. With the help of David, James and Nick we managed to transport our stuff on Friday. Our possessions are now scattered across the UK (in Stoke on Trent, Milton Keynes, Boston, Plymouth, Ely and Chesham. The chances of remembering where it all is when we return are limited!!!!!!) . Our dog and car are safely fostered with friends (and both will no doubt have a wonderful time while we are away!) We have completed our farewell tour of the UK - only Heathrow to go!

Apart from feeling a bit shattered at the moment, I have a mixture of excitement tempered by a heavy dose of apprehension. We know the culture shock will be enormous and our senses will be sent into over-load. We are about to live for 6 months in a village where few people speak English and where the style of living is completely different, but with the hope that we can help improve their lives and broaden our own.

We asked our church yesterday to pray for:


- culture - that we quickly learn to adjust to a different way
of living and Tanzanian relationships
- work - that Irene develops a role within what her visa allows, and
I am sensitive to the needs of the hospital's staff
- spiritual - that we are able to grow despite not understanding the
language used in services and a different style of service
than we are used to.

We thank all our friends and family for the hospitality, help and encouragement we have received in the past few weeks.

So - bring on the anti-malaria pills and snakes.

See you in Tanzania!

Tutaonana upesi (See you later)