Easter Fayre

The Easter Fayre has come and gone. As usual, there was another "event" on the island that competed with ours for support. The Anglicans had a "St Paul's day" at Longwood. Nevertheless, we managed to raise about 540 pounds.

Peter Mott (from The Consulate) making his famous pancakes. Nick Williams, manning the fresh produce table, and Beatie and Daphne at the "cake and candy" table. Graeme and his ginger beer and chilli paste (sorry, Blue Hill Bite).

Although we now have enough money to start the repairs to, and replacement of the chapel's roof, we still need money to repair the gallery and the interior of the chapel, replace white-ant-eaten frames on windows, etc,etc. So the fund raising efforts for the rest of this year will still need to be held.

Jacobs Ladder

I have finally got access to the photos that were taken on Arthur's Jacob's ladder climb with the Sunday School children on Sat 16th April.

All fresh and full of energy at the foot of the steps

It was a long climb up...Then down again. After climbing up and own the 699 steps, the energetic young ones asked to be taken to swim in the sea. Instead of beaches that slope gently into the ocean waves, St Helena has ropes that you swing on, and then jump into the deep sea water.

No eggs

For those of you who live on the rest of this planet of ours - enjoy your Easter eggs and hot cross buns - there are none to be found for sale on this island. Even chicken's eggs are scarce, and can only be found with the odd private person who keeps chickens. Not to worry - there is still plenty of other food and nice things to eat - one learns to improvise. I just find it strange to be living in a place where there is no frantic commercial cashing in on Easter.

April 19th 2011

What a day! 61 years old.

While brushing my teeth, the telephone rang with the "international ring". My mom was on the line. Although I was delighted to hear her voice (from the Free State in South Africa) I wondered why she was calling. Then she said "Happy birthday", and I remembered what day it was....

Then, while Graeme was making me his special breakfast coffee (his daily treat for me) the phone rang with yet another international ring, and it was my daughter, Brenda, phoning from London.

At 9.00am I left for BWA at Sandy Bay. I fetch Iva Henry on the way. 10.00am to 11.00am We had a good time around God's word and discussing practical issues concerning the upcoming Easter Fayre.

12.00pm arrived home, parked the car, then rushed off (walking) down the road to The Consulate where I worked, crunching numbers, for the afternoon.

4.00pm walked up the hill as fast as I could, to get myself ready to leave at 4.30pm to go to Cape Villa. Got all happy when Graeme told me that our elder son would be "skyping" me when I got back. (That would mean that I had spoken to all 3 my children AND my mom today)

5.00pm Cape Villa Bible study. Elaine Hopkins had baked me a lovely cake as a surprise.

6.45pm got home just in time to talk to John on skype. Very happy news. He and his partner might come and visit us next year.

7.15pm had to cut the skype call short as we were expected for a celebration meal at the schoolroom. It is also Mama Lizzie's birthday today - she is 92 years old - and her daughter arranged for us and a few friends to get together for the evening.

I love to remind myself how God makes fun of man's "knowledge". When I was about 40 years old, a clever specialist physician warned me that, by the time I was 50 years old, I would be a total cripple and in a wheel chair. Here I am 61 years old, and still mobile. Praise His name!!

An altogether unexpectedly good, happy birthday. Thank you to all concerned.

Arthur's admonition

I was feeling all sorry for myself today because I feel so useless in the ministry here. Arthur walked in to the kitchen to get something to drink and asked why I was crying. His answer to me : "Come on - you've read the Scriptures. God gives the church teachers, preachers, evangelists, according to HIS will. "So what" if you don't have the spiritual gifts that you would like. What makes you any different from Billy Graham? God's sovereign choice. You are both just sinners that He chooses to use as He wants. Now, deal with it, and stop being a prat." Then he asked for some chocolate.

Return to SA in 10 months' time

It is official - SA will not allow an application for a passport to be processed unless completed in front of a SA official. So.... this is our sad story. Before Arthur left SA shores he applied for a new passport so that he would not be under any pressure to return within the next 10 years unless he wanted to. As has happened on 3 previous occasions to our family, the application got lost within the bowels of the home affairs department. I phoned SA's home affairs department and spoke to a very helpful lady, but the answer was still the same - Arthur either has to go to the SA embassy in London, or to a home affairs department in SA, and have his fingerprints taken in front of a SA official - the police department on St Helena's certification of his fingerprints will simply not be accepted.

I decided to go "home" with Arthur. The earliest booking that we could get off the island is on 8 Feb 2012. Although it is 297 sleeps away, I am looking forward to the visit - especially to seeing my mom again. We will be off the island for 5 weeks, but will only have 22 days in SA. The rest of the time will be spent on the ship getting to and from Africa. Graeme will stay at home and keep the church running and our 4 pets content.

With effect from the 1st of this month, St Helena has had big changes in its customs fees and tax laws - big increases. As can be expected, there is great unhappiness amongst the people, and there was a peaceful demonstration/march this afternoon to express their feelings. Wages on the island are generally very low, but there are many subsidies from the UK government

.Later this afternoon, the lounge floor saw Arthur, the dyslexic, playing scrabble with Dannielle

Cho, the kisser, trying to distract Danielle.

2nd week in April

Time flies from one week to the next, with life following a kind of routine. Last Sunday afternoon Arthur went to the swimming pool with a few of the children. He swam for about 30minutes, then sat in the shade and watched them. He came home looking rather pink

.

By the following morning he looked like a lobster. The Saints found it all rather amusing. Their skins did not even turn a darker shade of coffee. He now looks like a lizard that is shedding its skin. He plans on going swimming with them again, but this time he is prepared - he bought himself a wet suit.

I have been sitting in on Arthur's lessons to the children, and I must admit that he has a very good rapport with them.

My stitches were removed yesterday afternoon by Graeme - I trusted his abilities to do a good and gentle job more than anyone else. He did not fail me. While I was still tensed up and waiting for him to start on the second side, he said "All done!"

Graeme has already made a batch of chilli sauce to sell at the Easter Fayre that is to be held on 30th of this month. He also makes regular batches of ginger beer for us to drink. Quite good in the kitchen, he has become.

Changes in responsibilities

Church news : Graeme will be going to Ascension Island for a 4 week visit - from mid June to mid July. This is another tiny island under UK rule. It does not have any established church on it. There are a few Christians that meet each week, but no trained minister. Nick Clevely visited them for a month about 2 years ago, and this will be a follow up visit. While Graeme is away, Arthur will take over his preaching and teaching responsibilities. Luckily, it will be during Arthur's break between writing his 'O' levels, and enrolling at the London School of Theology. He will have to preach 3 x on a Sunday, and hold 4 Bible studies and 2 children/ teen groups each week. I will only have 2 Bible studies, a ladies group and Sunday School during this time. A challenge that we will face during this time, is that all 3 of our musicians will be away from the island at the same time. Graeme plays the trumpet, Vincent March plays the mandolin (he will be accompanying Graeme to Ascension) and Steve Terry plays the violin and organ (he and Maureen will be going on their annual trip to the UK). None of our church members have noticably good singing voices, so we will be making some interesting sounds during this time. It has also been agreed that Arthur will take over the leadership of all the children/ teen work. The children respond more naturally to him, than to this grey haired old lady. (I will then take back the teaching of the Cape Villa Bible study group) Seeing that Arthur now intends completing his studies through long distance learning, he will most probably be staying on St Helena for the next 3 to 4 years. During this time he will focus on developing a Christian work amongst the children and young people, as well as general evangelism.