Community Care Centre

Every 4th Sunday of the month, the Baptists get a turn to hold a short service at the CCC. (St Helena's old age home) Here is Graeme playing his trumpet before delivering the message

.

Danny has agreed to marry Arthur on 5th November in a simple ceremony before the justice of the peace. They will delay the celebratory church service until June next year, when Danny will be trim and slim. Their baby is due on Christmas day, and the doctor is 90% sure that it is a girl. I am starting to get excited about having a new little person to love - but not as excited as Arthur is.

Gospel Sing

We held a "Gospel Sing" at the Prince Andrew High School this evening. 5 ladies squashed into the church's little car (including Danny's mom) and Graeme went on his bike. People from a number of church groups participated - including the members of the 3 different Baptist chapels. One of the items was Graeme and Tom who played three trumpet pieces accompanied by a trombone player and Gay Marr on the electric piano. There was a good spirit amongst the people. The retiring offering brought in 280 pounds towards the restoration fund.

Work started on the roof of the chapel a few weeks ago. First of all, the back wall had to be repaired and built up, but now thay have started on the actual roof. There is still a lot of other repairs that need to be done - the interior of the church, electric connections for the lights, carpet, the window frames are rotting and need replacing, etc. But we know that the same God who moved people to give enough to repair the roof, will continue doing so until all the repairs have been completed.

Only on St Helena

Most places are organised into have street names and house numbers - making it easier to find homes etc. St Helena has a few street names, but as everyone knows where everyone else lives, there are no adresses as such. This was brought home to me very forcefully this evening. There was an official letter from the education department (with government stamp on it) and the address on the envelope simply read, Danielle Stevens, Jamestown. What amazed me even more, was that the letter was not delivered to her home, but to the manse.....

Early morning at The Consulate

A few scenes first thing in the morning at The Consulate

Zara (who serves in the snack bar with Arthur) putting out a tray of cup cakes for sale.

Arthur pausing during his sweeping exercise.

The cats waiting outside the kitchen door for their breakfast.

The Garden is growing

Arthur's gardening is already paying off. We had our first salad straight out of the garden tonight. A type of lettuce chopped up with fresh basil leaves and apple (store bought). We sprinkled a little Greek salad dressing over it, and our taste buds were very happy.
After work at the Consulate, Arthur rushes home to tend his garden for about an hour each evening, before settling down to his studies.
Who would have guessed that Arthur would have taken to gardening, and I would become the loving owner of cats? Perhaps it is the air on St Helena.

Answer to prayer

With work being scarce, Arthur offered to look after Dr du Toit's 8 year old boy who has Aspergers syndrome, (a variation of autism) during the school holidays, for a small fee. This was gladly accepted, and Dr du Toit came around to the manse to check whether Arthur would be able to look after Celliers for an extra day. Shortly after the details were agreed upon, and Arthur had returned to his studies, he received a phone call asking him whether he would like a permanent position working in the snack bar at The Consulate! A few minutes later, someone knocked at the door telling him that application forms were now available at the police station for a position as a prison warden!!! Sometimes God is extravagant is His answers to our prayers.

What to do? Arthur asked Danny whether she would be prepared to look after the little boy (Celliers) and they went up the road to visit Dr du Toit and apologise for having to "drop" him at such short notice. (The only problem with "plan B" is that Cilliers is a very strong willed child that needs firm but kind handling, and Danny is a softie).

We will have to wait and see how things progress.

Monseigneur McPartland

The Catholic bishop that serves on the Falklands is paying a visit to St Helena. He has been here a few weeks now, and Graeme has made friends with him. They have spent quite a bit of time discussing the Scripture, church history, etc. The other Friday I went with the 2 men to have a bite to eat. The waitress asked what name she should put on the invoice. Smiling kindly, he said "Monseigneur Michael McPartland." She just stood there staring at him with a panicky expression on her face. Then she asked "Can I just call you 'Mr Priest'?"

Graeme and the bishop in the manse lounge