Arriving on St Helena

The first day of "Gospel Week" has finally arrived.

       Errol and a friend on the RMS with St Helena in the background.

 Unloading a container from the RMS

 Joe descending the gang plank onto the little boat that carries passengers to the shore

 Claudia and Errol travelling to the shore

 The welcoming committee

 The 4 x 4  that was loaned to us for the week so that we could travel on all the windy, bumpy roads

 Errol and Joe outside the manse

The "Trio" came ashore at about 9 am this morning. It was great to finally meet Errol and Claudia in the flesh, and to see Joe again after many years. 

Within a few hours the men were off to the radio station to record a few "thoughts for the day" that would be aired during the course of the week.  While Graeme took the visitors on a flying tour of the island, I stayed at home to cook our first supper together - lasagne.  (Our evening meals had to be early (around 5.30pm) to give us time to travel to the various venues where the meetings started at 7pm.)

 A view of James Bay from the top of Jacob's Ladder 

 The rock called "Lot" with "Lot's wife" in the distance

 Graeme and Errol in front of the Sandy Bay chapel

Graeme and Joe inspecting the canon that was trained down Sandy Bay valley  

 The first evening, Graeme took Errol and Claudia to the Blue Hill Community Centre, (where the Christmas decorations still hung in all their glory)  while I took Joe to the Half Tree Hollow, Salvation Army Hall.  There was good attendance (about 50 people) at both venues.

"Gospel Week" is upon us

Our visiting evangelists, Rev Errol and his wife, Claudia, and Bishop Joe Bell, are on the RMS and sailing for our shores.  Here is a photo of the "Gospel Trio" just before boarding yesterday.

The Baptists (and others) are buzzing with anticipation regarding next week's activities.  It is going to be VERY busy (at the request of the evangelists).  The week has not even begun, and we have already experienced real opposition.  The objective of this week is to speak to as many Islanders as possible about our Lord Jesus Christ.  The prayers of God's children will be greatly appreciated.

Attached is a copy of the poster that is advertising the public meetings that are being planned.  There are also a good number of other visits that will take place during the day  - the hospital, school assemblies, sheltered accommodation, etc.

"Gospel Week"

We, as a church, are gearing up for what we are calling "Gospel Week".  i.e. the 31st March to 8th April.  During this time, Rev Erroll Wesson and his wife, Claudia, (Baptists) as well as Bishop Joe Bell (Church of England in South Africa) will be visiting St Helena with the sole purpose of holding evangelistic meetings.  The schedule that has been planned for them is very full, with meetings at schools, hospitals, care centres, radio interviews, open air meetings, as well as evening preaching at community centres.  Most evenings, Erroll will be preaching at one venue, while Joe will be at another.

Our prayers are that people of all age groups and backgrounds will hear and respond to the gospel of Christ.

I have been granted leave from my bookkeeping job during this time - but it will NOT be a time of relaxation.

Rodney Herne

Just 4 short months ago, Wendy Herne was trying to resuscitate her mother who had collapsed after what appeared to be bad flu.  Her mother (Enid Bowers) died later that afternoon.

Yesterday morning, her husband, Rodney, collapsed suddenly at home.  Once again she found herself trying to resuscitate a loved one.  It appears that he suffered a massive heart attack.  He died this afternoon.  This was a man who was very close to his children.  My heart goes out to Tiffany especially.  She went to school on Friday, just as usual.  But before Monday could arrive, her beloved father had died.

  In the space of 4 months this family has lost their granny/mother and father/husband.

Rodney, Wendy, Noleen and Tiffany

Bill Drabble

Over the past few months, Bill Drabble (Gareth's father) has become progressively frailer.  About a week ago, he went into hospital, and today he died.  Our prayers go out to Gareth and Edyta.

Gareth and Edyta