Anniversary

Today is the first anniversary of our arrival on St Helena. No drum rolls or thunder and lightning, but we have many, many things to thank the Lord for during this time.

One year ago, it was just Graeme and I living at the manse. Then in Feb, Clawd was deposited in our back yard. At the end of May our "girls" (Cho and Abi) came home. Arthur arrived at the end of June. And now we have Missy. A full house (or is it a mad manse?...)

All 3 human Becketts now receive some sort of payment for their services. Paying work of any kind, anywhere, is a gift from God - but work for a non Saint on St Helena is REALLY a gift from God.

Arthur seems to be progressing well with his studies for his 'O' levels. He meets every week with a few young adults; has spoken a few times on the radio; takes 2 Bible studies a week; preaches once a month; and works about 6 hours a day at The Consulate.

Besides the church work, Graeme and I have made a few good friends - both in the church and outside of it. Graeme often gets asked to play his trumpet, and I just play with the children.

We are getting the hang of shopping (a skill not easily learnt on St Helena) and I am now accustomed to improvising in the kitchen. Gone are the days when I could go out and buy all the ingredients needed for a recipe.

No rain or thunder or lightning - only mist and drizzle. Hardly any gogo's (creepy crawlies). No TV or cell phones or traffic lights or airoplanes or street children or murders or muggings or shopping malls or Sunday shopping or mosques or ATM's or credit cards or wide open spaces or beaches or, or, or. A VERY different place.

Tomato plants

The soil in Jamestown is very poor. Even the weeds are dying in the little garden at the back of the manse. So, when I was given 2 young tomato plants, I planted them in buckets that I filled with good soil and compost. I was very pleased to see tiny little tomatoes forming on one of the plants. Perhaps we can get a "container garden" going.

Coffee Morning

The 2nd BWA coffee morning. Although fewer ladies attended, we still managed to raise 481 pounds towards the restoration of our chapel. Once again, the ladies were wonderful in the way that they all worked together to make everything happen. In total, over 1,000 pounds has been raised by the 2 coffee mornings. Although it has been a good effort, we still need to raise a further 19,000 pounds. A long way still to go. Our next planned money raising venture is an Easter Fair, with stands and games etc, and will include the efforts of the menfolk in the church.

After the eating and drinking was finished, I gave my testimony and we then had a sing-along.

In the evening, Graeme played his trumpet at a street party where money was collected towards assisting the families of patients who need to go to SA for medical treatment. It is amazing how many collections are made on the Island towards some charity or the other - and the people always give generously.

Coffee Morning

Preparations for our 2nd coffee morning are now in full swing. I could not get hold of the place where we borrowed tables from last time, but Hazel Wilmot kindly agreed to lend us 10 tables with their table cloths. A bunch of ladies all pooled their energies and ideas, and we hope that things will go smoothly - even though there are 2 other "events" being held on the same day.

I seriously started doubting my sanity today, as I looked at our "family" of pets. Why could I not have ignored the little kitten that was rejected by all the other cats? Why do I have a "bleeding heart"? BUT they are all getting on well - Abi even tried to join in when Claud and Missy were playing 'hide and seek' around the furniture in the lounge. They like sleeping together, and being in the same room with the humans. AND we regularly have children asking to come and visit our pets.

Post

We were delighted to receive a parcel from our 2 children in Europe. Lots of lovely goodies as well as parcels wrapped in Christmas paper, that are to be saved for Christmas day.
It was the usual busy Tuesday - a quick bit of house cleaning in the early morning; 9am - leave for the Sandy Bay BWA at 10.00am; back to the Consulate at 12.00 noon; the Cape Villa Bible study at 5.00pm; followed by the Jamestown Bible study at 7.30pm.

Sucker

My "Sucker" button (as well as Graeme's) was properly pressed - I brought Missy home. The dogs were quite unperturbed by her, and she just wanted them to be her friend. She kept purring and rubbing herself up against Abi. Abi just gave her "the stare" and walked away. Clawd was a little put out by the usurper of his position as "the cat", but I am sure he will come around.

The Half Tree Hollow Bible study was cancelled once again. Arthur is considering changing it to a once a month evangelistic outreach meeting. Saints appear to prefer "events" to regular meetings. We can only try, and trust the Lord to lead us.

Out of alignment

My left knee and hip have been troubling me quite a bit, so I tried to make an appointment with the physio, but was told that I need to be referred by a doctor. I saw Dr Bloem, who seemed to think that I did not need physio, but should rather wear my boots for a few days and see whether my leg/knee/foot would not align properly again. (They were pulled out of alignment, and badly broken 10 years ago in a motor car accident) So-o-o back into my ugly boots I went. I could immediately feel the pull on my knee, and inner thigh. The pain was quite bad on the first day, but has gradually lessened. I am happy to say that I dress funny, but walk better and with less pain. Luckily, the island is not known for its fashion consciousness, so no one even seems to notice that I am wearing hiking boots and a skirt....