On 22 July Natalie and I went to play mini-golf (putt-putt) to South Africans, it was a warm day and I had slowly but surely been persuading her that the children needed a pet. We had been looking at dogs but I just didn't think it was going to work within our surroundings, so with a golf tired and heat-exhausted wife we went to the pet shop and purchased 'Nelson' (after the African president who seems to have nine-lives), a sweet 10 week old kitten. He has since gone through some amazing changes and is slowly becoming a member of the family, the girls think he's wonderful although I don't know if the fee-lines mutual.
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| Nelson |
As a family we went on a short break to
Deal. We fell in love with the place when we stayed in the London City Mission's Walmer house, which has since been sold. We, as a result, have purchased a tent and camped in
Kingsdown International Camp ground, just around the corner from the old house. It was such fun, the girls loved being able to get up in the morning and run around outside, chase bubbles, and in the evening to cook sausages on the fire and see stars!
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| Kingsdown Camping |
Following Wednesday, for team-day, Alan Black gave an interesting talk on Cain and Abel and how when we fight for a freedom, often more sin comes with it. I also met up with some people from
Beeson Divinity School USA who were going to visit us through the week. The following morning they came to the Café and I explained our work and methods and then took them out to the local estate to distribute flyers. It is great to get out and walk about. The area is crammed with people, I know of some two bed units that have nine people living there! The Island grows at a rate of about 2000 people per year. When we got back to the Café some lady arrived from one of the estates and wanted help with nosiy neighbours. Noise is such a difficult thing - should children be allowed to make noise? Should people be able to determine how much noise is acceptable on an estate? What is correct? It is such a difficult question that cannot just be answered by 'love your neighbour as you love yourself', since there are 2 parties involved, your neighbour and your children.She wanted me to go and be a witness to her neighbour's noise! It is difficult to know how I could help her.
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| Flyers with Beeson Div School |
An accountant has joined us on a voluntary basis and is very helpful, Brian. He came in on Friday morning and joined us for Bible reading - he said that Ben Bell sends his greetings! He has worked and visits CLC were Ben is now working! How interesting. Glad to know Ben is Well. As the day progressed it was very busy again, one couple arrived with some sort of poem to a father who had committed suicide, drug overdose, the daughter of which was tearful and distressed, I offered my sympathy. The evening came and everyone left for home - I did some repair work on some tables, made the café ready for hire the following day and went home.
As far as a team goes, though I have to say we are very blessed. Andrew, Abi, Duncan, Sarah, this is the busiest school holidays we have had - basically selling out all portions of main meals on a daily basis, and a lot of other product. This is a testimony to some really hard work and dedicated team who forge on ahead despite set-backs and slow starts. They encourage me through their stamina! We will miss Abimaro when she moves on to her new job (even though she'll be around for worship services on Sunday). Their excellence inspires others and is honoring God.
