We have been recovering from the truly fantastic day we had yesterday (our last official day in the Bridport Team), the nice things that were said, and the gifts showered on us! We are aware that this is as much about the grace and power of God as anything we have done - but we are so happy that people feel as blessed as they say. The service was brilliant. It was just the right balance of praise, prayer and fun. Thanks for all who prepared the food - including a cake for us to cut! People came from Yorkshire, Bristol, Wool, Sherborne, Normandy and Paris, as well as the Bridport Team and the Lyme Bay Deanery. The total amount given in one way or another in the Good Books account for the Sudan now stands at £4293.50 (Wow! Thanks!). The picture was taken yesterday in St Mary's Bridport by one of our French friends. They had come across the channel specially for the occasion.
We are now looking forward to moving to the Sudan and beginning our work there. We have a few days left to pack up the house, tell everyone we are moving, and visit relatives and friends. It will be good to start proper work again and not have to worry about sorting things that have not been touched for 14 years!
On 13th January Trevor was given a "general licence" for the Diocese of Salisbury, one that does not mention any particular parish. This will mean that he will still be "owned" by Salisbury even though he will be working in the Sudan.The licensing was performed in an official ceremony in the Bishop's chapel in South Canonry and attended by a few supporters as seen in the photograph below.
From Left to right: The Venerable Paul Taylor (Archdeacon of Sherborne), Mrs Sarah Stancliffe (supporter of the Sudan Link and wife of Bishop David), Canon Ian Woodward (secretary of the Salisbury Sudan Link Committee), Trevor, Rt Revd. David Stancliffe (Lord Bishop of Salisbury), Tina, Venerable Alistair Magowan (Archdeacon of Dorset).
Happy New Year.We have now fixed our dates for leaving Bridport and the UK. Our final services in Bridport are to be on 18th January. Trevor's programme that day will run as follows:- 8am. In attendance at Holy Trinity Bradpole
- 9.30 am. Preach and celebrate at St Mary's Bridport
- 11 am. Preach at Holy Trinity Bothenhampton
- 11.35 am Arrive in time to preach and celebrate at St John's West Bay (the service begins at the normal time of 11.15 am.)
- 3 pm. Final "Leaving Service" in St Mary's Bridport
The following week Tina will be doing a TEFL course in Exeter in among the final preparations for our departure from the UK on 29th January. We fly to Uganda and then on to Juba.We thank everyone for their continued support and prayers.
