Greetings from Eric and Sandra, in the Philippines.

We have been here almost two weeks now, so are starting to get sorted after a rather chaotic last few weeks in England, what with the snow and three of us getting the flu over Christmas - New Year. Peter and Atiyyah started school on Tuesday and both came home having made friends and enjoyed it, praise God. They are having to adjust to different teaching methods but are managing OK so far. It is only 10 minutes walk form our house to the school with a 100 yard steep path at the end - good exercise! Surprisingly they even have a football club, which Peter is eager to join. We weren't expecting this as basket ball is the main game here. Some of our neighbours go to the same school, so Peter and Atiyyah have friends to play with. We have been trying to find a car, sort out driving licences, immigration papers. They don't recognise UK licences here so we'll have to do driving tests again - hope we can pass! Government offices are a lot easier to deal with than in Congo at least, and people are very helpful in the offices and generally. As we are not working directly under a church this time and CHIPS is not currently registered in the Philippines we are to have a local support and accountability group (SAG), made up of some of the people we made contact with during our recce visit here. Some of them are away at the moment, however we hope to be able to have our first meeting during the first half of February. Two of them Edward and Chiqui, have been helping us try and find a car and with other things. Eric is still trying to decide which language to learn, Pilipino, the national language or Visayan the main language of the central and southern Philippines. There is no general agreement amongst people on this. Please pray for: Peter and Atiyyah to adjust to the different teaching methods and to continue to settle in. We are only in this house for 3 months as it is a bit expensive. We need to find another reasonably near to the school, with a reasonable garden (most houses have very little or no garden) and within our budget. That we will be able to get the SAG together fro a meeting in February That we will be able to find a suitable car. For Eric to learn the right language and to make good progress in it. For Sandra's Mum as she starts radiotherapy. Thanks and blessings to all of you. and with love from us all Eric & Sandra, Peter and Atiyyah

 

Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, via Longhorsley to the Philippines. This is the long journey - indeed, removal of home - being made this year by our CMS Mission Partners, Eric and Sandra Read and their children, Peter and Atiyyah. Having completed their work of 4 years in Congo and successfully handed their main programme over to Joseph and the team to continue the work, Eric and Sandra will not be returning to Congo: they will be transferring to the Philippines after their leave period in the UK. During their time in Congo, Eric and Sandra came to understand the centrality of the Church in God's plan for the transformation of communities and nations. Although their work in Congo is finished, they wish to continue with this same vision in the Philippines. Strategically located in East Asia, the Philippines is the only country in Asia with a chiefly Christian population. Although the people are well educated, the country is beset by socio-political problems, deep divisions (including those between different religious communities) and a struggling economy. Many of the best-trained people leave to work in other countries. The plan is for Eric and Sandra to work in the southern part of the country, with those of similar vision, to enable the local churches to become instrumental in the transformation of their communities - particularly in the context of barriers between different peoples. Eric will use his agricultural and water engineering expertise to support local community projects. The Reads will also explore working with the student community. As well as supporting them with our prayers, our parish has a commitment to provide £3000 each year, via CMS, towards the support of the Reads in their important Christian work. This sum is largely contributed by a faithful and generous group through personal contributions. New supporters will be very welcome. If you would like to know more, or feel that you can help, please contact Neil Brockbank (tel. 821683) or Rosemary Rhodes (tel. 825139).   Email: esread@smallburn.co.uk

Maps : Google

 

 

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