Jamie and Helen Read - South Africa |
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“There’s Ezra’s beach!” Angus called out as our plane descended into Port Elizabeth. Ezra (Angus’ best friend, not the priest) obviously doesn’t own a beach, he just lives next to it and naturally Angus found it hard to contain himself at both the prospect of seeing his friend again and playing on the beach.
‘Home’
Returning to South Africa in July after four lovely weeks in the UK had the feeling of both leaving home and coming home. While it was sad to say goodbye to family and friends, we returned with fresh enthusiasm for the work here and the life we have made.
There were several highlights from our time in the UK not least seeing the British countryside again. Various family members found it hard to contain their excitement at the prospect of cuddles with young William, to say nothing of entertaining his two older brothers. Helen and I particularly enjoyed some special times with family and friends and catching up with each other! As we met and spoke to many people from the churches we partner with, we were reminded how privileged we are to have so many interested and prayerful supporters, who ask good questions and have good memories!
BIEC
The three week inter-semester break at the end of June saw something of an exile by the BIEC faculty, five of whom were also in the UK seeking to raise the profile of the college amongst churches. In many ways, the outcome of the UK trips is yet to be felt, but we remain prayerful that many who were exposed to the opportunities and needs of the BIEC here in the Eastern Cape will partner with us in years to come. Please join us in praying that God would provide for the needs of the college which include student bursaries (£660 pa), and funds for a full-time black lecturer. In all this we need to keep focused on the gospel which alone will impact the usefulness of the college in the future. Please do contact us if you, your home group or church would like to sponsor a student through their studies.
It is a joy to be able to be teaching some doctrine (church and last things) and the letters of Paul. However, I have been surprised at the importance of the urban mission course which I am teaching for a second time. Global urbanization has changed the face of mission. It has been great to see the students grapple with the ways in which the gospel confronts, informs and transforms urban problems such as homelessness, xenophobia, addiction, poverty and HIV/AIDs.
Please pray for relevant, biblical theology to shape class discussions and for students in all classes to be more focussed on the Lord Jesus Christ than the diploma! In addition to teaching, new responsibilities have come my way including faculty recruitment and staff development. Please pray for wisdom in handling these tasks.
STAG team
In September we look forward to welcoming a group of five graduates from St Andrew the Great church in Cambridge (Adam, Philippa, Laura, Carmen and Ben). They have been placed here through the Crosslinks short-term programme. Over the next 9 months they will be exposed to life at BIEC (classes, missions, building a new website and other areas of practical service), student evangelism and discipleship at the Mandela university campuses (with Kenny and Rose Lloyd who run ‘Bible Speaks Today’) and some children’s work at our church (Emmanuel).
Please pray that their visas would be processed quickly and that they would settle in well to life and ministry in PE. They plan to arrive on 9th September and Helen and I would value your prayers for how we plan for the team and support them during their stay.
Family
Helen’s parents recently arrived safely to King Williams Town, where John will be teaching theology and church history at a bible college similar to BIEC. ‘King’ is a stunning 3 hour drive away from PE and we look forward to getting together in the coming months. Conor is obsessed with their bakkie (truck) whilst Angus is enjoying frequent Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Lucky grandparents…
We are grateful that after a couple of nights in hospital last week with pneumonia, Conor, seems to be on the mend. He is due an x-ray next Friday to check his lungs and hopefully will be given the all clear. Unfortunately, because of William, Helen was unable to stay in hospital with him, so that pleasure went to me!
Finally, please pray that as a family we would not lose sight of our Lord and Saviour. Ministry and family can easily overwhelm at times (lack of man power, personal relationships, illness, sleepless nights) and we often feel out of our depth in these areas.
We are very thankful to God for your prayers.
With love.
Jamie, Helen, Angus, Conor and William