It's difficult to know where to start!

This week has first of all been a sad week for our hospital. Unfortunately one of our young nurses committed suicide. Fales had been troubled for a while due to a number of things going on in her life. After taking Fales to Lusaka to be with her family and also where she could receive specialist care, we were called on Monday afternoon to say she had died at her Uncle's home. This is a terrible time for the family and staff at the hospital have been upset. Fales' parents had both died in the recent past and she was responsible for looking after 6 younger brothers and sisters. She was only 24 herself. Heidie and I had a very special place for this nurse and four of classmates as they graduated from our Nurses Training School the first year we were here. We persuaded them to stay and she was a lovely young lady and fine nurse. Please pray for the family.

On Tuesday night, we had the mother of all storms. Apparently it was the tail end of a cyclone from Mozambique. Whatever, it was scary! Of course the power went within about two seconds of the storm brewing and stayed off for the whole day. Then a branch fell on my car and gave it a little bit of a dunt. Then I got completely beached driving to Mazabuka and had to use the 4x4 drive to get out of the mud after a few struggles. However my heart goes out to the villagers, many of who lost the roof to their houses or suffered damaged to their property.

Tommorrow sees the dedication of little Joshua, the son of our good friends and next door neighbours (we are seperated by the aptly named Mamba Gate !) Rachel and Kennedy Nakaanga. He is a special wee boy. We are looking forward to that and Rachel's parents Colonel David and Jean Burrows are in town to conduct the service. We are hosting some accompanying visitors from the UK.

Speaking of special wee boys called Joshua - here's a picture of our godson Joshua Hanover who is growing up very fast. We don't feel like we can be very good Godparents due to distance. Anyway we would ask you just to say a wee prayer to the Big Man for both Joshuas this week and for their futures.

Finally, Beverley and Emma who are two very special women in my life are running a 10k soon for Cancer Research. The Johnston family have had a tough time recently and Beverley's dad has not been well with cancer. This is a special cause for Beverley and Emma and if you are able to please sponsor them by donating at this page. Please also pray for the Johnstons.