Wednesday 19 March 2014

We’re still here




As we approach the date that we were given as our expected departure to South Sudan, we couldn't be further from being ready to leave! We expected to have all our belongings packed and to move out of our house around now but this has been put on hold until a decision has been made on which country we will move to.  

With other families ready to join the South Sudan program but still delayed in Kenya amid security concerns in Juba, it was jointly agreed by ourselves and MAF that it would be better for us to join another program, and re-evaluate the situation after a couple of years. We had mixed feelings about this as we were looking forward to going to South Sudan but we hope to have a long career serving with MAF and the opportunity may come around again when we are more experienced.

We should find out where we will be going within the next few weeks but relocating families is a major decision and MAF will take time to ensure that everyone goes where they are most suited. Its fair to say we don’t expect to leave the UK for at least another 2 months but we will keep everyone posted as soon as we know for definite.


Piper Arrow at Exeter used to renew Becki's instrument rating 


We feel a bit like we’re in limbo at the moment with lots of things to do but we cannot do them until we have an idea about when we will go. Becki has renewed her instrument rating for another year, which is one of the flying requirements for working for MAF. We were due to have our commissioning service at Buckland Church last Sunday but delayed this in view of the uncertainty. We are enjoying working through our list of “places to visit in Devon/Cornwall before we go” and are getting excited with Bethan about her upcoming birthday.

Please pray for the safety of people in South Sudan and that Juba will be safe for MAF families to go in the near future. We would appreciate your prayers for the right decision to be made about which program we will join and that barriers will be overcome quickly to enable us to move there and begin working soon.


Sunny day at Fingle Bridge, Devon