Rosemary Bentley
I have worshipped at St Andrew's Church, Biggleswade since
July 2016, when I moved to the town from Hampshire. On my first Sunday at St
Andrew's a team from the community of faith were visiting Siyathuthuka; and I
was pleased to learn so much about Hands at Work once they returned to the UK.
At that time it was beyond my wildest dreams that less than a year later I
would be preparing to travel to the community in South Africa!
As a geographer I have had the privilege to travel
extensively, but it will be my first journey to South Africa. In my initial
teaching position at King Edward's School Witley, a considerable number of my
students lived overseas, with many of their parents working with CMS, USPG, and
the Anglican Church, in all continents of the world. It was heart-rending to
hear of experiences, challenges, and Christian witness when the students
returned from some of the most materially impoverished areas of the world. More
recently, the primary school where I served as chair of governors had very
well-established links with in Yurie Yoshimi Primary School in Uganda; the head
teacher, Nelson, had contaced polio as a child but in his mid-20's committed to
creating a Christian school, with boarding houses, for children whose families had
been affected by polio, and other life-changing diseases. Nelson, who walked on
his hands, wearing thick rubber gloves in all weathers as protection , is an
inspirational young man, and our pupils excitedly looked forward to his visits
to Bournemouth and news of our partner school. Yet another reason why I look
forward to sharing with the children and families of Siythuthuka.
George Snyman's recent visit to St Andrew's made me
appreciate fully the importance of our parish's partnership with Siyathuthuka. His
message, and case studies, overflowed with hope, gratitude, and positivity,
making me feel even more excited about the challenges, experiences, and sharing
of Christian love which await in July 2017.
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