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PAST NEWS - JANUARY 2001
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Sunday 28th January 2001, 12:00 hours
Brian and Rachel arrived back 10:00 hours Manchester airport (on time!), They were in time for the last 30mins of
the prayer meeting being held at the Abbey book/coffee shop - so everyone was able to give them a warm welcome and hear the latest news.
The trip had been very eventful but with some rather sad news.
Fares's mother died whilst they were there. She lived about two miles drive from Bethany over dirt track roads.
Many people from Bethany went to her funeral.
Paul's wife was rushed to hospital in Magu and gave birth to a baby girl (3 months premature). Sadly the baby
died a few days later. (Paul has worked for Bethany from inception)
Eliza's father died on Sunday (Eliza is our cook/nurse).
Lazarus's wife is ill in Mwanza hospital.
Now the good news:
Brian managed to change the timing belt at a garage in Mwanza as well as changing the oil and air filters for the
Landrover
Rachel helped in the Clinic and is still working on the stock sheets which she intends to complete over here.
The crops are growing well and they will soon be growing most of the food they need.
Ibrahim is back at school and working well.
Tabaji is still waiting for an operation on his foot (which was badly burned by his father)
Rachel had a great time driving the Landrover to and from various places (potholing)
All the children are well, working hard and looking forward to their next set of visitors.
In one of the faxes sent from Tanzania I quote 'It is Brilliant' allegedly said by Rachel!
The water supply is now siphoning OK
Other News
Mark and Samantha McVey leave the UK for their trip to Bethany on Sunday 11th February (for two weeks)
Christoper Gaster (now with passport!) and Eddie Jeffery are off for two weeks in March.
Bill Harris along with possibly two travelling companions will visit in April.
Graham Pountain will probably go in May accompanied by anyone else who wishes to go (just get in touch)
Next Info day is next week Saturday 3rd February 10am at Abbey book/coffee shop in Oswaldtwistle (everyone is
invited - ring for directions or just turn up)
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Friday 26th January 2001 21:00 hours
Brian and Rachel arrived safely on Monday the 15th January.
They have sent two faxes during their stay and all is well although nothing appears to have gone to plan.
Unfortunately Fares's mother was taken ill and died during their stay and Fares and Grace went to visit her and
then stayed for the funeral - this meant that Brian and Rachel had to cover for them when they were away.
From all accounts they had a very eventful two weeks and a full report will appear here on their return (tomorrow
Saturday 27th)
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Sunday 14th January 2001 15:00 hours
Brian Bancroft and Rachel Hill were dropped off at Manchester airport terminal 2 at 05:10 hours this morning
ready for their Trip to Bethany via Brussels, Kigali, Nairobi (overnight) and Mwanza (Tanzania). They had with them extra baggage of 20Kilos.
Unfortunately Christopher Gaster was unable to accompany them as the Tanzania High Commission was unable
to process his visa application in time even though they had 5 working days to do so. We tried to contact the High Commission on the Friday (12th Jan) but no one was answering the three telephone lines given out on their website. One was a pre-recorded message, the other one for postal visas asked you to leave a message and so did the general enquiries telephone line. By the end of Friday the message you got was ' This mailbox is full and cannot accept any messages - your call will be terminated' (or words to that effect). The foreign Office had no other way of contacting the High Commission other than by the phone number we had. So all in all we were all disappointed with the outcome.
We are still looking out for a microscope for the Clinic - so if you've got one going spare you know where it will be
worked hard!
Eddie Jeffery is considering a trip out the last two weeks in March and Christoper Gaster is considering going
with him (if he gets his passport back by then). Is there anyone else out there who would like to accompany them?
OTHER NEWS
Next Prayer meeting will be Saturday 27th January 10-12noon at Abbey Resource Centre, Oswaldtwistle.
Next Information Day will be Saturday 3rd February 10am - 3pm at Abbey Resource Centre, Oswaldtwistle.
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Saturday 6th January 2001 09:00 hours
Fax received from Tanz today 10:43 hours
Quotes from the Fax:
'The family is doing fine at the moment. By the love of God we had wonderful times on Christmas and Happy new
year days! Praised be the name of the Lord'
'The siphon started to work wonderfully from the last week of December! So we are very happy for this!'
Fares also tells us that because of the rainy season they have many mosquitos and he is hoping that when
Christopher comes he will be able to make door frames with mesh on them to stop the mosquitos getting in.
Fares also mentions Maria who is now no longer able to visit in January - the family in Tanz are praying for a
speedy recovery.
OTHER NEWS
Next Prayer meeting will be Saturday 27th January 10-12noon at Abbey Resource Centre, Oswaldtwistle.
Next Information Day will be Saturday 3rd February 10am - 3pm at Abbey Resource Centre, Oswaldtwistle.
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