2010:365:148 Preparation

Getting ready for the day has a number of stages.... it begins with coffee and taking the dog out; and it ends with putting on my silver cross and choosing what earrings to wear!  This pair of moonstones were bought on my last  night in Turkey (along with some turtles and two little blue birds) and, although quite heavy, are a particular favourite.  The blue...  sometimes yellow, sometimes white... picks up the colour from its background and makes the blue more intense.  

A sunny morning in Belfast with coffee in the garden provided the perfect opportunity to show them off as Lay-Zee held them up against the willow.  Maybe it was only nine degrees Celsius at the time - but that doesn't stop us enjoying the sunshine.  

"Shadows" is the theme so there had to be a bit of turning and twisting to get a good shadow on Lay-Zee's body.  Someone remarked that it looks like he's wearing a tie!

A day that began with preparation of myself ends with preparation for tomorrow's bag packing in the Co-op! They have very graciously allowed us to be in the store all day Saturday when we'll offer to pack shopping for the customers.  Big orange buckets have been made ready so that folk can give us donations for the Mobile Clinic that we're hoping to fund for the next year.

Bishop Jeremiah Taama is seen dedicating the vehicle in the photograph that we've used on the literature.  This is a wonderful resource for the Maasai - and just £100 will keep it on the road for a day.  That covers all the costs of Clinic, staff and transport.  People who would not otherwise have any medical care within easy reach have a full range of services taken to them and it, in many cases, can be a life saver.

The family from Saint Nicholas' who are going to Kajiado, Kenya in July are starting this fund.  We hope that many will contribute so that, for the foreseeable future, medical help will be available across the Diocese of Kajiado.  We'd love to raise £25,000 .... tomorrow is the beginning of the public efforts and then next Friday we have the "Dance for Africa" at the parish halls. 

So preparations are completed... the earrings have served their purpose and are now waiting for another day... the collecting buckets are in the car ready for the morning... and I'm ready for an early night!

Almighty God,

who called your Church to witness

that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:

Help us to proclaim the good news of your love,

that all who hear it may be drawn to you;

through him who was lifted up on the cross,

and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.  Amen. 

Collect for Mission.

Book of Common Prayer.