Colin and Christine have worked in Congo, Kenya and then in Madagascar with the Africa Inland Mission since 1980. There they have been linked with the Malagasy Bible Society, with Scripture Union and later in a leadership-training programme with one of the Malagasy Church denominations. They have also had responsibilities with a local Orphanage and for the short-term volunteer programme.
They have recently returned to the UK and are living in Sutton Bonington, in order to be close to Colin’s ageing mother. They are now linked directly with AIM UK and the head Office in Nottingham and have a number of current responsibilities within UK and in Africa occasionally.
Find out about the Kenya Wheelchair Project.
Our dear Praying Friends,
A month is a long time, at least that’s how Christine felt, Colin on the other hand found it all too short and would like 8 weeks per month……. while in Africa anyway.
He and Dave and later Ken all worked very hard and long days and were able to achieve some of what they set out to do. Two wheelchairs were built and operational, but they ran out of time to do the fine tuning and finalising they would like to have done.
There were some unexpected challenges, the first about the design, and making the WChs more transportable, and the second the difficulty of getting parts anywhere but Nairobi, and that meant someone being away for at least a day. It wasn’t always easy to anticipate exact needs as the progress evolved, steep learning curves, and alternating cries of ‘great’ and ‘oh no’ ‘lets try this’
So because there are still some unused funds, Colin will hope to return in November to further fine tune and encourage the team there to keep on producing. The workshop team are very capable and experienced, but it would be good to spend more time with them and also visit a Nairobi workshop for mutual benefit.
There were good times of re-union and fellowship with Kerio Valley friends from over 25 years ago. Also at the Child Care Centre with the staff and others introducing the Prayer-cell Group system in practice.
All went well at the home end for Christine and Mother, ‘texting’ was the main means of communication, so it was all rather short, sharp and to the point.
We’ll hope to write a prayer letter soon, so this is just to let you know how things went in Kenya. Please do pray with us concerning the possibility of Colin returning to Nairobi / Kajiado in November; it does appear to be a necessary and important visit.
Thank you so much for your prayers, participation and interest
In His love and fellowship
Colin & Christine.
Our dear praying friends,
Colin’s just back from his 2nd visit to the Child Care Centre and we thought we would combine warm Christmas greetings along with an update on the ‘Off-road Wheel chairs.” The project has moved forward very satisfactorily and he together with Moses and Daniel, were able to build one new ‘pushed chair’ and one new ‘self-propelled’ one. These machines are now completed and are currently being tried at the Centre and also in the villages, so as to assess their suitability and durability. The ‘Pushed Type’ are needed in order to help those children who (sadly) are not able to propel the chairs themselves. Each chair comprises mostly bicycle parts, with some steel tubing and plywood, finishing touches include plastic-covered foam rubber upholstery, the end product is quite comfortable and fairly easy to operate. The advantages become immediately apparent when the ground is sandy, soft or stony, where the conventional chair fails. Future plans include another visit and various modifications on the basic designs according to differing needs and a smaller machine more suited to the smaller children .
10:45am & 6:15pm
All are welcome to join us.
There are tapes of the sermons preached in the church over the last three years. Please email Jerry Griffiths to find out more about what is available.
Sunday 10:45am
On average around fifteen children attend the Junior Church every Sunday morning. The children are aged between three and eleven. They are divided into two age groups according to their age, meeting for news and songs at the beginning and again at the end of the meeting. There are four teachers and four helpers that work with the children.
The Junior Church aims to teach about the bible and how it can be applied to everyday life. It also enables the children to talk about their lives and how God helps and guides them, giving opportunity for them to praise and thank God for what he has done. Children learn through many varied activities and get involved themselves by bringing books, stories and news to share.
Each Christmas the Junior Church puts on a play where all take part. This year "Time" was the theme. Children acted out the Nativity and Easter story showing the time when Jesus came to earth. It also asked poignant question about how we all use our time and efforts.
The Junior Church welcomes all to come and worship and learn more about the God of the bible.
For further information contact Louise Waters on (01509) 672633.
Last Monday of month
A club for fairly active retired or semi-retired men (50+) which meets on the last Monday in each month. Activities include easy walks - ussually in The Peak District or Leicestershire and visits to various places of interest, followed by a pub lunch. Good conversation and gentle humour abound.
Contact: John Dickens (01509) 673007
Tuesdays & Fridays 9.45am (term time)
Sutton Bonington Mothers & Toddlers group. Meet every Tuesday & Friday from 9.45am till 12 noon. Everyone is welcome from birth to 4 years of age.
Contact Katharine Hebblethwaite for more details.
Phone 01509 672889
Tuesdays 3.45pm
ASK? is a youth club for (yrs 3-6)
We run our programme during school term times. Our programme typically consists of craft, snacks, question times,creative Christian talks and activities and active games.
For further information telephone Beth Cumming on (01509) 843923 or email her.
Tuesdays 7.45pm
Rock Solid is resourced by Youth for Christ, which is an organisation specialising in providing resources for youth work. The material we use is specifically geared towards the 11-14 age group, with its particular tastes, interests and needs in mind and provides young people with an opportunity to explore major life issues and choices from a Christian perspective. The overall programme is high-energy, exciting with lots of activities and lots to think about.
Special events and nights out are also a regular part of the programme.
For further information contact David and Karen Gray on 01509 674762 or email them.
Wednesdays 8pm
A club for years 10 and above (14+yrs),
Meets Wednesday evenings 8pm-9.30pm
Leaders
Sarah and Paul Tremeer, Brian Butler, Paddy McGhee, Martin Steel
The club meets for social club nights, trips out, discussions about relevant issues from a Christian perspective and much more!
For more info contact Paul and Sarah Tel. 01509 672917
Small groups - Fornightly on Thursdays & Fridays
Prayer meetings - Fortnightly on Thursday's 7.45pm
We have a number of small groups meeting in peoples homes at different times and days to suit everybody. These groups for the purpose of supporting and encouraging one another. These meetings usually include an opportunity to pray together and study the bible.
The small groups meet once every two weeks.
The meeting on the alternate Thursday is an all together meeting for prayer and praise in the church lounge. We have a time of open praise followed by a special prayer topic. We also pray for people and events in the church and community as well as for friends and members of the church family serving God in different parts of the world.
From time to time we run enquirers groups for those who want find out more about Christian faith. This may be an Alpha course or something similar.
If you would like to find out more about the small groups please contact Pastor John Hebblethwaite on (01509) 672889
Alternate Wednesdays 10.30am
Coffee Break meets alternate Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12 midday in the Baptist Church lounge Sutton Bonington. It's a chance for retired people to meet and enjoy chat and friendship over tea / coffee and biscuits, followed by fellowship through varied and interesting speakers. A warm welcome is given to all and an offer of transport is also available.
Contact: Iris Bonner (01509) 672788 or Mu Miller (01509) 670231 email
Wednesdays 7.45pm
Meets weekly on a Wednesday evening at 7.45pm (in a home). All welcome! For further details of venue, or for transport, please phone Val Thomson on (01509) 670104, or e-mail Val.
Alternate Thursdays 1.30pm
Are you new to this country? Would you like to know more about life in the UK and enjoy friendship in a relaxed atmosphere (with opportunity to practice your English too!)? Perhaps you may like to share a little about your country and customs with us! You will be most welcome to join us, together with your children.
We meet on two Thursdays a month at 1.30pm in the lounge of the Baptist Church in Sutton
Bonington (next to the Post Office). We aim to finish around 3.20pm. On one Thursday we have a programme which includes outings, cooking, crafts, discussions etc, and on the other Thursday we have opportunity to look at the Bible to learn together what it has to say for our daily lives as women.
Once a month on a Friday evening we have fun having dinner together in someone’s home - a chance to relax without the children!
Please do contact Val if you would like further information.
Visit our web page to see what we have been doing recently.
Alternate Thursdays 1.30pm
Meeting on the alternate Thursday at 1.30pm, contact Val Thomson on (01509) 670104 or e-mail Val for further details or transport if needed.
Other special events throughout the year are also held, eg at the Lunar New Year, and at Christmas, contact Val for details.