2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone

Not sure if anyone reads this still but i thought i would write anyway.
Today i am celebrating 8 months of marriage Yes Peter and I got married on May 21st 2011.
Also i cant believe its 2012 already and i am still sharing about my experience in Kenya, it is also great that i am in touch with my 'family' out there still to this day, thanks to email and mainly Facebook also mobile contact. 4 years later of being back.

Wow how God has challenged us both especially these last 8 months - we have moved churches and is now waiting to see what God has in store for us this year.

Talk in Ashley

Wow what can I say 2 years on and im still sharing my Kenyan experience tomorrow im in a place called Ashley in Staffordshire sharing part of my experience within their service quite nervous but it wil be ok - Gods in control

Im still recovering at present and needto have another 4 weeks off work :( but at least im hoping this is it.

GETTING EXCITED

Peter and I have nearly sorted out our wedding plans weve brought the fabric and material for the dresses!!

Yesterday i had an operation on my right knee and so at present im in plaster and on crutches but the lord is healing it well as the pain is easing but this is day 2!!

Jo

update

Habari all

Just to let people know Peter and I have now set a date May 2011 and have moved in together so life is very busy packing and unpacking working full time, and wedding planning wow God has done so much with us both through this time and keeping us chilled through out ISH!!

IM GETTING MARRIED

Just to let everyone know (if anyone still reads this)
Peter Matthews and I are getting married not sure of date yet but we got engaged last saturday eve.

3months later

Jambo all
Im still in the UK and also my heart is still with my 'family' and friends in Kenya i am still working at the private school nursery in Newcastle-under-lyme with the 2-3 year olds, church life is manic but still uplifting even through the moans and groans of many
Family is expanding again.
At present im praying for the Mubichi family in Kenya as they are grieving over the lost of Florence (wife,mum,grandmother,) whose funeral takes place on Tuesday in Kenya my prayers and thoghts go with them.

new job started 4-1-10

Ive started working 30 hours at a private nursery bout 40minutes walk from my place
working with the 2-3 year olds sofar 2nd day in enjoying it!

Looking forward to 2010

I hope all those who read this had a peaceful christmas and are looking forward to seeing what our Lord Jesus has instore for us all in 2010.
I have a week left until i start work at a private nursery only 17 months later of being home from Kenya, this year has been a very challenging one and a struggle but also a blessed one cause the Lord has looked after me along with friends and Family who i thank so much for all their support prayers and love, to help me through this last year.
God bless everyone may u all have an peaceful and joyful New Year remember the Lord is always with U.

GREAT NEWS

Hi everyone, just thought i would share for those who dont know i have been offered a job 30 hours in a private school / nursery start January only a year later since i was made unemployed at christmas.

update

Hi everyone
still unemployed but had an interview today so fingers crossed that i hear something back from it. think it went ok but who knows only the Lord
Thankfully I have the Lord and great friends and family for support a shoulder to cry on, listening ears and helping me out thanks everyone.
Im still living in staffordshire in my 1 bed flat its great.
Still praying for direction but still praying loads that i can go cliff college soon to study, but for the time being ill stick with newcastle college and do my 2 evening courses Maths and ECDL level2 (computers).
Off to see family and friends tomorrow for a long weekend cant wait its been awhile
Then going to see a family i havent seen since my leaving party for kenya to show them the photos so still at it sharing my experiences and stories CANT WAIT should be ACE also a catch up!!

hi

Hi everyone,
I do hope people are still reading this
Nothing has really changed since july post regarding work as i still do not have a job and its really getting to me now. I NEED TO WORK FULL TIME
Within Church im still a bb officer, occassional guider at rainbows helper at brownies, steward, church council member, i run the multimedia, play in the music group, im now also the event co-ordiantor if people want to hire the halls they call me up all these cause noone else would take them on - I really do enjoy doing all this otherwise i wouldnt do it plus its mainly for the Lord and thats what discipleship is all about helping others aswell as leading them to Him.
Im still missing Kenya lots but greatful for facebook as i can keep in touch with some of them.
I am starting 2 evening courses at college redoing my mathematics aswell as a ECDL level 2 computer course looking forward to that.
Lots of prayer is needed for my future as i am looking into a course for youth ministry/ youth work at Cliff but needs prayer especially financal prayer aswell but in Gods timing all this will happen. So watch this space.

Hi

Hi all
Had a great few months still sharing my Kenyan experience at several different meetings - amazing really a year and abit of being home and still sharing at least that and the Church and my family are keeping me busy with little voluntary jobs.
STILL STILL JOB HUNTING I NEED A FULLTIME JOB - willing to do anything which doesnt involve driving around i can get to places on a bus but I DONT DRIVE and i cant afford too - its really getting to me now.
Hey ho like everyone else in the same boat. PLUS i cant sign up with agency because its whenever and i need permanent full time to live.
I wish sometimes i was still out in Kenya.

BEEN BACK IN UK A YEAR!!

Cant believe that a year has gone already of being back in the uk and still talking bout the experience of Kenya and still sharing photoes.
Im also writing this on my birthday as i wait for family to turn up in a short while today i had an job interview, have another one on friday then communion then lunch with friends now waiting for some family until out this evening.
But thank you to all who keep up with this blog and for your prayers and messages.

RECOVERY

Hi everyone
Not sure if anyone still reads this blog, but if they do thanks
Wow been back nearly a year now cant believe where this year has gone, and what ive done in this year, mainly alot of voluntary work through talks on kenya, church stuff and mainly job hunting. ON monday i had an operation on my left ear drum as ive had a hole in since i was a baby, so now they have decided to operated on it - go back on june 10th for follow up on it.
So im recovering from it and actually feel pretty ok. I wasnt that much sick either just arms and legs flying everywhere and took off the bandage for them to replace opps!!
Oh well thats it really. Nothing else really to report. STILL JOB HUNTING THOUGH doing my head in abit but being kept busy which is the main thing.

update on life

Not much has changed really in the past 4 months as im still job hunting full time work please in staffordshire.
But my flat is lovely and enjoying life - Praise the Lord

the district event

Thanks for everyone who supported our district even with the Methodist President, the event went really great lots of people came and at least 180 people stayed for the sit down meal. Thanks for the help and support from my circuit Rev Jenny,Alex,Mary and especially Helen (who printed off my photos and didn't mind her email full of them also for helping on the day as well couldn't of done it with out you). i hope Ive not forgotten anyone.
For all those who came what an experience we had from the different countries and cultures
My congratulations goes out to all those who organised and arranged for it to happen so smoothly enjoyed the day although yes i was warn out with all the talking and sharing, but great experience.

reflection time

Hello Everyone
Wow where did 2008 go? I’m sorry where did these last 7 months go? I can’t believe I’ve been home over half a year now from my year out in Kenya – did it go this fast last year??!!
As I reflect on my last 7 months I’m going to be honest about the way I’ve been feeling because as you know Joanne is fine no matter what, but you have to say that out in Kenya anyway, so I fitted in well!!
These past few months have been really hard for me and I believe that I’ve suffered reverse cultural shock (I was aware of this from my training that it may happen), this happened until about November - so good news I feel settled. Although a huge thank you to all those who have been there for me, listened to my concerns, a shoulder to cry on, shared in my experience of Kenya and basically helped me back into the way of living here and just for being you.
I know because I couldn’t settle, unsure of where I was meant to be, didn’t know what I’m meant to be doing (that really still applies), I didn’t know where I was with my faith (strange I know after a whole year of doing Gods calling) but reading His Word; through prayers; listening to music and in services also through many conversations with many of you; I believe that my spark is slowly returning to a flame. But as Joanne always does just get on with things, catch up with friends and family as I’ve not seen them for over a year – probably some people I’ve not even seen yet since I got back – sorry .
Personally if I can deal with much more challenging circumstances in Kenya (Country elections, the church problems, and the situation at the home, also suffering with Malaria) I can deal with personal changes here. On The Experience Exchange Programme reflection weekend back in October 2008 was ace, my eyes were open my heart was strengthened to know that I wasn’t alone in the boat and these feelings through sharing with the other EEPs and we all said with the help of our Lord and family friends and the help from EEPs staff we all got through our experiences.


To end I would like to share a song written by one of the children Ann Joy from the Children’s Home Meru Kenya:

“Have you ever talked to God?
About..
Tell Him that you need a friend, to love,
Ask all this in Jesus name,
Believe,
He answers prayers.
Chorus –
You can whisper in a cloud, to Him,
You can cry when you are alone, to Him
You don’t have to shout aloud, to Him
He knows your thoughts.”

happy new year!!

Ok so its nearly mid jan hey ho!!
another update for u im now not working yet again it finished at christmas so job hunting yet again alongside everyone else not happy
Also im now renting a property in porthill newcastle-under-lyme staffs, a lovely 1 bedroom flat which used to be a post office so im told.
Life is settling now and getting into some sort of normality i think.
Still doing a few talks on my experience in kenya which is great as it keeps it alive and its great to share with one another.

So happy new year 2009 is here and im praying that u are all ok and that we are listening to God about what he wants us to do.

update news

well hello to anyone who still is reading this, now im back in uk it feels a tad wired still writing on it but it updates you all with what im up to especially those who i dont manage to see regularly.

Well 5 months now ive been back and Praise God things are now starting to be on the way up!!

Ive started a 10 hour job with a company down london but can do from up stoke plus monday 17th november i should be starting a part time job at Iceland supermarket retail experience which i do have.
then we shall see after christmas - start looking again.
Still living at my sisters in wolstanton but have put housing application in so we shall see, or maybe moving in with my dad that bit still unsure of.
I cant believe its 5 months and im still speaking about Kenya then again i will be for the rest of my life it was a whole year experience not everyone yet has seen the photos will honestly get round to it soon promise.

Since ive been back ive been abit up and down not knowing what meant to be doing, where im meant to be, who i am so i feel yes that ive suffered cultural shock quite bad really also with changes in my personal life not really helped but overcoming them now. If im honest some of those questions still havent been answered.
I have done various of talks, been on reflection,a few job turn downs,church life occassionally helped at rainbows, brownies,bb,church services,playing in music group, so really in away bck to the way i was bfore kenya although not 100% committed, but in a way this has helped me to settle back in some aspect.

I pray about them aswell as speak to friends / minister about it 1 friend said to me the other day "cant believe that its easier to adapt to another country than adapting back to your own especially in finding work" have to agree, plus the time of year the credit crunch wrong timing really oh well life goes on.

reflection weekend away in Birmingham today

Just getting prepared for a reflection weekend in Birmingham cant wait im looking forward sharing my experience on kenya with others aswell as meeting those and others i trained with.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other update is that the job i mentioned in my other blog post nothing has become of it as in the end and waiting 3 months being told there was no Fulltime position (bomb shell) i was looking forward in starting but with all the hassle it has caused im not sure. But i do have an interview later on today and a job training in london which i can do from stoke (home) so we shall see.
Keep you all posted.