This may go down in history as the shortest of our Christmas letters. That does not, however, reflect on a lack of activity in the Woody camp, quite the contrary, we’ve been busier than ever. Attempts to lengthen our working day, to accommodate all this activity, is fraught by that ‘bed fellow’ anno domini. At least I’m beginning to understand why we need a video recorder; if you record a programme, then you can always see the second half, which you missed when you slipped into oblivion as you sat in the armchair! (we haven’t yet moved into the DVD ownership league, that would be too advanced for us technologically.)
    2003 began with the good news that Douglas & Gemma had become engaged – they phoned us from Edinburgh, where they went with friends to celebrate Hogmanay. They are to be married at All Saints, Ardleigh Green (the church where Gemma was baptised) on 22nd May 2004. Doug will have the distinction of being the ‘last cousin’ to be married, he has been pipped to the post by John Kear (Lydia’s youngest) who is marrying Hannah Hardy on 3rd January, in Loughborough. The clan is called to a gathering in a hotel the evening before – I trust that the management are prepared for this!
     Easter for me was spent in Canterbury at my last College Residential. One of the highlights was undoubtedly meeting the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams – a very modest man. He joined us for coffee one morning, when he circulated, chatting to most of us in a very relaxed way and then he joined us for prayers one evening too, just fading into the dark of the night at the end of the service.
     By July my course was finally completed. I will miss my college pals – but it was a great privilege to attend Rochester Cathedral to see some of them ordained as deacons in September. At the end of July I enjoyed a wonderful week at the U.R.C. Windemere centre attending Summer School. The weather was mixed, but the walks in the surrounding area were stimulating. The course content was well presented, and the time spent in discussion groups was interesting too.
     Mid-September saw Alan & I departing for 6 weeks in South Africa. My training for ministry required 800 service hours, some of this could be done as an overseas placement. Thanks to the work of Dale Rominger, in England, and Rev.Ramolundi, in Johannesburg, I was invited to work with Rev.Cliff Leeuw, a Coloured Minister, in East London (between Durban and Port Elizabeth).     [quotes from e-mail sent to UK near the end of our trip:-     Africa has once again claimed another part of my heart! I can hardly believe that Alan and I have been here for 4 weeks already. Living in a 3rd. world country again, and at times seeing life lived at its most basic level, is indeed an eye opener.      Alan and I have promised ourselves a more relaxed last week, in which we do plan to visit some of the local beauty spots. Meanwhile Cliff will no doubt keep me fully stretched – this guy doesn’t even take a day off, I don’t think that he realises most people work a 5 or 6 day week. (Although later this week, once the Springboks get more involved in the Rugby World Cup, there may be cause to slow down, the man’s an avid Rugby supporter!)     Just as an example of ‘life with Leeuw’ – those who are long enough in the tooth to remember the radio programme ‘Life with the Lyons’ will understand the reference – I will give you a run down on just two of my days.
     Thursday 25th September may prove to be the most rewarding day of the trip…. A day which began speaking to a little girl in England on her 5th birthday – thankfully happy, well fed, well dressed and blessed with an abundance of gifts from the many who love her dearly. By mid-morning, in the company of Cliff, Frances Clarke, his pastoral worker, and Pastor Michael Du Plessis (who’s Parkside Presbyterian Church is in this area), I went visiting the ‘bush homes’. Here we found people living their lives in deprivation and squalor, living in ‘matchbox houses’ – houses which, together with the dry surrounding vegetation, could go up in flames like a tinderbox. And their homes were just a reflection of their lives – clothes were tattered and torn, although attempts were being made at the ONE water tap for the whole area, to wash their rags. There was no provision of sanitation, so presumably the bushes which provided shelter from the wind, and a playground for the children, were also the communal toilets for humans and animals alike. Many of these homes have a dog, for protection, and our purpose in being there was to deliver a gift of ‘dry’ dog food from an animal lover in the congregation! We also took 2 large bags of oranges to distribute to the children. Our next port of call was to a newly established AIDS centre for the terminally ill – supported by the Presbyterian Church in Parkside. That is indeed another story… After these visits I found myself recalling the words of the famous Archbishop of Capetown, Desmond Tutu: “This is God’s world, He is in charge… (but in a quiet voice I whispered) God, if you are in charge, why don’t you make it more obvious?” By mid-afternoon we returned home for a few hours; the day concluded with a few house visits to the sick and the wayward!
     Thursday 9th. October began at Gonubie Presbyterian Church, approx. 10 miles out of town, a church built to serve the surrounding farming community. This was a sad occasion, as the Presbytery were coming together to bury a retired minister. (Cliff, Frances and I had previously visited him in St. Bernadette’s Hospice – he was a super man and apparently, surrounded by his family, his death was very dignified too.) There were 11 ministers taking part in the service, there was a strong sense in which they were saying goodbye to a brother, which was quite apparent for all to see. As might be expected, the little church was very full, the congregation included a four legged mourner – a little dog came in and wandered around, visited several mourners and then left – no one bothered, passed comment or even attempted to remove it! Our attendance came to an abrupt end when Cliff received a phone call to say that one of his old ladies in King William’s Town had had a stroke, so off we went to comfort the family. It was also interesting to see the church where I will be preaching next Sunday (19th.) Never one to waste time, Cliff decided to visit another 2 members of the congregation while he was there!
     I have been particularly impressed with the way in which participants in church services move through the language differences; it is greatly to the credit of the worshipping community that its people appear to feel free to express themselves in whichever language comes most naturally to them. A prayer may start in English, move into Afrikaans and finish in Xhosa, and sometimes it all makes sense! ] It was a wonderful experience and the temptation to return sooner rather than later is very strong for both of us! {Alan says: The Bahá’í community there is extremely active; an average of 11 meetings per week, of which I managed to attend about 8 each week except the last week, when Ann & I were invited to a holiday resort by a church couple. My contribution to singing, youth courses etc. was greatly appreciated and I was pleased that Ann was also asked to go back for another visit. I was so busy that I only managed to get to the East London beach 3 times in 5 weeks!}
     Back in the UK, I am now working with Rev.John Edwards in his joint pastorate of Wanstead & Gants Hill. He’s another wonderful human being, a kind and gentle teacher, from whom I am sure that I can learn much. My placement with him is to continue until Easter. For one or two reasons, my ordination has had to be delayed until mid-June, but in the scheme of things I shall just have to learn to be patient.
    At the beginning of September we saw Rebecca (3 weeks before her 5th birthday) going to school, at Engayne Primary School, for the first time. She has grown up so much in a short time. It’s sometimes strange to see history repeating itself, she was chosen to be Mary in the class play, but declined on the grounds that “No thank you, I would be frightened” – that would have been her mother’s reply at that age, too, and dare I remind those of you who know the child’s grandmother, that would have been her reply, too! Sarah is getting involved in more activities, now that her sister is at school, and her strong personality is very obvious. She still sees her cousins about once a week; Suzanne and Nicola have managed to keep one half-day free for that. Edward has started pre-school and is talking a lot more. Hannah is really ready for school, but Nicola [who still does a little supply teaching] has many suitable activities to keep her occupied. Suzanne & Andy have just had an extension completed, which will give us more space when we all descend for Christmas Day. Gus is currently doing contract work, while Doug has just started a new job in Docklands.
    On return to England, Alan & I were greeted with the news that the Greigs were planning to move to France. Alex, Laetitia & Sarah are moving to just South of Lille on 14th January. Sand & Sue have bought a property about 20 minutes from them – they will move out there with Mrs.Hart, Sue’s elderly mother, when their home in Sevenoaks is sold, probably March or April.
    Lyd & Warrick’s family are in various stages of house moving, new jobs & wedding. It’s lovely to hear Rachel’s voice again; Rachel, Kim and their two children, Anna & Timothy, are here from Canada for Christmas.
    On the work front I have been persuaded to reduce my hours to 4 days a week; I plan to retire from Little Haven in September, although I will probably stay on the ‘bank’, offering to do an occasional night duty. This will also be the time when I begin to work 3 days a week for the Church. I have also been approached by the Chaplaincy team at the Hospice to do an occasional half-day. Probably by next Christmas all will be revealed.
     Time to wish you a very happy & Blessed Christmas, and our wish that 2004 will be happy, healthy & prosperous.

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