SEPTEMBER 2017 1
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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR MINISTER
SEPTEMBER 2017
Dear friends in Christ For me, and looking back over the summer, there were two highlights. The first was the Romsey Festival (my first experience of this!) and the Beggars Fair, which I remember from when Marie and I came for our ‘preach-with-a-view’ weekend last year. What a wonderful array of events and display of talents! It was a privilege to share in morning prayer each weekday at church, and to be at so many concerts and exhibitions at church and elsewhere over those two weeks. One thing that has a special place in my memories of that Festival time was the ‘yarn-bombing’ of the bollards in town. Marie and I were walking back after a meal out the evening most of them were placed outside and a couple drove round into the Corn Market, stopped their car and got out completely wide-eyed and smiling! They asked us what it was all about and noticed how people were talking to each other and taking time to stop and look at each one. I saw a child in Abbey Walk approach and hug a wool-covered bollard as if it were a huge teddy-bear, almost twice her height! A very special time of festivity and fun – and of community. At Braishfield (in addition to the 199th Anniversary service!) the dual-highlight was the joint event of the Church Flower Festival and Village Flower Show. The church looked beautiful with all the lovely arrangements of flowers and the scent wafted all around, especially during the Sunday morning service! It was good to chat with people (of all ages) as they came into the church to see the flowers and sign the visitors’ book. 3
Then there was the Village Flower Show. Again, a wonderful display of flowers, fruit, vegetables, with baking and craft skills on show too! It was great to present the trophies and certificates to the winners, and to spend that afternoon chatting with many people. The events at Braishfield and in and around Romsey Town were important show-cases of people’s talents and gifts, but more than anything else I think, important ways by which community links can be made and strengthened. Romsey Festival happens once every three years; the Beggars Fair, along with the Braishfield Church Flower Festival and Village Flower Show, happens annually. So now what opportunities can be made to open our church regularly in between these events (in addition to Sundays) to welcome people in for simple refreshment, a chat, a time of quiet prayer - and this to encourage and deepen links with people in the community? Let’s prayerfully consider this important aspect of our Christian outreach as we enter the Autumn season. Paul wrote, Keep on loving one another as Christians. Remember to welcome strangers. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-20 In Christian love, Mike
Reflection from Gill Bailey, a recent visiting preacher …. “WHEN THE POWER OF LOVE OVERPOWERS THE LOVE OF POWER …. THIS WORLD WILL BE A BETTER PLACE!”
WORK MORNING 9 am – 12 noon at church (DIY and cleaning jobs) on Saturday 2 September 2017 Contact Geoff Prestage (01794 884948) Coffee break at 10.30 am!
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TUESDAY PRAYERS 9.30 – 10.00am in Abbey Hall Lounge This short time of prayer is available to all, and those named in our book of prayer requests are always remembered. Anyone can add names to the book at the church entrance. The readings to be used for September are: Sep 5 12 19 26
Psalm 26:1-8 Psalm 119:33-40 Psalm 103: 1 and 8-13 Psalm 145:1-8
Matthew 16:13-17 Matthew 18:18-20 Matthew 18:21-22 Matthew 20:1 and 10-14
If you have particular prayer requests, please add them to the book at the back of church. PRAYER FOR SEPTEMBER Do you ever find your thoughts wandering, maybe when having a quiet prayer in the privacy of your home, during the time of worship when listening to a sermon, or praying together with others? However sincere our intentions, this happens. Let us take comfort from God’s promises in Scripture that the Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8.26). As we return after the summer months to our autumn activities, let us pray that we may be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, remembering what God has done in the past, but also being open to new ideas and new ways of working together. We pray with the words of Thomas A Kempis (1380-1471). “Merciful Lord, enlighten me with a clear shining inward light and remove all darkness from my heart. Repress my many wandering thoughts” Amen
Leena Knowles 5
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS From the church register: Weddings 22 Jul. - Thomas Boiles to Jade Clark: Service by Revd Brian Spencer 3 Aug. - Andrew Cox to Nadia Mansoor: Service by Revd Alan Green May God bless them in their future lives together Funerals 9 Aug. - Ray Beer: led by Revd Alan Green and Dick Duley 21 Aug. - Alf Mayhew: led by Revd Alan Green Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this time. Our prayers are also with: All who are unwell, housebound or in hospital. Those mentioned in the book of prayer requests (to be found in the church entrance) will be included in our prayers of intercession during services. Congratulations and God’s blessing to: Brenda Green, who celebrated her 80th birthday on 6 August. Eric Warne, our organist, who celebrated his 90th birthday on 11 August.
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Expl rers & Pi neers During August the Explorers and Pioneers have a break from their normal activities and where the weather allows, they play outside. They enjoyed geo-caching in and around Romsey, finding sites at the station and the War Memorial Park. The Fun Club on 23 & 24 August was very well attended, with many new children. They played games, enjoyed craft activities including making boats from junk, then floating them! We are very grateful to members of the congregation who give up their time to keep the children busy. On 10 September, we celebrate the Explorers' birthday and give them another item of equipment. So far they have received a lantern, a compass and a ball with the 'world' on it. What will it be this year? We also give bibles to children who are eight. Canine Partners - We were grateful for a donation of ÂŁ220 from the Springfield Music Concert. This is enough for a quarter of a dog! On 30 September we shall be having a sponsored walk as in past years. We will meet at Highcliffe Car park, Wharncliffe Road, Christchurch at 10.00am, stroll to Mudeford for morning coffee and return to the car park where you can have a picnic lunch. You can always walk faster or further if you are feeling more energetic! The skittle alley at the Wellow Golf Club is booked for 4 November, at 5.00pm. Please put this date in your diary! This is open to anyone in the church family. There will be more details in the October magazine. We are always looking for more children to join us. Please pass on details to friends and family. More information on Explorers/Pioneers from Susan Lord (02380 695972) or Carole Cox (01794 323392). Within our youth work we follow the guidelines laid down for Good Practice in Safeguarding Children. Explorers meet on Sunday mornings between 10.30 and 11.30. Pioneers as above. Susan Lord 7
LETTERS OF APPRECIATION What a lovely surprise to find Angus at the door with a beautiful bunch of flowers from the Church, this afternoon. Very many thanks for thinking of me. Best wishes. Joan Duley Being, I believe, the most junior of the church's Over Ninety group, I feel both qualified and eager to send these few words of thanks to Jeanine, Roy, and the half dozen or so other youngsters who organised, prepared and served us with a splendid afternoon tea the other Sunday. To those of you too young to qualify, I would like to tell you that you missed out on a marvellous treat. We, the participants, were about a dozen or so in number, and it became clear that each one of us enjoyed ourselves so much, that on their behalf I can express our most sincere thanks, whilst looking forward to repeat performances of same. (Home made chocolate cake a particular hit!). With best wishes to all. Hugh Lewis I just wanted to thank everyone for my cross and prayer book given to me by the Church to take to Tanzania. It was very kind and I am grateful for the thought and effort you have all put into supporting me on my journey. Both of the gifts are in my hand luggage and will keep me feeling close to home whilst I'm away. I would also like to thank Hannah and Georgina for my lovely cards. I couldn't take them with me but they are in my room pinned up on my notice board. Thank you for all the kind messages! Kathleen Beaman
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TEA AND CHAT Ladies, our next informal gathering for Tea and Chat will be on Thursday 28th September at 2.30 to 4pm in the Abbey Hall Lounge. We look forward to seeing you all. Any queries please contact either Angela Farmery or Christine Thomas
HARVEST CELEBRATION 8 – 10 SEPTEMBER We are celebrating Harvest with a difference this year, offering a variety of celebrations and services throughout the weekend of 8–10 September. Our friends from St Joseph’s will be joining us for some of the events. Celebrations start at 7.30pm with our Friday evening Harvest Festival Variety Show, details of which are given elsewhere in this magazine. Please do contact Wendy Stewart (01794 515808) - if you would like to contribute towards the entertainment or to book your tickets for the Ploughman’s Platter. Saturday is preparation day with the church being decorated in the morning for the Harvest Service. Offers of help with flower decorations or donations of flowers can be given to Anna Allsopp (01794 640572). At 6.00pm we are invited to share with St Joseph’s for their Saturday Vigil Evening Mass. On Sunday we celebrate Harvest, traditional style, with our 10.30am morning worship. Please bring your offerings to add to the display in church. These will be donated to Romsey Food Bank afterwards. They would especially welcome tinned carrots, potatoes, powdered milk, biscuits, long life fruit juice, custard, chocolate and sweet treats, sponge puddings, tinned fruit, pasta sauce and instant coffee.
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Celebrations continue Sunday afternoon with a Singing Workshop in the church from 3.30pm, led by Madding Crowd, followed by Tea in Abbey Hall at 5.30pm – please contact Geoff Prestage (01794 884948) - to book your place and for catering purposes. The Harvest Week-end concludes with our 6.30pm evening service, led by our Minister, with Madding Crowd providing the music. Proceeds from the week-end will be given to Fryers House.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Our next meeting will be held on 18 September, in the Abbey Hall Lounge, at 7.45pm [with tea and biscuits at 7.30pm]. We are hoping for a speaker from the “ Stop the Traffic” organisation. Other dates for your diary: our stall in the Cornmarket on 3 September and our Annual Street Collection on 21 October. Like most other organisations we do not meet during August, but although we have a break, remember the torturers, executioners and their victims do not. The work has to go on. www.amnesty.org.uk sends out urgent actions one can do on the computer. Sylvia T
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FLOWER DECORATION IN OUR CHURCH Flowers for decoration are arranged in church once a fortnight. If you are popping in to church during the week and have a moment to spare, could you check the flower arrangement has water; the container they sit in should be full. To water; there is a yellow plastic long spouted watering can in the vestry, perfect for the task. The spout can be rested on the green oasis allowing water to pour over, soaking the oasis which holds the flowers in place and then fill the container. Don't worry if you nudge the flowers in the display, better they have water! Regular watering will keep our arrangements looking fresh and they will last longer. Thank you for your help. Anna Allsopp
SALE IN SUPPORT OF CHURCH FUNDS To be held in the Abbey Hall Saturday 4 November 2017 from 10am - 12 noon. Donations of quality items to stock the following stalls will be much appreciated :- tombola, jewellery, cards and wrap, gifts, cakes, groceries and raffle prizes. Gwen Sloan 01794 514810
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CALENDAR August 27
10.30 am
27
6.30 pm
All Age Worship, led by the Minister including baptism of Frederick Moody Evening Worship led by the Minister
29
9.30 am
Prayer Meeting in Abbey Hall Lounge
September 2
9-12 noon
Working Party
3
10.30 am
All Age Worship, including Holy Communion, led by the Minister
3
11.45 am
Church Meeting
3
6.30 pm
Discussion Group led by the Minister
5
9.30 am
Prayer Meeting in Abbey Hall Lounge
6
2.30-4pm
Table Tennis in Abbey Hall
8
7.30 pm
Harvest Variety Show
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3.30 pm
10
10.30 am
Reframe - Another Way of Looking at our World - Christian Aid event, The Phoenix Inn, Twyford Harvest Festival led by the Minister
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3.30 pm
Singing Workshop with Madding Crowd
10
5.30 pm
Tea in Abbey Hall
10
6.30pm
Evening Harvest led by the Minister, with Madding Crowd
11
10.30 am
BALM in Abbey Hall Lounge
12
9.30 am
Prayer Meeting in Abbey Hall Lounge
12
12.30 pm
Church Lunch Club
12
7.30 pm
Fabric Group Meeting in Church Office
13
8.15 pm
Explorers Leaders Meeting at Abbey Manse
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10.30 am
Short Communion Service in Abbey Hall
15
7.30 pm
Badminton in Abbey Hall
17
10.30 am
Battle of Britain Service, led by Revd Derek Wales
17
6.30 pm
Town Mayor’s Civic Service in Romsey Abbey
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10.30 am
MOT in Abbey Hall Lounge
18
7.45 pm
19
9.30 am
Amnesty International meeting - letter writing campaigns and urgent action Prayer Meeting in Abbey Hall Lounge
19
6.30 pm
Secretarial Meeting in Abbey Manse 12
20
2.30-4pm
Table Tennis in Abbey Hall
20
7.30 pm
Worship Group in Church Vestry
21
5.15 pm
Pastoral Meeting in Church Vestry
22
7.30 pm
Badminton in Abbey Hall
24
10.30 am
All Age Worship, led by the Minister
24
6.30 pm
Evening Communion Service, led by the Minister
26
9.30 am
Prayer Meeting in Abbey Hall Lounge
26
7.30 pm
Elders Meeting in Abbey Hall Lounge
29
7.30 pm
Badminton in Abbey Hall
30
7.00 pm
High Achievers Concert
October 1
10.30 am
All Age Worship, including Holy Communion, led by the Minister
1
6.30 pm
Discussion Group led by the Minister
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Braishfield United Reformed Church Minister: Secretary: Treasurer:
The Reverend Mike Perrott, MA, Abbey Manse, The Abbey, Romsey 01794 512163 Mrs Shirley Smith, Elttoc, Kiln Lane, Braishfield 01794 368447 Sharon Whitfield, 14 Cavendish Close, Romsey 01794 521937
First Sunday All other Sundays
Sunday Services Holy Communion Junior Church Family Worship and Junior Church
9.30 am 10.00 am 10.00 am
Calendar September 3 9.30 am 5 7.30 pm 9 10
10.00 am
16 17
10.00 am 10.00 am
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7.00 pm
Holy Communion led by the Minister Church Meeting Church Open – Ride and Stride Day Chris Balchin riding for our Church Family Worship led by David Meatcher Coffee after the service. Decorate Church for Harvest Festival Harvest Thanksgiving Gift Service, led by the Minister Harvest Supper in All Saints Church Room Entertainment by Bob and Barry Family Worship led by Derek Hiscocks
24 10.00 am October 1 9.30 am Holy Communion led by the Minister 5 10am/12 noon Church Get Together – Paddock View 8 10.00 am Family Worship led by Karen Smith. Karen’s final service at Braishfield, following her move! News from Braishfield Our sincere thanks to everyone who put an arrangement of flowers in the church, for our Annual Flower Festival in July. Our thanks also to everyone who came to visit over the weekend and those who put donations in our box, which raised £135.00 for Shelterbox.
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Margery and Bill Randall would like to thank all the helpers and all who came to support their Coffee Morning on 5th August. They were delighted to have made £141.75 for our 2017 Charity – Shelterbox. The weather was nice and most were able to sit outside in their lovely garden, while enjoying their coffee, savouries and biscuits. It was good to hear all about our chosen Charity for 2017, during our service on 20th August and learn how the money raised will be spent. Chris Balchin has kindly offered to take part in Ride and Stride Day on 9th September, for our Church. Please sponsor him, if you can. Half of the money he raises will come to our Church, the other half going to Historic Churches Fund. Thank you Chris for this. His wife, Meryl is riding for All Saints Church. Harvest Festival time is here again. Just a reminder that the church will be decorated on Saturday 16th September at 10.00am under the leadership of Gill. Please come and help, if you can, you will be most welcome. Our Harvest Thanksgiving Service, at 10.00am on 17th will be led by the Minister (his first harvest at Braishfield). If you are able to bring a gift of food, tinned or fresh, to this service, Joan and Paddy will take it to the Society of St James, in Southampton, together with any food items we use for decorating the Church. You will be most welcome to join us, on Monday 18th, for our Harvest Supper. This is at 7.00pm in All Saints Church Room. We shall be entertained once again by Bob and Barry. Please ring Margaret, Joan or Pat for further information. Then, Tuesday 19th, all the decorations in the Church have to be taken down and Rusty would appreciate help for this at 10.00 am. We sincerely hope everyone enjoys the Harvest Festival once again. Hope to see some of our readers during the weekend. Warren Collins completed a Bike Ride for our Charity on 13th August, he rode 11.25 miles! Please sponsor Warren, if you can, by calling me and I will add your name to his list. He would appreciate your support. My last thanks are to David and Pat Old, who look after our church garden so well. The flowers make such a difference to the look of our church. So many, many thanks to both of you, from all of us. Shirley Smith 15
Braishfield Flower Rota September 3 Christine Kinch 10 Sharon Whitfield 17 Harvest Festival – Gill Light and everyone 24 Shirley Smith October 1 Pat Old
Exploring Church Membership
I would like to offer the opportunity to those not yet members of Abbey or Braishfield URC’s to make prayerful consideration about becoming members. Indeed, this is by way of an invitation to any of you to share in some informal discussion on church membership which may, if you feel ready to make such commitment, lead to your being received into church membership. If you are interested in joining this discussion, or just meeting with me (whether at Abbey or Braishfield URC), please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I anticipate our first meeting will take place soon. Mike
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A MADDING CROWD HARVEST Sunday 10 September at 3.30pm Come and join a workshop to learn some of the hymns that were used by village bands in the 16th and 17th centuries. Music for processions, Christmas and Harvest were provided by the bands and choirs, usually singing from the West Gallery of the Parish Church. The afternoon workshop at 3.30pm will be followed by tea in the Hall and the 6.30pm service will include music from the afternoon. Sign up for the tea at the back of the church. ‘And soon the reaping time will come and angels shout the harvest home' Geoff Prestage
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HARVEST FESTIVAL VARIETY SHOW Following the very successful WW1 Variety Show a few months ago, we are pleased to announce a similar evening of entertainment to take place as part of the Harvest Festival weekend, later this month. Join us on Friday 8 September at 7.30pm in the Abbey Hall, and share your songs, jokes or recitals, or simply sit back and enjoy the entertainment. Tickets are available at £5.00 each (no cost for accompanied children) and will include a Ploughman's Platter during the evening. Proceeds will be in aid of Fryer's House in Romsey. Contact me on 01794 515804 to book your place and let me know if you have an act that you would like to share with everyone. Volunteers to help set up the hall for the evening would also be very much appreciated. Wendy Stewart MAGAZINE DEADLINE Material for October to be submitted by 17 September Please email (if possible), to abbeyurcnews@gmail.com or, place items in the“Magazine Material” pigeonhole at the back on the church. Thank you.
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TEAM TEMBO TANZANIA UPDATE Kathleen flew out for her 4 week adventure in Tanzania on 25 July – so by the time you read this she will be home safe and sound. However, whilst writing, it is still a week and a day until she is home (not that we’re counting!). We have been receiving e-mail updates from their team and they seem to be having a wonderful time. Below are some snippets of how it’s going, each paragraph is a separate report we received; we hope you enjoy them! Kathleen will write a full report for the October magazine. So watch this space! ➢
After nearly 24 hours of travelling we arrived at our hotels in Dar es Salaam very tired but super excited. We were surrounded with friendly faces from the moment our plane touched down. After picking up all the necessary equipment to ensure our building project is successful it’s off to Madabadaba.
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Now at Madababa and set most of the camp up. Yesterday, we woke up at 5:00am to have breakfast at 5:30am and supposedly leaving at 6:00am. We have now learnt about African time as we finally left at 8:00am in 5 coaches, and 10 4x4 vehicles then spent 12 hours on the 'road'. Tanzania's idea of a road is our idea of constant speed bumps (and not the smallest kind). We arrived in Hondo Hondo quite late and set up tents in the dark. We had a quick dinner and then had our final experience of flushing toilets that you can actually sit on. We went to sleep for another early start. The second journey wasn't as long; we arrived at our project at about 4pm. The roads, however, were even worse. Lunch was fish caught from the local river with bread, roast banana and oranges. We set up camp with help from local Scouts, who will be staying with us. It's very hot here (35 degrees) so we finished off the day bathing in the river next to our camp.
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So, today we started work at Madabadaba. After getting up at 6.30am for toast, omelette, very salty sweet potato with watermelon, we broke up into our four small groups to begin our work. The first group worked hard on site, adding a flag pole, campfire, a large shelter, flattened the area, set up washing lines (which yes, are in use!). The second group went shopping for our food and had some great fun at a church service. Afterwards they ran into a mob of 50 plus kids and ran many games for them! Groups 3 and 4 started laying the floor in two rooms of the school and made great progress. During the afternoon, we split into two teams and went to collect wood and more bricks (SO – MANY - BRICKS). We got enough bricks to complete many more floors, which was an uplifting thought. The wood team crossed the river to collect wood for fire and were also around when Jools, the chicken, was sacrificed for our delicious meal. To close the day we gathered around the campfire to sing songs led by the one man band Edmund, as we always call for an encore!
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We are currently with the Asistant Chief Scout of Tanzania eating a delicious vegetarian meal since the cost of the goat was increased because of our western appearance! After our breakfast of pancakes and watermelon, we continued the brick-laying and the building of our camp needs. After using up all of the bricks, half of the team went on a lumpy, bumpy, flumpy, clumpy, tumpy, yumpy, scumpy tractor experience. We trekked down to Madabadaba where, most of us bought some yummy local fabrics which are currently being turned into some special garments by the local tailors.
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Yesterday, Group One went off to Ifakara, a whopping three hours away. The rest of us continued working on the project doing tasks like painting, sanding, painting and sanding. Despite the heat, we all managed to get quite a bit done and it's starting to look less like a building site and more of a school. By far the most exciting thing that happened was that it rained during the night. It doesn't rain much in Tanzania but when it does, it does it hard! Today, we all went up to the project and started painting the walls white. We managed to get most of the classrooms done as well as all of the bars on the windows! The floors are actually becoming stable instead of being wobbly bricks. After work had finished, we all went for a swim in the river and attempted to wash off the splashes of paint on our arms and faces. However, this didn't work and we are still all sat here spotty, but happy!
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Yesterday morning we woke up to a massive rainstorm. We began the day by going round the outside of the school painting windows and walls which instantly transformed it from a building site, to a school in progress. Today one of the teams went to Ifakara shopping, buying the desperately needed fizzy drinks and some blocks of cheese. The rest of the team painted more walls and windows, seemingly endless due to the vast size of the project. As the day of work drew to a close, the team managed to complete its first classroom. Only many more to go!
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Tonight's entertainment included a fully lit catwalk, where each team member strutted their stuff to show off their new garments from the village tailors - baggy trousers, shirts, suit trousers and shorts. We have two days left before the opening ceremony. Today the entrance hall was completed with murals painted and a tree with everyone's handprints on. We are looking forward to completing the project and handing over the school. 21
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After a mad two weeks at the project we are done! Today we had a massive celebration and opening which included speeches, blessings and some mad Tanzanian tunes. The thanks we received from the locals was amazing. The ceremony was supposed to start at 10am, which in African time meant 12 noon! After the ceremony, we all enjoyed an amazing lunch which included rice, chips, beef and potatoes. So far we've eaten sheep, goat, pig, chicken and even duck! After lunch, we went out to party with the local children, which began with some traditional Tanzanian tunes. We finished our day with the last swim in our beloved river!
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Yesterday, we packed up camp in Madabadaba and said goodbye to our fellow Tanzanian Scouts. It was sad to say goodbye to everyone. Once again, we found ourselves on a bus. We stopped at Ifakara for lunch then took to the roads for only an hour and a bit back to Hondo Hondo. The camp in the daylight looked totally different and sitting on toilets was a luxury we had forgotten, as were hot showers!
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The next day we had a lie in, breakfast was at a late 7.30am. We went on a jungle walk through the Maganboro forest where we saw centipedes, monkeys (not just our leaders) and lots of elephant poo. Today we hiked up Sanje Falls in the blistering heat and enjoyed majestic views of the surrounding countryside. It was a long, steep walk, but morale was kept high because we got to swim. At the bottom of the waterfall, where it was safe, we 'paddled' for an hour in the bracing chill. We’ve now met up with teams Mamba and Twiga. So nice to catch up with them! 22
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We've now reached the end of the safari. It has been an amazing experience over the past few days. We travelled in 4x4s, saw lots of lions, elephants, giraffes, impala and much more. This morning the tents came down, we packed up camp and set off for the Jamboree with Tanzania Scouts. We’re looking forward to the next few days!
It seems unbelievable that in three weeks they can fit so much in, they have been having an amazing experience. We can’t wait to have her back and Kathleen’s only request for her return is that we actually remember to collect her and welcome her home with a chocolate milkshake! Thank you all for everything you have done, we really appreciate your support and prayers. Sarah & Richard Beaman
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