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The First Sunday of Lent
21st February 2010

Journey to Mampong

The Baptism of Jesus was clearly a turning point in his life. It is not easy to put these things into words but one could say that the Baptism was the point at which Jesus embraced his destiny, left his home and family, and began the journey of mission and ministry that ended at the cross and beyond it. After his baptism, he went into the desert, the wilderness, clearly to be close to his Father and away from the distractions of the world, but also to struggle with temptation.

Christine Hutchings and Heather Ratcliff are this week flying to Africa and travelling to Mampong in Ghana. Some time ago Jill Munday proposed that the Parish support a particular project in USPG's work rather than just giving general support. We adopted the Mampong Babies Home which had a clear appeal to all ages here. We then had the opportunity to meet Bishop Daniel and his wife during the Lambeth Conference and out of that meeting came the opportunity for the Parish to send people to visit the Babies Home. I am delighted to acknowledge all the work that Jill has done in strengthening the link. Our original plan was for two people to go, and Christine and Mary Alexander were elected. But Heather who joined us with Paul last July is also going, and while Mary is going later in the year and for a longer period, Christine and Heather are going this week for one month. In a moment, they are going to say something of what they are expecting and hoping for from their visit which we know now is not confined to the Babies' Home but will involve them in other work in the community at Mampong.

Clearly going such a long way to such a new and different place is a very significant thing. Christine has recently retired from her work with Relate and Heather has experienced a great change in her life accompanying Paul into his first ministry here. This may well be a very important time for both Christine and Heather, and in due course Mary to go with God into a very new and different situation and to see the work of his Kingdom there. As well as brining back information and strengthening the bonds between this Parish and Mampong, the visit may well be a turning point in their life and journey of faith.

Whatever lies ahead, it is very important that the Parish keeps them both in its prayers day by day. So you have been given a little card with a prayer for you to offer for Christine and Heather.

A Prayer for Christine Hutchings & Heather Ratcliff during their Visit to Mampong

O heavenly Father, we ask your blessing upon your servants, Christine and Heather, as they follow your call to visit the community in Mampong.
We pray for safe journeys, for warm welcomes, for health and well being throughout their stay and for a safe return.
We pray that all that they experience will take them ever more deeply into your loving service and into a knowledge of your Kingdom in this world.
We pray that those who receive their ministry and service may be truly blessed.
We pray for all those living in Mampong especially the babies, the students and the patients in the hospital.
We pray that the bonds of love and fellowship between this community and the community at Mampong will be strengthened and blessed.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

© PCC St Martin's and St Paul's Canterbury 2008 - 2010