PCM News: 2005 Summary

31 December 2005

2005 Summary

Firstly, thanks to all of you who have written and supported us over the last year, we really appreciate it even though communication from our side has been somewhat lacking, we do think of you often, honest!

An exceptionally busy African winter has now given way to a more normally paced summer. Office work, however, remains as busy as ever. We won’t repeat all the Mercy Air news letter stuff but we’ll try and fill you in on family news.

Matthew finally reached adulthood on the 25th of November. He turned 21 which makes us feel a little wrinkly but we’re very proud of the guy he’s turned out to be. In February he will begin his 3rd year at uni and will specialise in photo-journalism. Recently he had a hair cut to help raise money for cancer awareness, see below.

Cathy has had a varied few months working with Africa School of Missions (ASM). She has been on a number of flights with Paul since we last wrote, the highlight of which was a trip to Nampula in northern Mozambique for 10 days. The Mozambique Hub (see MA newsletter) held a networking conference there for missionaries so Cathy got to see some of the mums again whom she had cared for during their pregnancies. She was also involved with a first aid training course.

The ASM mobile clinic remains very challenging not only because of the large number of patients but also because many of those seen are affected/infected with HIV/AIDS. Cathy’s involved with preparing patients for testing as well as post test counselling. As all the staff at the clinic are Christians, and known to be from a Bible college, they can openly share their faith and the hope that there is in Jesus. If it wasn’t for this, the work at the clinic would be totally depressing!

Many of the flights that Paul has done are mentioned in the Mercy Air news letter. A milestone was reached on one flight when he passed his 1000 hour mark.
Generally he’s doing fine, and getting out and about on his mountain bike when time and energy allow.

All that remains is for us to wish you a very merry Christmas and happy New Year, and to thank you all once again for your letters, support and prayer.

Paul & Cathy

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A short history of us

Not long after we were married we felt that God had some full time work for us overseas. This initially began with a move to Sheffield in 1992 to work for a Christian management training company. Three years later we felt the Lord's prompting that another change was imminent and this led to a move to Africa where we helped set up a youth program with the Lesotho-Durham link in the capital Maseru. An initial three year commitment turned into four after which the youth work was handed over to the nationals.

Then, after feeling God was moving us into mission flying Paul enrolled at a flying school and completed his South African commercial license with an instrument rating in December 1999.

We moved from Lesotho to White River in South Africa in June of 2003 where we now work with Mercy Air. Mercy Air was borne out of Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and is a sister, although smaller organisation to the more well known Mercy Ships. We are situated near Nelspruit and provide a service to missions and the development/aid community in the southern African region but mainly serve Mozambique.

We operate four aircraft at present - a Quest Kodiak, a Cessna 310 and two Airbus 350 helicopters which are often used for the relief flights.

When not flying Paul is responsible for flight operations and is Mercy Air's Safety Officer.

Cathy, who is a registered Nurse and Midwife works part time at Africa School of Missions which is a bible college preparing missionaries for overseas service. She teaches in their School of Health and is part of a team which visits a number of rural clinics during the week. She is also helps with the hospitality ministry that Mercy Air runs.

Matthew spent four years at Rhodes University in Grahamstown where he studied photo journalism. He has now flown the nest and is living with his wife in Durban. They have a young daughter named Isabella.