PCM News: November 2008

14 November 2008

Every now and then

Every now and then we get to do something really fun.

Our little bit of indulgence comes in the shape of a night away at a very prestigious private game lodge about two hours drive away.

The only condition is that we (read Cathy) run a clinic for the staff on Saturday morning. It is a joint effort though as she has taught me to do blood pressures and weigh people and that, along with finding the patients records in the file, keeps me busy and looking somewhat official and professional.

Then we go to the lodge for a meal, after which we are whisked away on an evening/night game drive. Back from that at 21:00 for another meal before an early night and a 05:00 call for coffee and biscuits and another comprehensive game drive the following day. All together quite pleasant and enjoyable.

It is arranged through one of the Christian clinics Cathy works with. They were asked by the lodge to try and provide cover each week end, and we probably get to go about three times a year.

We won't blog every time we go but to give you an idea of some of the stuff we get to see we'll include a few pictures below.

The Clinic

Rhino

Cheetah

Lion

Leopard

Elephant

Baboon

More Elephant

Leopard Cub

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.