We made it safely to and from Kenya for our volunteer trip and had a wonderful time. The primary school we support is expanding to include junior secondary classrooms on the same site, and we helped to dig the foundations, construct new desks, repaint blackboards, paint murals and organise the school library. Out of many highlights, one was visiting a new five-acre site deep in the countryside which one day will be the location of a senior secondary school. The plan is that older children will be able to leave the cramped confines of the slum and board in the fresh air, finishing their education in a much better environment. As we planted trees and nailed corrugated iron sheets to a simple building, we enjoyed the heady scent of lemons that pervades the site.

Thinking about it all a week later I’m reminded of the Bible verse which reads:

The Lord brought me out into a spacious place;

he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18: 19

We look forward to this dream becoming a reality. More information on the charity we were working with can be found at https://www.tabsinternational.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/Tabsinternational

As promised, you’ll see in this issue an advert for our Summer Fun activity days (Tuesdays in August) at the Village Hall. They are all free, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Do come! And do join us for our services in Barmston Church in July:

Sunday 7th July – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.

Sunday 14th July – Family Service at 4.00 pm.

Sunday 21st July – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.

Our weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel are at 11.00 and are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.