Issue 43Spring 2013

mission: the road less travelled

our peoplepartners and staff

Global Partners (by country)Burundi Dioceses of Gitega & Matana

DR Congo Dioceses of Bukavu, Kindu & N. Kivu

Egypt Diocese of Egypt

Ethiopia Gambella Project, Diocese of Egypt

Kenya Diocese of Kajiado; Urban DevelopmentProgramme, Nairobi

Nepal Human Development Community Services;SD Church

Rwanda Dioceses of Kibungo & Shyogwe

South Sudan Dioceses of Ibba, Kajokeji, Maridi& Yei; Bishop Allison Theological College

Uganda Dioceses of Luwero, Ruwenzori & MadiWest Nile; Chilli Children

Zambia Diocese of Northern Zambia

Mission PartnersAart & Geesje den Breejen, with Anne-Fleur, Ruben,Jan Lucas & Lisa [Madi West Nile Diocese, Uganda]

Alison Gill [Province of Burundi]

Rory & Denise Wilson, with Gideon[Luwero Diocese, Uganda]

Paul & Tania Baker [Luwero Diocese, Uganda]

Mission AssociatesIsabelle Prondzynski [UDP, Kenya]

Deirdre & Mark Zimmerman, withZachary & Benjamin [Nepal]

Mark & Ali Gill [Nepal]

Ken & Judith Finch [Uganda]

StaffRonnie Briggs Mission Director

Rachel Brittain Mission Resource Coordinator

Anne Buckley Finance Assistant

Jenny Christie Administration Coordinator

Roger Cooke Mission Resource Manager

David Gough Partnership Coordinator

Brian Lavery Finance Manager

Gillian Maganda Personnel Coordinator

Andy McCormick Parish Development Worker

Kelly Yates Partnership Coordinator

One of the most poignant journeys recorded in the Gospels is that of two disciples on their way to Emmaus. They were confused, bewildered and angry. The grief and pain of bereavement had left them on a roller-coaster ride with all the various confusing emotions that accompany death. As they journey they find a stranger walking with them. My own faith journey has discovered the truth behind their experience that Jesus has been with me even when I have been unaware of Him. He has been true to His promise to be with me always.

It is fascinating that the disciples discovered the scriptures being explained to them. As they walked along their road they were caught up in the salvation story, the story of a love-sick God never giving up on His creation. As I too make my way, I have found it so important to understand my own story in the context of this bigger story. My faith journey has to be rooted in the amazing love of God, which is made known to me in Jesus. It is not my journey I am called to but God’s journey.

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another road

“I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less travelled by,And that has made all the difference.”

This final stanza of Robert Frost’s much-loved poem is the starting point for one of the sessions in the Discover course. The film and accompanying book both go on to explore the impact made by Moses and Isaiah on God’s unfolding story of mission. These men led and called God’s people to a radically different way of living – inviting them to set out on a new path.

In this edition of inMission, we’ve used the theme of ‘journeys’ and we’ve focused on mission as the choice to go a different way. You will find accounts of individuals and churches who have chosen the road less travelled by, as they have sought to follow in the way of Christ – a way that eschews the easy path and embraces something altogether more challenging, yet fulfilling.

In this season of Lent, as we walk with Jesus to the cross and beyond, may we be inspired to take another road with him…confident that such choices will make all the difference.

Roger CookeEditor

the journeya reflection by cms ireland’s president

The Emmaus-bound disciples also travelled together. I am very grateful for those who over the years have walked along with me. This journey with Jesus is to be shared with others and I have found inspiration and challenge from many, not least those whom I have met from different countries and cultures. This is one of the joys for me of being involved with CMS Ireland and our overseas partners.

The disciples’ journey reached its climax as they broke bread and they recognised Jesus. God has given us this most special gift – to break bread and bless wine together as His people. This communion is a parable to me of God’s amazing grace. He takes the ordinary and makes it special. He takes our lives and makes us foolish enough to believe that with Him and in Him we can make a difference in His world.

+Alan

There are many journeys recorded in scripture - by the Children of Israel, by various individuals and by Jesus, who journeyed from a manger in Bethlehem to an empty tomb via the cross. In my experience of faith, discipleship and ministry, I have found myself on a journey with Jesus that has led me to places I never expected to be.

Alan Abernethy is the Chair of CMS Ireland’s Board of Trustees and

the President of the Society. He is also Bishop

of Connor Diocese. He recently took part in

the diocesan visit to Yei Diocese, South Sudan.

spring 2013

spring 2013

jimmy’s journey a story from kiwoko hospitalCMS Ireland Mission Partners Rory and Denise Wilson share a remarkable story of transformation from one of their colleagues at Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda.

Jimmy Zimbe is a qualified Enrolled Comprehensive Nurse working in Kiwoko Hospital outpatient department. But the journey that has taken him to this point in his life has been full of challenges.

The eldest of seven, Jimmy and his siblings grew up in a village near Kiwoko town. Home life was not easy, as Jimmy’s dad often came home drunk, even wakening the children to get them to sing for him! Apart from his siblings, there were five other dependents, one of whom was born with

HIV. Though money was not plentiful, Jimmy would sometimes obtain the little money required to watch a movie in Kiwoko town. It would then be late when he returned home and he often got caned!

At the age of 12 years, Jimmy made a conscious decision that he wanted to follow Christ, influenced by his mum who encouraged her children to go to church and pray. Miraculously, his dad also eventually gave his life to Christ and the drinking stopped. Sadly, land and livestock had already been sold to pay for alcohol and school fees. By the time Jimmy finished his ‘O-levels’ there was nothing left.

After leaving school, Jimmy worked digging crops to raise money for further studies. He worked for Sister Justine our Matron and it was through this relationship that Jimmy learned that the Physio Department at Kiwoko Hospital were looking for a Physio Assistant. He applied and was invited for interview. The day of the interview was daunting as Jimmy realised that if he got the job he would be working with bazungu (white people) and medical people who were much more educated than he was. Other people who attended for interviews that day had ‘A-levels’ and various other qualifications, so he was not hopeful of success. Despite his fears, Jimmy got the job and came to work under Alison Fletcher (recently departed Kiwoko to return to the UK). Jimmy recalls the satisfaction he felt working alongside malnourished children, people affected by HIV and one little boy in particular with osteomyelitis who was in hospital for six months, receiving treatment and intensive physiotherapy. Jimmy earned the equivalent of £25 per month and he felt rich compared to what he had earned digging for

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people. He could not save any of this money but instead helped his siblings with their education. He invested some money in a few animals.

Alison saw Jimmy’s potential. He had a teachable spirit, was servant hearted, displayed integrity and had good interpersonal skills. She encouraged him to apply to the nursing or laboratory school. He went back to school at weekends to study for his physics ‘O-level’ as he hadn’t taken that subject previously. Alison found sponsorship to support Jimmy throughout his training.

Jimmy was accepted for nursing school in May 2010. It was not easy adjusting to life as a full-time student again, having to share hostel accommodation and forgo a wage. However Jimmy was determined and believed that God was leading him, therefore he gave 100% to the task at hand. The course was academically intense and Jimmy struggled at times.

Jimmy would not call himself a natural leader, however he was chosen as the Spiritual Minister on the Student Guild body, despite the fact that he did not even seek election! He took this as God’s leading and enjoyed serving the students.

Today, having recently qualified, Jimmy gives thanks to God and acknowledges that God has brought him to this point. Jimmy’s dad cries with appreciation when he sees how God has provided for his son and is spurred on to pray more for his family.

You may think that Jimmy has made it and that life will be easier for him now. While it may be a new season, Jimmy is more aware than ever of his familial responsibilities. Siblings are still looking to him for help with their education; his parents also look for his leadership and support to help the family for everyday needs.

Jimmy’s journey continues and at times he could feel overwhelmed by the need and his inability to meet the demands. However he looks to God knowing that He has provided and made a way for him in the past and therefore God will not fail him as he moves forward.

Rory and Denise Wilson Mission Partners

“Jimmy’s dad cries with appreciation when he sees how God has provided for his son…”

Jimmy with Alison and Moses (physio)

06 spring 2013

south sudan sojournstransforming journeys in a new nationFrom the visit last August of a team from St John’s, Moira to Ibba Diocese, to a joint visit to Maridi in October by Down and Dromore and Albany Dioceses and, most recently, with the Connor Diocesan team to Yei in January, these journeys to and through South Sudan have been ones that will live long in my memory.

I can picture Diane’s face as she returned from her first visit to the latrine in Ibba after our arrival on the MAF flight and I can still hear Simon’s vow to, “turn vegetarian for a week” as dried, whole fish floated on top of our first Ibba meal. I can clearly recall the wonderful welcome we received in Maridi from over 1500 young people. And then there’s the image of the faces of the team in Maridi as the ladies from the Mothers’ Union washed our feet after our long journey.

I remember vividly the dancing of 265 young people at the Yei Youth camp, snaking around the venue in conga-style while the dust they raised literally choked us. And I’ll cherish forever the experience of seeing Bishop Alan, Stephen, Sam, Andrew and Judith being visibly enlivened as they ministered to Clergy in Yei. I’ve been privileged to enjoy story after story of God at work through these Mission Experience Teams Abroad.

But what encourages me most is the depth and commitment of the personal relationships that have developed with our partners in South Sudan. From all three of these visits, there is a

clear sense of a deepening of the bonds that connect dioceses, parishes and individuals in Ireland with our brothers and sisters in Ibba, Maridi and Yei. Team members have returned with names and faces imprinted on their minds. Many new friendships began, some were renewed, experiences were shared and plans were made to help the partnerships keep going and growing.

People often ask whether CMS Ireland is having an impact through our Global Partnerships. Having visited three out of four of our partner dioceses in South Sudan in the last few months, I can categorically reply that “Yes, we – you –are making a huge difference in South Sudan!” During these visits, team members saw just some of the evidence of this impact.

Five years ago CMS Ireland helped build three classrooms at St Peter’s Primary School, Ibba with the little funds we accumulated for the diocese. Today there are hundreds of children who enjoy a roof over their heads in the rainy season and who have desks and scholastic

materials rather struggling to learn under mango trees. This year’s Annual Project All Things New is seeking to share this story and make this experience more widespread for children in Ibba Diocese. I’m hugely excited about the prospect of thousands of children in Ireland learning about this work in South Sudan.

For the St John’s team to witness the jubilation as fourteen bicycles were delivered to the Mothers’ Union through the generous support of Ballyrashane and Kildollagh Parishes was something that will live long in my memory.

I love bringing first-time visitors to see a Primary School in one of Maridi’s Archdeaconries, where most classrooms are still under trees and then to see their faces when they witness what has been achieved in Maridi town. The list is impressive…Maridi Diocese’s ‘Haddow Primary School’ has been the best performing school for the last five years in Maridi County. It currently has 769 pupils; eight newly-opened classrooms will further increase its capacity. The relatively new Christ Town Primary School, where two years ago only 200 pupils were taught in two back-to-back mud-walled classrooms, today has over 1000 pupils attending the new eight-classroom school. Chaima Christian Institute, a thriving Christian Vocational College, has developed from humble beginnings thanks to Parish support from Ireland.

In 2012 Martha Primary Health Care Centre in Yei treated some 50,000 patients, a fivefold

increase in only a few years. It now also boasts a Mobile Clinic visiting five outlying centres, a soon-to-be-expanded Children’s Ward and an Eye Clinic. This is again thanks to the generosity of Institutional and Church donors. Yei too has seen a significant increase in the number of church schools. Thanks to generous support, the diocese’s strategy to build a Primary School in each of the six Archdeaconries has been surpassed, building eight schools, three years ahead of time. During a recent visit to Mongo school, it was a delight to meet three of the five teachers who have been trained through the support of parishes in Ireland.

Often when I visit Global Partners, I have a specific job to perform, a project to visit and people to meet. I rarely find time to stand back and look at the bigger picture of how the Church in Ireland is supporting the Church globally through CMS Ireland. These three journeys have afforded me the opportunity to see what God is doing and how you are helping to transform the lives of our partners and through them, to transform many of us.

David Gough Partnership Coordinator

Since joining CMS Ireland seven years ago, I’ve embarked on many encouraging journeys, enjoyed memorable adventures and made numerous good friends along the way. But in the last ten months, I have been involved in three team visits to South Sudan that have been truly transformational.

The Connor META on 'Mission Road', Yei

A warm welcome at Haddow Primary School, Maridi

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the long and winding road cms ireland approaches a significant landmark

it’s a family thing early reflections from our newest staff member

So starts the greatest of all journeys as we discover God’s desire to be in a personal relationship with each one of us – His creation. This truth lies at the heart of ‘mission’ and I am sure that we can each tell a story of our own journey in mission over many years.

When the organisation we know as CMS began its journey it was essentially to face up to the issue of slavery – not an easy road to follow in those days. But a small group of people responded in obedience to God and took the road less travelled. Thanks to their passion and resolve, the slave trade was eventually abolished.

Over the many years since then, those involved with CMS have remained faithful to this calling to follow God’s leading, whatever the terrain. As we come to celebrate 200 years of CMS in Ireland (in 2014), we give thanks for the stories and journeys that have brought us to where we are today. We still want to be obedient to God’s call to live our lives as an example to others, no matter where we are.

So, as a significant year in the history of CMS in Ireland approaches we should be ready to mark it with enthusiasm and give the next 200 years a good kick-start. With this in mind, a small working-group has been set up by the CMS Ireland Board and plans are well under way. Next spring, we hope

‘in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’

to hold a consultation with many churches and supporters across Ireland as well as our Global Partners, so that together we can agree the next phase of our journey. We are looking towards a launch our year of celebration on Friday 29th November 2013 – in Belfast Bible College.

The great excitement of course, is to imagine where God may take us as we journey with Him into the future. For our part we need to be ready to respond to that call, in the sure knowledge that God will equip us for the road ahead. Let’s use 2014 as an opportunity not just to reflect on the journey so far, but to look forwards – because our God is not finished with us yet.

Ronnie BiggsMission Director

It seems like a bit of a whirlwind since beginning my time with the CMS Ireland team in November. I have loved getting stuck-in and discovering the many enjoyable parts of helping develop Partnership Links…from discussing ‘partnership’ with rectors, to meeting and sharing with churches and committees, to welcoming visitors from our Global Partners and meeting together to celebrate with our Mission Partners.

Throughout I have been stuck by the sense of family found within CMS Ireland and all who come alongside the work with our partners.

This sense of community struck me back in September at the Mid-Africa Conference Newcastle – which I guess was when my time with CMS Ireland really began. It was a great opportunity to meet with supporters and partners and to get a feel for what is at the heart of CMS Ireland. What I hadn’t expected was to experience such welcome and warmth; I discovered that more than a conference, this was a reunion with a large extended family – a group of people who have journeyed together over many years as they’ve shared what God is doing in their own lives, here in Ireland and in countries far away.

We gathered together again recently to celebrate with Ken and Judith Finch. Over 130

people filled the room to almost bursting – people who have walked alongside the Finches during their time as Mission Partners at Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda. The love for this couple was evident as they were welcomed home by their CMS Ireland family. We gathered around Ken and Judith, giving thanks for them and their work at Kiwoko and praying with them for their next chapter in Kampala.

It is poignant that at the beginning of my time with CMS Ireland, Bishop Emmanuel from Kibungo Diocese led the CMS Ireland family in prayer for me. This is what is special about working with CMS Ireland: we break the boundaries of distance and find opportunities to join together and encourage each other as we work to bring God’s Kingdom. As I write this, I’m on my way to do just that. I’ll be visiting our partners in Mid-Africa and see how they are transforming lives in their own communities.

As we journey together to strengthen and develop these wider ‘family ties’, I am excited to see all that God has in store both for our partners and for our churches here in Ireland.

Kelly YatesPartnership Coordinator

“We still want to be obedient to God’s call to live our lives as an example to others, no matter where we are.”

Kelly with Ali Gill and Alan Templeton

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the road goes ever on and on reflections from arua

When we arrived in Uganda in 2008, we came to a place we didn’t know. We left ‘home’ behind to make Arua our home. But we knew that our God was going with us.

One of the first things we encountered was the Vocational Training College (VTC) running out of money in our first month here. In hindsight, God has provided and we’ve never been out of money since. We never have a lot, but always enough. To us, it has been a sign of blessing on the work done and still is a lesson in trust on God’s provisions. We have been able to renovate and develop the school so that today we have more opportunities to be self-sustainable; we are raising some of our own income by commercial activities and we have better facilities to train the students in practical skills.

Something of a different order has been the killing of a friend in Kenya. We came to know him, his wife and kids during the lasts months of 2010. They were taking part in a training here in Arua and given that they were Dutch with a young family, there were some natural links. When we were about to travel to Ireland during our Home Assignment in early 2011,

All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. (Micah 4:5)

we got an email that our friend was killed in a robbery of their home in Kenya.

This tragedy had a big impact on our faith. Because of the similarities with this family, we identified strongly with the situation. One way or another our understanding of a ‘Good God’ was seriously challenged. Probably in some way, somewhere, there was the thinking that God always has His reasons and that if you live a life in His service, He would at least help you to understand things and somehow figure out the greater good in it all. Well, we’ve not figured it out yet and we probably never really will on earth. But we continue to learn to just trust in Him, often without knowing, without understanding. This isn’t easy for people who have grown up in a reasoning culture like the modern West.

On our journey we are amazed by other people whom we meet along the way – people who ‘glow’ for Christ. Their love for him is so brilliant that it’s clear they are closely connected to Jesus. They pass Christ’s love on to others, often in very poor environments. There are students, staff members, neighbours, HIV positive mothers,

Mission Partners and guests. They come in all sorts and shapes and are a refreshment on the way for us.

At the same time we are trying to be such a blessing to others. The guesthouses at the VTC and on our compound, that are both used as an income-generating initiative for the VTC, can host a few guests and it has been great to be of service for other people en route. The main house where we live while we stay in Arua is a lovely home. Our compound on church grounds is great, with fruit trees and flowering shrubs. It is a wonderful resting place for many visitors who are on the way too, either from the busy West or from other remote places in Africa. Groups of young people, non-Christians, church folks, professionals that work together with

students, short-term volunteers – we can walk along with them for a while here and it is a wonderful way to share the blessing of work and life in Arua with others.

There are encouraging, happy, difficult, beautiful, nice and all kinds of events along this stretch of our road. In general they are a bit more extreme compared to the Netherlands. Uganda is just a bit less organised, more unpredictable. But we’re able to see God’s hand and blessings on our work and family.

Even now that we slowly start thinking of mid-2014 when we plan to go back and hand over the work here in Arua, we know that the road goes on. We have committed ourselves to go on it with our God forever and ever. Not in our own strength and understanding, but trusting Him.

You can keep up to date with our Mission Partners by following their blogs on the CMS Ireland website and signing up to receive their Link Letters.

Aart and Geesje den Breejen – along with their children Anne-Fleur, Ruben, Jan Lucas and Lisa - have been living and serving as CMS Ireland Mission Partners in Madi-West Nile Diocese, Uganda for almost five years. We asked them to reflect on their journey so far.

“On our journey we are amazed by other people whom we meet along the way…”

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the path to partnership st columba’s, portadown

In 2009, the rector of St Columba’s, Canon Bill Adair, shared with CMS Ireland his desire to see a deepening and widening of mission involvement in the parish. 2010 saw the beginnings of something new, with the parish hosting a CMS Ireland Roadshow and taking part in the Annual Project, Hands on Kiwoko, as well as inviting a CMS Ireland staff member along to the Sunday morning services to share a more general mission message.

In March 2011, Mission Director Ronnie Briggs met with Canon Bill to explore the possibility of developing a new Partnership Link through CMS Ireland. As part of the discussion, Ronnie shared a few examples of Global Partners who may provide a good ‘fit’ for the parish.

It was the Urban Development Programme (UDP) in Nairobi, Kenya, which really struck a chord. The project grew out of a response from Nairobi Cathedral to the needs on their own doorstep; one of Kenya’s largest slums is located very close to the cathedral. For Bill and some of the folk at St Columba’s, this resonated with their own desire to respond to the many needs on their own doorstep; even at this early stage they saw some clear parallels with the vision of the UDP. A month after meeting with Bill, Ronnie was speaking at the Sunday services in St Columba’s. He brought with him Emma Dunwoody and Kirsten Brown, who were about to head to Kenya together on Short Term Experience Placements (STEPs) with UDP and Kajiado Diocese.

St Columba’s Parish Rep, David McComb, picks up the story, sharing his own reflections on the journey the parish has been on since that Sunday morning.

“Several Parishioners were heavily impacted by the story Ronnie, Emma and Kirsten told and over the next few months we talked with Ronnie about how St Columba’s might get more involved. He suggested that Rev Elizabeth Cairns and myself join the META visit to Kenya being planned for December 2011.

Like many parishes throughout Ireland, St Columba’s journey in Global Mission had, for many years, consisted largely of faithfully providing much-valued financial support to CMS Ireland and a number of other mission societies. By their own admission however, the parish had never developed an active relationship with those organisations they supported.

“During the preparation for the trip we had some sense of starting on a ‘road less travelled’, certainly for St Columba’s, and although uncertain where we might end up as a parish, we were confident that this new direction was God’s will and could be the start of something very exciting.

“As part of the 14-strong team, we could never have anticipated the impact that the trip would have on us and our parish. When we returned we took every opportunity to tell large and small groups within the parish of what we had seen. To our delight every time we spoke of our experiences, to our parishioners, to parish organisations and to local schools, everyone was hugely excited and wanted to know what our plans were going forward.

“The Very Rev Julius Wyanoike, Provost of All Saints Cathedral Nairobi, on hearing that we hoped that one day we could bring a larger group from St Columba’s to Kenya, simply said “Tell them we are waiting for them.” This became a key part of the story for us – something of a rallying call!

“In early 2012, we engaged with CMS Ireland in the process of ‘Partnership Planning’ and have now embarked on a three-year plan with both UDP and Kajiado Diocese. We now have a

Partnership Planning Team of 12 members and 7 of our parishioners are part of the team who are going to Kenya in July this year. Our Rector, Canon Bill Adair gave the team the challenge of engaging the entire parish in the developing relationship with Kenya. Since then, we have been working with all parish organisations and schools in the parish boundary, in order to raise awareness of the trip and also the ongoing needs of UDP and Kajiado Diocese. Central to developing the parish’s connection with mission has been the completion of a highly impactful Discover course.

“During this new engagement with UDP and Kajiado Diocese, the distance travelled so far has been incredible, but we have a strong sense that God has much for us to accomplish, both in Kenya and in our own parish as we develop our plans for mission at home as well as overseas. The Partnership Team has been blessed by the interest and commitment shown by parishioners; their prayerful support and keen interest have been hugely encouraging and absolutely essential as we continue to move things forward.”

From years of annual financial support for mission to a real, active relationship with the Church overseas with the potential to help change lives there, as well as impacting the parish and the wider community here – this is a journey that more and more parishes are experiencing for themselves. CMS Ireland has walked alongside St Columba’s, and many others, as they’ve embarked on this new adventure. Roadshows, Speaking engagements, meetings with rectors, the Annual Project, Partnership Planning and Discover have all been part of the story. Our prayer is that we can continue to equip the church in mission in these ways.

“although uncertain where we might end up as a parish, we were confident that this new direction was God’s will”

St. Columba's Portadown

David and Elizabeth with Lucy and Louise from the UDP

snippets from supporters and staffAbigail’s pedal power

A recent e-mail exchange with a parishioner of Bangor Abbey brought lots of smiles and encouragement to the CMS Ireland staff team. Laura Oakland e-mailed to tell us about her daughter Abigail, who is doing a sponsored cycle to raise funds for this year’s Annual Project, All Things New.

Abigail, aged 10, enjoys taking part in the project with her Sunday School each year and learning about life in other parts of the world. Laura explained that when Abigail watches the films, ‘she gets genuinely concerned about the children and their circumstances; this year she wanted to go that little bit further with her part in the project. I am so proud of her for putting her idea out there and getting such an enthusiastic response.’

14 winter 2012

On the road with the Annual Project

As January ended and February began, a busy week saw the launch and initial distribution of CMS Ireland’s Annual Project for 2013. All Things New is a resource to help children and young people explore the biblical message of mission and to share with them the story of how the Church in South Sudan is helping children go to school.

The pack was officially launched on 30th January by Bishop Harold Miller at a special event in the Good Book Shop, Belfast. In the following week, the resource was then made available at a series of ‘pit-stops’, hosted by CMS Ireland staff. In 8 days, we covered over 950 miles, visiting 8 locations and meeting representatives from 42 different parishes who picked-up their All Things New materials. It was a great way to put names to faces and spend time with some of the key individuals who take the resource and use it to impact over 2000 children each year.

The Annual Project is a great resource for anyone who wants to help children and young people learn more about God’s work of mission. To find out more about the project, or to order All Things New materials for your church or youth group, visit the CMS Ireland website or contact our offices.

During her half-term break in February, Abigail plans to cycle 10 times up and down a stretch of the Comber Greenway to cover a total of 60 miles. Friends and parishioners are sponsoring Abigail through BT myDonate and these funds will support projects in Ibba Diosese, South Sudan, to help children go to school. Well done Abigail – we think this is a brilliant way to make a big difference!

By the time inMission is printed, Abigail will hopefully have completed her cycle. If you want to help boost her fundraising total, visit myDonate and search for her page – Abigail Oakman.

Stamp Appeal – update

Be careful what you ask for! After sharing something in December’s inMission about CMS Ireland’s fondness for stamp collecting and having included an envelope with each magazine to help the cause, we’ve been inundated. Thank you to all who have collected and returned envelopes, boxes and bags brimming with stamps. Barbara and her growing team of stamp volunteers have their work cut out (no pun intended) over the coming weeks, but the result will be additional funds to support the Society’s work. Keep the stamps coming and if anyone wants to help trim and sort, do get in touch!

New road, same direction

As mentioned by Kelly in her reflections on Page 9, a special Mid-Africa Focus Evening took place recently in Knockbreda Parish, Belfast. The special guests were Ken and Judith Finch, who recently completed their term of service as CMS Ireland Mission Partners. The evening saw over 130 people coming to give thanks for Ken and Judith’s time at Kiwoko Hospital, to hear their latest news and to pray for them as they move on to new roles with the International Medical Group, based at International Hospital, Kampala.

Ken and Judith hope to continue offering some support to Kiwoko and also to maintain their connections with CMS Ireland and their many friends and supporters in Ireland. As such, they will be acting as ‘Mission Associates’ of the Society and we hope to continue sharing occasional updates and prayer requests from them. Please continue to pray for them both as they settle into life in Kampala.

Church Mission Society Ireland is registered in Dublin, Ireland - Reg No. 269005 - as a Company Limited by Guarantee, with permission to omit the word ‘Limited’. Charity Ref No: CHY 910 Recognised in the UK as a Charity by the Inland Revenue - Ref No. XN 48809. CMS Ireland is a registered business name - Registered Office: Dublin Office, as above.

Belfast33 Dargan Road, Belfast, BT3 9JUTel +44 (0) 28 9077 5020 Email belfastoffice@cmsireland.org

DublinChurch of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6Tel +353 (0) 1497 0931 Email dublinoffice@cmsireland.org

www.cmsireland.org

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