tanzania times

some photo's

2007-11-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

to see some recent photo's of the gang, check out http://www.harrisfamily2006.blogspot.com/

autumn news update

2007-10-26T06:21:00.000-07:00

thank you all so much for your faithful prayers over the last six months which have been among the most difficult of my life. thank you to everyone that has supported us in practical ways - you have been the providing and loving arms of the Lord to us.

last week marked a great milestone when i received the final course of chemotherapy! praise God! 24 weeks has been such a long time but He has sustained me and given me new strength for each day.
it will take around 2 months for the toxins to clear from my body and during that time i will be passed back to the surgical team to prepare for a reversal operation, hopefully some time early in the new year.

as regards plans or the future, i try not to make too many but am waiting for God to make the way clear to us. i have resumed my studies at icc having passed a few essays over the summer and hope to attend 2 mornings per week until next summer. i have just returned from a meeting with my former employer and it may be poosible to return to work on a part-time basis by christmas, health permitting.

we are still seeking confirmation of the Lord's will for our future and are open to whatever direction He leads us in. if it is still tanzania. praise Him, if it is another ministry at home or abroad, praise Him. we would value your prayer in this matter as we both feel it is right to seek His face again regarding His call on our lives. obviously family circumstances are different from previously.

joni has just commenced a 5 year CAD and mechanial engineering apprenticeship with crownhouse technologies.

ashley is applying again for the post-grad primary teaching course in 2008 and for the next year has decided to be a carer for her quadraplegic friend david as he completes his honours degree. find out about david at http://davidazhar.com/index.html

daniel is surviving 2nd year in the decant school in ek, having just recovered from a broken arm.

ruth is working more hours at st peters primary, both in the office and as classroom assistant.

well that's a brief update.
please continue praying as i undergo further scans and proceedures.
your fellowship has been a taste of heaven.

gripped by grace,

adi

latest kids news

2007-06-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

well done ashley who has just successfully passed all her final degree exams at strathclyde university. she is now the holder of a ba in law, arts and social science, majoring in psychology ~ wow! she is in tanzania at the moment with allison hill and the glo team for 5 weeks.

joni is now attempting to embark on a career in plumbing and heating, has left school and only today had his first interview for a plumbing apprenticeship in east kilbride. joni too is off with glo to antibes in france for 2 weeks.

daniel has just completed 1st year and not really looking forward to 2nd and 3rd because the entire school will be decanted to east kilbride for 2 years until the academy undergoes a long awaited pfi demolition and reconstruction. gonna be chaos on the buses and his school day will be extended by more than one hour.

june update

2007-06-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

firstly let me thank you all again for your constant prayers which have been a great support and encouragement. special thanks to everyone for texting, phoning, visiting, cards and practical support. ruth and i have been deeply touched and moved by your interest. i have been astounded at the number of churches praying for me from all around the world - ireland, scotland, england, wales, france, tanzania, zambia, usa, argentina, ecuador, new zealand, canada ...... wow! praise God for the blessed fellowship of the redeemed!
since my last posting i received news from the Oncologist that i needed almost 6 months of chemotherapy - 12 separate treatments, 2 weeks apart. that takes me to october so your long term prayers are much appreciated.
i thank the Lord that the side effects have been bearable and i am able to go about my life in a fairly normal manner. i am still not really fit for work but have been trying to maintain an interest in continuing my studies at icc. in fact i am sitting the theology exam tomorrow that was missed in march due to the op.
i am so grateful for the support of the fellowship at strathaven evangelical church and for many of my close friends that have been walking with me on this difficult leg of my journey.
let me leave you with some lovely words that were texted to me by my good friend brian on easter sunday morning;

"BECAUSE THE SON IS RISEN I CAN FACE EVERY DAY THE SUN RISES"

AMEN

health latest

2007-04-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

as many of you may know our plans for a summer departure to tanzania were put on hold when i received the shocking news that i needed major surgery for bowel cancer.
i am now home recuperating from the op and want to take the time to thank everyone for your prayers and support. i have been overwhelmed by the response and the Lord has been faithfully providing for all our needs.
the operation was successful in that it removed all the cancer but i am now awaiting test results to discover what further treatment i may require. please continue to pray for a positive outcome as it is still our strong desire to obey the Lords call to Moshi as soon as i am fit and able.
it will be some time before i am able to take up my hobby of running again but a 'gentile' stroll round the block is my current limit, for which i am thankful.
thank you for the many cards which have encouraged me through the dark days.
i am reminded of the lovely verse 'underneath are the everlasting arms' and am grateful that your prayers are also supporting me through these days.
may God's richest blessing be with each of you and your family,
with much love,

adi

christmas news

2006-12-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

do you like the family portrait taken by our pal bob? the shooting was specially arranged to capture a snap of all the mckinnon and harris grandchildren for ruth's dads 70th birthday. as we are seldom caught on camera together we thought we would have a shot in front of the camera for the blogspot.... yes, disappointingly joni IS taller than me!

adi has now finished two courses at ICC and passed both ~ one in old testament and the other in new. the preparation and reading was both rewarding and very demanding and sitting exams for the first time since the teens was scary! next year at ICC he plans to take four more courses and is looking forward to some mission training in 'cross cultural life and ministry' and 'christianity in africa'.

ruth has handed in her notice at the glassford nursery and enroled on the north lanarkshire supply list. she was not gaining sufficient experience at the private nursery and is looking forward to some challenging work around the local authority region and better preparation for the kindergarten in moshi.

ashley is working very hard towards her phsychology degree and has formally applied for a post-grad position on the primary teaching course at glasgow university. if successful, this would qualify her after a further year and if possible she would like to join the family in moshi before embarking on her teaching career. she in enjoying the independance of student flat life but we are glad to have her home at weekends when she returns to strathaven for her saturday job in the local opticians.

joni has at last entered the world of work when he secured a lucrative position as 'shelf stacker' at the local co-op. applications have been submitted to the dollan baths in ek and the local swimming pool for life guard. i am sure he would prefer casually strolling round a pool in a pair of shorts to humffing crates of beans!! he is working hard, allegedly for his highers and is looking forward to his prelims in january.

daniel is enjoying the privileges of being a 'big boy' now ~ yf, encounters etc. and is excitedly awaiting christmas.

please remember to pray for us in the following areas;

interlink interview and health screening
arranging new passports, visa's and work permits
preparing and packing up the house ready for leasing
long term lease for 38 crosshill road, temporary arrangements and storage
applications to international school and fees
language study ~ both here and in tanzania
loving homes for our big daft dug 'shep' and cat 'disco'
buyers for 2 cars (Honda Accord Tourer 2.0l 53 plate, Honda Civic 1.4i X reg)
booking flights and planning the kids summer (keswick, scem, yorkshire camp)
housing and transport in moshi
prayer partners and supporters ~ churches and individuals
completing and finalising financial and tax affairs

Please email me with your address if you would like to receive our prayer letter or know anyone interested in any of our cars.

adi.harris@btinternet.com

graduation

2006-12-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

smarty pants!

first posting!

2006-11-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

thank you for bothering to check out our blogspot and by this i can assume i am writing to a friend, supporter or family! welcome. we jealously covet your support.
perhaps i could just give a few brief notes to explain our current family situation and ask you to join with us in prayer as we prepare and plan for a summer departure to moshi.

ruth ~ has just graduated from Coatbridge College with a well earned HNC in Child Care and Education. she has secured some part time hours in a new nursery in glassford where she hopes to gain some valuable experience. she spent the summer painting the house and getting it ready to rent!

ashley ~ is studying hard for her degree in phsychology at strathclyde uni in this her 3rd year. she shares a flat with her friend lyndsay in john knox street, glasgow. she has found some great friends at netherauldhouse evangelical church where she has started to get involved in some childrens work. ashley hopes to join us in moshi after her honours year. she is considering primary teaching after a year at mccc.

joni ~ is a newly qualified lifeguard! he is studying hard for 4 highers this year which he hopes to pass before leaving for tanzania. a sixth year at the international school in moshi will help to prepare him for uni, work or an apprenticeship. all of which are future options before he hopes to join the police. i am sure he will be hoping for some summer visitors and lots of letters.

daniel ~ is enjoying first year and finding maths a little easier now! he is becoming fairly accomplished at the bass and can tap out a mean rhythm on joni's drum kit. he most of all can't wait to get to africa as he is a wildlife fanatic. his curent hobbies include swimming and 'working out'.

adi ~ has just recently stepped down to part time hours in order to spend time studying some modules at icc. this has meant resigning from laing o'rourke and becoming a self employed freelancer. laing have offered 3 days per week until next summer. remember me as i attempt 6 varied icc modules this year which i trust will prepare me spiritually for the task ahead.

other prayer points ~ high on the list is preparing the home for leasing next summer. this has meant attending to nearly 7 years neglected diy! please pray that the Lord will enable a long term lease to be secured and too much cash won't be expended on necessary repairs. the leasing market can be a minefield and i feel like a lamb being led to the slaughter! please also remember the applications to interlink which will be submitted later this month and the health screening that will follow. a formal interview will soon take place with the scottish board of trustees. finally we would ask you to pray for and consider becoming a partner with us in this kingdom building venture.

if you would like more information on the work at the childrens centre in moshi, can commit to joining our team as a prayer partner, would like to support the harris family financially or have any other comments to make then please contact me at;

adi.harris@btinternet.com

Adrian Harris
38 Crosshill Road
Strathaven
Lanarkshire ML10 6DS

moby ~ 07768.560617