The Road Not Chosen

‘The Road Not Chosen’ published by us in November

Oh – yes – the book. It has been a long time in the making and we are thrilled to finally see it in print. Even though the story is a very sad one, it’s a tale of hope in the face of loss and narrates what God was doing in our lives through the experience of losing our daughter Esther. A launch event in the church was an incredibly moving (and challenging) experience and we are being asked to replicate it in other churches. At these events we share our own story and help people to understand loses and how we can live through them with hope. The BBC have picked up our story and we recorded four interviews for BBC Radio Sussex which are being broadcast in the run-up to Christmas.

So you can see a sample or buy a copy here: www.whites.me.uk/TheRoadNotChosen

Victoria Baptist Church

In any thriving church there is rarely a dull moment. Sunday ministry and a welter of ancillary responsibilities keeps Ian busy all the time. His ministry continues to be fulfilling and challenging with a steady influx of new people. We have welcomed a number a new families this year and had the thrill of baptising a lady only last week. We’ve also appointed a new Youth Worker who is doing a sterling job, particularly with some of the more challenging young people who hover round the church on a Sunday night.

Mozambique trip

Capulanas

We’ve never been very comfortable as tourists, swanning into a beauty spot, admiring it and then swanning off again. So when the opportunity to visit Mozambique to visit missionary friends Damien and Annet we jumped at the chance. During a busy trip Ian did some teaching with Mozambican lawyers, preached at the church our friends attend and prepared them for their marriage. We returned with a great sense of privilege at being involved in their work and inspired to pray for them more earnestly, particularly since their life is so tough in comparison with ours. It was also a photographer’s heaven and you can see some of Ian’s images here: www.whites.me.uk/mozambique

Family

We still need to pinch ourselves when we realise we’re grandparents! April is growing apace and hoovering up words by the score. While staying with us for a few days we taught her the essential word ‘cupatee?’ which she now uses to gain her grandparents’ attention. Meanwhile Chris and Polly continue to be very active in Cheltenham carrying responsibilities in their church and seeking to reach out to the estate where they live. You can find some recent images here: www.whites.me.uk/april

There’s obviously more we can tell but for the full version you’ll have to come and see us! You’ll always be welcome.

May God bless you richly in 2016!