CRB Check

As part of the application process for my new job with Mercy Ships I need a background check with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). I got the forms over a month ago and sent them back to Mercy Ships UK to process the application. Unfortunately, they were in the process of changing providers of the preliminary CRB check process and so my form hasn't been sent off to the CRB. To compound matters, the form I had completed was addressed to the former provider rather than the new one so I need to fill in a new form! It usually takes 4 weeks or so to get a CRB check back.

The problem is I can't get my visa stuff from Mercy Ships in Texas until they get a copy of my CRB check.

Please pray that the forms are processed quickly and we aren't delayed in receiving our visas.

Tommy.

Bon Voyage...

Well today we dropped off the bulk of our possessions at the UK warehouse in Stevenage. They will be picked up tomorrow and head off to meet the ship in Tenerife via the Mercy Ships warehouse in Holland.

We have been frantically packing since Friday evening when we first found out that we needed everything there by today - at least we don't need to think about what needs to go on the container anymore...

Please pray it all arrives safely - some of the children's most prized toys are in the shipment.

Tommy.

Tom's first day at school

It feels very strange. Tom is now at school! Well at least for afternoons for the next 2 weeks, then just mornings for a week, then mornings and lunch and then finally a week full time. But then he gets a week off for half term - so not too bad!

It was very cute when Joshua cried because he wanted to go too.

Tom was very excited and talked non-stop when he got home. He rang Nanny and then proceeded to talk her ear off while pacing up and down the room.

Its official

Its hot off the press - we are off to Africa! It's finally now official for the first week in January. Tommy is dancing round the room and wanting the phone battery to stop dying so that he can talk to everyone he knows. I am feeling slightly more stunned into silence but will be in touch with people soon!!!

Thank God we have a cabin and that we have time to prepare to go. We are sooooo pleased that this time back here is only for a season, and while it is useful time in many ways we are soooooo pleased that it won't be long before we will be serving Him on the Africa Mercy.

Sarah

we wait...

...and in the mean time Tommy is adjusting to being at home and I am adjusting to being at work. The English summer is really not summer- Tom says its like winter - probably more like Autumn. We're enjoying catching up with everyone but miss our Gateway 'family' and are jealous of everyone else being in or on the way to Africa!! Still the timing is not our decision and we will keep trusting....and hoping....and praying....that we will hear something definate soon.....

We're off to London this weekend to mark my 30th birthday later this month so planning on having some fun here while we can!

Sarah