Farewell letter from Brian and Faye Carson
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Dear Church Family,
How these words describe the thoughts of our hearts as we come today to say thank you and farewell to you who have supported and prayed for us over the past 16 years, since our coming into St Mark’s.
We had by that time worked in Africa for 20 years and had returned to UK to support our four daughters through the transition from school to university and beyond. This meant Brian had to find work, and this brought us to Warwickshire. Earning a living took up most of Brian’s time. Those were the days when doctors still worked round the clock and at weekends [!] but we were involved in a small group, and Faye joined the World Mission Action Group, later becoming Mission co-ordinator after Joan Ashley, who mentored and inspired.
We sometimes had special Mission speakers and one of these was Roger Bowen, then General Secretary of Crosslinks/BCMS, who had lunch at our home that Sunday. We shared our mutual experiences of Africa, especially Brian’s work as Surgeon/Director of a large Mission Hospital during the 70s and 80s and Roger’s as a Theologian. A few months later Roger rang ‘out of the blue’ and asked Brian if he would consider returning as Medical Director for the Diocese of Nakuru, a huge diocese, which covered the whole of Kenya’s Rift Valley. This was timely for various reasons. We prayed, talked to Family and to Alister. Eventually, with the approval of PCC and Family, we felt we should follow this call and agreed to go for 3-4 years.
In 2001 we were ready to go to Africa, when over the Easter weekend, Brian became seriously ill with an infective endocarditis and was immediately transferred to Coventry where it took 6 weeks [Oxygen tent, huge doses of antibiotics, no visitors etc.] to bring him to the place where he was able to have surgery. He had his mitral valve repaired and other surgery to his damaged heart. This was a very difficult time, but we were aware of ‘being carried’ through your prayers and those of so many. It was a slow but positive recovery, and it was questionable as to whether we would be able to go ahead with our plans. His recovery took a year, but as we had sold our house the day Brian became ill, we were homeless! Another miraculous provision came as Susan Mileham’s parents were moving from their flat. The family provided accommodation for a year until Brian had an excellent report from the Doctors, which allowed us to proceed. Our feelings are expressed in Psalm 116. We thanked God for another opportunity to serve Him . We could never forget the support we had through that time, your prayers and care and the gift of Hospitality. [an extra bonus was to live above Gerald and Meriel!]
Terry took us to Heathrow, June 2002 and Katy supported us by looking after our correspondence. Our ministry and many adventures both by Helicopter and by ‘road’ have been well documented – and experienced by some! Julia and Susan kept you informed of our work during our time in Kenya.
Our last Report was in January 2008, and we managed to put up in Church some Pictures and Greetings from Christopher, the Evangelists and the Rescue girls at Christmas 2008. Since then we have been busy with family and staying at our friend’s flat in London and helping in her ministry of hospitality to Missionaries. At the same time we have sold our flat and managed to buy a little cottage in Somerset which is near to our daughter Helen and not far from Janet, and their families. We hope to move there in December and are so thankful to the Lord for His wonderful provision.
RECENT UPDATES – Rev Christopher writes describing the ‘DEVASTATING HUNGER IN EAST POKOT’ where there’s been no rain for three years, constant temperatures of 40+, animals dying, people wandering with their few goats looking for water. [Remember that Christopher’s Parishes cover 20,000 sq miles…] There is no vegetation which means no berries, herbs or grass, no leaves on the bushes, no birds, no bees and the goats that survive don’t breed, so no milk. Children, pregnant mothers and the elderly are found dead everywhere. The government sends maize meal sporadically but most people cannot travel to collect it. PLEASE PRAY FOR CHRISTOPHER AND NELLIE TRYING TO SHOW THE LOVE OF GOD IN THOSE CONDITIONS.
Anitionetta - The nurse who worked, unpaid, through much our time in Kenya, as the Diocesan Nurse and was an outstanding example of God’s grace under hardship. She was helped through a gift to upgrade her qualifications, a demanding two-year course – Wrote Dec. 08, ‘ I just want to say thanks for making a difference to my life. My life has been changed for ever. Today I received a Diploma Award at Graduation Ceremony at Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi. Am so grateful for that contribution towards this great achievement in my life. Please thank the Donors. You and they are blessed people. I owe you and God to serve the Pokot people. Please pray the way will open.’ We prayed.
Justus - [the Diocesan Development co-ordinator, who worked alongside us and helped to train the people of Chepkalacha Church and Community to set up and manage the Living Water Project] – writes this week, that on a recent visit to East Pokot he found 4 new Church Plants; the Water Project as the only source of water for many miles with people travelling long distances with their remaining animals. This Well is a focus for people and a hub for the Church to reach out to all comers with the story of God’s Love in Jesus. He is encouraged that the people have taken full control of this project which is ‘doing good’. How we praise God for the vision that Andrea and ‘The Well’ Leamington had for this wonderful Blessing in the middle of this harsh place. Justus also reports that funding has been found to employ Anitonietta as the Community Health Nurse for East Pokot. Such an answer to prayer! Please pray for her as she is away from her family during the week. Pray for her ministry .
Sadly, however, there have been clashes between Pokot and Samburu animal rustlers – exacerbated by the drought. 21 were killed in the latest clash. PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL ACT IN THIS DESPERATE AND DESOLATE PLACE.
Other Prayer requests – 1. Now that Laban, the 3rd Evangelist has been ordained, please pray for Abraham the final one, who graduates next year. Pray for a Godly, Biblical Ministry for them all.
2. Now that Anitonietta is looking after the patients, please pray that funds will be found to carry on the long-term treatment of Longuranyan for the terrible fungal disease of his leg. He is slowly recovering from his traumas and attends church regularly.
3. Family. We are often asked about our family, especially those in Zimbabwe. Robyn, Lance and the children have now returned to Zimbabwe, where Lance is setting up a project, funded by the EU, to help restart Farming in the country. Lynda and Jasper continue with their citrus factory down near the Border. They employ over 50 people and support the citrus farms in that area. They would be very grateful for your prayers as they deal with Government and others, day by day, and for travel which is difficult and dangerous. Both families are very happy to be together again.
And now we wish to thank you ALL – EVERY ONE, for all your friendship, love, support and prayers over the years. It has been a particular Blessing to us both to know Paul and Helen and to have benefited from Paul’s Ministry. We have appreciated everything that has been done to help us and all who have so generously given and prayed for our work among these poorest of peoples. Like the writer in Hebrews 11, ‘what more shall I say? I could go on and on naming names!’ But He also goes on to say, Ch 12, something like this…’let us throw off everything that would hinder us from following and serving Jesus, thinking about how much He suffered, so that we won’t become tired and lose heart’. We would leave those words with you as you, and we, look to our wonderful future with God, whatever He has in store for us all along the way.
With our Love in Christ Jesus
Brian and Faye