Bikes, Brownies & Boats

Picture of Jake and Stuart

Two of my friends Stuart & Jake are going to do a sponsored bike ride (400 odd miles) in aid of me working in Tanzania. This is very big-hearted of them to do this for me; the sponsors are being very generous in sponsoring them.

I thank God for Stuart and Jake, going out of their way to do this for me.

I had my second chocolate brownie sale on Monday, it was a success. Connors Bakery has been so kind and helpful in helping me to get it off the ground, and providing the amazing chocolate brownies! Easily the best in England.

Graham spoke at the JCC sports awards evening, a good speaker, he has been over generous in donating a very rare rugby shirt and one off edition.

For the rugby fans: the shirt is the one England wore against Wales on the 6^th February 2010 in the first of their 6 Nations campaign. It is the celebratory centenary match shirt, a shirt supporters can't buy!

Kahunda – Tanzania

I have received more information about Kahunda, the population is about 15,000 roughly the same population as Burbage. The nearest power lines are 50 miles away! It takes four hours to get to the nearest ‘city’. I am literally right on the shore of Lake Victoria, fishing boats are fishing at all hours of the day in front of where I will be living. Unfortunately I'm not a big fisher (of fish) so am not planning to do any fishing, which is a possibility.

I am going for my first lot of jabs in the first week of June.

Radio Interview & Background Information

Pretty nervous in this picture because it is my first time ever on the radio.

I was kindly allowed by Vine fm to be interviewed by John on Good Friday from 11.00-11.30. For more information about Vine fm please visit http://www.vinefm.org.uk/.

So here is some background information about my gap year to Tanzania.
I am going on AIM’s short term mission programme Synergy, on an Individual placement.

Why go on a gap year?

I had no idea what God or I wanted to to do with the next stage in my life.

Through various conversations, I realised I needed to take some time out to find out what God has planned for me.

This year is to challenge me and put me out of my comfort zone so that I will learn and understand that I must rely on God rather than my self and the people around me.


Why I am going on a gap year?
* To serve God by serving others
* To work with young people and talk with them about our amazing God
* To think about my life and understand what God has planned for me

What am I going to be doing there?
* Teaching
* Working with the young people in the village through bible studies and time together
* I will be coaching young people sport, and I will have the privilege to introduce them to rugby
* Helping them to work with the three computers in the village, with my basic IT knowledge


They have a children's camp in the summer as well as a kindergarten that has just started, I may be involved with these as well.

New information!

So I have some new information. I have received a budget, and the cost has unexpectedly risen because of the cost of living in Tanzania is quite high. The total cost is now £7,589.59 ]
My church has also been very generous and contributed towards the cost of the year. The mission team put forward my case, the money is from the church mission fund.

However today I had a cake sale at school and managed to raise just over £100. Also the school has a link with a school in Kenya. A teacher has asked on my behalf if the organisers of the Kenyan trip would be willing to share the non uniform day in the summer term and they agreed! This God willing will raise around £800.

I also have news that I will being living with a German guy called Arne.

I have a lot to thank God for, his answers to prayer and that He is still in control no matter how high the living costs are in Tanzania.
Please pray with me:
Thanks that the cake sale went exceptionally well
That I will continue to trust that God will continue to provide.
That I will be able to balance my time between my A levels and fund-raising/planning for my gap year.

Thanks.

Welcome to my blog.

Welcome to my blog.
This is a map of where I will be, Kahunda on Lake Victoria in Tanzania.
I am going on a gap year to Tanzania in August 2010.
This blog is to keep you updated with the whole process; preparing to go and while I am there.
My email is jcsoglesby@gmail.com, you can also leave comments on here.
I look forward to hearing from you!