My beginnings!

In case you were wondering, my adventures really began a long time ago.  My family lived in Sierra Leone, West Africa for 18 months in the late 1970s where my Dad worked as a doctor.  Whilst some of the memories are a little hazy, I can still remember the abject poverty and enjoying playing with children who didn't understand the white girl!  I also had a real clear sense even at the age of 4 years that God had a plan for my life which would include living and working in similar communities.

During my time in Salford, my dear adopted home city for the last 17 years, I have also had the privilege to visit, study and work amongst the marginalised in both Brazil and Mozambique.  Having read the book by Heidi Baker 'There is Always Enough', founder of Iris Ministries (iris comes from the Portugese word for rainbow), I knew that I wanted to go and learn from them.  So in 2011 I completed Iris Ministries Harvest School where I got to learn from very wise people who are living out the teachings of Jesus (echoed by others such as Mother Teresa) by living and working amongst the poorest of the poor. 

I came back from my second trip to Mozambique inspired and encouraged to join in with what Iris are up to.  And having got a heart for Brazil and some specific confirmations from God, I signed up to what will be a year of work and mission around Central and South America, starting in September 2012.  I will be flying out on the 5th September to help the leaders, Jesse and Tanya to prepare for the year ( they also have a cute daughter Zoe who I'm pictured with below!)