Wednesday 10th
June
I
must enjoy long term relationships!
Twenty
years ago I made my first visit to Leonard Cheshire Home in
Cheltenham. A friend had suggested that Danny and Yunus would like a
trip to Lourdes. Indeed they did enjoy it and we became friends over
the years, as a result I am still visiting Leonard Cheshire –
though unfortunately both Danny and Yunus are no longer with us.
Today
I took Peter to South Cerney (near Cirencester) where he goes sailing
– I managed to limit my involvement today to that of driver and
spectator – my main role these days is as a volunteer driver for
the wheelchair adapted vehicles at the home. Before suffering brain
damage Peter did a lot of sailing – learning his skills on the
River Severn. Last time I accompanied him I found myself in the boat.
It seemed that they didn't want an instructor with Peter' because he
might take over, whereas Peter knew what was needed and was capable
of being the skipper giving the necessary orders – what they really
wanted was someone to accompany Peter who was totally incompetent !!!
(and they found him!!)
Last
year Jennipher visited the Leonard Cheshire Home and met a few of the
residents. Today I talked to Kay who used her hands to show Jennipher
how to make bracelets from loom bands and Paula who acted as our
guide to the home – showing Jennipher around. Todays HANDS however
are from Lizzie who has more recently followed Danny and Yunus on
trips to Lourdes. Show your support by following this link. Give
us your hand - Hands Around the World
I
am getting through my list of things to buy or find and jobs to do
before I leave for Zambia. Yesterday I collected my 'new' car which
will make life a little easier and make Dilys happier!!
Our
accommodation in Monze was also settled yesterday, so it was quite a
day. I will be sharing this year. Deana and a colleague are heading
out tomorrow and I will join them on Monday. Unfortunately we
couldn't find a furnished house and will be busy trying to find
something to sit on etc.!! Maybe I will be lucky and by Monday my
chair will be in place!!
I
have decided to buy a double mattress – not so much because I like
a lot of space,but because I have a friend who had his mattress
stolen several years back and hasn't been able to replace it. He is
now married! It makes me realise just what some people need to cope
with. For me 7 weeks without a mattress seems too much to cope with –
for others these are the normal trials of life. Anyway after I leave
my friend and his wife should sleep more comfortably.
As
usual my luggage contains many standard holiday items!! e.g. 7
footballs, twenty knitted glove puppets, a few blankets, 20 bars of
soap, a BP monitor, 6 bottles of clove oil and 600 cotton buds. I
will get around to packing a few clothes on Saturday if I have any
room left!
Having
decided that a coach to Gatwick was too expensive I booked to
Victoria and then a train from there to Gatwick. Of course if I had
looked at the cost for one ticket instead of two I could have saved
myself the trouble of lugging cases between the coach station and
train station!
As
usual this time is one of mixed emotions. There is the stress and
anxiety of preparing for the trip together with anticipation of the
joys and pain of what I will meet back in Zambia.
I
have been reading a small book about John Vanier and his life with
people with mental disabilities.
He
reminded me how important it is to take time out to pray – to be
with our God. Most of us are guilty of filling every waking moment
and forgetting to take time out. I certainly plead guilty! We need a
lot of help to do anything worthwhile, my coming visit will only be
successful if I give the Lord a chance. I will have plenty of
opportunity on my long journey on Sunday and Monday, I hope to make a
good start – I will let you know.
Please
pray for me!
Chris
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