..in Duns
Recently we have begun an English Conversational Cafe, primarily for overseas workers in our community.  This is an exciting new venture which has been few in number so far but has team of folks involved in running it who are very enthusiastic and hour long cafe on a Monday evening has a very positive response from those who have been attending.  If you’d be interested in helping out with this or bringing someone along speak to Joan Sanderson, Elaine Murray.

…and further afield!
Some folks feel that God is calling them to live and work in another country for a short or long period of time.  Once in the country, they support the Christian church there (or sometimes start a new church if there is not one), pray for the country and simply build friendships and live and work as a Christian in that place, trusting that God might use them for His purposes.

These folks are usually supported by partner churches in their home country who support them in practical ways and also by committing to praying for them.

The Kirk Session recently decided that Duns Parish would support the work of the Fucellas in Thailand. 

The Fucella family come from Scotland and until recently were missionary partners with the Church of Scotland.  When the Church of Scotland were unable to continue supporting them they decided to continue their work through the Scottish branch of an organisation called Interserve.

Mike works for the Christian church in Thailand (Church of Christ) helping strengthen the churches in Burma, Southern China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.  His more specific task is to develop a training programme for church leaders in each of these countries.  He also teaches Systematic Theology part time at the Bangkok Institute of Theology.

Jane, his wife is a nurse and focuses much of her time on working with people with HIV/Aids both in Bangkok and in Sangklaburi on the Burma border. 

Mike and Jane have two daughters – Rachel and Aylie – who go to the New International School of Thailand where there are over 1400 students.

Mike and Jane send out a regular newsletter called The Fishwrapper and Rachel also writes her own letter entitled Minnows.  They have their own website http://www.fishwrapper.net/. 

In summer 07 a group in our church along with others in the community went to Peru with The Vine Trust to do building work at a home for street children.  Click here to find out about how that all started with a trip to Peru by Mike Hudson in 06 or here for a taste of the 07 trip.  We hope to support The Vine Trust by giving money to support the work there.  Some people enjoyed their trip so much that they are planning to return in the next couple of years - perhaps you’d think about supporting them financially or even joining them?!