I had forgotten how cold it gets sometimes in the UK!
When I left Hyde last Wednesday morning, dressed in my usually travelling shalwar kurta, I thought I was going to freeze to death as it was only 5 degrees celcius!!
After an extra week in the UK I was finally able to collect my new work visa from the Pakistani Consulate in Rusholme and so am once more legally resident in Karachi.
I had another interesting moment at the airport. After my travels in the summer I have become convinced that by travelling in shalwar kurta I am attracting further security attention. This was further underline by this trip. When I passed through Manchester airport on the way to the Isle of Man, wearing a jumper and trousers, I made my way 'without let or hinderance'. However, when I passed through a week later wearing shalwar kurta, I got to play in the new all over body scanner! I may just be being over sensitive, but I don't think so!
The journey back was fine and although the flight from Manchester was delay by an hour this only meant that I had a five hour lay over in Doha rather than a six hour one. Doha airport is not the most exciting place on earth but it does at least have one major advantage over Dubai, that is, that there is somewhere to sit down!
I was unable to connect my computer to the free WiFi, as whilst in the UK Mr Frost had 'improved' my computer and it had it's usually nervous breakdown after being under his careful ministrations!
This gave me the chance to sit quietly and listen to my iPod and take some time to pray for those people and situations most on my heart at this time. I also spent a lot of the time with my glasses off and it was an interesting situation to be in, surrounded by so many people and yet not be able to see any of them (without my glasses I can see less that three feet in front of me!).
I am now back at work full time though I can't say I am being stretched! The legal niceities still remain unresolved and so we are still not allowed to open or recruit staff or students, though we are hopeful that we might hear some news by the end of the week, Inshallah...
Monday, 18 October 2010
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Dy bannee diu as Failt royd...
Now if I have read it right, the above phrase should say, Hello and Welcome in Manx!
I have taken the opportunity of being back in the UK to pop over to the Isle of Man for a few days to visit my friend Simon. He is currently working for one of the local church as Youth Worker and is have a 'fantastic' time!
I have never been to the island before, though I have flown over it many times on my trips to Belfast. It really is a lovely place and so peaceful and relaxing. I arrived on Wednesday and we went straight back to the office so that Simon could finish off one or two things before going on leave for a couple for days.
The church buildings are amazing and are well used by a variety of ministries. The youth ministry has contact with between 50 and 70 young people every week in the church buliding and up to about 500 through the schools work.
From the office we came back to the cottage. This is a real blessing to Simon and his housemate Darren as it is newly fitted holiday cottage which members of the church have allowed them to rent on a permanant basis. Both bedrooms are en suite and they have Sky television and internet included in their rent!
Thursday we hired a car and made a tour around the island. The island is much bigger than you think and is very beautiful and peaceful. The weather was cool but clear and it was a strange feeling to be wearing both a jumper and a coat!
In the evening we went along to The Key which is the youth group for 14-18 year olds and I was asked to contribute to the discussion they were having about being an Ambassador for Christ. The young people were great and I even received the gift of a Urdu bible from one of them!
Friday was a more gentle day with coffee and cheese on toast at the Velvet Lobster in the morning and a trip to the National Sports Centre in the afternoon for a swim and lounge in the jacuzzi!
This was followed by dinner at Alessandro where the food was delicious, particularly, the Duck and Orange Pate to start and the Lemon Sorbet with Limoncello for dessert!
I will be flying back to the mainland this evening and it has been wonderful to spend these few days with Simon. It has been great to catch up, talk and just to be together. It has also been great seeing Simon so happy and enjoying his life and work here so much. We have also been making plans for Simon to come out and visit me next Easter, Inshallah!
So for now I will say goodbye, Slane lhiat...
I have taken the opportunity of being back in the UK to pop over to the Isle of Man for a few days to visit my friend Simon. He is currently working for one of the local church as Youth Worker and is have a 'fantastic' time!
I have never been to the island before, though I have flown over it many times on my trips to Belfast. It really is a lovely place and so peaceful and relaxing. I arrived on Wednesday and we went straight back to the office so that Simon could finish off one or two things before going on leave for a couple for days.
The church buildings are amazing and are well used by a variety of ministries. The youth ministry has contact with between 50 and 70 young people every week in the church buliding and up to about 500 through the schools work.
From the office we came back to the cottage. This is a real blessing to Simon and his housemate Darren as it is newly fitted holiday cottage which members of the church have allowed them to rent on a permanant basis. Both bedrooms are en suite and they have Sky television and internet included in their rent!
Thursday we hired a car and made a tour around the island. The island is much bigger than you think and is very beautiful and peaceful. The weather was cool but clear and it was a strange feeling to be wearing both a jumper and a coat!
In the evening we went along to The Key which is the youth group for 14-18 year olds and I was asked to contribute to the discussion they were having about being an Ambassador for Christ. The young people were great and I even received the gift of a Urdu bible from one of them!
Friday was a more gentle day with coffee and cheese on toast at the Velvet Lobster in the morning and a trip to the National Sports Centre in the afternoon for a swim and lounge in the jacuzzi!
This was followed by dinner at Alessandro where the food was delicious, particularly, the Duck and Orange Pate to start and the Lemon Sorbet with Limoncello for dessert!
I will be flying back to the mainland this evening and it has been wonderful to spend these few days with Simon. It has been great to catch up, talk and just to be together. It has also been great seeing Simon so happy and enjoying his life and work here so much. We have also been making plans for Simon to come out and visit me next Easter, Inshallah!
So for now I will say goodbye, Slane lhiat...
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