Greetings! 

This New Year started badly and sadly with the killing of three members of staff at the Jibla Baptist Hospital. For those of us who knew them and had visited the hospital it was a tremendous shock and cause for concern for our safety here at Christ Church, Ras Morbat Clinics. Security for us has been stepped up and we now have a 24 hour armed guard at the gate and we have been advised by the British Embassy to increase the height of the perimeter wall by adding a two metre fence on the top!

The incident at Jibla was preceeded by the shooting of a Minister at a conference in Sana’a. The perpetrators of both killings said that they were striking a blow against secularism and liberalism and their deeds would gain for them early entry to Paradise! 

Since the attack on the French tanker the port has been very quiet and our plans to create a Seafarer’s Centre have been put on hold and ITF have deferred a decision to make us a grant toward this. It so often seems that in Yemen we take one step forward and several back! 

However, with the season of Epiphany, the reminder of the Wise Men bearing gifts and Orthodox Christmas, things began to change and we received gifts long awaited. Wheelchairs donated to us by Baisal company of Bishkek had been in transit for almost a year but although consigned to us here in Aden, had got stuck in Amman. Despite many phone calls and pleading emails to the authorities there I failed to get them released. With the help of Len Rogers of Venture International and Rana at the Manara Book Ministries in Jordan, they finally arrived in time for Bishop Clive to give the first one to a patient who had been waiting anxiously for this gift. He went away a happy man with his new found mobility.

A much needed Autoclave sterilizer came to us via the people of Holy Trinity, Dubai. This piece of equipment is not available in Yemen and is expensive to import, but Don Ramsey took on the task, tracked one down, ordered and had it shipped to us so that instruments can be sterilized efficiently when operations are carried out in the Eye Clinic.

The British Embassy gave us a grant for a hand-held Tonometer and two new computers, one for the office and one for the Family Clinic. They also provided for a whole range of medical equipment needed in both clinics and Dr.Nada went to Sana’a To buy these things. When they arrived this month they were received by the staff with great excitement.

Perhaps the most welcome gift was the arrival of Dr.Assefa Mamo as our resident Ophthalmologist, a post we had been trying to fill for a year now. Dr.Assefa is married with three children but has left them back in Ethiopia for a year. Sadly he was not here in time for the Dedication of the Eye Clinic extension by Bishop Clive on 16^th January.

 However, that didn’t prevent the occasion from being a very happy one and a good crowd of people joined us to hear the Bishop’s words of Dedication and witness the cutting of the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new operating theatre, accommodation and classroom. 

At our service on 18^th January Bishop Clive confirmed Jacqueline Lawson-Smith, the Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General for Aden. This was a wonderful service and the first confirmation performed by Bishop Clive here in Christ Church, so a little bit of history was made.

 Despite the bad start to the year, the tensions and difficulties that have dogged us and the uncertainty gripping the world over Iraq at present, the ministry at Christ Church continues; indeed, in 2002, even with reduced staff, the Family Clinic saw over two thousand more patients than in 2001, so we rejoice and give thanks.

With our love and thanks to all of you who support and pray for us,
Colin and Irene