It was very good but very tiring with an interpreter between us for five hours each day for three days. We did get a day off on Friday when we were taken out of the city to see some of the countryside and a famous Palace on a rock, Dar Al Hajjar.

After three nights we moved from the Hotel to the Ambassador’s residence for the next two nights, very swish! The reception she gave in the garden was attended by about three hundred people, several of whom we had met at the symposium, ambassadors and government ministers etc., high powered!! There was a huge screen onto which a video of the pop concert and fireworks at Buckingham Palace was projected, so we actually saw it all despite being away from the UK.

We had a surprise visit from the Royal Navy! HMS Campbeltown came in on 30th June for a 48 hour visit, the first RN ship to come to Aden for many years and a bit of a test for the security system since the bombing of USS Cole in October 2000. Unfortunately there was no shore leave for the crew but a reception was held onboard on the first day in and
 

a wreath laying service at Ma’alla cemetery before they sailed on the second day. We were involved in both those things and it was good to be with the Royal Navy once again. The whole visit went very well, was hailed as a great success for cooperation between the two countries and we hope this will herald the beginning of more visits by the boys in blue. Everything here seems to happen at once and whilst all this was going on there was a change of command among the US Army defence attaché. They came to visit us at Christ Church and later held a reception at the Aden Hotel, which we were also involved with and we look forward to a good working relationship with the team each time they visit Aden.

 

Zach and Jessica, a young couple from America, paid us a visit in July to assess the situation regarding the possibility of working with us in the future when Jessica has finished her nursing training.

Whilst they were here they were able to attend the wedding of Dr.Nada’s brother with us and experience the way these things are done in Yemen.

Valentina went back to Russia for her leave, to return whilst we are away in September. Patient intake had to be reduced for a while until two newly qualified doctors came to volunteer with us, one of whom was Dr. Nada’s sister, Shada.

The Eye Clinic extension was finished
 

but the fitting out and the installation of the emergency generator meant that we were not able to make use of the new facility when Dr. John arrived on 7th August. However, John being John, this did not disturb him and he performed 212 operations in the two weeks he was here, for which we are so grateful. His commitment and dedication means that we are able to continue running the Eye Clinic without a resident Ophthalmologist although we are now in the process of sifting through some applicants for the post. Please pray with us for Dr.John who now has to undergo open heart surgery and take things very easily for a while.

During our leave we visited London to meet with staff at the Mission to Seafarers to discuss our facilities for seafarers at Christ Church and Barbara Shaw at CMS to talk about possible nursing staff .It was good to be able to travel and speak about the ministry and work here to Churches and groups in Bristol, Gloucester, Four Marks, Margate, Frinton and Walton. It was good to meet many of those who support us and who we previously knew only by name. We really do value the prayer and other support that we receive from so many people around the world. With the shooting incident outside the British Embassy in Sana’a and the fire on the French tanker off our coast, Yemen is once more in the news which makes it harder for those we leave behind. Having spent time back in England with family and friends it strikes us just how very isolated we are here in Yemen. Sadly the number of ex-patriots has decreased even further since our time away which makes our own Christ Church fellowship so important as we seek to encourage and support one another. We praise the Lord for our brothers and sisters in Christ here and in His world-wide family and send our love to you all.
Colin and Irene.