Fantastic church, wonderful people, and a whole lot of lovely new Chinese friends!

My links with Huddersfield go back years and years, and Holy Trinity Church, just north of the centre of the town, has always been really supportive of CMS ~ and of me too!

When my good friends Pam and Nigel moved to Holy Trinity from Heighington, Co. Durham in the late 1980’s, and there I was, preparing to join CMS and go to Tanzania, Holy Trinity offered their support – and hey presto, they’re still supporting me all these years later.   Actually Pam and Nigel have been away all this weekend, but came back in time to welcome me to visit this morning and were even persuaded to pose for a photo ~ smiling away as ever!

Last time I was at the church a few years ago, Sharon, wife of Rev. Calvert Prentis was inspired to come to Taiwan to visit, which she did a few months later.  It was a great time for everyone!

Now Holy Trinity has a new vicar, Mike ~ so yesterday was the first time we’d met.  A very moving morning service followed by ‘bring and share’ lunch, and then an afternoon of fun activities ~ my PowerPoint of Taiwan and then Chinese calligraphy, lanterns and spring blossom art activities.  30-40 people stayed on for the afternoon ~ a very creative bunch!

Ever grateful to Wei from China who brought along her Chinese friends to help run the calligraphy.  A great success.  And really nice to make some new Chinese friends.  One was actually visiting for the Chinese New Year, and visiting a church for the very first time, so it was a special welcome for him!

It may have been pouring with rain for most of the day, but hey, inside was as happy, fun and sunny as can be ∼ yippee!

And this morning, Monday, snow and wind and cold alternating with bright sun, and to round off my visit to Huddersfield, off I went with 92-year-old church member Pam to visit 99-year-old church member Joan. Such a great time we had together! Joan still does all her own cooking, and although she’s housebound, she’s in great shape!  Turns out that Joan’s 100th birthday is on April 20, and guess what? Instead of presents she’s asked her friends and family for donations to CMS.  Wow!  Definitely the salt of the earth, so supportive.   Thank you Joan!

And a big THANK YOU to all at Holy Trinity for all your support over the years, and your very warm welcome this past weekend, as always!