Very difficult month, Burma and life!

Hi you complete gems

So how goes it, you fantastic people? As I write this I am listening to the latest CD from the Kings Consort (no 7) at the phenomenal price of £5!! I am listening to Monteverdi, Handel and Bach. Awesome tracks, brilliant value.

Great coaster/fridge magnet shown from dear Janette which I think is true. Wine recommendation is from Tescos and is called Rawnsley and was on offer!

Despite the frivilous nature of the blog, I do not mind admitting that it has been a very difficult 5 weeks and times when I have felt at my absolute wits end with no peace and feeling like God has left the universe.!!! No big deal really. One just emerges stronger and yet totally reliant on Him which seems a contradiction in terms but isn't- honestly!

Today however I bumped into a star of an ex- pupil. I had only just seen a comment he had made in the year book that morning when looking for a reference. Great to see you, Tom an amazing ambassador for the next generation, heart for people, interested in so much and fantastic you are doing philosophy at A2 with the others. Awesome. This kind of "co-incidence" or "God incidence" has happened time and time again over the last year. I come to expect it each day and have met some wonderful people since July 2005.


I think the psychologist knew this trip would be a complete nightmare and got out whilst the going was good!!! The next generation have no staying power at all !!Physically I have not felt great, hardly slept but I think that has been the hassle of the trip and various health stuff including a very painful hip today. Round and round, flights at right price but no dates, followed by dates but too high a price, Thai/Burmese border problems, visa problem of 28 days, Burmese Embassy and multiple entry problem with no understanding of being stranded in Chaing Mai and not knowing if they have an Embassy there!!! Ok so I will be stranded in Thailand with an international flight to UK from Rangoon and I can't get there!!!!How great is that I said!!! On Thursday the Embassy refused the 2nd visa so back to the drawing board regarding the border with 72 hours to go!!!!

I began to think I had got it ALL wrong and still cannot discern between God closing the door, spiritual opposition and God steering in order to put me in the right place at the right time and having lots of divine appointments over there. The person dealing with it has been an absolute saint and her grace level has been phenomenal. However I believe “He knows the plans He has( BUT DOES NOT REVEAL) for me plans not to harm me, plans for my hope and my future.” I wonder if any of you saw the Despatches programme on Channel 4 on Burma and I know it was disturbing for people coming to it new.

I leave for Burma on 9th October at 9.30pm and arrive back on 9th November. I have a week with Thuzar in Kachin state which will be the furthest north I have ever been, two weeks in Rangoon( Yangon) where there is some work doing ministry outside the capital and then maybe some days elsewhere depending on visa. I will send out an email and if anyone can pray on certain days I would be VERY GRATEFUL as PRAYER has been crucial in 25 years of travelling. If I happen to have a bad day and feel queezy etc I can then come back to the person who is praying and say “so you complete peasant how come I had a terrible day and you were praying……!!! Not really. Just a little joke! I am eternally grateful for loads of loyal people who have prayed for me over the years. You are amazing as are ALL THE fantastic people who do not pray, but are in my life. So any new people to pray - great. I know theologically some might think I am on doggy ground as many of you will be thinking there are levels of atrocities and she is asking for prayer.... I understand the argument but am still asking!!

HOWEVER YOU NEVER GUESS WHAT.!Someone has just put £500 through the letter box I did not hear it and just discovered it at 11.05pm!!!.Awesome, humbling. If that person is reading this blog thank you for your supreme generosity. I will be praying about how God wants me to use it. On 7th wondering if I should go via Bangkok or simply get a re-entry visa at airport and just emailed immigration in Burma so will see!!!!

After 14 months I have finally got round to doing my CV but I confess with hardly any enthusiasm!!I have never done one before, as the deputy head at the last school just invited me for coffee and cake 22 years ago and that was it!! What a wise lady! I have also sent it round a few people who are much more clued up than me on CV’s and, even though they have very busy lives, have families and work full time etc, thanks to you all for helping me. That way I can keep my own work load down to an absolute minimum and keep taking tea and cake whilst you slog away which is always fantastic!! Ok calm down. I don’t mean it. I have sent the CV to agencies but so far absolutely nothing appeals after trawling through so many websites, newspapers, going into London to speak to people,been to agencies, met with chaplains, reading journals, visiting Bible Colleges etc. I owe you, you fantastic people. Thanks so much especially Judith, Judy, my brother in law Malcolm and the head. if I DON'T land a job on about £500,000 watch out.

Lovely to see Claire and catch up amidst th e (loud) worship at church . You fantastic lady and amazing family. I love you to bits of course.

I also met my “cousin” Yvonne, above, who is not a blood relative, her wonderful husband and her wonderful 3 daughters. They are in their twenties and thirties and wow they are amazing and such an example of the next generation. You are a brilliant family and I love you lots.

I also had tea with Lizzy and this time I tried the ginger cake whilst she had the chocolate one!!!. Quality time. Here are Niki and Beth who very kindly treated me to tea and who I have mentioned in previous postings. Thanks so much you gems. Sorry I was not quite myself!!So now all the university students will be going back over the next week, but as they only seem to work about 3 weeks of a term, no doubt they will back soon!!! I fear for our future as a nation with their social lives taking priority !! People after my own heart of course!!

Among those being baptised, was the person I am mentoring and it felt fairly emotional to witness.The change in her is phenomenal and ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with me. Honestly. No false modesty. God is doing loads and is calling the next generation to stuff that we have simply not seen. It is awesome and I am privileged to observe all He is saying and doing in her life. It is exciting. I know she will go on knowing Him more and more.

So in just over 48 hours at 9.30pm I will be on a Quatar airlines to Burma. Despite being Middle Eastern, they still serve a glass of wine!! Of course I will be crying buckets when I see the people I love to bits,but probably they are all used to it by now ! I arrive at 6.30pm their time. I wonder what God has planned for me. I eagerly await on tip toe and shall recount all next time. .......!! I am sure I will return brimming and my cup runneth over!! It BETTER be after all the fuss getting out there!!!!!

A friend phoned last night to say there is a job working with 6th formers at a local school. Now that COULD APPEAL, even though I am not qualified. Interesting timing. I will email on Monday- maybe!!

Congratulations to Sarah for turning 40 and wonderful speech by your Gerrard. Loved the party. Great to see Val yesterday too. You gem and patient lady.

Much love as always.

Fliss xxxx

PS It says:

Just been born is a miracle, to grow and make a difference in this wonderful world is grace indeed, but to live a life that touches others is amazing and beyond compare.
Thanks to you all for doing that.