Christmas 2015. Dear Friends, It's been a year of ups and downs for the Parry family. Both David and Gareth have had periods without work. David, thank goodness, now works for StepChange, a debt charity where he's training to become a Company Secretary. Gareth has been out of work for about a month having been offered a job in what now seems to be a bogus organisation but which looked perfectly genuine!. It's rather coloured our attitude of mind. Yvonne continues with inspecting various schools for the Independent Schools Inspectorate. It takes her to some fascinating places, meeting new colleagues. More significantly she continues to be a Governor of the local Combined Infants and Junior Schools and has become a Trustee of a local Contact-a-Family Centre which provides space for non-resident parents to meet their children. This is one way in 'which we have become a part of the vfllage, again meeting new, very capable people. John has been giving more talks, this time on Islamic State/DAESH. It has been quite a surprise to find just how many people have attended. He's also spent a short time in Singapore regarding a re-writing of a history of the Council for World Mission. We continue our weekly visit to Heathrow - an astonishingly rewarding place of work for us with many people there appreciative of those simple conversations that affirm their value. Both Yvonne and John will be in South India during January followed by some time in Amritsar and Delhi in February. This will be the first time back in India for Yvonne since 1977 and her first visit to Amritsar. We're really looking forward to being there. This comes to send our very best wishes to you for Christmas. One hopes for peace. One day, perhaps, peace will come. Meanwhile may you find peace both at Christmas and during the New Year. All good wishes, Rev. Dr. John Parry Mrs Yvonne Parry |