Christine Stone

Christine arrived back in Nepal after her visit home in June to be greeted by a 16-hour downpour which meant that she had to wade through knee-high water to get to her flat! In her July newsletter she says that she misses, but is grateful for, the good things she enjoyed while she was home, especially the time she was able to spend with friends. During her visit she drove 4000 miles visiting many friends and congregations (mainly in Scotland). Even so, she did not manage to visit everyone, much to her regret. She did however manage to visit St. John’s to speak at a Thursday morning service. Those who were able to be at that service know that, although Christine’s age means that she is no longer able to be a World Mission partner, she felt that she could not leave Nepal, just when things she has been longing to see happen for the last 25 years are now beginning. And so Christine continues to work there independently but with the support of friends and churches, such as St. John’s.

At the Kathmandu International Study Centre, the teacher training unit where Christine works has moved into a new building and a Norwegian mission has promised funds for five years. There are endless requests for Christine to do teacher training. On her first day back in Nepal Christine visited the company which publishes the teacher training books she writes to be told “Five districts ring up every day asking for a training, as all the private schools in the district are using our books. Can you start doing them this week?” Her diary for July was soon filled - and it takes her two days to reach some of the places which ask her to provide training!

Christine and her fellow-workers are really excited by the number of schools which now exist where the teaching has changed out of all recognition and where the happiness and the understanding of the children as well as the enthusiasm of the teachers and parents are clear to see. The hope now is that, when Save the Children shows the government the proof that the new method works, it will be introduced across the nation. It looks as if Christine’s diary will continue to be filled. Thankfully, a couple from England will come as teacher trainers in January, which will be a real blessing.

Chris Shanks (World Mission Team)