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To our dear friends in the Northern Hemisphere Paradise: Wales. April 7th 2007 It is now very nearly 12 months since Pam
and Chris met us in the rain at the Cardiff Bus station and introduced us to
you all. What a special and delightful
time we had with you all. It is Easter
Saturday as I write this. I am just
completing a week long retreat in our own church – St James – as part of which
I have conducted an evening service each night. On each of these evenings Robby and I have recalled as much as
possible of the memories of those first and Easter occasions. The Tuesday, or was it Wednesday, tea and
welcome at Llanishen, the special service at Radyr, the early Good Friday
morning with the Baptists in Llanishen and then the service in St Andrews after
the singing in the street. The early
morning on the mountain: Caerphilly, I believe it was. I will be thinking of you all again on
Easter morning as you, again go through those paces – I hope the sun shines for
you again this year. To the extent that we have had a good year
here in our homeland, we believe much was down to the blessings you bestowed
upon us in that all too short and wonderful four week period. The warmth of the
Welsh people has always been acknowledged but you all surpassed our
expectations and even our dared hopes. We had such wonderful occasions with the
small groups. The evening services at
the ‘other churches’ in the Circuit, the ministers of the District day in Port
Talbot the occasions including the pub night with the Tuesday night study group
and the evening discussions we had ( I did warn you that it might not have been
wise to ask me what I thought about this or that). And that farewell (as well as welcome home) concert on the
Saturday night was such a |
dual honour was for us such a moving, funny, and fun celebration, we will
never forget it. Robby was very pleased
to have the special time with the ladies group and with one or two of you especially
regarding the Land Army Girls thereafter. Our special thanks go (Oh this is dangerous isn’t it) to David for the touring and the Rugger match; Ian and Barbara for the Llanishen welcome, hospitality and etc; Meg and Brian for the walk on the mountain, that was – what was it, shorter on the way down than on the way up? and, indeed, that special opportunity to enjoy Saundersfoot; to Colin and Anne for the trip around Celtic Pre-Christian and Christian sites with lunch thrown in and the general sense of introduction which stemmed from your arrival at St James in the Christmas season before-hand; the French Horn player (sorry) for the miniature Chalice made from the timber of the Churchyard tree in Brecon; Pamela for the general support love, accommodation ( I hope the plaque will be with you for the Gatepost, soon) and support; Phil, Ruth and their family for the manse, the sharing here before our departure, the Slate Cross still in the chapel at St James, and for the wonderful hospitality on the occasion of the change-over weekend. To the several others of you who had us for meals and for occasions large and small, we thank you, we pray for you, and we extend to you all or love. Incidentally we have bought a house into which to retire, when ever that time arrives. It is in Hobart. We extend to you each and all the very best for the Easter Season and beyond. Lots of love, Denis and Robin H. |