Baptisms

23 October           Jayden James Rooney, son of Ian Rooney and Emma Patterson, 

                              Kirkpatrick Durham Church .

Marriages

15 October           Mhairi West to John McCreadie.  At Crossmichael Church

Deaths

16 September       Jessie McWhan of Crossmichael.

21 September       Brenda Loth of Kirkpatrick Durham.

1 October             Margaret McTaggart of Kilquanity Farm, Kirkpatrick Durham.

23 October           Nettie Hogg of Carlingwark House, formerly of Kirkpatrick Durham.

4 November         Hope Little of Crossmichael

ObituarY

Kirsi Poole

It is with sadness that we report the death of Kirsi Poole, co-founder of  Abbas Rest Orphans (ARO) in Malawi .  She died peacefully and strong in her faith on 6 September after suffering from cancer.  Her life has been a joy and an inspiration to many.

From their home in the Glenkens, we remember Kirsi and her husband Peter visiting our Guilds in the early days of their work in Malawi .  They spoke of being led by God after an evening of singing by the African Children’s Choir at Castle Douglas Parish Church . Through this inspiration they have helped build ARO from humble beginnings to what it is today.  Through their faith, thousands of Malaw ian s and orphans have benefited greatly, both at ARO and in other projects and hospitals, where volunteers have branched out on their own.

Kirsi’s husband Peter has written a very moving letter of tribute to his wife of 17 years, his best friend, mother to their adoptive children John and Skye, and to many orphans in Africa who loved her dearly.  Peter’s letter contains Paul’s message to the Thessalon ian s, which we read in church recently, that we believe God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.  Peter says, “I want you to know that although we are sad today, I must tell you this: that those believing in Jesus should not be sad like those who have no hope.”  He tells us that Kirsi’s faith was strong to the last and that she has given him the strength to carry on with the work they started together.  His letter is printed in the November ARO newsletter.

We are pleased to be in contact with the work of ARO through their regular newsletters, in which Richard Willis and his team update their local supporters of God’s continuing work and the use being put to fundraising efforts from this area.  These help to keep ARO running at a time when aid from western countries has been stopped.  As ever it is the poor who are suffering most.  This personal contact is ensuring that our aid is going where it is intended.  Although you will be saddened and confused by the problems, you will be joyful to read about, get to know, and to see photos of people at Abbas Rest and all that is taking place in God’s name.  Please read the ARO newsletter which is in church, or access it on their website www.abbas rest.org.

Richard Willis is coming to speak at Crossmichael Friendship Club in February 2012 about the continuing work at ARO.  A warm welcome is extended to those who wish to meet him.