Lots of things have happened since I published my last blog. I had troubles with our website mixing it up somehow, not knowing how to restore what I had done wrong. In the end we decided to renew it altogether. Our old website had still been designed by Carl some six years ago while we were still living in Princethorpe, no small feat for one not trained for the job. Now we are waiting for the first draft of a new design created by the son of a friend who has made computers his living. We will let you know when the new website is ready to be revealed.
What was most important for me personally was my trip to the Philippines. I had been a missionary there from 1968 till 1991 and had only be back for a short visit in 1998. The Parish of Buenavista, my first assignment in the Philippines, celebrated the 75th anniversary of its establishment in 1937 and I was lucky enough to be able to accept their invitation. I was a bit worried that my good memories of the past would be disturbed by the many changes that had taken place in the meantime. But my worries disappeared on the first day by the warm welcome we received. I say We, because my youngest brother went with me on this wonderful trip. Of course, things have changed considerably and not all changes were to my liking, but the Church in the Philippines is very much alive and all generations are involved.
My trip to the Philippines was not my only trip lately, I have been to Germany as well. This visit was mostly work. For over ten years I have been a member of the Financial Advisory Board of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. We meet twice a year, once in spring and then in autumn. We discuss the financial reports and budgets of our international leadership team and of entities directly under their responsibility.
Being away from Aston is not without its problems. I have been involved in English language classes with three groups of people: Bangladeshi men, Eritrean women and a mixed group of Roma people from the Czech Republic. The interruption is bad for their perseverance. Language study is a a hard job and learners need all the encouragement they can get in order to keep on it. A little difficulty is enough for many of them to stay away. After all, you don't see much of a difference if you miss a class or two. True, but it is easier to stay away than to come back.
Ton
