Allens in Africa - Back Story

First post of a new Blog, Yeah!!

Next week we fly as a family off to Arusha in Tanzania for a 3 month trip. We are going because of my work and the benefits that me being based out there for a short time with the local team may bring.

Very briefly (for good record keeping's sake only as this blog is not about my work) the company I work for are trying to address Africa's energy problem through the development of micro-grids in communities which currently do not have access to conventional electricity supply. Its is hoped that the stimulus these projects bring is sufficient to bring about sustainable growth in the communities to be able to afford the energy and thus allow us to turn a profit. A very big goal being started in a very small way, but that's enough of work for now.

For 3 months Kathy and the girls will be getting to know this little bit of East Africa, meeting new people, going on Safari, climbing (or more likely, looking at) Mount Kilimanjaro as well as lots of other adventures. We will be joining a church out there and experiencing what God is doing in such an incredibly different culture to our own. We cant wait!!

We used to keep a blog for a year or so which became less and less frequently updated as life rolled on. The main purpose of that blog was to record and communicate with friends and family what was happening to us when our first daughter was first diagnosed with having Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus at our 20 week scan.

It was the start of a very difficult/wonderful/heartbreaking/joyful time which you can still read all about here if you haven't read it before. I shall summarize the story now: Disaster struck, God was was faithful, God is faithful and God will continue to be Faithful forever more!!.

Its what this faithfulness will look like over the next few months that this blog will try to capture. Lots of photos of the girls to follow as well as lots of strange African animals and some beautiful scenery. This will be interspersed with some descriptive writing exercises from the girls, they will not be on holiday all the time!!

Hope you enjoy. Please comment lots and encourage the younger ones too as well. This will hopefully be a great positive experience of what the internet can do for us so we would love to encourage that where we can. If anyone wants to make a post just let us know and we can add you to the authors list too.

Please pray for us too. Its been a difficult year so far and we are praying that this will be a really good time of seeing what God want for our lives which may lead to some significant changes when we get back.

God Bless,

Nic