Jan / February 2007 Update

It’s been a long long while sine I last wrote to you all and I apologise for that – my main excuse is that I my life has been changing so much that I have been unable to write anything down for you because I really wasn’t sure what was happening!

Since I got back here after Christmas (yes it has been that long since I wrote to you!) I had my birthday woo pah!! I am now the grand ol’ age of 28. Nothing really feels different, well apart from having more grey hairs and less hair altogether.

Actually on my bday I as told that my transfer application for the Anastasis was going through which made me jump for joy and also sad to leave Newcastle, MY ship and all my friends here. But I got all my vaccinations and some good sandals etc and got ready to leave. Then I was told that my transfer had been declined as they could not ‘justify my transfer’. Don’t ask me what that means but basically I was set to sail with the Africa Mercy again to Africa.

Then a week later I received communication saying that the Mercy Ship management want me to go and do a Discipleship Training School (DTS). This was not something I took well after being messed around with my transfer. After a week or so I decided if they want me to do it then it’s best I get on a do it – so I started looking into different YWAM schools around the globe and compared the costs. After some consideration I have decided to do a DTS in Australia, Perth to be precise. It will cost about the same as doing one in the UK but it will be a lot warmer and have a more diverse experience and teaching. Yeah and it will be a lot warmer and be nearer nice beaches than doing it in Derby!!

I am currently applying for a place on the April DTS and plan to leave the UK around the 25th March and get back on 15th September 2007. It will be 3 months Study then 2 and half months Outreach – probably somewhere around the Indian Ocean area.

Things change loads. When I get back I plan to be around the UK for a few weeks and then fly out to Africa to meet the ship in Liberia, fully going for it after my DTS experience.

Please could you pray for me through all this as coming to these decisions haven’t been easy and organising everything has been a major struggle. I also need a medical asap for as cheap as possible too! My Doctors are asking for £80 – not something I can easily afford!
Thanks people.

Keep in touch – Paul Waldron – Out there Some where.

Yes people change is good, I have to do alot of it!

Yes, as I am sure you are aware things in my life are never what they seem and plans are always changing and yet again plans have been changed:-

The plan at the moment is to go to Australia to do a Discipleship Training School - I am currently applying to YWAM Perth - at the end of March. This is a 3 month school with a 3 month outreach (yes I finally get to go on an outreach!). Nothing is confirmed as yet as I am waiting for my final references but that is the current plan. The DTS finishes in September - where I will fly back to the UK and assess my situation - as to when I fly out to Liberia, to join the AFM.

Yes, so not Africa anymore but Australia?! what why I hear you asking. Well basically I have been told by the Mercy Ships management that they are no longer going to overlook my lack of DTS (you are not meant to work for more thatn 12 months in Mercy Ships without doing a DTS) and recommended that I should go and do one.

But why Oz? Well I checked out prices for doing one in the UK, US, Canada and Oz and they are are all around the same price (including the travel costs). And I always planned to go to the States and Canada after Mercy Ships so I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to see somewhere different. YWAM Perth has a really good reputation - plus it's a lot warmer than doing it in the UK!!!

But nothing is confirmed yet - so keep regularly checking for more updates!

Keep safe people.