News from Geoff and Erica Saunders, Zimbabwe - July 2024

Greetings in Jesus name. We trust you are all well. It has been a while since we have updated you all on what has been happening with us so let us fill you in on the major events of the last couple of months.

Visa

We shall miss this house

We have sold our house and now need all the paperwork to finalised so the payment can be credited to my UK account so we can then apply for a spouse visa for Erica. She already has her English proficiency certificate and last week had the TB x-ray and got the clearance certificate needed for the application.

On top of that, we have both obtained police clearances certificates that may be needed to get jobs in the UK.

Preparations for our Return

On Sunday we have a final farewell at the local church in Prospect, Harare, where Geoff has been the pastor for the last ten years.

In two weeks’ time the Busy Fingers Ministry will be formally launched as an international ministry. The leaders of the ministry in UK, Namibia, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa along with the four branches of the ministry will be commissioned and consecrated for their roles. At the same assembly, Erica will be consecrated for her apostolic role as leader of the Busy Fingers International ministry.

UK

Our hope is that we can transfer the funds soon and then get Erica’s visa so we can return to the UK by the end of this month. We now must find a place to stay while we settle into the UK and find jobs.

Meanwhile in the UK, Joseph and Joanna now have a beautiful baby girl named Callie. Elizabeth has been in her new architectural job in Munich for two months and is beginning to enjoy it.

Retirement

Having retired from teaching at Gateway at the end of last term, Geoff has been studying to prepare himself for a job in the UK. He has been continuing studying data analytics, he recently completed the Google Analytics course and is now part way through a course on Power BI.

Erica is following two courses, one in chaplaincy and the other Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Thanksgiving

• Our house has been sold.
• Elizabeth has started and is enjoying a new job in Munich.
• The safe arrival of baby Callie

Prayer focus and coming events

• Preparations and packing for our move.
• Spousal visa for Erica
• Accommodation in UK
• Jobs for Geoff and Erica in UK
• Car

Thank you all for loving, prayerful support.

Love
Geoff and Erica