Seedlings for Christ

Ruth Kingdon - Trustee/Treasurer

I am 33 years old with a husband, 1 son and 3 stepchildren
My husband and I first went to Africa in 2000. We had an amazing time and it was our fist time to visit mudhuts and just be with local tribes people. Ever since then I've had Africa in my heart, well actually not just africans. I feel very strongly that there is such dire need all over the world, India, Brazil, Russia, former communist countries in Europe etc. I believe we all should muck in and help to make a differance, whether its by going over carrying aid, saving our pennies to donate, or spending time praying for those in need. I enjoy life now, much more than I did (I used think what is the point to life). I have a stupid sense of humour, I can be watching "Morecombe and Wise" for example and laughing my head off whilst others are just looking at me thinking what is she on? I love music, nature, animals, trees, children travel and learning about different cultures. For those of you thinking "whats the reason she enjoys life now" its because of Jesus Christ. God really changed my life when I first went to Africa.I had been a christian for many years but it wasnt until then that I really gave Him my life and felt called to serve him.
Life is so much more exciting now. Not knowing whats around the corner but trusting God. Its amazing to see how God has blessed Seedlings from just me and Mart taking a 3 suitcases and a little money to big groups going out and lots of children being sponsored.

Ted and BethTibbatts - Treasurer/Transport/Administration

In 2003 Ted and I were asked if we would like to join four friends from our fellowship on a trip to The Gambia. After prayer we said Yes but we didn't want to go as tourists, we wanted to go into villages and see the real Gambia. In March 2004 we went with them for two weeks. While visiting one of their friends in a village we met a young man from the next compound who had missed 7yrs of schooling for lack of funds...he became our first student. In three and a half years, he has made up that 7yrs. He would like to become a doctor and serve his own people. We pray that he will be able to do so and have said that we will support him in his training. God is good! Through His enablement and the generousity of the folk we meet, we now have 35 students ranging from 6 year old twin girls, whose mother is a fruit seller, to a 29 year old father of three, supporting a household of 11 folk. He is up-grading his Security Guard status by computer and business study courses. As Ted and I are retired we can take advantage of good package deals so go to Gambia as often as the Lord provides. We take the money to the different schools, paying for a year's fees thus meeting teachers, parents and other family members and getting to know their needs. In October 2004, through The Journal, we read of Ruth and Seedlings and so we joined their large group going out that December. It's great serving communities together, going up river to reach way-out villages taking aid of all kinds, meeting beautiful people and praying for the sick. Our next trip with Seedlings will be in March 2008 and will be our third with them (but they have been going longer than that) its great fun and fellowship both at Home and Abroad! God's promises are 'Yea and Amen' He gave us Rev 3vs8 'Behold I set before you an open door that no-one can shut' we will go through that door as long as HE enables and leads to his glory for our God is a Great God and He holds us in His Hand'

Chaz Talbot - Trustee/Nursing

My name is Chaslyn, I am married to Pete and have a 12year old son called Max. I have been a nurse for 34years and am presently managing two care homes in East Devon and am a Trustee of Seedlings. I am a member of the Seaton Baptist Church and support the Pastoral Team.

I have always believed in God and remember as an eight year old giving up my favourite teddy to the African Appeal in church. However my personal relationship with the Lord did not start until 1999 and has developed and become stronger over the years.

In 2005 I read an article in the local paper requesting items for an African appeal to which I responded. On first meeting the group I thought "WOW I'd love to be involved with this" Shortly afterwards my prayers were answered and in Feb 2006 I joined the group and what an amazing time I had.

I met many people who loved the Lord and many people who had not even heard of him. I saw corruption, poverty and suffering but in amongst this I saw families united, supporting each other with what little they had and a strong community spirit. They greeted us and accepted our help with great joy and gave back just as much with their warm and friendly welcome.

I am not sure where the Lord is leading me but I do know there is much work to be done in His name under the umbrella of Seedlings, within Africa and elswhere too.

Amanda Adams - Administration

My name is Amanda Adams housewife and mother of 2 teenagers.
I felt that I was in my own little bubble.
Dealing with family life seemed so large and was taking up so much of my time. Then one day a lady changed all that. Her name was Ruth and after talking to me about what she was doing out in Gambia I decided that I must experience this for myself. So on my first visit (without my husband Geoff) I experiened a life changing 2 weeks. People in Gambia have nothing, are often happy and never complain. We ourselves want so much. So after an amazing 2 weeks of visiting schools, hospitals and rural villages I returned back to England a different person.
My husband & I sponsor a boy called Amadou whom we see now every time we return to Gambia. My husband (who came out with us the 2nd time round) now returns each trip and does building work. He is thinking up ideas that may help people out there. One of these ideas is bee keeping and creating a better oven to cook on.

I love going out to Gambia, meeting up with old friends, visiting the school that my sponsor child is at and attending a vibrant happy christian church. When we return on our next trip we take out other people with us which is lovely way of making new friends, friendships that will last for a long time.

God bless you all.

Jojo Phillips - Sponsorship

Hi, my name is Jojo and I am 30 years old. I live in Barnstaple, N.Devon and I work as a Taxi driver although I am in the middle of setting up my own childminding business.
I first went to Gambia in 2004 with Ruth and the group. I really enjoyed my time spent there and was amazed as well as quite upset at many of the things I saw. It wasn't however until my second visit in 2006 that I really began to get involved with the group activities and sponsorship programme. Because I work with children in England I really enjoyed working in the school and a number of children really touched my heart. It was amazing how happy they were even though, to our standards, they had nothing. I started sponsoring a little boy, called Peter, I met him on my first visit. I took out presents for him on the second visit and spent a good amount of time playing with him, both at the school and the church. Unfortunatly, Peter was involved in an accident and died in September 2006. Although this really upset me I was so happy that I had made a difference in his little life and had provided an education for him, even though it was only for a short period of time. My 3rd visit was hard, especially visiting the school. I didn't want to sponsor another child, but God had other plans and clearly showed me Taipe (pictured with me). In the short few hours we spent together over the weeks there we built up an unspoken bond. This is the most amazing feeling in the world. I now sponsor Taipe and also Peter's little sister, Jojo, who was born 2 months after Peters accident.
I recently returned from my 7th visit to Gambia. I travelled out on my own for 3 months to set up our new school "Seedlings". This was the most amazing thing that I'd ever done in my life. The hardest and also the most rewarding. Read my story by clicking on the tab "Jojo's 3 month mission" above.

I thought going to Gambia was just going to be a holiday, a bit of an eye opener and something I could say I'd done. But it's become so much more than that. It's become part of me, part of my life and now I couldn't imagine what life would be like without being involved in these little children's lives.

Leanne Pert - Nursing

Hi my name is Leanne. I am married to Andy and we have three girls between us Jeni, Lara and Fern. I initially became involved with seedlings in 2006 as Jeni and Chas told me about an appeal in the local paper following an interview that Ruth had done. Jeni was desperate to go on the trip; somehow two spaces became available and Andy and I were able to go as well. Now there is no looking back.
On my first trip to the Gambia I was overwhelmed by the reception that we received wherever we went. Not just in the hotel complex or tourist areas but further inland to some of the remote villages. The Gambians were extremely generous with what ever they had. It was an experience being able to share God's word with them, in their own langauge (through our trusty interpreter!). I was extremely touched when we went to visit a small Christian church that Ruths friend went to in Kotu. It was a bit of a moment for me, I was sitting in a room 15 ft by 15 ft, no windows, no floor as such, and definately no roof with a group of people that were so proud of their Church, it was very humbling and reminded me that it doesnt matter where you are in the world or what you have got to offer God the only thing he wants is you!! And the stark reality of it is that is all that we have to offer. It was a learning curve for me in many ways.
I am North Devon born and bred and work in the local community as a nurse. Following my experiences in the Gambia in 2006, I felt able to contribute with my time and energy to the group and have been involved since. We sponsor some children with their education and of course it is good to be in a position to develop friendships with them and their families.
We have just come back from our third trip to the Gambia, with the Seedlings group. I look forward to our next trip not just for the sunshine but the opportunity of renewing friendships old and new. The projects that we undertake are always a challenge and seeing things come to a successful completion is interesting to say the least especially with the experience of Gambian maybe time.