Meeting the Pugh Children

The Pugh family recently returned to the UK after their assignment on a TIMO team. We asked Ella (14), Charlie (11), Imani (10) and Cerys (6) to tell us about it.

Where have you been for the last three years?

I (Ch & Ce): In Gaโ€™ara, thatโ€™s in Tanzania. E: Tanzania, and boarding at RVA (Rift Valley Academy) in Kenya.

Describe Gaโ€™ara for us?

Ce: Somewhere hot and dry. Kind people live there. E: Itโ€™s a rural village in North Central Tanzania. The people are really welcoming and live in houses made of mud bricks. They raise cattle and farm.

โ€œHomeschooling was difficult; itโ€™s so weird having your mum as your teacher.โ€

What was the food like?

I: Different kinds of beans, ugali, and on special occasions, rice. (My favourite: steamed maize on the cob.) E: Mainly ugali, made from maize or millet flour and water; it has the consistency of play-doh. Ch: It was suited very well to the lifestyle everyone lived. It wasnโ€™t especially tasty, but some things tasted really good, like bolisa (dried, ground wild sesame leaves cooked with water). Ce: Tasty – kind of. (My favourite: bolisa) E: We could go to town for pasta, pancakes and things. But I do like Alagwa food.

Whatโ€™s it like living in another country, telling people about Jesus?

Ce: Fun. E: Only missionary kids (MK) really know what itโ€™s like and how you feel, which is part of the reason that I went to RVA. Most people there have been through what you have. Being an MK is good, because you get more than one home, but sometimes itโ€™s bad, because you end up not really fitting in anywhere. Ch: Boring sometimes, but fun at others. It gives you a strong connection with other missionary kids, whoโ€™ve shared the same experiences. Itโ€™s brought me closer to God. Before, I had God as a concept – real but not really active. Seeing him work over the last three years has changed my understanding of him to a real, strong and moving person. He loves us so much, he doesnโ€™t want to control us like robots; he wants to be with us and help us.

What was school like?

I: I didnโ€™t like school with my siblings. Now [in the UK] I get to be with my old mates all day, which is awesome. Ce: I liked maths and art. I definitely liked doing science. E: Homeschooling was difficult; itโ€™s so weird having your mum as your teacher. In our last year, I decided to go to RVA, so I did two years of homeschool, and one year of boarding. I really enjoyed RVA, even though it was hard being away from my family. I made so many great friends. I wanted to get good grades and work harder, whereas there was less incentive in homeschool. I look forward to going back in the fall. Ch: School in England is fun – I think – and great being with friends all day. [School in Gaโ€™ara] was not as productive because my attitude for learning wasnโ€™t great. Getting used to having my Mum as a teacher wasnโ€™t easy.

Did you go to church in Gaโ€™ara?

E: Yes. We used to visit other nearby churches, but after a while we met as a team with the local believers, in peopleโ€™s houses every Sunday. Most times other people came to be prayed for at the end of the service. Ce: It was noisy. I: Three different ladies from our team did Sunday School for the kids.

What do you get asked most by friends and family at home?

I: โ€˜What was Africa like?โ€™ โ€˜Where were you?โ€™ People also say, โ€˜Look how much youโ€™ve grown.โ€™ E: โ€˜Were you the only white/ British girl in your class at RVA?โ€™

โ€œWe used to visit other nearby churches, but after a while we met as a team with the local believers, in peopleโ€™s houses every Sunday.โ€

Where do you want to live in the future?

I: Donโ€™t know Ce: On a beach E: In the near future, between Gaโ€™ara, RVA and England. After I graduateโ€ฆ who knows? Wherever God leads me! Ch: I think RVA, England and Gaโ€™ara – a mix of all three.

Do you have any favourite Bible verses or stories?

I: Two stories: Esther, because of how she saves the Jews, and Ruth, who never leaves her mother-in-law. Esther was brave and Ruth was faithful. Favourite verse: Philippians 4:13 Ce: โ€˜For God loved the world so much he sent his only sonโ€™, because it reminds me of when Jesus came to save us. E: 1 John 3:1; Eph 6:10 Ch: John 1:1-5.

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