Joel's Thanksgiving Service

On Sunday March 18th 2012 at Dodoma cathedral, a year and 2 days after Joel's hasty arrival into this world, we had a very special service of Thanks for the wonderful gift of Joel, given to our family.
It was amazing to have Grandad here to lead the Thanksgiving part of the service. Although we always feel a certain sadness at being too far away to have all of our extended family present with us for special family occasions, it meant alot to us that we at least had both sides of our family represented in Joel's Auntie Claire and Nana + Grandad.
Claire led some beautiful prayers for Joel and Nana read out a really lovely prayer for Joel sent from Wendy in England, who had been there for me last year when Joel made his early apperance in a Lancashire hospital while his Dad was busy flying MAF planes in far-off Africa!

To mark the occasion, Joel wore his brand new Tanzanian shirt, made for his birthday by friends here in Dodoma! Here we are, up in the front of the cathedral:

Morning Tea in the garden:

 The fabulous cake, made especially for Joel by a very gifted cake-making American friend who lives on our compound:

 Once again, Joel enjoyed every mouthful of cake!

 After all the guests had left, we popped out for a pizza lunch at Dodoma's pizza place (opting out of cooking Sunday lunch ourselves!!). It was a very happy little Joel who came along- I think he thoroughly enjoyed the day, judging by his big smiles!