Jason, Paula and their four children have just returned form their five week placement trip to Madras, India. Looking at their photographs, it's evident they had a spectacular time! Jason writes:

My placement was based with the 'Bethesda Project', Pagadupattu, Salem District, in the 'Kalryan Hill Forests'. The highlights of my trip were, seeing God provide finance for the trip, hearing God together as a couple about taking the children, and getting permission from the children's school in Somerford to go abroad for a month.

It was wonderful to be given a chance to speak in a variety of settings; in the school (560 children); two churches, three home groups, and a boys hostel. I was able to try out some of the preaching and teaching skills learnt at college last year. I had the privilege of being the guest speaker at a two day men's retreat, hosted on a hill side 4000 ft up. We slept on the floor of a small church building, killed and cooked goats and chickens given by some of the men, and washed in the stream!

I'm so thankful I was able to watch my children grow in confidence in a new cultural setting. I spent time learning about the the history of the 'Bethesda Project' and talking with missionaries and church leaders who have served in the area for over 40 years, bringing the Gospel to many towns and villages for the first time.

During our time there we stayed with an Indian family, learning about the culture, the food, the language and the history. Also researching the theology of suffering for my report and being able to meet people who have been healed and those who are still suffering.

Enjoy my photographs, it's certainly an experience I'll never forget.

Applied Theology Student, Linda Smith reports on her trip to Kenya.

I work part-time at Totton College as a Student Welfare Officer; I was offered an opportunity to help co-ordinate a volunteer trip to Nakuru in Kenya. The trip involved taking 11 students and a work colleague to this African community and work along side two Christian projects. Despite the difference in culture and all the other challenges that come along with a bunch of considerably affluent teenagers, the experience was life changing for all.

Throughout our stay we were able to aid with school feeding programmes and take part in community home visits. The students witnessed times of prayer, taking place for families in desperate situations including people suffering from AIDS.

I was the only Christian on the trip. It was a tremendous privilage to guide and lead the team through a life changing experience and to give them an opportunity to live and work in a Christian community. The host families we stayed with were Christians and we were able to demonstrate true Christain values to these young people. We introduced them to scripture prayer and African worship in church. Each young person had an individual experience, with many asking questions about Christianity. The most encouraging outcome of the trip is several of the young people have now started to attend church.

I have a passion to help the poor and I feel that the Lord offered me this experience to get alongside these young people whilst experiencing this amazing opportunity for myself, as well as being able to demonstrate and share God's love with many people including serving the poor. Below are two quotes from participating students.

" I learnt that you can not put a price on happiness, hope or faith, because having little material richess gives richness in character that is truly priceless" (Gemma Bundy)

" It has left a very large impression on my life and I have been greatly inspired by the people who lived out there" (Heidi Evans)

Linda Smith is a placement-based student, currently in her second year of studying Applied Theology (Family & Community Studies).

[Photographs below, are from Jason Evans' placement trip to Madras, India. To read his report please return to the news index].

Our latest newsletter is off the press! If you would like to read it or print a copy for yourself, please download one here.

Having successfully run the Elivate course for over 14 years, Moorlands has decided to close it at the end of the current academic year while we explore alternative developments.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but are excited by the possibilities we are studying for continuing to deliver learning to people working with churches and other organisations.

We would like to thank all the staff, students and partner organisations who have worked hard to make Elivate such an innovative and useful programme. Now we look ahead with expectation to implementing new initiatives, and are trusting God to guide us as we do so.

It is a long way from a Lincolnshire children's home to the steps of Buckingham Palace, but that is a journey that the Revd Mark Edwards former Student of Moorlands College (84-86) will be making after being awarded the MBE in this year's New Year's Honours list. The Revd Edwards is currently Vicar of St. Matthew's Dinnington and St. Cuthbert's Brunswick in the Diocese of Newcastle and part-time Police Chaplain based at Northumbria Police HQ.

His award is for services to the community of Barrow-in-Furness and beyond, where he served for 13 years in 2 deprived parishes. Mark was also on the crew and later became an Officer of the local independent inshore Lifeboat Rescue Service as well as spending a time as Chaplin to the RNLI and working in partnership with Cumbria Police.

His assistance to Barrow police in significantly reducing crime and disorder in his community earned him the Chief Superintendents Certificate of Merit, from area command ( An award that is not normally given to civilians). He also received a Gold Police Chaplains Shield similar to the police badges in USA, as well as being made an Honorary Officer with Cumbria Police. Mark left Barrow-in Furness in August 2008 to move to the Northeast.

His life's journey is a facinating story. The product of a broken home, he spent the majority of his childhood in the care of Lincolnshire Social Services after being abandoned by his parents. For more on this story and his publications, please follow this link.