Tamana: At Home in Africa

"Patsy spoke to us, as we gathered as bishops' spouses at the 2008 Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England. She spoke, with tears running down her face, of God's call to her husband, Todd, to return to Madagascar as a bishop. God's call to Todd was, inevitably, a call to Patsy, too. But Patsy couldn't see what she would have to offer God, until God reminded her of the story of the widow's mite. Patsy was to offer whatever she had, however inadequate it felt. God would know its value and how to use it. Tamana describes how Patsy came to be just where God needed her and her gifts. But also how, in the generous, humourous love of God, Patsy realised that she was being given what she needed, as she offered what she had. Patsy describes the poverty, the illness, the sheer effort of life in Madagascar without sentiment. But she also describes the riches of love, interdependence and community." Dr. Jane Williams, Tutor in Theology, St. Mellitus College, London and Chelmsford, and wife of the former Archbishop of Canterbury. Tamana is The Rev. Dr. Patsy McGregor's third book about her missionary experiences in Madagascar and Kenya with her husband, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Todd McGregor. Tamana draws upon her journals, reflections from the windows of their residence in Ankilifaly, Madagascar, conversations with others, and other resources she relied upon while living in Ankilifaly. To facilitate readers' reflections about their own spiritual journeys and challenges, each chapter concludes with "Opportunities for Personal Reflection." These sections highlight experiences described in the chapter and suggest questions for thought, reflection, and prayer concerning the chapter theme and the reader's own spiritual growth. Opportunities for Personal Reflection may guide individual exploration and discovery as well as structure and focus small group discussion.