Thomas and Patricia came from opposite sides of the earth to serve God in Tanzania. Patricia is from New Zealand with teaching and administration expertise for NZ CMS. Thomas, from Northern Ireland, has land, sea and now aircraft engineering experience for MAF.
They met in September 2007 and didn’t waste time, marrying in April 2008!
Thomas grew up in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and is a member of Ballymena Baptist Church. University in Belfast was a place of academic and spiritual growth. Nine years in the construction equipment rental world followed, learning, among many other things, that material success could not satisfy, and developing a decision to serve in missions. This led him to apply and be accepted for aircraft engineer training at Missionary Maintenance Services in Ohio, USA.
Now Thomas works in the MAF hangar at Dodoma, maintaining aeroplanes that fly to spread God’s love. He’s recently started a move into technical records and information, combining this work with quality assurance duties – a higher keyboard to spanner ratio!
Patricia grew up and went to school and university in Auckland, New Zealand. Her gap year was spent in Hampshire in the UK, and she returned to London in her mid-twenties as a supply teacher. Then a short-term mission to Vanuatu was the start of her missionary journey, which led to Dodoma via Bible college and training in Australia. She is a member of St George’s Church in Epsom, Auckland.
Holy Trinity English Medium Primary School is where Patricia spends her working days as Deputy Principal – the only non-Tanzanian in a staff of 30 and over 500 children aged from 3½ to 15 years old who are all full of energy! Last year, Patricia started a school library and teacher resource area, and there are always new projects on the go.
Thomas and Patricia are involved in an international fellowship group, and they love to cook and entertain together.