THE 'BOOK'
For some time Pat had been working hard on a book to be called 'Diamonds in the Darkness'. The book was not primarily to be about Pat herself, but rather the stories of people of faith, who she found inspiring. The extract below is from Pat’s introduction:-
“The reader will walk with me through my professional training and experience into the much talked about darkness of DR Congo. There we find exciting and thought provoking stories of ‘Diamonds in the Darkness’ – people who have inspired and encouraged myself and others and who dismiss the stereotyped image of Congo as 'the heart of darkness'. These stories reflect faith and hope in God, and how that can enable trust and love to be built and peace to reign even when there is pain and hardship. The stories will also take us into the lives of people of faith who have not been able to express peace and justice.”
The book was never completed. As Pat’s energy gradually failed she insisted on “living in the present” and was reluctant to spend time writing about past events. So elsewhere on this web site – see A Life in Words– we have published extracts from each chapter Pat managed to draft.
Now a group of Pat's friends from St Mary's Church, Upton, Wirral, have taken her incomplete writings, edited them, and produced a moving and memorable book that is an outstanding witness to us all. "Diamonds in the Darkness" was published in May 2011. Full details of how the book can be purchased are available below.
The book 'Diamonds in the Darkness' was launched in May 2011.
from St.Mary's Upton 24th May 2011: 1 hour 35 minutes
Graeme Skinner and Martin Daly leading
Welcome
Book reading 1: Philippa Skinner
Liverpool LSTM: Bertie Squire
Merseyside Congolese Assoc: Petronelle Moanda.
Book Reading 2: Philippa Skinner
IPASC DVD: Chris O’Neil (faded for copyright reasons)
IPASC: Richard Williams
Upton Cancer Care: Pat Bell
Book Reading 3: Philippa Skinner
Aru Boga Chester Link: Gill Brown
A Congolese life: Remy Toko
A family member: Andrew Nickson
Buying the book: Martin Daly
Book Reading 4: Philippa Skinner
Keynote Talk: Bishop Keith Sinclair
Conclusion
“Diamonds in the Darkness” was published in May 2011 by Onwards and Upwards.
It can be ordered by writing to
Onwards and Upwards,
Berkeley House,
11 Nightingale Crescent
West Horsley
Leatherhead
Surrey KT24 6PD
Cheques payable to Onwards and Upwards Publishers,
Book £9.95
Postage and packing in the United Kingdom: £2.50
Alternatively Easy Ordering from:
Onwards and Upwards online store
Telephone: 01483 282706.
OR for those who live locally to Upton, Wirral,
we still have some 'first come first served' copies in Upton.
Contact Jessie Hume on 0151 342 6862
djhume@supanet.com
