FORMER Sunday School teacher and local Tearfund supporter, Trina Sutton, from Neyland, was thrilled to meet up with her former Sunday School pupil, Paul Lapwoth, to hear about his exciting life as a missionary in Southern Sudan, with one of the UK's largest development and relief agencies, Tearfund. "Paul's work is to manage five feeding programmes in Southern Sudan, based in Juba. The work also includes managing four health centres and 20 clinics. They particularly work with children under five years old and the most seriously affected areas among the Sudanese refugees," said Trina.

Trina taught Paul Lapwoth and his brother Peter in her Sunday School classes 18 years ago. After meeting up with Paul a few weeks ago, Trina asked local Tearfund volunteer, Sharron Hardwick, to encourage Pembrokeshire people to pray for her former pupil and his family.

"Paul comes from an outstanding Christian family, who have impacted my own Christian walk in a huge way. They live their lives according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they are example to all Christians," continued Trina.

Paul and his family face daily dangers. They are currently living in Nairobi in a compound surrounded with barbed wire and patrolled by armed men. Paul and family are praying for a house in Juba, which is the capital in the south and are hoping to move in the autumn.

"Please pray for Tearfund worker Paul Lapworth and his wife Ruth and children, Simeon, 6, Emma, 4 and Lucy, 1," said Trina. "Paul particularly asked for prayer for safety for Tearfund workers as there are still areas of fighting and unrest and some teams have had to be moved because it became too dangerous."

The Lapworth family are also involved in working with the local churches providing educational training in health and hygiene and Aids, as well as in agricultural training, and are looking at the role of the church in the community.

"It would be great if we as local Pembrokeshire people could support Paul and his family as he works for Tearfund in Southern Sudan; I know he would value our prayers and support," said Tearfund's Sharron Hardwick.

If you would like to know more about Tearfund's work, log on to: http://www.tearfund.org">www.tearfund.org or call 077916476076.