Four teenage Christians who have just returned to the UK after six months working in a deprived area of Rouen, are in Norwich this week talking about their experiences in schools and churches.

 

Gap year student, Katherine Humber (18) from Eaton, has just returned to the UK after six months Christian mission work in Norwich’s twin city, Rouen, working with children and families “on the other side of the tracks” in Le Sablier, on the left bank of the Seine.

 

This is an area of urban deprivation, undergoing redevelopment, with former abattoirs and sand quarries being replaced by a park, library and social housing.

 

Katherine has been working with Matt Wright, Beckie Pike and Catrin Adey, also gap year students, helping their host family, Reuben and Katie Martin, who are based in a former warehouse in Le Sablier, which is now a church.

 

They have been running English classes for children and adults, many of them from North Africa, “liberating the church” from 40 years of rubbish and redecorating it, helping with music and services and running kids and youth clubs.  

 

Matt, Beckie, Catrin and Katherine (pictured above) are in Norwich from 11-18 May and will be visiting local schools, taking lessons and helping run a session at the local Scout Group, as well as taking part in services at St Andrew’s and Christ Church, Eaton, where they hope to meet many of the people who have supported them during their time in France.