t the end of October we had the great pleasure of having our friend Annette Jandrell (left) to stay with us again. Annette is someone we always enjoy seeing. In recent years communication has been by letter and email, and none of us are the most committed letter writers, which makes seeing all the more special as it is a chance to catch up.

Some years ago Annette took the decision to train as a midwife. Giving up her career and her home, Annette then took her skills to the Far East - to Thailand and then to Cambodia where she now works. Annette works for the Christian organisation - Youth with a Mission. She is back in England for several months to see friends and family before returning to Cambodia in February.

Many of her old friends were keen to see Annette and to find out what exactly she was now doing with herself. She had books and photographs that showed both the beauty and the severity of conditions in the remote rural village where she lives and works in Cambodia. Annette also gave an interview at Kings on Sunday, where she first explained her decision to take up this kind of work, and then what her work involved.

The organisation she works for essentially trains the local people to improve their circumstances by looking at their problems themselves and finding solutions. They look principally at health care, housing, infrastructure and any other local issues.

The country had not had an easy time at all under an onerous dictatorship. The film "The Killing Fields" was based on the genocide and suffering of the Cambodian people. That is now largely behind them, but many difficulties remain..

Annette works in a small village, many miles from the city, from where she visits others in the locality. It is a far cry from the ease and comfort that Annette used to know when she lived and worked in England.

Those that know Annette will know that that is not an easy price to pay. That said, Annette really enjoys what she does and despite the hardships believes that this is what God has called her to at the present time.

Seeing Annette again was a real joy and inspiration. It is good to know that years of separation with limited communication need not dull the best of friendships.