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Following the Christmas sale at St Richard's in November 2004 in aid of Mercy House, Diana emailed a progress newsletter with her thanks to St Richard’s for their timely generosity.

• First, her former house leader, Kaskil, has completed a home nursing course and has a job caring for a stroke patient – so he’s been replaced as house leader by Eugene, who also drives the Mercy House car. The money to buy it came in part from St Richard’s – so "take a bow – it’s an indispensable part of our work".

• A new Zulu priest, Fr Francis, from the Comboni fathers, has joined. "He’s well liked already, and gives counsel to our young people. He visited a newcomer, Isaac (in picture), a young ex soldier who was forced into the army in Dafur, escaped and was shot in the leg – a wound that hasn’t healed. He arrived in South Africa and Diana is trying to get medical help for him – there’s no free health care in SA."

• Another priest, Father John, suggested installing solar heating to save on fuel bills. His order, the Comboni’s, gave R15,000 for the plant to help replace expensive gas geysers.

• Newcomers: Jacinto, a fourteen year old refugee from Angola, orphaned in the war. He brought in a pet – Princess, a puppy, and Diana realized the therapeutic value of the pet: “she adds a lot of fun to the place”.

  Then Jimmy arrived – left at the house. His whole family had been butchered. He was terribly scarred but will now have medical help.

• A young former soldier – Richard - arrived. He survived the 1994 Ruanda genocide and was put through school, but he was forced into the army and sent to war. He escaped, was captured, beaten up and left with a fractured hip – unattended for seven months. Diana got him into hospital for an operation.

• New recruits to the Mercy House team: Susan, a British lady living in SA, has started a handcraft group with the boys and women. Some excellent pieces are produced - very popular. Some were sent to St Richard’s during the year.

• Replacing volunteers is a frequent concern. Diana had two committed volunteers – Amy from USA (L in picture) and Kasia (R in picture) from Poland. After 3 years they had to move on.

• A stranger, Elaine from Ireland (centre picture), came out of the blue and is helping schoolchildren with homework and liaising with schools and teachers.

• Serena has arrived (unexpectedly) from Italy – already taking the three casualties to clinics and hospitals.

• Perhaps the most difficult post to fill came on Diana's recent birthday. She prayed 8 months for a handyman - and met Mervyn, who came to fix the plumbing. He's now renovating the shabby looking house and he's a valuable part of the team.