‘There will always be poor people therefore I command you be open handed to the poor and needy.’ Deuteronomy 15 v11.
As we approach our once-a-year Gift Day please pray for all the charities we support, consider your gift and give a generously as you can. Many charities and organizations have suffered during the pandemic both here and overseas, as demand has increased many fundraising activities, fun days festivals fetes, and fairs have been cancelled reducing income and awareness, both last summer and again this year.
The organizations have had to adapt to the needs of their communities in difficult circumstances. In Spain, Chris and Veronica, our CMS link mission partners, and their children have met people at the local food bank, who they have invited to their home for Bible study and prayer. However, a recent lifting of travel restrictions, finally permitted Chris to travel to Egypt, where he spent 2 weeks visiting our Arab Christian families in their homes, praying, worshipping together & eating meals together. Chris heard first-hand testimonies of how Christ has been touching hearts and changing lives in spite of local lockdown restrictions.
In India, a country decimated by the pandemic the Leprosy Mission has made available its hospital to the community for Covid patients. Frequently Leprosy sufferers are disabled so volunteers have offered to take them to the vaccination centres.
Bangladesh, like many poor countries, has also been badly affected by Covid and Asha have had to close its school for girls but have been able to gather small groups to watch lessons on online. Many of the girls have gone on to further education providing encouragement and inspiration for the younger ones.
Gideons – now known as Good News for Everyone, provide New Testaments with Psalms and Proverbs as well full copies of the Bible to schools, colleges, universities and prisons as well as hotels and B and Bs. The Bible has provided hope and inspiration throughout the ages and their website has many wonderful stories. Debbie was nursing when Covid struck, patients were unable to have visitors or hospital chaplains so she read from the Bible Psalm 46 “Be still and know that I am God , “ which offered comfort to many. Other staff and patients asked her what she was reading and she took the opportunity to talk to them about her faith.
Home Start is supporting parents to be the best they can be to improve children’s outcomes. The local branch covers most of north Hertfordshire and the volunteers are all parents who aim to provide families with the emotional support, confidence and the strength they need to nurture their children. The volunteers all visit the families their own homes regularly.
C.A.P Christians against Poverty, provides help and support through local churches for those who have debt or money problems. The service is completely free of charge and provides help both practically and emotionally. They show that there is always hope however bad things appear to be. It has been endorsed by the well-known money expert Martin Lewis. They also give tips to children encouraging them, teaching them about saving and using money responsibly.
The Gift Day committees both feel these charities are the most appropriate for our support at this time. We focus on supporting local and overseas organizations where members of the congregation have an involvement.
Please do pray and remember every single gift is valued no matter how small and it will be used by the organizations to alleviate suffering and bring the message of Jesus Christ’s love to those they reach out too. Please be generous we do only ask once a year.