Each month we pray for two of our mission partners. Sunnyside’s prayer focus for June is St Stephen’s, Pill, and Bulawayo Shelter Zimbabwe.

St Stephen’s, Pill in Newport

Justin & Lucy Groves serve at St Stephen’s Church in Pill, Newport, South Wales. The Church describes itself as a lively Anglican,  Jesus-centred community Church.

Pill has areas of significant deprivation and a variety of needs related to drug abuse, domestic violence and poverty. The Church seeks to address these issues via a variety of community initiatives and activities such as a youth bus, food pantry, Bags For Hope, clothing swaps, etc.

They ask us to join with them in giving thanks for the women’s Bible study group and to pray for:

• local authority to grant permission for the siting of the container to house food pantry stocks
• the newly elected Welsh government to approve monies for the church roof
• strength and wisdom for Justin & Lucy as they deal with difficult pastoral needs
• that Justin & Lucy would find time for a much-needed holiday

Bulawayo Shelter Zimbabwe

Bulawayo Shelter, Zimbabwe is a charity founded by Inez Calderwood and opened May 1989 to provide shelter to the destitute and food for the hungry and has faithfully tried to follow the biblical injunction in James 2.14-17.

The Shelter is run by a committee of volunteers from a number of churches in the city and has a small staff. Zimbabwe has continually had economic pressures with rising inflation, making cash donations from the local community almost impossible. This cash is necessary to keep their doors open to provide beds for 40 people and meals for those who attend.

Myles Thompson, the chairman, has asked to give thanks:

• for the generous donation Sunnyside has supported the Shelter with this year
• for a new committee member, Terrence Kandiado, who has volunteered as treasurer and whose wife Lenience will be very supportive. A welcome to both with their youth and expertise
• for Superintendent Edgar, continuing to do an outstanding job after taking over from Hilda. He is assisted by two cooks, Fainess and Celesani and one cleaner Edie, all who have been loyal to the Shelter 
• for the good rains 2025/2026 as the season has just ended, helping their vegetable gardens thrive.

And prayers please:

• for continuing support to the residents in their needs and making them feel welcome and safe
• for further donations and support to keep maintaining the Shelter’s running costs 
• to bless all those who volunteer and give their time freely
• to comfort Moira (Myle’s wife, who has done so much for the Shelter since it opened) as she copes with her continuing treatment and for Myles as he supports her
• for the whole Calderwood family as they face their loss of Andrew, who believed in the work of the Shelter and his mother’s efforts.