Newsletter 2/2016
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
With the relatively milder winter in Romania, work has been able to progress far faster than had been anticipated and the shell of the Selah school building is complete with a start now being made on the roof – using local people. When Walter Meyer and his gang of four [Ian Pratt, Ollie Harding, Richard Dickson and Dave Hobson] fly out on 7 May, they’ll be helping to finish the roof, install skylights and generally prepare the building for fitting out its interior. There should be plenty of photos after this trip as Dave will be making another video of our activities and the many other things that Phoneo do in and around Reghin.
Back in 2013, when the Lantern extension was built, we were given, along with mission work in India and Serbia, a share of the 10% tithe of the total money raised and it was agreed then this would be used to help fund a specific project in due course. Until now that money has been “ring-fenced” but now we are starting to drip-feed funds towards materials for the new Selah school. It’s total cost will be nearly 100000euro [£80000] and it is a real privilege to be able to help with this amazing project. Thank you so very much to those at the Lantern and everyone else, who will have made this possible.
Little John’s House have more than enough volunteers for their Summer School this year and so we have decided not to send anyone. Instead we’ve given a donation equivalent to the significantly extra cost of air tickets we would have had to pay in August - which has been very much appreciated. I should stress that if anyone wishes to make a donation specifically to LJH via us then, I promise you that’s where it goes. All other donations are used directly to fund our activities with Phoneo and to support their families.
We shall not now be sending a team in June and instead two more teams will be going to Reghin on consecutive weeks in September. Ten or so people have already volunteered but there will be an upper limit on the number who can go so, if you’d like to help with completion of the Selah project or just want to see and help with some of the other Phoneo activities, then do please get in touch ASAP for more information. As well as the building, other opportunities will include working with children [at Casa Ana and in the existing small school]; neighbourhood visits; Adapost centre for the homeless; day care; home groups etc etc. So don’t be shy – do prayerfully consider offering yourself to serve our God amongst some of the poorest people in Europe. It’s a big challenge, a life-changing experience and a lot of fun!
Our second team this year will be going from 17-24 September and comprise mainly people for building work; The third team [24 September - 1 October] will be a “mixed bag” – skills/no skills; male female – to do anything - but just as important.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of interest and possibly bad timing on our part [the Easter holidays] we had to cancel our usually popular quiz last Saturday. It was a big disappointment to us all and we sincerely apologise to those who did buy tickets and so missed what we are confident would have been another great evening. However, that was just a blip and we’re currently arranging the following social events:
Watch this space for further information and please, any comments about such events will be very welcome.
With every blessing
Dear Friends
CANFORD MAGNA CHURCHES - MISSION TO ROMANIA
With the relatively milder winter in Romania, work has been able to progress far faster than had been anticipated and the shell of the Selah school building is complete with a start now being made on the roof – using local people. When Walter Meyer and his gang of four [Ian Pratt, Ollie Harding, Richard Dickson and Dave Hobson] fly out on 7 May, they’ll be helping to finish the roof, install skylights and generally prepare the building for fitting out its interior. There should be plenty of photos after this trip as Dave will be making another video of our activities and the many other things that Phoneo do in and around Reghin.
Back in 2013, when the Lantern extension was built, we were given, along with mission work in India and Serbia, a share of the 10% tithe of the total money raised and it was agreed then this would be used to help fund a specific project in due course. Until now that money has been “ring-fenced” but now we are starting to drip-feed funds towards materials for the new Selah school. It’s total cost will be nearly 100000euro [£80000] and it is a real privilege to be able to help with this amazing project. Thank you so very much to those at the Lantern and everyone else, who will have made this possible.
Little John’s House have more than enough volunteers for their Summer School this year and so we have decided not to send anyone. Instead we’ve given a donation equivalent to the significantly extra cost of air tickets we would have had to pay in August - which has been very much appreciated. I should stress that if anyone wishes to make a donation specifically to LJH via us then, I promise you that’s where it goes. All other donations are used directly to fund our activities with Phoneo and to support their families.
We shall not now be sending a team in June and instead two more teams will be going to Reghin on consecutive weeks in September. Ten or so people have already volunteered but there will be an upper limit on the number who can go so, if you’d like to help with completion of the Selah project or just want to see and help with some of the other Phoneo activities, then do please get in touch ASAP for more information. As well as the building, other opportunities will include working with children [at Casa Ana and in the existing small school]; neighbourhood visits; Adapost centre for the homeless; day care; home groups etc etc. So don’t be shy – do prayerfully consider offering yourself to serve our God amongst some of the poorest people in Europe. It’s a big challenge, a life-changing experience and a lot of fun!
Our second team this year will be going from 17-24 September and comprise mainly people for building work; The third team [24 September - 1 October] will be a “mixed bag” – skills/no skills; male female – to do anything - but just as important.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of interest and possibly bad timing on our part [the Easter holidays] we had to cancel our usually popular quiz last Saturday. It was a big disappointment to us all and we sincerely apologise to those who did buy tickets and so missed what we are confident would have been another great evening. However, that was just a blip and we’re currently arranging the following social events:
- On Saturday 9 July there will be skittles evening at Bearwood Community Centre.
- St Barnabas church have been asked to pencil in Saturday 8 October when we are planning a more relaxed version of the dinner dance held there a couple of years ago.
Watch this space for further information and please, any comments about such events will be very welcome.
With every blessing