Yet another week with answers to prayer. For me, the outstanding aspect of the past week at "Holiday at Home" in Market Harborough has been the excellent relationships between the team members. It wasn't that we did everything absolutely perfectly; it was because of the grace God gave us. I believe this has been a powerful witness for the gospel. It is also precisely what I asked you to pray for.
Over 50 mainly older people attended the events with the average daily attendance very high. Some are Christians; some are not. In addition to the witness through the commitment and actions of the team there were opportunities for clearly but gently sharing the gospel.
I have been publishing the photos on my facebook page and will endeavour to create a slide show if possible to replace the out of date slide show on the right of the screen. The pictures show the variety of activities we provided and give some idea of the pleasure these provided. Each morning (Monday to Wednesday and Friday) the morning was split into two parts. The first part contained a choice of activities. The second part we shared together and included a short gospel talk. On Thursday we provided an outing to a garden centre and a ride on a steam train.
Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of all, especially drawing to himself those who have yet to put their trust in Jesus.
This week's activities:
Sunday 18th Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Monday 19th Meeting with Baptist Regional Minister in connection with the research into rural evangelism.
Tuesday 20th Regular visit to HMP Gartree.
Wednesday 21st Undergoing additional security training at HMP Gartree in the morning. Then Doreen and I are travelling to Gillingham, Kent where I will be based for the next two days working in East Sussex in connection with Mission for Christ/Action for Christ.
In 1979 Cecil Cotton, a dear friend and a trustee of Mission for Christ died leaving me as one of the executors of his will. His (substantial) house and adjoining land were left to that Mission but it only benefits following the death or marriage of his daughter, Clare. The trustees first duty is to provide for Clare. I ceased in this role somewhere around 1990 but have recently had to take it up again together with my colleague in MfC, Elizabeth Ingram. There were never any funds to manage the property and consequently it has fallen into extreme disrepair. There is a whole raft of complaints from Local Authorities, neighbours and other Statutory Authorities.
One of the former trustees under the will now lives in the USA, and has been very helpful. The other former trustee, who was the primary manager of the trust, is the same trustee of Mission for Christ whose management of that charity has led to substantial loss of funds. Just getting to a situation where the authorities would empower Elizabeth and I to act has been a challenge. We had a wonderful answer to prayer yesterday, subject to confirmation.
This is not a role either Elizabeth or I welcome. However, there are issues of justice and responsibility. Sometimes one cannot walk away. Please pray as I visit Clare later this coming week and meet with the various public bodies and neighbours. Pray for wisdom and grace as we seek the best outcome for Clare, and all concerned.
I also expect to meet with a potential new trustee for Action for Christ and to spend a day working with Heather in the MfC/AfC offices.
Ministry in the family
Some readers will be aware that my brother in law, Paul Daniels, is a faithful servant of God. His ministry of Bible teaching is very much appreciated. Some may also be aware that his elder daughter, Vicki Cottingham, maintains a blog in which she share her own reflections on scripture from her perspective as someone who struggles with the condition known as M.E. I am always blessed by her writing and gladly point you to the website vickicottingham.blogspot.com (no need for www).
Dropbox
For any who have not heard about Dropbox before, it is a helpful internet facility for storing files (such as photo albums) and for sharing them with others. Among other uses, I use this for work and recorded dictation is passed to those who type this up for me. They then pass the typed work back in the same way. (This is a reminder to ask you to pray please for Lynne and Heather who do this work for me).
You might also find Dropbox useful. It is free to use the basic package which is sufficient for most folk. I can gain extra resources for my own ministry use if anyone signs up to use Dropbox as a result of a recommendation from me. Watch out, as one will come your way! If you have a scattered family and like to share lots of photos or important documents you would find this helpful.
Your Kingdom Come
As we see and hear the dreadful things happening in the Middle East at this time no doubt we are all moved to pray. We have links with Christians in Syria and Lebanon. We are also aware of Christians who live in Egypt. This is an exceptionally tough time for them. I close this post by asking your prayers on their behalf. Some are living with the threat of an aggressive expression of Islam. The majority of Muslims, including some of my friends, would disown what is done in their name. Please pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ in these difficult times.
PS Giving a Bit
So far we have not received any funds from this scheme. Please remember that if you shop online you can benefit the charity under which my rural ministry operates if you sign up with www.givingabit.com. The charity name is Sunrise Ministries. There are many major stores that support charities through this scheme.
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| Neil giving one of the talks. |
I have been publishing the photos on my facebook page and will endeavour to create a slide show if possible to replace the out of date slide show on the right of the screen. The pictures show the variety of activities we provided and give some idea of the pleasure these provided. Each morning (Monday to Wednesday and Friday) the morning was split into two parts. The first part contained a choice of activities. The second part we shared together and included a short gospel talk. On Thursday we provided an outing to a garden centre and a ride on a steam train.
Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of all, especially drawing to himself those who have yet to put their trust in Jesus.
This week's activities:
Sunday 18th Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Monday 19th Meeting with Baptist Regional Minister in connection with the research into rural evangelism.
Tuesday 20th Regular visit to HMP Gartree.
Wednesday 21st Undergoing additional security training at HMP Gartree in the morning. Then Doreen and I are travelling to Gillingham, Kent where I will be based for the next two days working in East Sussex in connection with Mission for Christ/Action for Christ.
In 1979 Cecil Cotton, a dear friend and a trustee of Mission for Christ died leaving me as one of the executors of his will. His (substantial) house and adjoining land were left to that Mission but it only benefits following the death or marriage of his daughter, Clare. The trustees first duty is to provide for Clare. I ceased in this role somewhere around 1990 but have recently had to take it up again together with my colleague in MfC, Elizabeth Ingram. There were never any funds to manage the property and consequently it has fallen into extreme disrepair. There is a whole raft of complaints from Local Authorities, neighbours and other Statutory Authorities.
One of the former trustees under the will now lives in the USA, and has been very helpful. The other former trustee, who was the primary manager of the trust, is the same trustee of Mission for Christ whose management of that charity has led to substantial loss of funds. Just getting to a situation where the authorities would empower Elizabeth and I to act has been a challenge. We had a wonderful answer to prayer yesterday, subject to confirmation.
This is not a role either Elizabeth or I welcome. However, there are issues of justice and responsibility. Sometimes one cannot walk away. Please pray as I visit Clare later this coming week and meet with the various public bodies and neighbours. Pray for wisdom and grace as we seek the best outcome for Clare, and all concerned.
I also expect to meet with a potential new trustee for Action for Christ and to spend a day working with Heather in the MfC/AfC offices.
Ministry in the family
Some readers will be aware that my brother in law, Paul Daniels, is a faithful servant of God. His ministry of Bible teaching is very much appreciated. Some may also be aware that his elder daughter, Vicki Cottingham, maintains a blog in which she share her own reflections on scripture from her perspective as someone who struggles with the condition known as M.E. I am always blessed by her writing and gladly point you to the website vickicottingham.blogspot.com (no need for www).
Dropbox
For any who have not heard about Dropbox before, it is a helpful internet facility for storing files (such as photo albums) and for sharing them with others. Among other uses, I use this for work and recorded dictation is passed to those who type this up for me. They then pass the typed work back in the same way. (This is a reminder to ask you to pray please for Lynne and Heather who do this work for me).
You might also find Dropbox useful. It is free to use the basic package which is sufficient for most folk. I can gain extra resources for my own ministry use if anyone signs up to use Dropbox as a result of a recommendation from me. Watch out, as one will come your way! If you have a scattered family and like to share lots of photos or important documents you would find this helpful.
Your Kingdom Come
As we see and hear the dreadful things happening in the Middle East at this time no doubt we are all moved to pray. We have links with Christians in Syria and Lebanon. We are also aware of Christians who live in Egypt. This is an exceptionally tough time for them. I close this post by asking your prayers on their behalf. Some are living with the threat of an aggressive expression of Islam. The majority of Muslims, including some of my friends, would disown what is done in their name. Please pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ in these difficult times.
So far we have not received any funds from this scheme. Please remember that if you shop online you can benefit the charity under which my rural ministry operates if you sign up with www.givingabit.com. The charity name is Sunrise Ministries. There are many major stores that support charities through this scheme.
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