August 2024 Afghanistan, India, Ukraine, UK, retreat / conference
AFGHANISTAN This week we were happy to baptize SANA, another user of the Farsi Bible Companion app, again in difficult circumstances.
INDIA
We were happy to witness the baptism of BHUVESH, a convert to the Lord Jesus from Hinduism, in a blow up pool he had bought specially for the occasion. And also this week in India we're glad to tell you of the baptism of APRATIM.
UKRAINE
This week has seen the heaviest air raids of the war throughout Ukraine. The Russian missiles are being shot down overhead, often exploding in midair, resulting in falling debris which can be fatal- large chunks of metal, often very hot, landing in random locations. We've heard from sister Olena who lives not far from a Russian occupied area, she says the explosions overhead have been constant, schools are closed, her mother has big health problems... life is so hard. We've sent some support.
But we are open to your donations towards our ongoing work in Ukraine.
The following is from sister Anastasia [whom we evacuated to UK with her two young children after her husband was killed at the front] but is back in Ukraine visiting family during the school holidays... and as we witnessed on our latest visit, this is indeed how it is in Ukraine
So do pray for them all there. We do plan a visit later in the year Lord willing. Even sister Nina in her remote village says that a missile flew over them, very low in order to avoid radar detection.
UK
No idea who Frank was, but he certainly built a fantastic stone bridge called Frank's Bridge in the town of Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria, northern UK, that has stood for centuries. Watched by passers by from the bridge, it was there that we baptized MALCOLM into the Lord Jesus, after an amazing life of 62 years, searching for God and the Lord Jesus. After getting PTSD during army service in Bosnia, with many tales of providence to tell, he has now come to the Lord in spirit and truth. All those amazing deliverances when he wasn't a believer are all evidence of God's grace taking the initiative; and indeed even further back, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the unGodly. It was a very long drive up there and back and the kids were just great and perceived even in their youth that this was all absolutely worth it. We're talking about eternal life in God's Kingdom, and nothing could be more important and significant to do with your life. 12 hours sitting in the car meant Evia was able to knit almost an entire scarf... you can see her not wasting time either as we had coffee with our new brother afterwards.
Video at https://youtu.be/ca0nF_rwiSw
Again our brother came to us through the online following of our talks in Croydon.
And back in Croydon, we had such a lovely day at The Orchard Pub on Sunday. Sermon on Solomon and his 1000 wives at
https://youtu.be/qI1qeeGbmck
then afterwards CHRISTINE came back along with as many others as we could fit in the cars and was baptized. She was never lost for a smile. What happy fellowship, and hearing testimony from those baptized in that same bath tub as to the huge change they had experienced. And Evia's first attempt at baking garlic bread was well received by everyone, fresh from the oven right after the baptism. Video of the baptism at https://youtu.be/S-uJ6BaEhXI
Despite the following exciting announcement, don't forget the GARDEN PARTY at 49 The Woodfields, South Croydon CR2 0HJ on Saturday 7th September starting at 1 PM. Let me know if you want picking up from East Croydon. Bring your friends.
Pleased to tell you that we plan to gather a few of us together for a residential weekend retreat at the Carroty Wood centre in Kent
[Higham Lane, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9QX C https://rockuk.org/centres/carroty-wood/ ],
really cute place. We'd arrive on Friday 18th October at 4:30 and leave on the Sunday afternoon 20th October after lunch, Lord willing. I can pick you up from Tonbridge Station or could take a few of you with me in the car direct from East Croydon station. Cost- well, those who can't pay anything don't need to pay anything. We'll just have a pot where folks can put any contribution. Don't want ££ to stop anyone coming. But most should consider an adequate donation to their own cost. Let us know if any issues there. We want you to see you there. The rooms are nice all with ensuite toilet and shower. And there's a nice conference hall. Car parking right next to the building. We would have some Bible studies on the theme of JOSEPH: The man with all our issues. Fear, forgiveness, false accusation, faith. Along with prayer, discussion, walks, games, whatever. Day visitors welcome. Want to meet some real people, really interesting people, really genuine Christian people for a great weekend? This is the place to come! Also looking for some helpers with the catering and clean up after. God bless and let's pray for a great outcome to His glory! If you want to come, please text Duncan 07481122558 or Cindy 07481120989 . You're welcome to bring friends, especially anyone interested in being baptized into the Lord Jesus [there's an indoor swimming pool on site].
PRAYER POINTS
- For those recently baptized
- For those under bombardment in Ukraine
- For the children under bombardment for whom the trauma is going to have lifelong effects
- For our work in Italy with the African migrant brethren this weekend
- For our rather ambitious plan for a weekend retreat in the UK
With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks