December 2024 France, Iran, Latvia, UK,Ukraine
Events are certainly hotting up in the nations around Israel. Our good folk in south London have been asking what we make of it in terms of Bible prophecy, and so we devoted one of this week's sessions at The Venue to discussing this question- which we hopefully did in a non dogmatic way, not knowing the exact time of our Lord's coming. The video runs to about 23 minutes and is at
https://youtu.be/j0JeoWmxmMI FRANCE Do you or anyone you know speak French? Really need your help Monday morning 9 AM UK time, Lord willing. We've been messaging with a man in Avignon for some time, he only speaks French. He has bought a collapsible pool for his baptism and plans to have his wife baptize him on Monday 16th Dec at 10:00 French time, that's 9:00 AM UK time. Duncan comments: "My French is so rusty these days, will be so good if better French speakers can be involved". We'll do the service in our usual Zoom room
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6697401754?pwd=K0VWNDlScGwzaThPM2tiU0didmNyUT09 So we look forward to seeing as many as possible Francophones in the room for the happy event GW!
IRAN After lots of study with us over the past few months, we were so happy to online baptize MILAD.
LATVIA Over the Christmas period we plan on spending some time in Latvia and possibly Lithuania and Estonia, visiting our isolated brothers and sisters and providing Winter welfare. Firewood, clothing, paying heating bills etc. The situation with Russia has even further damaged the Latvian economy and many of our brothers and sisters are in a very bad way as they face the usual freezing temperatures. We're open to whatever donations you can manage, the firewood bill alone could come to at least £600 for a Winter's supply for one home. It's not so easy to get DRY firewood let alone hard wood that will last a while rather than burn up in one evening. So we're open to your donations. Here are some pictures from previous years' efforts:
UK The much awaited alcohol free Christmas party has come and gone, and what a night it was. Around 70 of our newly baptized brethren, friends and contacts came along for a wonderful evening. We had it all- an opening Bible talk, worship songs, great food, games and presents for everyone. For "everyone's a winner", that was the theme, and indeed we are in the Lord Jesus. Huge thanks to all who enabled this and helped out on the night. God definitely is blessing our work. Sure, we had a good time- the bingo was really popular, and prizes for all. Especially gift cards for coffee shops, Gregg's and Costa. We're aware that some may consider that we're veering too much to the "worldly" side of things... but we're trying to meet ordinary people in society where they are, and not where they are not. And lead them further in the things of our Lord Jesus and His Kingdom. All our events are backing up the continual Bible study sessions we hold, and are all alcohol free.
People got so excited when they won or got a line on their card... let alone a full house. Their lives are after all very drab and this world feels very hard and cold to so many, especially at Christmas, where everyone else seems to have a family apart from you, and they are left with thoughts of what might've been, what could've been, what should've been... So this was just such a happy evening for them of pure joy and all winners and not losers
The meal was great, thanks to all the helpers and our youthful helpers. The left over food was boxed up and they went home with that too.
But what was so touching was the appreciation shown, not just for our provision of food for them every week, but for what we've done for them spiritually. Brother Tony grabbed the mic at the end and gave a very touching message of thank you for what we have done for him personally. He went back to his tent with a fully tummy and some gift cards for a nice coffee in the morning.
God's grace is indeed finding a response here in South London. The spiritual growth is really noticeable, amongst these once agnostic Londoners disillusioned with church but with hearts for the Lord... it's just amazing to see it all:
This is all the triumph of our Lord Jesus, His truth and the word of Yahweh God of Israel understood and allowed to transform human life in practice. We praise Him for the response. Amongst ordinary local Londoners, of all people. We really do thank Him, and all of you out there who enable this work, and those who come and help on the ground. We really need more boots on the ground, so do seriously think about coming over.
Video is at
https://youtu.be/3Pmv-lOonWk As last year, we were concerned a bit about running such a party after dark in the heart of Croydon, one of the UK's worst crime spots. The streets around our venue are full of drug pushers, gangs and other criminals after dark. We made it a matter of prayer. And for some reason a Police car drew up outside the hall and stayed parked there throughout. Any uninvited criminal elements would've glanced at that and forgotten any idea of coming to disturb us. All of the Lord. Perhaps those Policemen were Angels... The Angel of the Lord surely encamps around His people.
UKRAINE
There has been intense bombardment and destruction of Ukraine's energy generating and supply network, whilst the world if focused on Syria, Donald Trump etc. And it seems this is likely to continue over the Christmas period. Ukraine's energy generation capacity is now severely limited, and everybody is experiencing lack of electricity and heating. Do pray for our brothers and sisters as they have to live day by day in the cold and darkness... and for the children involved, many of whom will later have PTSD issues.
Brother Alexei and Sister Nana are in their 70s and managed to flee from Russian occupied territory. They are living in a previously abandonned summer house, which with our help they have renovated and made warm and livable, and are surviving on their own vegetables and animals. A huge change for previous city dwellers, but they have risen to the challenge so well. In their 70s, they've made a snowman and we salute their extremely positive spirit despite having lost so much, including family- all surely from the joy of knowing the Lord Jesus:
PRAYER POINTS
- For those in Ukraine suffering severe heating and energy deprivation
- For our Winter welfare work in Latvia
- Thanksgiving that the Gospel is spreading so powerfully in South London UK
- For those who quite simply are cold and damp this Winter
With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks