November 2024 Turkey, UK
TURKEY Our work with the Iranian brothers and sisters continued after the very successful conference we held last weekend. We visited them in their homes, held meetings in the open air with them in a park, followed up with brother Ali who was attacked and had both hands broken etc. They are all very scared to move around much due to the spot checks aimed at detaining and deporting Iranian refugees. We ourselves were twice asked for our passports by the Police. One sister messaged that she couldn't attend the open air breaking of bread in the park because of this:
They say they meet in parks and childrens' playgrounds because this attracts less attention than meeting in homes. It was an honour to be present at such 'underground' meetings. So please do pray for them in their difficult situation.
We've also now uploaded some videos from the visit. "Of whom the world was not worthy", Hebrews 11, in English and Farsi,
at
https://youtu.be/V_CatCDAAdE and a fascinating insight into the lukewarm church of Laodicea, located very near to where so many of our Iranian refugee brethren now live-
https://youtu.be/Rxn_j21xE6A UK Earlier this year we reported two trips to Germany to baptize brother Ehsan and then other friends of his. Now brother Ehsan is in the UK and has spread Bible Basics to others in his asylum seeker hotel in London. We were on the way driving over there and baptize them when they were suddenly put in a Home Office minibus and transported to a cheaper asylum hotel in northern England. Just shows how unstable their lives are. So the next day we went up to where they are, and baptized MOHAMMAD, SHADMAN and ARMAN- and had a wonderful time discussing
Bible Basics in a McDonald's, buying them some more apetizing food than what they're being fed with:
Truly "the Truth is caught not taught", once someone really 'gets it' they will spread the glorious good news, it is too good to keep to ourselves.
Meanwhile it's been tough going at The Venue meetings as our usual helpers were all away, 15 year old sister Evia singlehandedly cooked for everyone. But the need and value of the work is huge. Homelessness is rampant in Croydon and indeed most London boroughs. There isn't enough council accommodation to go round, so some are put up in cheap hotel rooms or simply put on long waiting lists, and given food vouchers acceptable only in fast food outlets like KFC. Some of those who come to us are elderly or infirm, using walkers, wheelchairs and crutches. They've set up tents on a bit of land near the car park. You can see walkers and crutches by their tents, and their wet clothes hanging out to dry on the railings. These folk come to us, some baptized, some not. We give probably the best free food in south London- not out of date sandwiches, but cooked hot food, with unlimited coffee and snacks. As well of course as Bible teaching and the Gospel, which is our main focus. Do come and meet our folk at our alcohol free Christmas Party on Wednesday 11th December Lord willing, 5:30-7:30 PM. Christmas meal provided.
We're open to your donations towards the event, and also to anyone who can come and help us with all this work in Croydon. 
We have provided not only food but also tents, crutches, sanitary items, clothes etc.
We've also booked our next retreat at Carrotty Wood, Tonbridge, for March 21-23, 2025, Lord willing. Everyone who came has been begging for another one... it really was an unusually special weekend and so spiritually upbuilding. So do email us to book in as soon as you can!
PRAYER POINTS
- For those recently baptized
- For more helpers in Croydon UK
- For our persecuted brethren in Turkey meeting in the open air and for ever dodging Police patrols
- For our brethren living in tents in south London especially those with medical needs
With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks