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Minisering around the world
Rain, rain go away, come back another day, we want to play, rain, rain go away. This was the rhyme sung by our day care children for almost for two months. We had very wet days during these months so no outdoor activities took place, they spent all the time in doors.
to read the Newsletter concerning Francis & Alison Pidugu and the Day Care in Goa India.
In June, 17 people from around Lifelink churches in UK and USA went on a mission trip to Lusaka, Zambia for two weeks. We had representatives from churches in Cambridge, Bishops Stortford, Dunstable, Rugby, Birmingham, Liverpool and London in the UK, and Chicago and Lansing (Michigan) in the US. Our ages ranged from 18 to 60. We didn’t come with any great skill or ability, but a desire to serve the churches in Zambia in any way we could.
Our initial aim had been to help Hudson Luwi and Fountain of Life churches in any way that we could. However, in the two days before we arrived, Alan Scotland, Ian Rawley, Barry Fitzpatrick and John Leitzel had been running a conference for the leaders of six church networks in Zambia and Zimbabwe that were looking for closer relationship with Lifelink churches. As a result of the conference, we finished up working with the other two church groups in Lusaka as well as Hudson’s network, and one of the Zimbabwean groups even sent us there of their youth group to help us at our children’s camp.
The first few days were spent immersing ourselves in the local culture, learning to eat nshima, the local staple food, and working with three different church groups in Lusaka. We taught in two schools run by the local churches, we visited a local hospital and ministered with the patients and staff, we helped to redecorate a childrens’ home run by Africa Enterprise Trust, and we made plans for our weekend teenagers camp.
Over a long bank holiday weekend, we ran a camp for around 55 teenagers. They came from each of the three churches we were helping, and some were orphans from the Africa Enterprise Trust children’s home. Although most of us slept in chalet accommodation, all the teaching and eating at the camp was outdoors. We worshipped, we taught, we played sports, we swam, we went for safari walks and saw giraffes and zebras, we had some social evenings, and everyone had a good time. 10 of the children became Christians and many others had their faith stretched or made recommitments.
We then spent a couple of days in Livingstone seeing Victoria Falls, and then returned to Lusaka for the last weekend, where we helped to redecorate the Fountain of Life church building, and then we were able to participate in Sunday meetings at two of the local churches, with many of them bringing word and testimony.
As a team we were stretched, we were operating beyond the limits of our natural ability, and we were all able to testify to God changing us over the two weeks. It was humbling to work alongside the local churches, to seek to serve them, to be motivated by their evident faith despite their limited resources. God was clearly at work with the church networks in Zambia and Zimbabwe where we have relationships, and it was exciting and a privilege to be around helping them as they seek to put their own relationships and working together on a stronger basis.
If you get a chance to go on a future mission trip – take it – it will change your life!
David Brown and Sam Rawley, team leaders
I should begin this letter by thanking two persons, one is God and the other is you. I mean to say those of you who prayed for us, visited and supported us. And are continuing all these things for the sake of the King and His Kingdom. I cannot fully express how I am grateful of your right hand of fellowship, if you had not stood with us, we would not have seen the fruit of the partnership in His vineyard.
To read the rest of the newsletter, please click HERE
Dear Friends,
You along with our other members are making a difference to poor and disadvantaged people in our world. Below are three of the most recent grants we have given. Each grant sends a ripple through eternity in the form of changed lives. This is our Summer edition of the O2H eNews which we send out two times a year.
Students from Trinity School of Ministry participated in a week of mission, outreach and service with Cornerstone International Church in Brussels, Belgium. The specifically looked to bless the refugee and homeless friends of Brussels.
Here is a brief video Scott Lencke put together about the mission trip.
Mission Brussels 2012 from Global Horizons on Vimeo.
Dear Friends,
So much is happening throughout the world where you are making an impact as churches and people together under the banner of Global Horizons/Lifelink International. It is my heart to keep you up to date with all that is going on. May God bless you as you continue to impact your community and the world for the Kingdom of God.
Blessings,
Alan Scotland
Dear supporters and praying friends,
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry in India. Over the past few months we have been greatly encouraged by the responses we have received from the people whose lives have been touched through our various projects.
“The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes”. Psalm 118:23. This verse is true in our ministry and in our family life. As you read this update we pray that you will be encouraged to know you are making a difference in the lives of the people through your giving and your prayers.
Warmest regards
Francis, Alison, Abigail and Joel
Dear praying friends and supporters,
The end of the year brings both memories and hopes. We’ve had a great year in terms of ministry and family life, so there‟s much to be thankful for and so much to share with you, most importantly please accept our heartfelt thanks for all that you have done and continue to do for us in your prayers and support.
On October 9th, CrossPoint Church ordained Dave Hamstra as an elder and pastor. On the same day, John and Karen Leitzel were commissioned as they will be going to Zambia in January.
The church was commended for it’s faith that has caused it to grow both numerically and spiritually.
Ian Rawley proclaimed the message of the continuation of the book of Acts. Truly it was a day of celebration. You can view a bit of the celebration by watching the following video
Opportunity2Hope (O2H) is a mercy ministry operated by ordinary people to help the poor throughout the world. O2H is best described as a grass roots organization where the members not only contribute but also initiate grants for worthy projects.
Since O2H began, the Board (a group of O2H members who are purely volunteers) has agreed the distribution of over £100,000 ($162,825 US) worth of grants. Often these grants are no more than £3,000 ($4,885 US)/ project. It has been amazing watching how ‘seed’ grants have made a difference to the lives of the poor and disenfranchised. Without the regular monthly giving of O2H members this would not be possible. Some of the grants O2H have made recently include:
For the rest of the eNews, Click Here
We want to take this opportunity to thank you for standing with us through your prayer and support in 2010. As we are now well into 2011, we are aware that each year brings with it fresh blessings and challenges. The Lord continues to open doors that are far beyond our thoughts or imagination… To read the entire newsletter, click: Francis_and_Alison_update_-2011_Jan_to_March.pdf
I thought of blotting all my sin away of not being faithful in my communication to you over the months and years. Truly, (I am due to inform you many months) I am repenting with sackcloth, folded hands, sitting in ashes and dust. I hope you would grant me the grace to continue as your friend and read this recent news update, both of my family and the Churches Together Fellowship Network.
With much gratitude both unto the Lord and towards you, I pen these few lines. If not, for His grace and your faithful support and prayers, I would not be where I am now.
To read the whole newsletter, click on this link: CTFNewsletter2010-02.pdf
