Mission
The Christian Aid "Quiz Aid" raised £70, and Samartians Purse "Turn on the Tap" sponsored 4 mile walk raised £50. Both have now gratefully received the monies.
Thank you to all who particiapted and supported these two events.
Ian Dettmer
Jerusalem Peacemakers/Spirit of Peace
Dear Friends,
Thanks to those who helped make our first ‘Bring and Share’ Supper such a resounding success. Around 21 people took part and we were heartened and supported by 16 people who took the time and trouble to email/ send their apologies. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and care.
For the next ‘Bring and Share’ experiences we have booked dates into the autumn. Our journey together is important so if you couldn't make the last meeting then please come and join in the conversations.
Please pass on this warm invitation to anyone in your community or faith group who would like to come along.
David Bennett - Local Co-ordinator Tel. 01452 532 221
Jerusalem Peacemakers / Spirit of Peace
‘Bring & Share’ Suppers - Future Dates for your Diary
7pm – 8.30pm
at The Friendship Café, Barton Street, Gloucester.
Thursday 17th July
Monday 22nd September
(possible Peace week focused evening)
Monday 17th November
Emergency Aid to Myanmar
With thousands of lives in Myanmar still in danger, Samaritan's Purse has airlifted over 60 tons of emergency supplies and a large team of disaster response experts to help the victims of Cyclone Nargis.
Over a span of five days, Samaritan's Purse has chartered three flights of an AN-12 cargo plane into Myanmar from neighbouring Thailand . The first flight arrived Wednesday, May 14, and was one of the first landings in Myanmar by a private non-government organization since the cyclone.
Access into the hardest-hit towns and villages is still restricted, but Samaritan's Purse is working through local churches in Myanmar and training Christians to deliver supplies to thousands who are suffering. These churches are working together in unprecedented ways to meet needs and demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ.
Officials in Myanmar say that at least 78,000 people died and up to 2.5 million were left homeless as the cyclone swept across the low-lying Irrawaddy River delta with a 12-foot-deep storm surge that flooded over 2,000 square miles.
Others estimate the death toll is already much higher and could continue to increase as survivors are vulnerable to a "second wave of death" from disease, exposure, and a lack of safe drinking water.
Samaritan's Purse is addressing each of these needs:
• Water: We have delivered enough water purification kits to provide over a half million gallons of drinkable water. We are awaiting clearance to import up to 12 large-scale water filtration systems that could meet the daily needs of 36,000 people.
• Exposure: Over 800 rolls of plastic have been airlifted into Myanmar —enough to build emergency shelters for thousands of families. We also sent in 8,000 blankets and 16,000 pieces of clothing.
• Health: We have delivered 120 emergency health kits, 10,000 mosquito nets for the prevention of disease. We also have trained Burmese Christians to spread basic public health messages about hygiene and the risk of disease in the weeks following such a massive disaster.
Additional supplies are ready to be shipped as our team on the ground identifies specific needs and locations.
On behalf of the people of Myanmar , we are thankful to everyone who has prayed that we would be able to enter the country with this life-saving aid. Please ask God to continue to open doors so we will be able to help those who need it most.
A Mission of Mercy to China
Samaritan's Purse has gained official authorisation from the Chinese government to deliver desperately needed relief supplies to the survivors of last week's earthquake - we have a cargo jet scheduled to leave the US on Friday en route to Chengdu, the provincial capital of the hardest-hit Sichuan province.
This plane will carry shelter for 14,000 families and basic hygiene and 'water filtration supplies - so far Samaritan's Purse has committed over £750,000 to help the estimated 4.8m people made homeless by the devastating quake.
Ways You Can Help
Pray for Myanmar:
• Thank God for opening doors for emergency supplies and disaster experts to reach the cyclone victims in Myanmar .
• Pray for the physical and spiritual needs of the survivors, especially the children who have experienced so much death and destruction.
Pray for God to use Samaritan's Purse and other Christians to demonstrate His love through our ministry of compassion.
Pray for China
• Pray for the earthquake survivors who are injured, homeless, or grieving.
• Pray for the Chinese churches and Christians as they reach out as neighbours to those in need.
• Pray for the safe delivery of emergency relief supplies to earthquake-devastated areas.
• Ask for God's protection for the Samaritan's Purse team in China as they launch the relief work.
Give
Please support our life-saving work in both Myanmar (Burma) and China
Thank you for all your prayers and support that are enabling us to reach out with hope and practical help to people in desperate need.
REPORTING BACK
from the
HOLY LAND
On Tuesday 15th May some folk from Christchurch went to see the film “The Iron Wall” at St John’s Methodist Church Hall, Northgate.
It was a most moving and informative account of the situation in the Holy Land. For those of us who have found the news of the Israel/Palestinian conflict difficult to understand the film helped to shed some light on the issues involved. The images of houses being bulldozed, mature olive trees being ripped up and pictures of the wall itself made for very, very sad viewing.
The evening was well attended with many people with different experiences of the conflict - some who had experienced first hand life in the Holy Land and in the refugee camps. Joanne Moston, who is a tour group leader and regular visitor to the Holy Land, related some of her experiences of the conflict.
You will remember her and her olive wood goods from last November’s Palestinian meal at Christchurch. As a result of increasing publicity this film is going to be shown at FRIENDSHIP CAFE, 111 Barton Street at 7 30pm on June 21st.
Everybody welcome. Further details from Joan and David Perkins 617032
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