SHOE BOX APPEAL UPDATE

I have received a letter and photograph from a girl in Rumania called Monica Oprea, who was given the shoe box that I sent at Christmas 2002.  Monica is also 11 years old and attends an Evangelical Neo Protestant Church.  They lived in a big town near Bucharest but moved four years ago to a small town called Ticleric in Rumania.  Monica¹s father is an oil man.  There are just a few Christian families where they live now, theirs being one with her mother and father and two brothers. Where they came from was a church of 1000 people.

I have written back and sent a photograph of myself hoping to receive a letter again.

Rachel Kerry

THERE¹S NOTHING LIKE THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD

The Apostle Paul writes, ³There¹s nothing like the written word of God for showing us TRUTH, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God¹s way². Here are just a few thoughts for you to ponder!

You say ³It¹s impossible² - God says, ³With me all things are possible²

You say ³I¹m exhausted² - God says, ³Wait on me, I¹ll renew your strength²

You say ³I cannot forgive myself² - God says, ³You can because I have²

You say ³I cannot make ends meet² - God says,- ³I¹ll supply all your needs²

You say ³I just cannot handle this² - God says, ³Give it to me, I will carry it for you².

You say ³I¹m not smart enough² - God says, ³I¹ll give you wisdom²

You say ³I¹m all alone² - God says, ³I will never leave you or forsake you²


TODAY - START LIVING WHAT GOD SAYS.

Many of you have lost the ability to read the word of God on a daily basis in your own home, others of us find it difficult to set time aside for the ³listening² to God¹s word in our busy world.

Just as we need bread and food to keep ourselves well, naturally we need the ³word of God² on a daily basis to keep us safe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Submitted by John Perry
(written by a Pastor friend of John¹s)
SONGS OF PRAISE EVENING
Saturday 17th May 2003

As we journeyed along the A12 towards the Chapel, John and I were discussing the different ones we knew of who would be unable to attend the Songs of Praise evening.  However, upon arriving we were encouraged by the sight of a full car park and in fact I believe we used the last remaining space on the car park across the road. Upon entering the Chapel we were delighted to see that it was almost full, only a few seats available here and there.

The Boxted Methodist Silver Band were already assembled on the platform and we could see it was going to be an evening of very close harmony!!  However, this did not in any way deter them and as usual they gave of their best.

Our newly appointed Mayor and Mayoress of Colchester, the Doctors Hall, wearing their chains of office, were warmly welcomed by Pastor Eric Blowes and Dr. Elizabeth Hall gave a detailed resume of the work at St. Helena Hospice during the evening, together with a closing epilogue.

The Band¹s conductor, Tony Page, led us through an interesting and varied programme, including two splendid solo items by a tenor horn player and Les Warren played ³I don¹t know how to love Him² on his flugel horn.  The Band items were interspersed with songs and hymns for audience participation.

A very generous offering was taken up, being in excess of £414.00 which has been made up to £500.00 towards the continuing work of St. Helena Hospice.

A group of our ladies had prepared refreshments for the close of the evening which were very much appreciated by our many visitors, and a further time of fellowship was enjoyed as we mingled with many friends from other local churches around the area.

In all I am sure that we can say it was a splendid evening and I believe our brother Eric Spurgeon already has plans for the next Songs of Praise evening, God willing.
Marion Bland

OUR DOMINICAN EXPERIENCE

The 15th October 2002 was our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The evening was spent at The George Hotel where we enjoyed a meal together. On the table was a surprise gift for me, all planned about five years earlier, with everybody in on the secret except me.

It was a travel brochure saying look at page 62, the surprise being a two week holiday booked for March 2003 to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. This was Janet¹s gift to me for our Silver Wedding Anniversary.

Sunday March 2nd 2003 we arrived at Gatwick Airport early ready for the nine hour flight. After a good breakfast, shared with Eric and Judy who ferried us to and from the airport, we made our way to the departure lounge.

After a short while we were boarding our plane and after a pleasant flight we landed at Porta Plata airport, air temperature 84F.  A short 20 minute coach trip and we booked into our hotel, The Victoria.

We settled in and were ready for a meal, if we listed all the variation of hot, cold, breakfast, lunch and dinner choices, it would fill up every page of this magazine!

The normal day temperature was 90-94F, so we swam in the pool or sea a lot, both very warm, and just lounged around.

The people were very friendly, as we found on the outing and visits that we went  on, also learning a lot about the country and the way people live.

Trips we went on
Out on the sea in a large catamaran, clear water but very salty, snorkeling with the fish and marine life, whale watching, banana boat riding (came off twice!), these were a few trips we enjoyed.

Out Back Safari

Mostly on land and off road on a big 8 x 8 monster truck where we visited a school classroom, very basic with tin walls and roof with desks and chairs, no computers there, not even electricity.  We visited Mrs Lilly¹s house, very basic living, but very happy people, many growing bananas and selling to get an income, amongst other things such as oranges, coconuts and coffee.  The basic wage is 100 pesos a day, about £4.00 some even less, so we must be thankful and appreciate what we have - basic living with no stress - who has got it right - them or us?

Like all holidays we met some friendly people, Canadian and British mostly.

All too soon, our two-week holiday came to an end and we were packing up ready to come home.

We would recommend the country for holidays and the experience will stay with us for a very long time.

Michael and Janet Spurgeon

A PRAYER (in text language!)
FOR ALL YOU MOBILE PHONE USERS!

R Dad @ hevn, LOd B thy nme, TKDC, TWBD onurth Ztizin hvn. Gvus ths dA R
dAIE brd & 4gvus R trspuszs, as W 4gv ths wU trespus vs us & lEd us nt n2
tempt8n, bt delivrus frm Evl, 4 thniz D kingdm, D pR & D glrE, 4evr&evr,
Rmen.

or for those of you having trouble deciphering:

³Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen.²