THE WILD CORNISH COAST

On our recent holiday on the west coast of Cornwall we enjoyed several days of glorious sunshine.  We kept a close eye on the forecast as everyone started to talk about the gales that were due to arrive on the Wednesday.  Being in a caravan with an awning attached I was not over impressed but Ray assured me there was nothing to worry about, and he thought it was quite exciting!  All we could do was bang as many awning pegs in as we could, put the storm strap over the top and sit back and wait!

By Wednesday afternoon the wind was getting stronger and by the evening it had picked up even more.  The weather man told us that it would not peak until after midnight.  We went to bed but the caravan was rocking about and the awning thrashing around so there was not much chance of getting any sleep.  Every half hour or so we would check the awning to see if it was still there! Several times there seemed to be a lull and then you could hear the wind as it  approached.  With the full force of 60 mph gusts coming straight in off the Atlantic, there wasn't much to stop it before it hit us right on the coast.

As I laid there thinking to myself, any minute now we are going to be blown across the site, Ray said it reminded him of when Jesus was on the boat with his disciplines who woke him during the storm because they feared they were going to drown and He said to them "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"  Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the waves and it was completely calm.

With this in mind I turned over and prayed to Jesus to come and calm our storm.  The next thing I knew it was morning and although the wind was still very strong, it had eased a bit and I am pleased to say that us, the caravan and the awning were still in one piece, albeit with a couple of bent poles!  That was certainly a holiday we won¹t forget in a hurry.

Sharon & Ray Pearce

FIRST THINGS FIRST

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish that I didn¹t have time to pray
Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered

He answered, "You didn¹t ask"


UPDATE FROM STEVE AND RHODINA

Steve and Rhodina have sent this report of their progress so far.

Can you believe we have only just got our container of goods two days ago!!  Although it sat in the port for over a week there was all the fuss of declaration reports, value of goods and a typical laid back African way of slowness in the whole procedure!  Anyway, we got  everything safe and sound.  We are still awaiting our telephone line to be installed in the house, we now have the computer systems in place and ready to go. Please to hear that you are all well and everyone in the Fellowship is OK, we miss you all very much.

Can you believe we took on a house girl to assist with all household duties (this is normal for all families to employ in Tanzania). She comes from a village way down south in a town called Lindy, she had never seen such things as TV¹s, radios, cookers, beds and electricity was hard for her to understand. She had never seen a bathroom before. We got a shock when we took her to the local hospital for a thorough check-up!  We were informed her health was in fair condition, although she had got malaria. This was treated right away and has now cleared up, but the shock came when we were also informed she is five months pregnant!!  She is only 16 years of age, and she reluctantly told us she was raped in her village by a young boy but she finds it hard to believe she is going to have a baby and understands nothing about sexual behaviour. We shall be taking her back to her village at the weekend, we will see what is best for her and the baby, see how her mother responds and then we can take steps to help.

We are progressing nicely with the children in need project, we have been out and around assessing the areas for homeless, orphaned and street children in Dar. There are so many more out there than we first anticipated!  We must first give priority to the emergency cases and are trying hard to find some voluntary helpers to assist us. We have now got an appointment to see the Chief of Land next week to bend his arm to acquire land for the project, so at least we can build the Centre. Praise the Lord.

We must sign off, love to you all,

Steve and Rhodina



Essex Christian Camp

Boys Camp

As the days, weeks, months went by, almost without a trace; another boys camp got closer and closer. With months of preparation coming to an end a week of worshipping God came around. We had 40 boys this year, with 10 tents full of boys and with 32 leaders scheduled to be on camp it looked as though it was going to be another great year. We started immediately with sport and the boys instantly began to bond with each other. The boys had a full week of outings, games, competitions and worship planned for them. They all seemed to have reserve energy ducts that we leaders only wished we could have. There were a few troubled boys on camp some coming from homes which were difficult, but that didn¹t stop God getting to them and touching their hearts, 7 or 8 were saved in all and it was a great week. I really felt that God was moving and working whilst we were there, and it was amazing to be a part of it. Thank you once again for your prayers, they truly helped.

Adam Blowes


Girls Camp

We arrived at camp to pray with the boy¹s Leaders, God had blessed their camp and they wanted the same for the girls. We asked God to be with the leaders as they went home and for the Lord to continue pouring out his blessing on camp. We praise God for his faithfulness, this we were reminded of so many times through the week as reading after reading contained reference to this. The girls settled in very quickly and talked long into the night. We took them out swimming, ice-skating and on a treasure hunt, they had a day playing on a number of inflatables, also they had a day of makeovers and pampering followed by a dinner party.

But more important they were told of a God who loves them. The older girl's looked at Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, all were gentiles and were victims of different questionable pasts but God put them in the direct line of Jesus and whatever our past we can still be brought into the line of Jesus and be used for God¹s glory. The younger girls looked at Esther and what she was able to do for God and with Jesus in their life they too as young as they are, can be useful for God. In the afternoon they had a quiet time and the evening there was the time for Praise and Worship. We had 30 girls on camp and 5 made a commitment, we were so pleased that those that made a commitment last year were still going on with the Lord and those who have been coming to camp for quite a few years had grown spiritually and some were looking forward to coming back as helpers next. What a faithful God we have. Please keep praying, as that¹s the only thing that will help these girls to keep walking with Jesus.

Judy Blowes