Greetings From South Africa

As a church, we support Phil and Rachel Bowyer, through prayer and giving, in their work with Soul Action, South Africa. You can read more in previous posts about the vital work they are doing . Last week we received this message and gift from them.

"To all at the Link Church,

Thank you for your support and prayers throughout this year. As we continue to join in God's mission daily, people's lives are being transformed as a direct result of your on-going commitment to us as a family and to Soul Action.

This decoration has been formed into something beautiful from a piece of 'fallen' nature by Gugu, a young lady we had the privilege of meeting in April.

You may recall Phil sharing some of the steps that led to this creation when we visited the UK in June/July.

Gugu was working the streets of Durban, until some of the people God encouraged us to gather together saw an opportunity to work together to begin to bring restoration to her life.

We hope you like the give and have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

God bless,
Phil, Rachel and Zac."

And finally....

We have recently gone from this:

 

To this:

 

 

A major improvement, we are sure you'll agree! This was accomplished thanks to the many generous donations to our building fund, and a grant from Awards for All Scotland.

Storehouse and Starter Packs in 2013

STOREHOUSE

Through our Storehouse ministry we seek to help those who, for many reasons, may have a shortage of food or basic household items. During 2013 we have recieved requests on a regular basis to help people facing crisis or difficult times. Thanks to the faithful giving of Link members we have again been able to respond to every request by providing food parcels and/or Asda vouchers. A typical food parcel contains basics such as teabags, coffee, sugar, salt, tinned goods, pasta and rice and pasta/rice sauces, breakfast cereal, biscuits, toiletries and household cleaning items.

During 2013 Storehouse has supplied:

• Food parcels -   3 to Link members; 5 to outside agencies (e.g. Women's Aid) 
• Asda vouchers - £120 in total to Link members and outside agencies

We also collected again for Christmas Hampers and this year have four ready to go to Link Church members and Women's Aid . Each hamper contained a selection of basic food items and Christmas treats.
 

Even after all this giving we still have 2 food parcels and some vouchers stored, ready to meet emergency needs. We are aware that the Christmas period can bring its own difficulty and crisis to many people, and our contacts at Women's Aid know they can call us at any time should a woman in their care need this kind of help.

We can only meet needs through Storehouse as we become aware of them. Do you know someone in need? Or have an idea that could help us help more people through Storehouse? Please speak to Jackie or Ruth.

 

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."

2 Corinthians 9: 12

 STARTER PACKS

Through our contacts with Women's Aid we also provide Starter Packs to women who are moving into their own accommodation. In these circumstances, women can receive grants to help with the purchase of furniture etc, but these cannot be used for the basic household essentials which we would all struggle to do without. Each Starter Pack contains essential items such as crockery, cutlery, saucepans, a toaster, iron and kettle. During 2013, there has been a constant demand for Starter Packs and we have given out at least one per month. There have been times when the lack of these items has been the only holdup to a woman finally moving into her accommodation and it has been necessary to put a pack together very quickly indeed! If you would like to know more about the Starter Packs, please speak to Jackie or Mo.

These vital ministries could not do so much without the regular giving of the people of Link Church. Those of us responsible for handing over the food parcels and packs hear so often that they are going to meet desperate needs and of how people have been touched by the kindness and love shown to them through our giving. If you have given in any way to Storehouse or Starter Packs during this year, be encouraged to know that your giving is making a huge difference to many lives.

"To everyone at Link Church, thanks for everything that the church has given me and my family for my new home. The starter pack was a great help. Thank you very much."

(Thank you message from the recipient of a starter pack this year.)