ANGOLA Visits

Brian Howden had planned to go to Angola at the end of April 2009 but the Lord overruled in circumstances and he actually went last Thursday, the 16th April, and is planned to return the 4th May.  

During this visit he will be with the assembly at Camundambala and would value our prayers that the Lord would use the visit to encourage the believers, and as His Word is taught, that He would use it to build up His people. The assembly has recently passed through trying times and it is hoped that this visit will comfort and encourage them.

He would value very much our fellowship in prayer that he may be kept safe in his travels.

Stephen Richardson (Jarrow) with Jonathan Singleton is flying out this Friday to help Ruth Hadley at Saurimo in order to carry out the construction / modification of the school  facilities. Stephen is planned to be there for 1 month. Please remember Stephen in our prayers that he will be kept safe, and be able to help in this practical way.

BAHAMAS –Mark & Carol Lacey

We have much to thank the Lord for. The ministry was 20 yrs old last August and research came up with the following wonderful findings.
30% of all the men, whether or not they had completed the program, were found to be living clean Christian lives and walking daily with the Lord and active in their Churches. A further 16% were found to still be drug & alcohol free but not walking quite as close to the Lord as we would have liked.
For there to be a 46% recovery rate is way beyond our wildest dreams and can account for the massive opposition we have experienced over the years especially while seeking to move the ministry to its new site.
We are keenly aware of our inability to bring one soul to the Lord so the glory is in indeed all His and only Glory will tell the full story. We are deeply humbled to find how He has used our faltering steps of faith and honoured us with such fruit for His glory.

The last two years has seen us settle down at the new site and what a difference - Praise the Lord and thank Him for the mighty victory that He won through it all.

Our present needs are as follows. In order to open up all the 24 beds we now have we desperately need a Night Manager, preferably one who has come up through the program, is a godly person with a love for his fellow men, and knows the ropes. Further we need a Workshop Manager too. The New Workshop has room for a Carpentry Shop as well as some sort of Light Industry. Whereas the workshops are primarily for therapy and work experience for the men in the program there is potential for real sustaining profits if managed properly.

Carol & I keep reasonably well although the work of the past 20 years has taken a toll on my health. Carol had a second cancerous melanoma removed January of this year from which she has healed and will continue with check ups periodically.

Earthquake in Italy—Needs of Suffering Brethren. (note from Indian brethren).

The l'Aquila Assembly is in a mountainous area and has suffered the greatest damage among the Brethren Assemblies in the area. The Assembly Hall and houses of believers have largely survived, but are not yet declared to be safe. There continues to be minor earthquakes most days. Telephone and banking facilities and the city centre are closed down.

Some of the Believers are living in tents in the wake of the continuing tremors; they have been provided with a supply of food and clothing. Such brethren are in need of financial assistance.

The Evangelical Centre is being used as a  base for rebuilding efforts, shelter, for relief, and a 24 hr gospel campaign. Material supplies that are needed include blankets, pillows, rugs & mats, hand towels, torches & batteries, underwear for men & women (large size). Deodorant, shaving foam, hand wash soap, fruit juices, crayons and colouring pencils.