Please praise God for Answered Prayer
New sponsorship
As I've stated elsewhere, The Salt and Light Company needs to attract new sponsorship to the value of at least £12,000 per year so that one salary at the level of the UK minimum wage can be found. The costs of running the ministry are already close to being covered.
I am grateful to God, and a new sponsor, for getting the ball rolling in spectacular fashion.
£75 (Gift aided so tax can be reclaimed) per month. I had hoped that we could find around one hundred sponsors at £10 per month average - or 200 at £5 - but this is more than I had expected by far. What an encouragement! Please give God praise for answered prayer!
Now I only need 82.5 more £10 (average) per month sponsors!
Please note that I will use this money on ministry expenses until enough has been raised to pay a salary.
Cyncoed Methodist Church.
I've just had a wonderful weekend at Cyncoed Methodist Church in Cardiff.
Saturday was an activitity day for children (though the adults all joined in with gusto!).
Sunday morning worship saw almost all of the children present, and the all-age worship was really special. Many thanks to the minister, Rev Peter Holwell, and team (especially Gloria Passmore) for the invitation to lead this weekend.
Praise God, too, for a lovely welcoming atmosphere and congregation and for his blessing on the whole weekend.
Cadnam Methodist Church
Just returned from a few days in Cadnam and Totton, in Hampshire. Had a lovely day at Cadnam Methodist church where I spoke at both Sunday worship services. If you're in the area, may I recommend this excellent fellowship. Very warm welcome and really excellent music. Note that the meetings are at 10.30 and 6.30.
Cadnam is a village on the edge of the New Forest, so the natural catchment area isn't very big, but the people of the Methodist church work hard and effectively to impact the local community for God.
Also visited some of the local schools, one of which had the inspectors in!
The Gambia 2007
Just returned from a week in The Gambia. Maggie and I had a wonderful, though very busy week. Check out the 'Salt & Light in The Gambia' and 'Gambian Gallery' pages for photos and comments. Full story in the next Salt and Light Newsletter.
Southville Elim Church, Yeovil
I became a Christian in Yeovil Elim church back in 1966. The church and its people have been special to me for over forty years, so it was a great joy to be able to return and speak at their Christmas children's celebrations. Two morning services were arranged so that the pre-school children could perform their Christmas play first, followed in the second service by the nursery children. Both meetings were packed with parents eager to watch their youngsters, whose performances were really excellent.
Later in the day I made a presentation about the work of Salt and Light, which was a tremendous privilege.
For me, returning to my home church was a very moving experience. God's presence was very real and the response from those who attended very warm.
If you're ever in Yeovil, a visit to this church should be a priority.
Financial Support
I am thrilled to report that Salt and Light has a new sponsor. A gentleman in England will begin donating £5 per month on the first of March. I am so grateful to this person, and give God thanks for his kindness. The escalating cost of fuel in the UK is greatly affecting Salt & Light's cashflow, so this new sponsorship is much appreciated.
Desperate Mothers' Association
This new venture is referred to in the latest newsletter (see 'Salt and Light Newsletters' webpage). The initiative has been hugely successful and an update will appear in next term's newsletter.
Cadnam Revisited
Returned to Cadnam last weekend. It was Mothers' Day so the children helped with prayers, took the offering and presented gifts to all the ladies. As always, enjoyed a warm welcome and memorable fellowship. The excellent music group is enhanced by a couple of young lads playing drums and trumpet. How good to see such young men involved in leading sung worship.
Had a good time in some of the local schools during the week, too.
So, where have you been all this time?
I'm very sorry it's been such a long time since I updated this site. For a variety of reasons I've not been able to do so for a while, but will do better in the future! Check out the Salt and Light Newsletters page for all the latest news.
India 2009
We leave for a two week visit to India on the April 4th. As before we will be visiting, and supporting, a number of orphanages, a large school set up for orphans and other facilities for the poor and disadvantaged. I will also be preaching in local churches. Your prayers as we prepare, and for our time in this wonderful country, will be appreciated.