Supporting Mission Home and Abroad

Every year in May, a Mission Rally takes place within each of the Associations.

The Association is a special occasion, and an opportunity for women to come together to worship the Lord. They are also opportunities to remember those missionaries who witnessed to the Gospel in remote areas such as Mizoram and Bryniau Casia, and to give thanks for their work. Speakers are invited to the Associations as well, and we also highlight the mission work of the Church’s present day workers.

Way of Hope Foundation Hungary This charity has been brought to our attention by Neil and Pam Kirkham. Neil has recently retired as the minister of Gloddaeth church, Llandudno. He and Pam visit Hungary as often as they can and were able to help at 2 Summer camps this year.

The Way of Hope foundation was started in 1989 by Eva Szilagyi and her husband. Eva was a penfriend of Ruth Martin, whose mother is a member of Gloddaeth church, Llandudno.

The Way of Hope Foundation, is an independent non-profit, registered charity foundation, which is sustained through voluntary donations.

On behalf of the ‘Bubble’s Group’ and our Church congregations, I would like to extend our sincere thanks for the generous donation given to the Mother and Child Group of our Church last year. This has enabled us to extend our weekly provision to older siblings throughout the school holidays. Most of the general activities for these families are not available to them throughout the long summer holidays. We also recognised that many families may find it difficult to provide meals for their children at such times. So, as soon as we knew that the funding would be provided we were proud to be able to announce that our doors would remain open to the group as usual. But, we were also able to welcome any older brothers and sisters and also that there would be a free meal available to all who came. I advertised this on the local ‘Prestatyn Connect’ Facebook group and on my local ‘Parent-Help Prestatyn’ group and got so many happy responses through a chat line we had also set up.

A variety of toys were bought for the older siblings including a playhouse, with an oven, an ice cream play cart and plastic foods. This has remained one of our most popular pieces of play as it appeals to all ages. We also bought board games, and magnetic building toys, Lego and more recently three high chairs so we could free up more seats at the tables for the extra older children. Our weekly Toddler Only group attracts around 20-30 little ones and is the most popular in town. A number of tables were placed at the entrance door with mature craft activities laid out and these were always buzzing with excited children. We kept our quieter ‘pink room’ as a safer location for mothers with younger babies, so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the noise or activity of older children. However, the whole mix of groups got on very well together and enjoyed sitting down to lunch, with our kitchen team providing a meal for around 40-50 including the adults. This also included a variety of fresh fruit and yoghurt.

As a result of being able to reach out further, some of the older brothers and sisters joined our Friday Children’s Club and have continued to do so until now, as well as attending our church and Sunday School. This was particularly beneficial for one single mother of five young children, who is now expecting a sixth child and trusts that we will continue our effort to support her in whatever way we can. There are around 12 volunteers for our Toddler Group, who range in age from 70-90! This includes 5 in the kitchen and up to 7 in the main hall where between us we can greet those who arrive and interact with them throughout the sessions, forming happy friendships. We are all Disclosure and Barring Service checked and always include free refreshments, craft activity, open play sessions, music/singing/dance (led by my husband, the Rev Mike Smith on guitar) . Also, about once a month I perform a puppet show with my marionettes inside the church.

Also, for the first time parents and children from our group attended our Nativity play and dressed up to join in! We are all delighted with how everything has developed and how this grant has enabled our work with young families to develop and flourish. Also our numbers continue to increase and a young Muslim family has recently joined us. Her little child’s name was Ishmael and she noticed a Biblical family tree I had made and displayed for our Sunday School. I was so pleased that I included Isaac’s first born son, ‘Ishmael’ on it for her to see!

So, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Best wishes from me, Coral Smith and my husband, the Rev. Mike Smith and the Team.

Dr Graham Thomas

Dr Graham Thomas, Bala founded the charity HIV Lesotho in 2012 following a visit to Lesotho by the Thomas family when they were touched by an unexpected encounter with two young girls. They lived without an adult, without food and without an income. Since the charity’s inception the family has been fundraising and working with the local church in Lesotho. In addition, Dr Graham has supported the setting up of TB and HIV / Aids clinics – some of which are in very remote areas – with teams of nurses travelling across country on horses to run them.

Irene Phillips is a member of the Watton Chapel, Brecon and is also a trustee of the charity Reaching Romania. The PCW, through the Women’s work  have been supporting the Widow’s Mite project which aims to help very poor widows.

EPJM has been working alongside 3-11 Iwate Church Network for the past 9 years, following the tsunami disaster that occurred in Eastern Japan in 2011. Teams visit to Japan on short term mission trips to assist the local churches in their efforts to serve their communities and present the Gospel.