Bringing God's grace and healing love to people with life-disrupting problems

Prayer Letter
October 2007

Dear Prayer supporters

Thank you so much for continuing to pray for Crisis Centre Ministries and the work we do. I know that people often say this, but we are more and more convinced that prayer is a vital aspect of the work and, without your prayers, the ministry would be lacking.

This is the time of year when many churches have Harvest Festival celebrations, and we benefit so much from food items which are donated to us in this connection. Our store cupboards are very much replenished and we are somewhat challenged regarding the best recipes for pumpkins and marrows! We are so grateful for the support we receive in this way.

Earlier this month was our AGM, and you can find more information about that on our website:
www.crisis-centre.org.uk

We are continuing to go to Brunswick Square each Wednesday afternoon. Some of the businesses and local residents are uneasy when groups of people gather in the square – not surprisingly – and at a local community safety meeting we were able to talk about what we are doing and this has been very positively received. We've also had opportunity to talk to the ACTS (Ashley Churches Together Serving) group, and some folk from there are keen to become involved in something similar. In fact, they are coming with us on a few Wednesdays. Please continue to pray for this aspect of our work. As good as it is for the benefit to be recognised, our primary aim is to demonstrate the love of God to these people.

In the last prayer update, LITE Bite was mentioned. This is where Andy invites workers from hostels and other professionals to have breakfast with us and learn more about the training we provide. Andy is planning another LITE Bite on 28 November. Please pray that the invitations will reach the people who can use them, and that the event will be fruitful.

There are presently 7 students on LITE, a really good group. Thanks for praying about this. Please pray for the students, their involvement with the training and for positive outcomes for them.

ADVANCE NOTICE:

We plan to hold a Christmas Party for our clients on 19 December. We'll be doing this jointly with Elim@Bristol again this year. We'll most likely mention it again in the November prayer update. We'd appreciate your prayers for all the plans involved in this, including the availability of some form of entertainment. The event was a tremendous success last year and we look forward to a good time this year. If you are free that day and able to volunteer with the party, we'd love to hear from you. Contact Claire, please, on:
claire@crisis-centre.org.uk

SPECIFIC HELP WANTED:

On Saturday 3 November, between 10.30 and 1 pm, we will be helping tidy and clean a client's house and also do a little decorating and gardening. We need a team of volunteers to help with this. If you can be available (specific skills not required but could be useful) please let Andy know:
andy@crisis-centre.org.uk

Do you have: a good quality mattress, chest of drawers, storage boxes, rugs that you can pass on to one of our clients? Please let Claire know:
claire@crisis-centre.org.uk

PLEASE PRAY:

For the clients coming into the coffee shop each session. Pray for a real presence of the Holy Spirit in the shop, so that people feel calmed and safe when they come in.

For those we meet in Brunswick Square - for opportunities for constructive relationships to be made, and for a desire to change and a hunger for Jesus in our clients. Also for the local Methodist and Anglican churches who are becoming involved in contact with people in the square: that they will be able to relate to our clients and see fruit from their involvement.

For the Polish lad we have been recently emailing about. He should be receiving a decision about rehab soon: pray that this will be positive and that he will engage with the programme.

For the students on the LITE course.

For Paul H's health: please pray for healing.

For H, a young lady who came into the shop asking for prayer. She is very confused in her thinking, is concerned that she is losing herself, lost and distraught. Pray that her motivation to stop using drugs will increase.

For C, a young lady recently out of prison, that she will make good decisions towards re-establishing contact with her children.

For M, a man recently out of prison. We've known him for a long time and offered support in the past. He is trying to sort out the many practical aspects of life following his discharge from prison (accommodation, money etc), getting the help he needs with his physical health and wondering about work etc. He appreciated being prayed for recently. Pray for hunger for God, and ongoing motivation to organise his life.

Ada, not her real name. Health problems, emotional issues, addiction. Pray, please, for an ongoing relationship with her.

For the LIFE RECOVERY GROUP each Friday evening, and all those who are part of the group.

Finances. We are grateful to God for his provision. Please pray that this will continue so that we are able to maintain the work we are doing and develop our practical support of clients.

With all good wishes

Claire and Trudie

Crisis Centre Ministries