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to people with life-disrupting problems |
Prayer Letter
April 2008
Praying for Crisis Centre Ministries,
its work, staff
and clients
in the context of Bristol's inner city areas.
Dear Prayer supporters
News
Sorted Course
We had a really good Sorted course, led by Claire, following the week at Dartmoor with LITE students. Sorted is a bit like Alpha, but written for young men in prison. Generally it relates well to our clients. The people who came changed a bit from week to week with one or two being consistent. What was really exciting at the last session was that two people said they'd like to make a commitment to God. It was a case of asking, "Would you like to make a commitment to God?", and the two people saying "Yes." Please pray that they will grow in their faith.
New Christian
Today, in our coffee shop, a man has just given his life to Jesus. Exciting, or what? He said he used to be a Buddhist monk and had previously trained as a shaman but none of this actually helped with his life or his addiction. He has been coming to the Friday night Recovery Group led by Alan and Lisa. Alan had prayed for him, and he had felt something happen. Please pray for him.
The Cooker in the shop
The cooker has been a problem for some time. Some of the rings have not been working, and it has been really difficult for volunteers trying to cook and serve food. We've received funding to cover the cost of a new cooker and Claire has been spending loads of time trying to co-ordinate the removal of the old cooker, checking electricity supply, removing units, and fitting the new cooker. This week, the old cooker was taken out - and this has meant we've not been able to serve hot meals to clients, a bit of extra pressure for our workers. However, it's gone quite well and the new cooker is due to be delivered and fitted on Monday 14 April.
Share your Faith
The training happens tonight (Wednesday 9 April) for three weeks and this Saturday 12 April. It's a brilliant training opportunity. Please pray that it is well used and that those who take part are able to engage with it in a way which is meaningful for them.
Trustees
We are recruiting for new trustees and have written to a number of Bristol churches in this connection. Please pray that appropriate people will be identified and we will have some new and enthusiastic trustees to join the present team.
LITE
With the present LITE course, we have had two people coming consistently from the beginning, and loads of others coming from time to time. This has not helped the group to gel. Please pray about this, that there will be some consistency and commitment which helps the group to move forward.
A student, who we'll call Beatrice, is due to start a two week work placement with Cadburys later this month. She's already doing some voluntary work with Bristol Dogs Home and she is one of the people who made a Christian commitment at the Sorted course. Please pray for her, that she will be able to use the work placement constructively and grow in confidence regarding work.
OTHER
Please pray about the situation with X, a family we have been supporting for some time. It is a complicated situation and difficult to unravel: constructive intervention has proved illusive. A miracle would be really good, and it also seems important that all the support agencies have an agreed strategy and affirm each others' involvement. This is not as straightforward as it sounds because of the complicated nature of the situation.
T, an alcoholic, is going for assessment for rehab this afternoon. He has been coming to the Life Recovery Group. Please pray for him.
M and his situation. He will be home with his family for the first weekend for 5 weeks.
Home Church happens in The Wild Goose on alternate Saturdays, led by a group from Vineyard. Please pray for this.
A group of people from our Vineyard team, who cover alternate Monday evening sessions, are presently in California on a Christian mission. Some of them, including Sheilah (our duty manager) and Carol, have been involved in a car accident. As far as we know the result was only minor injuries, such as cracked ribs. Please pray for them, their health, that they'll get out of hospital as soon as possible and that they will know a very rich blessing from God.
Thank you for praying for Paul's health. It is much improved from the way it was last year - please continue to pray.
We have been having technical difficulties with some of our computers for a long time. One totally 'died' for no apparent reason earlier this week, and something similar happened to another computer a few weeks ago. Please pray that this is sorted out.
Our income has been restricted recently, and we would appreciate your prayers that God will bless us financially.
Last Saturday was a social for our volunteers. This was a very successful event, and one of our clients was able to talk about the difference God is making in his life.
Thank you so much for praying. The reason you are getting the prayer update from me is that the computer which has 'died' is Claire's!
Love
Trudie
Client Support Coordinator
Crisis Centre Ministries