Barnabas, Missions

Barnabas Update 15th Aug 2017

by Webmaster

Myanmar (Burma) August Update 2

Mob destroys pastor’s house and church

Barnabas Fund Website

On 22 July, a Buddhist mob attacked three Christian homes and a church in a village in Myanmar, allegedly following the conversion of some members of the Buddhist community to Christianity.

The church pastor’s house and the church were completely destroyed, along with several motorbikes owned by Christians.

The pastor and his family are now living on the side of the road. The pastor said, “I and my family decided to serve the Lord in this village, we cannot run from this village, if we die, then we will die.”

Myanmar is 87% Buddhist and in 2015 the government passed a law requiring anyone wishing to change their religion to obtain official approval.

Jacksons, Missions

Jacksons Update 2nd August 2017

by Webmaster

Jacksons August Update 1

Mission Africa has now decided that it isn’t possible for them to extend their remit to South Africa. But a South African group, NetAct, are extremely keen for Fraser, to run an online African theological library for them, giving him the opportunity to make a huge difference to the quality of theological education and training throughout Africa for many years to come.

 We’re expecting to work freelance alongside NetAct.

The opportunity is quite amazing and it’s incredible how closely Fraser’s talents and experiences fit with the specific role he’s being asked to undertake. Tailor made. He’s also recognising how past work with HTC has been a preparation for this.

On Saturday 16th we plan to have an afternoon at the Hub (DEC) where people could drop in to chat with us.  We’re more than happy to come to Castle Street sometime during 10-19th September as well.

We very much appreciate the support the Mission Team give us. 

It’s an exciting time waiting to see what God’s going to do.  Sometimes I wish it was a bit easier but it’s tremendously worth it.

Blythswood, Missions

Blythswood Update 2nd August 2017

by Webmaster

Talita Kum 1 & 2 and Daniel Centre

Give thanks for another year completed by Talita Kum 1 and Talita Kum 2 projects in Romania.

They are closed for the summer holidays now. 

If you would like to run for Romania, you don’t need to wait till next year.  There are Big Fun Runs and Dog Jogs (5K) in towns and cities around Scotland and England during the summer and autumn; and the Kelpies Supernova in November in the dark, with three dates to choose from.

More information at www.blythswood.org or contact Margaret on 07970 863533 for a charity place.

 If you are taking part in any running event, why not pledge to support Blythswood Care and have a t-shirt or running vest to show the world? 

Jacksons, Missions

Jacksons Update 19th July 2017

by Webmaster

Jacksons Update 2 – July 19th

Fraser is very excited about the opportunities for improving theological library provision to colleges in developing Africa.  His combination of skills and experience are exactly what is required for developing these services.  Better resources for students will have a great and strategic impact on the strengthening of the church throughout Africa.

NetAct is asking Mission Africa to second Fraser to their base in Cape Town.  The Mission Council will meet to discuss this on July 25th.  Pray that the Council will be clearly led to the right decision.

NetAct also develops ways for people to put their faith into practice in the community.  Dawn’s experiences with BRICC and InReach mean that this could be an area she could beneficially be involved in.

We feel that this is the direction God’s pointing us in.  We would like to be able to go out with Mission Africa but await the Council’s decision.  We very much appreciate your continued prayers and financial support.

Blythswood, Missions

Blythswood Update July 19th 2017

by Webmaster

Blythswood Update 2 – July 19th

Talita Kum 1 & 2 and Daniel Centre

Give thanks for another year completed by Talita Kum 1 and Talita Kum 2 projects in Romania.

They are closed for the summer holidays now. 

Give thanks too for their time away at camps. 

Congratulations to Lenn, Pam and Helen Urquhart who all ran in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on May 28th.

Lenn took part in the 10K event and Helen and her mum ran in the 5K.  Together they have raised well over £500 for Blythswood Care projects in Romania.

And they have already signed up for the 2018 event, when they will be joined by Carol-Anne, all running 5K before Lenn takes on the half marathon the following day.

Barnabas, Missions

Barnabas Update 19th July 2017

by Webmaster

Myanmar (Burma) Update 2 – July 2017

Hospitality training for young Christians

Barnabas Fund Website

Church-run training in hospitality skills for young Karen Christians will equip them to earn a livelihood in Myanmar’s growing tourist trade.  Many new hotels need trained staff.  This will rescue them from the desperate poverty of rice farming and its exploitation by middle men.  Barnabas Fund is covering the costs of meals and accommodation.   

Praise God that Christians from minority ethnic groups in Myanmar have secured representation and significant positions in the new government.

Elsewhere in Muslim areas, hospital management forces Christian staff to recite from the Quran, or be marked absent.

Blythswood, Missions

Blythswood Update Talita Kum July 17

by Webmaster

Blythswood Update 1 – July 5th

 

Talita Kum 2

 His mother has problems with her lungs.  His father is in hospital, suffering from kidney failure.  His elder brother is disabled.  Cristi is the only one able to keep the family business running.  He uses his horse and cart to transport a whole variety of things to enable his parents to pay the rent.

Talita Kum, Blythswood’s after-school programme, encouraged Cristi to stay in school and helped him to catch up.  Now he attends Talita Kum 2 which helps young people of secondary school age. 

His favourite subject is maths and his grades in this subject are very good after several years of progress.

Blythswood, Missions

Blythswood Update Daniel Centre July 17

by Webmaster

Blythswood Update 1 – July 5th

 Daniel Centre

Marian, now 21, is glad to be at Blythswood’s Daniel Centre in Cluj, Romania.  Unlike most of the young men who come to the Daniel Centre, he already had a job, working in a car wash.  And he had already completed two years at trade school, studying to be a motor mechanic.

But young people in Romanian’s care system inevitably miss out on some things –  learning to cook, learning to budget and handle money, learning to build lasting relationships and learning to know themselves.

At the Daniel Centre, there are regular group sessions where boys and staff evaluate their behaviour in an open and constructive way, learning to build trust and to identify ways in which they can change for the better.

Barnabas, Missions

Barnabas Update July 17

by Webmaster

Myanmar (Burma) Update 1 – July 2017

Pastor Jailed in Burma Falls Ill

Morning Star News June 20, 2017 

One of two assistant pastors arrested by the Burma army last Christmas Eve is suffering deteriorating health from malnutrition.  Pastor Dom Dawng Nawng Latt, 65, has become weak, lacks energy and suffers from asthma and diarrhoea, according to his wife and his lawyer. 

 Normally suspects can be held for only 28 days without trial under Burmese law, the attorney said. The two pastors finally appeared at a trial hearing on May 3.

The Christian leaders could face as much as three years in prison for allegedly assisting an “unlawful association,” and as much as five years for assisting in the management or promotion of one.  Human Rights Watch has decried the arrests as arbitrary and called on Burma to release the pastors immediately.

Burma is about 80 percent Buddhist and 9 percent Christian. The government has recognised the special status of Buddhism in Burma.

Jacksons, Missions

Jacksons – June 20th Update

by Webmaster

Jacksons – June 20th Update

 We still don’t know what the future holds. We had a meeting with a small panel from the Mission Council and still believe that God has plans for us in Africa.

Pray for discernment, wisdom, courage and faith for the Council. 

Fraser has been invited to attend a conference on July 1st held by NetAct, a theological education networking organisation, as a library specialist.

NetAct (based in South Africa) is keen to develop its ability to help libraries in African theological colleges. This may be where God is leading us.

Mission Africa has no one working there so it would be a big step if the Mission decided to send us.

Please pray for us as we wait to see where our home for the longer term will be.