Prayer Request

You will recall that I published a post just a few weeks ago regarding the celebration of my mum's 85th Birthday.  Sadly following that event her health has deteriorated after contacting pleurosy - whilst she is at home, she requires a lot of care and is unable to spend the nights alone.  As a result I am spending most nights of the week with her.  I give thanks that my sister-in-law is relieving me for 2 nights giving me an opportunity to catch up on some charity administration. Please pray for Mum's healing.

Also I am desperate to go to Romania to oversee the projects and work on the front line.  However, my ongoing problems with the oil contamination at Padest (which I have previously written about) are still preventing my booking of the trip. Please pray that God will make a way.

"Little Lambs" fellowship at the park

In Hirwaun within walking distance of our Church we are blessed to have a spacious, well maintained and equipped recreation ground for children.  On Monday our Team, Parents and Tots took advantage of the facilities and spent an hour of freedom basking in the glorious sunshine.  We took along some bubbles and large toys and everyone had a great time.  The pictures speak for themselves.  They are excited about their forthcoming  sponsored walk for RR on 12th July in Aberdare Park.

First Aid advice and Birthdays at Almond Tree

It's been an eventful beginning to the week.  On Tuesday, our good friend John Howells of the St. John's Ambulance Service came along to Almond Tree to give us a talk on First Aid and the St. John's Service.  We all enjoyed his presentation and learned so much. Wow - how technology has advanced since the days when I achieved my certificate in the 1980's. As a Charity we are grateful to the service because John and one of his colleagues provide first aid services for the RR annual sponsored walks and he and his wife, Angela are also regular sponsors of the Charity. 

Also at Almond Tree we celebrated the birthday of 2 of our Team - namely our good friend Pearl who was 65, seen here wearing a tshirt which says "I am not 65 but 45 with 20 year's experience" and husband, Wayne who was 54.  Here they are about to blow out the candles on their cakes. Notice in the background our "Little Lambs" Summer Term Theme - the Creation.

"Little Lambs" day out at Folly Farm

Most of you are aware that I lead of the "Little Lambs" Parents and Tots Group at our Church, Ramoth Christian Centre seen  in the backround of this photograph..   I am blessed to have the support of my hubby, Wayne and good friend Pearl whom I dearly value.   We meet every Monday - 9.30 - 11.30 am.  For me Monday mornings begin early as I set off the 25 miles to Brecon to pick up our grandson, Morgan who loves the Group.

Last Monday we went on our Summer outing to Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire.   There was much excitement as we boarded the coach for the hour and a half drive.   The sun shone all day as we enjoyed the variety of activities at this well designed centre set in beautiful countryside.  The children loved the farm and zoo animals, the train and tractor rides, the go-carts,  the adventure playgrounds, the fair and much more. It was a fun packed day for parents, grandparents and tots.

We give thanks for the Group who support us with the Charity Work.  Many mums and grans do shoebox gifts and in 2 weeks the children will take part in a Tots Sponsored Walk at Aberdare Park which we have called "Little Lambs are Leaping".

Giving Thanks for our friend, Sheila

Our good friend, Sheila is a lady of many talents who works quietly in the backround supporting the Charity.  This year she has covered 450 shoeboxes with a variety of Christmas paper.  I collect all the boxes from Stead and Simpson's store in Brecon, purchase all the wrapping paper on the January sales and they get delivered periodically to Sheila who covers them so neatly and labels them.  Then we pop a list and elastic bands inside and they are ready for delivery to fill.  Sheila also knits scarves and hats - you should see some of the matching pairs she has created!!  She also helps us with transportation costs.  Sheila, we thank God for you - be blessed in being a blessing to many.  Here she is on the right of the photo taken at our AGM!

If you want the joy of filling a shoebox then please contact me for details or if you belong to a local Church or other organization that may be interested in supporting the Appeal then I would love to hear from you.  We are also looking for people to fill "Granny" boxes for 33 elderly widows and 2 widowers on the Widow's Mite Project.

Reaching Romania's AGM

On 17th June we held our first Annual General Meeting on Welsh soil.  We give thanks for the friends and supporters who joined us as we presented our Trustees' and Financial Report which included a slide show of the many projects that the Charity supports.  It has been a successful year but none of it would have been possible without the love of support of all those people who have shared our vision - thank you. 

There have been changes to our Executive Committee in that Phil and Chris Lloyd have resigned and they have been replaced by our good friends Kay and Ray Jones.  We extend grateful thanks to Chris and Phil for all their hard work in installing a new accounting system last year and for Chris' role as treasurer - we shall miss them both.  We give thanks for Kay and Ray and their expertise on the IT side - Ray kindly wrote our website and Kay is the genious when it comes to presenting documents like newsletters.  I simply write them, attach the pictures and Kay does the rest.  They are also available when we need practical help.

Our Officers for the coming year are as follows:

Pastor Chris Dawes (Chairman - re-elected)

Irene Phillips (Secretary - re-elected)

Ray Jones (Treasurer)

Other Trustees:

Wayne Phillips and Kay Jones

The Annual Reports should be available on the website shortly.

It was a very enjoyable evening which ended with refreshments.  Finally we give God all the thanks and glory for what has been achieved in His name.

Runners needed for the Cardiff Half Marathon - Sunday, 17th October

Last year we had one lone runner, our good friend, Chris Rees carrying the torch for the Charity in the above event.  This year we are aiming for a team due to the desperate economic situation in Romania.  The Government has just announced a 25% cut in wages plus a cut in pensions and an increase in VAT.  This will have a dramatic effect on many Romanians already struggling to survive.

If you are a runner or would like a challenge please contact me on 01639-701458 or 07910939716 or email:admin.reachingromania@gmail.com for more details.  The Charity will provide you with all necessary documentation, a tshirt and pay your registration fee  We currently have 5 runners including one girl.

My dear husband is taking up the challenge and has started training.  Here he is (not dressed in suitable gear!!) running 6 laps of the pond in Aberdare Park during our Almond Tree outing last week.

Mum's Special Day

I am blessed to have a mum that loves me,  is always there for me and I thank God for her.  On Monday we had a family party to celebrate her 85th Birthday.  The sun shone outside and in our hearts as over 30 of the family, including her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters and friends gathered in a breathtaking location called The Fron, a remote restaurant near Garth which my cousin runs.The food was delicious and the atmosphere exciting as mum greeted people and opened her cards and presents.  Her great grandchildren ably assisted her in blowing out the birthday candles and also presented her with a basket of flowers.

It was a truly special day that we will all treasure.

Ramoth activities

We have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather here in Wales.  Last week our special "Almond Tree" ladies enjoyed a lovely afternoon out in Aberdare Park - here we are soaking up the sunshine.  We had a blessed time with them all and my dear husband Wayne started his training for the Cardiff Half Marathon  by running round the lake 6 times!!!

This Tuesday we held a Thanksgiving Service at Almond tree to commemorate a year of our new Team under the leadership of our friend Jen. We had a display of pictures of our outings, a DVD of celebration events, a quiz on the year's teaching together with readings and praise.  The afternon ended with the team dressing up as old ladies to perform an hilarious sketch and song.  We give thanks for the way in which the Lord has bonded us as a team enabling us to reach out to these beautiful ladies and gentlemen whom we all love.

After the Sunday morning service we enjoyed a fellowship afternoon playing golf on the Mumbles near Swansea.  We took along 7 young people from Upside (Ramoth Youth Club) who really put their heart into the tournament.  There was much competition, sunshine and laughter.  Much to the delight of the young people the day rounded off with a trip to MacDonalds.

We value our Church and the various ministries attached to it for believing in our vision and for supporting the Lord's work in Romania.