Sunday 30 October 2011

Morgan is 4!

Today we are celebrating having our beautiful grandson Morgan in our lives for 4 years - what a gift he is and we give thanks for him every day.  We are blessed to live 15 miles away and so we spend much value time together.  He is growing up fast and really loving school.  Here he is enjoying his party a day early.

This year is extra special because he gets to spend much more time with Uncle Neil since his return home to Wales.  Whow look at Uncle's Neil's present - a Jelly Bean Machine!!!!


Saturday 29 October 2011

"Almond Tree" Country and Western Style!!

The "Almond Tree" Ministry from Ramoth Church is very dear to our hearts and Wayne and I are blessed to be part of the team there led by our good friend, Jenny who organises a varied programme.  
This week we all went out to a new Educational/Community Centre at Aberaman for a beautiful tasty buffet lunch followed by a line dancing demonstration.  Here you can see our members in "country" mood - it was a joyous occasion and the afternoon ended with a sale of jewellery and scarves followed by a blessed Word from Jenny.  Hope these pictures capture the mood of the afternoon. 

Our dear ladies and gentlemen are loyal supportes of the Widows Mite Project in Romania and many knit and collect items for our shoeboxes. 

Saturday 22 October 2011

Support from the Dulais Valley

We are always amazed at God's provision.  He plants amazing people in our path.  This week we have received a lot of support from the Dulais Valley in which we live.

Maesmarchog Primary School donated all the pasta they collected for Harvest to hungry people in Romania.  Here are some of the children with members of staff. 
This morning I have been out and about  in our valley collecting shoeboxes and items to fill more from 2 lovely ladies, Eira Roberts from Onllwyn and Megan Thomas and her husband from Seven Sisters. 

We are so grateful to everyone for sharing our passion to help so many in real need.  

They did it!!!

Congratulations to Eifion and Wayne for successfully completing the Cardiff Half Marathon and raising much needed funds for the Charity.  Once again there was a lovely atmosphere as 15,000 runners set out in beautiful sunshine on the new route this year.  Eifion crossed the finishing line in just over 2 hours with Wayne beating his record last year in just over 3 hours, despite suffering from a chest infection for 3 weeks before the race. 

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out spent with Wayne's sister and family plus Eifion' s girlfriend, Sophie and his friend Perry, who helped with gaining sponsorship support.  A huge thank you to everyone who supported us.

Me - I am just the admin lady who organises everything and takes the photos.  However, I  am being encouraged to enter myself next year!!!!.
Do you think I could do it??

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Tune in to Pastor Jackie's blog

For more up to date news of what is happening in the ministries in Romania don't forget to click the link to Pastor Jackie's blog on the right of this screen.  It will give you a real insight into the highs and lows of people' daily lives in Romania.  I have incredible memories of my time serving full-time there and really miss it.  When I read about the ongoing needs it it touches the very depth of my heart which is why I am so passionate and committed in doing all we can here to raise funds for all the ministries/projects. 

I will be in Romania for most of December and am so looking forward to it but Wayne will remain in Wales to handle all our responsibilities here.

Cardiff Marathon 2011

Our runners are getting ready for the Cardiff Half Marathon this Sunday, 16th October and we wish them well.  We pray the weather will be kind (as for the past 2 years).   Hubbie, Wayne (seen here after last year's event) has been laid low for a few weeks with a chest infection but is recovering with lots of prayer and a home remedy of honey, lemon and ginger made up by me!  His nephew, Eifion from the Rhondda (seen below), who ran for us last year is well trained up for the event. 

Sadly we have lost a few of our runners and so our financial support is reduced.  Our friend, Chris Rees  was sadly injured in a car accident a few weeks ago and we pray for his speedy recovery.  Another new runner, Phillip Williams has suffered a knee injury -  Phil we hope you can join us next year.  Our good friend, Gary sadly lost his dad and the funeral will be tomorrow - our condolences to all the family.  We pray that his good friend, Samuel from Preston will still be able to join us for the first time.  

With a few runners down we are desperate for financial support for this event so if anyone would like to make a donation then please contact me with your full name, address and post code and let me know whether you are in a position to "Gift Aid" your donation which will enhance your giving by 28 pence in the pound, with no cost to yourself.  Cheques should be payable to "Reaching Romania".


 

Thursday 6 October 2011

June - you are a blessing to us!

God moves in mysterious ways and plants many people in our paths.  One day, our good friend, Charlotte who is a loyal supporter of RR told me at the "Almond Tree" ministry that she had a friend called June who was interested in supporting the Charity.  Like Charlotte she is a knitter - I was told to ring her in 2 weeks on her return from holiday to arrange a visit to collect items.  On the collection day, I had my friend Jenny in the car as we had been visiting 2 of our other "Almond Tree" ladies who had both been celebrating their 90th birthday on the same day.  It turned out that June and Jenny (now both in their 60's) had lived in the same street when they were young and had been close friends but had lost touch.  What a happy reunion and both still sharing the joy of the Lord!

June (seen here with her grandaughter) had knitted and collected an amazing amount of much needed items for the Charity and I was summoned back this week to collect much more.  May God bless you June for your love and support.  

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Support for our Shoe-Box Appeal

We are blessed to receive support from various sources for our Annual Shoe Box Appeal which brings joy to many lives.  Here are some of the generous organisations that care and help the vulnerable in Romania. 

 Thank you to Marion and Kathryn (see here) from Merchants Hill Baptist Church in Cwmbran who arrange all the support from generous families at their Church - around 50 boxes were received.

The wardens and tenants of Ty Maes Marchog and Llwynon Sheltered Housing Complexes in the Dulais Valley where we live also work hard at collected items as shoebox fillers in addition to making up some boxes. We value your support. 

Annette, Warden.Manager of the The Havens in Hirwaun (seen here) and her loyal and active tenants have also been busy making up around 50 boxes for children and elderly people.  We give thanks for you. 

God Bless you for your love.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Our Annual Sponsored Walk

God is good.  Despite the weather forecast of heavy rain,   our Annual September Charity Walk took place in glorious sunshine with blue skies.  24 walkers supported the event and it was a great opportunity for building new friendships and also catching up with old friends.  Some of us (including myself) were "huffing and puffing" a little to get to the top of the Foel Mountain but the reward of the beautiful view of the Brecon Beacons was well worth it.  Again we returned to a scrumptious buffet lunch at the Church.
Our grateful thanks to everyone who supported in anyway:  our walkers, their sponsors, our leaders Sally and Alun who also supplied the water and chocolate bars, our friend John who provided the St. John Ambulance support, our friend, Jenny who purchased the buffet items , our Church friends who prepared the food,  Kay and Ray - our floating stewards for the day,  our Church for use of the premises, Lee of the Hirwaun Chippy who has supplied a voucher for the walker who raises the most money. 

Also a huge thank to our friends, Peter and Christine who travelled all the way from Norwich for the occasion.  We would value your prayers for Peter's healing following the recent news of a serious health problem.  We thank God for him and his determination to support the event. 

I hope you enjoy these photos. 


Old Time Music Hall Sing-a-Long Event

22nd September saw our return to the OAP Association Hall in Hirwaun for our Annual "Old Time Music Hall Sing-Along to raise money for the Widows Mite Project.  After a brief introduction from Irene it was over to our good friend Jen who led the medley in song and keyboard.  We then tucked into some delicious refreshments.  It was a great afternoon of fellowship and fun and all our home made cakes were sold in a flash!!!  There was also a great response to our appeal for slippers for our dear widows.

We give thanks to everyone who supported the event in any way.  You make a difference to people's lives.  Over 250 pounds was raised.