December 2011 Winter Bible School Appeal, Br Eric & Sis Larissa
The Sunday readings from the Bible Companion include 1 Peter 1 and there's an MP3 about this chapter at http://aletheiacollege.net/audio/1pet1.mp3
We're pleased to report the baptism of ERIC, a French speaking assylum seeker from Africa, and his long term lady friend LARISA. This middle aged couple were really the picture of happiness after their baptism, and we are pleased to say that this Saturday we witnessed their wedding in the Riga Bible Centre hall. We have a nice contingent of helpers from Australia who've arrived in Latvia, br Warren & sis Jeanie Barton, br Jonathan & sis Tamara Johansen and br Steve Kenney, all from various ecclesias in Queensland, Australia. They were really amazing in the help they gave in catering for the wedding. Again we had a wonderful mixture of guests from throughout Africa- Angola, Congo, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria- as well as Russians and Latvians and even Australians. We continue to marvel at the work God has in hand, bringing about an amazing unity between people, and that unity acting as a witness which attracts yet more. The wedding was conducted in English, Russian and French, with some present who only spoke each of those languages.
Photos: Eric and Larisa congratulating each other in the bathroom after Larisa's baptism - Johansens and Bartons at work preparing food - the wedding
brothers Vlad and Voldemar congratulating Eric & Larisa - Group - DH jr. in safe hands
Cindy's appeal for funds to set up an indoor children's play area has been well responded to but there is still scope for donation to it- many thanks to all who have so far donated. Meantime, she asks if anyone has any spare Duplo / Lego, they could send it to her for use with the children at the Riga Bible Centre. Her address is a.k. 90, Ilguciems, Riga LV-1007 LATVIA Europe.
Eastern European Winter Bible School Sponsoring Appeal December 2011
BACKGROUND
The Bible Schools in Eastern Europe began in 1992 when we invited a small group of interested people from throughout the former USSR to study the Bible with us for a week. The ex-USSR spreads over 9 time zones, so it's really hard to get people together in one place. However, such meetings are important in order to create a sense of community and fellowship amongst those who have been baptized and who are seriously studying the doctrines of the Truth. The Schools have been kept going ever since, thanks to the generous support of Western brothers and sisters. However, the collapsed economic situation in the area means that we have to heavily subsidize many brothers and sisters to attend. Attendance reached a peak of 220 brethren and sisters. If we don't keep up these Bible Schools, the sense of community and fellowship amongst this widely scattered group of 1600 brethren and sisters will be seriously damaged, and despite rising costs, we feel we really have to ask for your support each year to enable this wonderful gathering to continue. You can see a report of last year's Winter school at http://carelinks.net/doc/-2100417080.
2012 WINTER BIBLE SCHOOL
These schools may be the only time most of these Brothers and Sisters get together as they are so scattered, often in total isolation. Several young couples have met and are now married as a result of meeting at these Bible Schools; and many isolated brethren and sisters comment that they live 'from Bible School to Bible School'. There is a very warm and intense spirit of fellowship; but without your support, these gatherings can't happen. The Winter Eastern European Bible School is booked for January 17-23, 2012, God willing, in Poltava, Ukraine. Speakers will include Brothers Steven Kenney and Warren Barton from Australia speaking about the 7 Miracles recorded in John, Bro Duncan Heaster from Latvia speaking about the Gospel of Matthew and additionally some local brethren will be giving classes on 1 Peter. We'd like to not only invite your attendance, but also to encourage you to consider sponsoring a brother or sister to attend.
DONATIONS
The total cost of these gatherings [excluding fares for speakers, which are met privately] is about GBP 11,000- if we limit attendance to about 65 bre & sis. This works out at about 150 GBP / person on average. We really do need your support. This year we’ve decided to appeal for donations and we will then ask whoever your sponsor to send you their thanks, as in previous years. Below there are some examples of the type of brethren and sisters who attend; if you’re particularly moved to support one of those cases, do contact us.
You can donate through PayPal to info@carelinks.net or by cheques made out to 'Carelinks' sent to :-
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Carelinks, c/o Bro John Thatcher, P.O. Box 152, Menai Central, NSW 2234 AUSTRALIA Email: john555@tpg.com.au
UK
Robin & Jean Field, 4 Ellergreen, Burneside, Kendal LA9 5SD Email: jandrfield@mypostoffice.co.uk
NORTH AMERICA
Carelinks, c/o Charlie Klennert, PO Box 1049, Sumner, WA 98390 USA Email: charlie@tacomaecclesia.net .
CANADA
Canadian representative, to whom Canadians can send checks [made out to "Carelinks"]:
Steve and Connie Keating, 3420 Lakeshore Road, RR 3, Alexandria, Ontario K0C 1A0 Canada Email: steve_keating@hotmail.com .
Please note that currently 1 GBP [British pound] = 1.6 US$, 1.6 AU$, 1.2 Euros
Please pray for the community here as they grow in grace and the knowledge of their Lord and Saviour Jesus.
With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks Christadelphian Ministries
Brother Andrej & Sister Tanya
Andrej and Tanya are a married couple who attend Bible Schools regularly, but Andrej now has only intermittent employment and it’s hard for them to come without help. Their daughter was baptized at this Bible School two years ago.
Brother Andrej [Kazan]
Andrej is hearing impaired, but he and his wife simply love Scripture. He hears everything OK if he sits at the front and uses his apparatus. He’d simply love to come.
Brother Valerij
Valerij lives in the far north of Russia in a small village. He has no chance of fellowship apart from the Bible Schools. He faithfully attends whenever we can fund him. He walks with a stick and it takes him 3 days each way to travel but he eagerly comes.
Sister Lena & Brother Vitaly
Sister Lena and her fiancee brother Vitaly were both baptized at different Bible Schools, as was Sister Lena’s mother, Sister Galina. Going to Bible Schools has become part of their spiritual life and it’s a joy to help them come, indeed Bible Schools have played a large part in the spiritual life of this family.
Sister Luba and her son Bro Zhenya
Sister Luba works hard selling books all day on the street. She faithfully attends Bible School with her son when she can. She wants to come this time too.
Sister Ludmila [Ukraine]
Sister Ludmila and her son brother Stas were both baptized at Bible Schools. A school teacher, sis Ludmila is always in her element commenting on the daily Bible readings during the readings session each morning at Bible School.
Sister Raisa
Sister Raisa's sister Nina was baptized at a Winter Bible School. She enjoys fellowship with the many other sisters of her age at the Bible School. Her daughters and grandchildren have all been baptized due to her faithful example. Bible School is the only chance she gets to meet her sister Nina.
Sister Zoya
Sister Zoya's daugher has been baptized, and she lives as she says from Bible School to Bible School.
Brother Oleg
Oleg has attended Bible Schools for a long time, and arranges his annual leave from the factory to always be able to get to them. He's a very faithful brother and fills notebooks with his extensive notes on the talks.