We have been very encouraged by developments in the work among International students at Stratford.

Bob and Mary with Indian students eating lunch

Over the Spring and Summer terms we continued to put on a Free Lunch on Mondays between 12 noon and 2pm.

Some weeks there have been over 40 students coming and we have built up friendships with several of them.

There has been a growing support from churches in the area, with whom we have shared our vision, and several pastors and leaders have become part of our regular team on Mondays, chatting to the students, sharing in giving a short talk and providing the food for lunch.

Patrick, the Careforce volunteer from Highway Church has continued to be a great help, blessing everyone with his songs and friendly approach to discussions.

We are sad that he has to return to Uganda.

Patrick playing some songs

Bob and Mary have now been officially recognised  as Visiting Chaplains by the Chaplaincy and are able to work more freely on the Campus because of this!!

Highlights this year were the Marriage and Relationships Talk and discussion, the Easter Talk with Pizzas!! and hidden mini eggs!!, an amazing Powerpoint from Patrick, and the frequent opportunities to share God’s love in conversation, discussion and prayer.

There were answered prayers with people finding work, passing exams and experiencing healing; as well as some attending a Church meeting for the first time!!

We are looking forward to the beginning of the new year in September and meeting up again on Monday lunchtime with old friends and new ones!

We would be very happy if anyof you would like to join us and become part of this Welcoming ministry!!

Team Photo in front of Fountains, Tirana

Bob and Mary, together with a friend Frances, have just returned from a Welcome Network mission trip to Albania.

We spent 10 days in Albania being based in Fushe-Kruje, but also visiting and ministering in other towns and villages.

Our main contact was a tall Norwegian called Dag who has been living and preaching the gospel in Albania for over 12 years.

Most of our time was spent with Dag and the members of his church “Bashkesia e Jezusit” in Fushe- Kruje.

On three days we were given the privilege of also teaching English in a small Language school run by a Christian called Berti in the nearby town of Kruje. We used material we had developed for our previous mission to Tahiti, focusing on Vision and using Life , Character and Friendship Topics to explore something about the nature of God and His plan for our lives. We taught small groups of 4 to 11 pupils ranging in age from 7yrs to late twenties, at Elementary, Pre -Intermediate and Upper Intermediate levels.

Bob with Upper Intermediate Students

Kruje is a towm where the majority of people are of a Muslim background. It was exciting to relate with the children and young people in the language school, and at the end of our time we all felt that we had got to know them and had been able to share something of the love of Jesus as well as praying with each group when we said Goodbye.

In prayer for Albania, before we arrived, Bob had a vision of a large Fountain-( in fact the Emperor’s Fountain at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire!!) There was a flow of water coming straight down some wide steps into the fountain, and then the water was shooting upwards into the sky to a very great height. This was an encouragement to the believers that there would be a greater capacity and flow of God’s Presence in us and through us expressing hope,  forgiveness and healing.

Prophetic paintings

Children painting Prophetic pictures

Bob and Mary both felt they had come with a “Fathering” anointing- we enjoyed meeting so many young mums with their babies!! We led a Marriage and Parenting Seminar on Sunday evening, and contributed both Saturdays in the Children’s Bible Club. We were also able to minister and pray for several couples and families over the week. We were all privileged to pray for and receive prophetic words for individuals during our time, and received back in abundance in the loving care and spiritual input from the co-workers in Bashkesia e Jezusit.

Dhurata, her mother Junia and special baby Amelia

We visited several homes in Ferras, a country village area where Frances, Mary and Bob were all able to give specific words and prophetic gifts to the families. It was a very special time with the highlight of hearing Fatmir’s amazing testimony of how he changed from a very violent man who wanted to kill Christians to the strong caring Christian leader he is today.

Generally we felt that God had used usin a small way  to minister acceptance and love to a nation that has experienced a lot of rejection, poverty and abuse. We particularly felt that the Albanian women were all in need of really knowing the Father’s Love and a lot of hugs!!!

Lots of hugs!!!!!

Please pray for Albania- for the families, the marriages, for employment for the many out of work, for the Love of the Father to reach many and for righteousness in the government.