Youth trip to China

In August, Pete and Ali Gray and Helen Hogg are leading a group of six of our young people on a potentially life-changing trip to Sanmenxia, in Henan province, China.

The group will be working with orphans with special needs, on a trip organised through the long-established charity International China Concern.

Ali first got involved with ICC after hearing its founder David Gotts speak about the issues facing children with disabilities in China. She spent several months in China in 2005 and Pete and Ali both spent several weeks there in 2011. They also sponsor a young man through ICC.

The trip will take place from 21st August to early September, including a visit to Bejing and the Great Wall. The cost is £1,800 per person. Fundraising is underway, including the recent bake sales after church.

“We believe that when we step out of the world in which we can do it all and rely on ourselves, we create space for God to use us.
We encounter Him, His love for us and others and His Spirit at work in every situation.
We believe that small acts of love and compassion can make the word of difference to abandoned or disabled child in China.
We believe that we are called to love our neighbour, whether they be next door or half-way across the world.”
— Pete and Ali Gray

There will be lots more opportunities to support this adventure, through prayer, tasks and financial giving. If you'd like more information, please see Pete or Ali.

Ali in Dubai and South Africa

Ali Scott yesterday headed out to Dubai, from where he will be going on to Clarens, South Africa.

His first stop in Dubai is to spend a few days with Fusi Mokoena who leads Gateway Creek church. Ali is preaching at the church this morning so please pray for God to use his words.

Ali and Fusi then fly onto Clarens overnight on Sunday 6th March for two conferences. The first (7th-12th March) is conference for 20 or so younger leaders from around the world, led by Ray Lowe, entitled 'If Only I'd Known'.

Some 'more mature' leaders will be discussing things they wish they had known when they started out in ministry. There will be leaders from the UK, South Africa, Pakistan, the Phillipines, USA and Dubai. Please pray for fruitful discussions and significant relationships to be built.

The second conference is the annual Regions Beyond Master Builders conference, hosted by the church in Clarens. This will run from 15th-20th March. Please pray for Ali as he gives a seminar on Saturday 19th, entitled 'Lengthened through responding to God's call'.