By Alan H. Leyden
We dropped our goods and chattels at our base in Cardiff and drove to York Place Baptist Church, Swansea to meet Pastor Eunjig’s team. It is a visionary work in progress known as “Signpost in Swansea”. The church has opened its premises to a number of groups which support asylum seekers and refugees with English language, conversation skills and a place to socialise. Over the four days we were there, we supported their women’s work with craft and a creche and crafts area for the children. We also sanded and painted, sorted books and cleared rubbish from an upstairs room for future use. On Sunday we took part in the morning church service with sermon and testimony and later joined the International Service. A wonderful Spirit filled time of Worship and Fellowship.
We then moved on to Newport to work with The Sanctuary, which is part of the Bethel Church Outreach also supporting asylum seekers and refugees in a variety of ways.
God’s timely intervention brought us here on Tuesday when they were short staffed, enabling us to support Sarah, the Centre’s lead, while she dealt with more urgent matters. Language is a huge barrier and Esther helped a few people with online forms, CV, job seeking while the rest of the team ‘mingled’ by playing board games, conversation and listening. Throughout our four days here we developed friendships, through the social contact available and women’s crafts and children’s creche. We also painted a basement room. We believe our presence was of great benefit to everyone, volunteers and attendees alike.
G. is a young man who was at a low, two years awaiting decision on his status. We were able to support him emotionally and his status was progressed although not finalised before we left them.
E. is a volunteer and she also was struggling with some personal issues. Again, we felt our presence was timely and supportive. Sarah, the Centre’s lead does a wonderful work here with her volunteers and you can see the respect everyone at the Sanctuary and in parts of Newport have for her.
Our final port of call was Port Talbot and Sandfields Presbyterian Church, a small church in an area of high poverty, with a vision to support their local area. They already support single parent families. We joined them on during a planned open activities day and supported their women’s crafts and children’s crafts and creche.
On Sunday 20th, our final day in Wales, we joined them and took part in the Church service with worship, testimony and sermon.
We brought with us a Mercy gift of £285.00 which was shared amongst our hosts and provided an electric sander, paint, painting equipment, flowers, Gift Cards and items for the Haft Sin spring festival and groceries.
We did not see anyone come to Faith but left Wales knowing our presence had been felt spiritually and on a practical level.
The Team , Esther Price, Team Leader, Cathy Miller, Women’s Ministry, Jane Pirson, Children’s Ministry and Alan Leyden, Mercy Gift and Worship would like to thank everyone who supported us by donations and much needed prayer, our hosts and Esther for her Leadership and for driving us around for 895 miles..
We especially give thanks to God. Without the Father’s provision, His Strength, His Spirit and His Son this wonderful experience would not have been possible.
