John Sherbourne

In our seventy-five years of serving remote communities in the far corners of the world, we have never seen anything that has so deeply affected the entire world economically and socially as COVID-19. Our work has been limited due to lockdowns in many countries. In some countries we have served almost as normal, in others we have been limited to providing a few flights to aid the government in their fight against COVID-19.

To care for the safety of our staff, partners and the isolated communities we serve, we have modified our aircraft, trained ground staff on aircraft cleaning techniques and established new passenger procedures.

Our hearts and minds are constantly focused on the isolated people who live in the most remote locations where we serve. Literally tens of thousands have not been served with the basics to address their physical and spiritual needs. As we prepare to once again serve their villages, we anticipate encountering food shortages, unattended medical needs, exacerbated educational challenges and spiritual hunger.

We are positioned, ready to address these increased needs once restrictions of movement are lifted in the countries where we serve. We invite you to partner with us, through your prayer and financial support, so that isolated communities are not forgotten.

MAF’s website which you can access HERE is full of information about how this wonderful organisation operates and also of course how you can support them. However, a bit nearer home if you are at all interested MBC’s David Casson is the man to speak to.

The old and the new

Inspired by news of a project that Phil Commons is heavily involved in a small number of MBC members have recently helped an extremely poor family to move to a new purpose built house in the village of Jhum Para, Bangladesh. This development which cost £3,000 and with the help of  villagers was completed in eight weeks has been very happily received and endorsed by the whole community. The idea was for the house to be made somewhat larger than their old “property” in order that the family’s adult son could live with and support them.

There’s more about Jhum Para, about how MBC originally became involved with the desperately poor people who live in this remote village and how your support can help them today HERE 

As one of those who donated to the appeal says: “To be able to directly transform people’s lives in needy parts of the world is so satisfying, so scriptural and above all so humbling.”

Amen to that.

MBC members Chris and Bela Singh who work with Radio Worldwide – part of WEC (World Evangelism for Christ) tell us how the Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in more people than ever engaging with their online ministry.

The images below are scans of Chris and Bela’s newsletter, to see an original and clearer copy click HERE

“Last year” says Howard Dews “we sent £500 for each of the following needs – the salary of Josef Hoca pastor of the gypsy church in the village of Floresti, Nicu Reparuc’s work with a number of children he and his wife have adopted, support for poor families, support for students attending the church, the church’s work with young people (£2,500 in total).  The church in Cluj has added to this from their own resources in the overall amounts quoted in the letter.”  

 To the Romania initiative group from Moortown – Leeds,

Dear brothers in Christ,

Greetings and may you have blessed holidays!

We thank you for your prayers and for your financial support that you sent us in 2020. God bless you! Together with your financial participation, 6 young students received scholarships and 22 families needy were helped. Also we made 394 food packages that were distributed to people in need both in the church and in the branch churches. We continue our collaboration with the Gypsies church in Floresti, we offer to brother Hoca Joseph every month, a financial aid worth 500 lei equivalent of £ 100 and the support for our brother Nicu Reperuc and his work with the children. Below, you will see the appreciation thoughts from the young members of our church that benefited from the scholarship we have provided with your help. 

God bless you all! Lord of peace be with you in everything you do! 

Hello, my friends. I was very surprised when I heard that I will recieve this present from your church. This year, because of your kindness, I experienced the Bible verse that says in Maleachi 3:10 “see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it”. I was so blessed to see that God is faithful in His promises. I’m thankful because you put yourself in God’s path and accomplish His laws. You inspired me in this field, and now I decided for myself to be a blessing for others also. Thank you once more and God bless your entire community. Criss.    

Hi, my name is Hornai Dan and I am an electrical engineering student. I want to thank you very much for your support. It is great to get a little financial support especially in these times when we need to invest a lot in the hardware to keep up with the online classes. It is amazing knowing that we have people so far away from us yet so close because of their will to help us. Once again, thank you very much and I hope God will help you get over this whole pandemic and keep you and your families in His hands. Dan Hornai.

Dear brothers from Leeds, My name is Daniel , I am a student at technical University from Cluj-Napoca, I wrote this letter because I want to thank you again for all the help that you gave me. I wish you all of God blessings ani I pray that His Holy Spirit will fill your heart with joy. Sincerely, Your little brother Daniel.

Hello, My name is Ban Paul Cristian, I am 18 years old and I’m in the 12^thgrade at a Christian high school. Some of my passions are reading, music and interacting with people. I am very grateful for the money you offered me and I pray to God to reward this deed!  God bless you,   Cristian

Dear brothers from Leeds, Thank you so much for the support that you sent to us. My name is Carla, I’m 19 years old, I study at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca to be a telecommunications engineer. I am a member of the no. 1 Manastur church and I am involved in the great chorus and the youth one too. Also I am part of a worship team and the children ministry team. Thank you personally for your generosity, may God bless you all.  Merry Christmas! 

Hello! My name is Moldovan Flaviu, I am 17 years old and I am in my last year at the Emanuel Baptist Theological High School in Cluj-Napoca. I attend the Eclessia Pentecostal Church in a commune near Cluj County, where in fact it is my home. Coming to school in Cluj, I go to the Baptist Church no. 1 Manastur at a youth group where we learn how to get to know God better and how to live life as Christians. Thank you very much for the money sent! May the Lord bless you and reward you. Sincerely, Flaviu Moldovan.

 

Although somewhat different to those that had gone before, as in previous years our Christmas Gift Service saw literally hundreds of items being passed on to HomeStart Leeds. Below there is a letter of thanks from the projects Volunteer Development/Admin lead in appreciation of our efforts.    

 

A Service to remember and celebrate the life of Edith Wyatt was held at MBC today, the 11th of January. Sadly owing to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions only a very few people could attend in person. However, the Service was broadcast live via the church’s Facebook page and then saved which means it is available to watch by opening the link below.

NB. The first few minutes are set up sound and vision checks so may we suggest you fast forward and start to watch at round about the seven minute mark. 

https://fb.watch/2Y6Psr_YtJ/

Also, due to the incompatibility of certain file formats we found we were unable to include a small number of tributes to Edith in the actual Service. However, we’re pleased to say that these too are available via the link below.

At the beginning and the end of the video there is a gallery of pictures compiled by Richard Gibson together with some personal memories, between them are some words from Julian Worth. 

https://youtu.be/lvAs8i6aCGQ