the Parish of St thomas' Brampton, Chesterfield

St Thomas' Brampton and St Peter's Holymoorside, Chesterfield

Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child

Our vision statement: Sharing the love of Jesus

Samaritan's Purse is a mission organiastion that people of the parish and the wider community support.

Samaritan's Purse's mission is to meet the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster while sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The organisation is committed to meeting the needs of under-privileged people through the delivery of practical every day items and necessities. Operation Christmas Child is a part of Samaritan's Purse. Jane Simmonds is the local organiser.

These are updates on the work of Samaritan's Purse and the parish and communities' involvement. Taken from the Church Magazine.

About Operation Christmas Child (February 1995 edition of magazine)

Having supported Operation Christmas Child for over a year now, some of you are probably wondering what goes on between January and October. Most of January is taken up with the continuing distribution of shoeboxes. The 'Big Plane' took approx. 100,000 presents to Bosnia in December. Others have, and will be taken by road until all have found someone to cherish the contents; but more importantly the love sent with them.

Operation Christmas Child was set up in October 1990. We were all disturbed by the pictures shown then, of Romanian orphanages. Dave Cooke, could not just sit back and ignore the situation. He got three Christian friends together one evening, and OCC evolved. One of their main objectives, other than helping those poor children, was to spread the love of the First Christmas Child wherever they went. The response those gentlemen had, to their appeal overwhelmed them, and it still does to this day. The one lorry they had hoped to take, became 6. There is an excellent booklet available telling of the early days of OCC. But who would have thought that four and a half years later they would also be helping children in Bosnia, Croatia, Rwanda and now Russia. Dave Cooke, OCC's founder (whom some of you met at Harvest Fields), spoke in parliament before Christmas, to promote the work that they do, and is having discussions with American links for further sponsorship.

They have already touched on Russia. The Anatov 124 will fly out at the end of January with shoeboxes and other essential aid. Convoys travel monthly with essential aid throughout the year! Please don't think of them as only sending shoeboxes at Christmas. That is just an extra special treat for the children. It also provides a tremendous opportunity for our children to learn about, and experience the love of God. It makes our children realise how wonderful it can be to give the only reward being the smiles on the videos, or on Newsround. Those rewards can bring tears to your eyes and you never forget the expressions you see on those little faces.

Some of you may have read the article at Easter. Last year's Easter egg convoy, was the first aid to have reached East Mostar in two years. The sights they saw on that visit should not be forgotten. Children and adults alike eat leaves to survive. We try to help, and sympathise, but can we even try to imagine doing the same? I find it very difficult, and so do most of us I would think. This December for the second time, OCC visited East Mostar. Other organizations do not go. OCC's dedicated volunteers risk their lives, on the front lines, for the benefit of others. They and their partners at home have strong faith, and believe that the work must be done. The innocent victims of East Mostar don't deserve to be forgotten!

In addition to the monthly aid convoys, OCC have a number of major projects planned, many of them already begun.

1) For 3 years Dave Cooke's sister Rachael, educated staff and cared for children with Aids in Constanta, Romania. Her work is done, and she has moved on, but OCC have not. A hospice is to be built for these children, who have been abandoned by their parents.

2) The addition of a further 220 children onto the child sponsorship scheme. 9,15 a month keeps a child with their family, rather than being sent to an orphanage.

3) Runaway Bay, a sanctuary in Croatia, away from the war zone, this island will provide a respite, for children aged 8 - 16.

More details on the above projects, and OCC in general can be obtained from Jane Simmonds. Quite a lot of videos and literature are available on the work of OCC. There are 2 excellent OCC official videos; a recording of last. year's Songs of Praise (the whole programme being devoted to the organization); a home made video on the 1994 Big Plane send off; and various news and newsround reports. Do ask Jane to borrow them.

Locally, at Easter, we are hoping to send a lorry to Croatia from Chesterfield, naturally under the banner of Operation Christmas Child. If we are fortunate to get a lorry for this purpose, the trip will still cost Ł2,500. Easter Eggs, food and medical supplies will be the main items on this trip, so any donations will be most gratefully received. There will be more details on the trip nearer the time.

All in all, through the obvious success of the organisation, the first objective - that of helping children, who may have become victims of war or distress, has been achieved. The second objective, that of educating our children, is well on the way. The shoebox appeal is such a good way of doing this. Children can see where their money or possessions are going.

They know instantly that they will bring a great deal of joy to the one child who received their box. Sorting through the boxes, it is plain to see many treasured possessions are put into the shoeboxes. It is very humbling to think that our children are capable of packing such lovely gifts for 'friends' they don't even know. It is also very important for them to realise that they, as individuals, can make a difference to someone's life. However small the gesture, the thought, and the love behind it will mean so much to that child in Bosnia; or Croatia; or Rwanda; or Somalia; or Russia; or wherever OCC go next!

Wouldn't it be nice to think that our children would be the Dave Cooke of the future. So many things have evolved from that first meeting with friends. All due to our First Christmas Child.

I hope many of you will have found the information of value. Thanks must be added, for the support given by so many of you. What I try to do in Chesterfield, on behalf of OCC, would not be possible without the practical help and support of so many parish members.

Some of you will now appreciate the reason OCC added All Year Round to their name.!

Jane Simmonds

To endorse the work of OCC see James 2:14-17

Operation Christmas Child Conference (August 1995 edition of magazine)

Having recently attended Operation Christmas Child's first weekend conference, I felt it appropriate to share some of the experience and information gained with those of you who have supported my work with OCC in the parish.

David Applin, a Church of England chaplain, and Britain's representative of the charity Samaritan's Purse; which OCC has now officially linked with. David, while still running a parish, will co-ordinate the activities of Samaritan's Purse in this country. The link means that the two charities will become more effective, reaching more suffering children, in all parts of the world. For example, work will be increased in Rwanda, due to the link with this American charity.

Gary Cox of Eurovangelism spoke about the important work of his organisation. Much of their aid is taken out via Operation Christmas Child, and the two organisations work very closely together. He stressed how Eurovangelism train `native Christians to then go on and spread the gospel amongst their own people. This is seen to be more cost effective and successful than sending 'strangers' as missionaries, who need time to adjust to languages, cultures, climates and so on.

Rachel Cooke gave a wonderful account of her three years working with children suffering from Aids in Romania. When she first arrived, doctors and nurses would not even touch the babies -they didn't even remove dead babies from the cots.

Many may have seen Rachel on the Hearts of Gold programme that I have. Rachel desperately wants to see a home/hospice built for these children, so that they can experience the love of a family for a short period, in their short lives. Rachel feels that her prayers are being answered, because OCC are part way to fulfilling these dreams. The land has been acquired, and enough money donated already to pay for it. It was such an experience and a privilege to meet Rachel, who is so committed, and takes no credit whatsoever for what she does. When complimented on her dedication and work in Romania, Rachel will say: `The glory is God's'.

Dave Cooke founder of Operation Christmas Child, and a committed Christian, like his sister, also gives God all the glory, and takes no credit for his hard work and dedication.

Liviu Balas spoke of his work and struggles in Romania. Liviu founded the Christian charity Ecco Homo, OCC's equivalent and partner charity in Romania. Before his official talk, we, Dave and myself, had been fortunate to meet Liviu informally, and it was such a humbling experience. The stories he told, trying to feed his family on half a loaf of dry bread a day, families sending children to school on alternate days, because they were sharing one pair of shoes; all left us feeling quite empty, and guilty at our own good fortune. We both felt very humble, but not helpless.

There are ways in which we can all help. They may seem quite small, but every little helps. It's like the ripple in the pond. You throw a stone in, and the ripples go on and on. Our little efforts spread much further than we know. OCC have set up a child sponsorship programme. Ł15 a month keeps one child with his/her family, rather than sending them to a state orphanage; which is often the case if the family is poor. So, like the ripple in the pond, you don't just pay Ł15 to feed the child. It helps feed the whole family, and more importantly, keeps the family together.

Sharon Baldam one of Operation Christmas Child's volunteer workers in Wrexham spoke about the child sponsorship scheme which she helped set up and now co-ordinates. The scheme, as mentioned above was initially introduced to help the poor families that Liviu tries to support in Romania. However, children in Russia and Portugal now come under the scheme.

If anyone would like more information on this scheme, please ask me, or if anyone would like to help, but is not able to afford Ł15 a month, do still speak to me. If enough people are interested, perhaps we could sponsor a child as a group. 15 people each paying Ł1 minimum a month - the price of one lottery ticket - could have such a positive effect on a child's life. This sponsorship programme is not a gamble - if enough people can forfeit. a lottery ticket, someone's life could be improved.

An update was also given .on the Chernobyl children, and the refurbishment. of the hospital, which has since been carried out. Many volunteers visited these children for the first time, and have returned with very mixed emotions. Children are still being born with very severe deformities - 9 years after the disaster!

Our country still spends .12 million simply monitoring the effects of that disaster on farmland in England and Wales. Over 500 farms are still affected). Yet very few organisations help these suffering children. This year for the first time, OCC made contact with a church approx. 15 minutes away from the hospital. In just two days, the benefits of this contact could be seen. Staff at the hospital (who are not Christians), trusted OCC when they brought. church members to the hospital. Although they lived so close, these local people were not aware of the hospital housing these innocent victims.

The 'simple' morning service was a wonderful spiritual and uplifting experience. The prayers and worship were from the hearts of people who all have a common aim. - that. of helping innocent children all over the world, and spreading God's love in so doing. The words of the song 'All over the world, the spirit is moving' come to me so many times when I think of the, weekend.

Being a Christian organisation, Operation Christmas Child spread the love of God in all their work. They strongly believe that there should not be any conflict between evangelism and social concern. In many organisations the two are divided, but surely one should go hand in hand with the other.

David Applin mentioned a statement made by Sturgeon many years ago. Please forgive me if I mis-quote it by accident , but he said something like:- "If you want to show a poor man the gospel, wrap it up in a sandwich". These words said so much to me when I heard them for the first time that weekend. How can you preach the gospel, without showing compassion and concern for your fellowman's problems and practical needs? Unfortunately, the weekend came to an end all too quickly for everyone present. It had been a wonderful opportunity for reps. like myself to come together, learn more about OCC and the people behind the scenes, so to speak, but above all it gave an opportunity to share our common concern.

Dave and myself certainly came home wanting to help OCC more, and knowing that every little contribution was both appreciated and put to good use.

Shoe Appeal
As many of you are aware, Operation Christmas Child have started a shoe appeal. At Christmas we want your shoeboxes, now we want your shoes! Footwear of any size, description, and in any condition are needed for the charity. An articulated lorry full of old/new shoes is worth Ł6,000 to OCC. This money would go a long way towards funding the numerous projects that Operation Christmas Child are currently involved with.

Jane Simmonds

Operation Christmas Child -Shoeboxes (October 1995 edition of magazine)

Again for the third year in the Chesterfield area, we will hear about the shoebox appeal - Operation Christmas Child's best known, and best supported national appeal. Last year 250,000 shoeboxes were filled for children in many counties, including Bosnia, Croatia, Romania, Russia and Rwanda. We in Chesterfield collected over 6,000 of those, thanks to the generosity of school children, churches and Chesterfield folk in general.

1995 sees a much earlier deadline - 3rd November! This is a month earlier than usual, but is necessary to ensure the shoeboxes reach the children before Christmas. Last year, with such a huge response, some of the 250,000 shoebox presents were not distributed until January. This year, OCC hope to have all the shoeboxes with their new owners before Christmas -as has always been the intention!

If you would like to send a little 'love in a shoebox', please read on. 1. Firstly decide what age child you would like to send a present to. You also need to decide whether the shoebox is to go to a boy or a girl. Put this information on the shoebox lid to help the distributors know whom your gift is intended for.

2. The shoebox may be covered. Although not essential, it looks more appealing, especially to little children. When covering boxes, please, ensure that the boxes and the lids are wrapped separately. Each box is checked before leaving the country. (An elastic band can be used to secure the contents quite satisfactorily).

3. You now need to fill the box with little gifts suitable for the particular child you have chosen. O.C.C. ask you to include some crayons; colouring book or paper; cuddly toy; at least one new item and some CHOCOLATE! The charity endeavours to include these items in every shoebox, in particular the chocolate. This is such a treat to many children. In Bosnia for example, some children under 5 yrs. old, may never have tasted chocolate!

The rest is up to you and the space you've got left. Basically, the more you can squeeze in the better for the child. Don't forget this will probably be the only present many of these children get all year. (Please avoid sending guns, water pistols and any toys depicting war or violence - they will be removed before leaving the country.)

Other items could include such things as: toy cars, dolls; hair decorations; small toys e.g. dinosaurs; jigsaws; paints; plasticine; picture books, balls; bats: hats; T-shirts; gloves; jewellery; bubbles* and so on. For older children, perhaps more toiletries*, card games; pocket games; pretty scarves: tights; jewellery; make-up; perfume; and so on.

* Please wrap liquid items, such as bubbles and shampoo etc. in plastic bags, in case of spillage.

4. It is always nice to send a letter and photograph. Many people have received letters back, saying thank you for the gifts. This has been the basis of some long lasting friendship. Do include your address if' you write. Paper and envelopes will naturally encourage a response.

5. When your shoebox is full, secure the lid with an elastic band if possible.

6. Operation Christmas Child ask for a Ł1 coin to be stuck on the outside of the shoebox lid to help cover the cost of transporting.

The simple shoebox says so much to those receiving it. The people who think they are forgotten, realise that they are not. They realise that there are friends in other parts of the world - 'their neighbours', who care enough about them to send a gift at Christmas. The shoebox, when all it's contents are gone, is kept by many little: children -empty, yet so full of love and hope!

Just like the ripple in a pond when you throw in a stone. The ripples go on and on. So the love in the shoebox. Although given to one child, the love sent with it touches so many lives. Not only that of the child, but the parents/ brothers/ sisters/ relatives/ friends, neighbours/ teachers and so on and so on. The little shoebox is such a powerful gift.

One very important aspect of Operation Christmas Child's work in this country is that of educating our children. Children realise how nice it can be to give, rather than receiving all the time. Many children have been known to give their favourite cuddly toys, because of how sorry they feel for these children who are far worse off than themselves. They can be taught that things can be done to help. However small they may seem, every little helps, and it is important not to sit back and pretend that the problem will go away. In the work of Operation Christmas Child children are also shown the love of God, and the importance of showing it to others.

There is no limit to the number of shoeboxes an individual can send. Each shoebox means an extra child will receive a present, so if you would like to send more than one - OCC say 'thank you'.

When your shoebox is ready to send, please leave it at the back of church, anytime in October.

If you belong to a group/club or work in a school, or an office and think that people there would be interested, do tell them. Why not suggest the appeal to your child's head teacher? It makes a lovely Harvest appeal for the autumn term.

For more information on any of OCC's appeals or projects, do please speak to Jane Simmonds.

Proverb: We can give without loving, but we can't love without giving

Jane Simmonds

Operation Christmas Child -Suprise Auction (April 1996 edition of magazine)

The charity Operation Christmas Child, best known for the Shoebox Appeal, is organising a 'Surprise Auction' at The Olde House Hotel, Loundsley Green Road, Newbold, Chesterfield on Friday 26th April, at 8pm.

All proceeds from this event will go towards the refurbishment of a hospital/orphanage in Blon, Belarus. Here, children severely deformed as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are hidden away following the tragedy. Operation Christmas Child visits this hospital, taking essential supplies, and is gradually refurbishing the building; although this task seems endless.

Following last Spring's visit, the voluntary workforce realised how stimulated young children seemed to be with music, something which we take for granted. When one of our workers went into a bedroom to complain about the volume, (in the interest of the children -or so she thought), she was amazed at the sight of all the `swaying bodies'. As a contrast to constantly lying still through lack of stimulation, these children were responding to something. As a result of this, OCC committed themselves 12 months ago to this provision.

Unless a company has come forward to donate the sound system, money raised at our auction will go towards the cost of the audio system and tapes. If it is donated in the meantime, money raised will be used for a further part of the refurbishment project.

On the tenth anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the local support group want to raise awareness of the extent of the damage. Our own country still spends Ł12,000,000 monitoring the effects of the fallout following that same disaster. Over 580 farms are still affected 10 years later. So you can imagine the devastation which still remains in Belarus and the surrounding areas. Children are still being born deformed, and consequently abandoned through shame into these institutions!

Hosted by Adrian Fidler, a professional auctioneer from FidlerTaylor & Co, with many excellent and varied items on offer, the evening should be very enjoyable. Whatever hobbies or pastimes you may have, whatever occasion is looming, we will have something to suit your taste and your pocket. Do come along to support Operation Christmas Child if you possibly can.

Admission is free. Detailed catalogues will be available from Jane Simmonds, Carol Woodward or other members of the support group. (Price 50p)

Items donated so far include:

A 'Rally Experience' at Silverstone. A 2hr rally driving course, worth Ł99, with professional instructors. This has been kindly donated by A.D. R. Accident Repair Centres, at Sheepbridge.
A bottle of brandy from Croatia -37 years old!
Signed photographs of Liverpool F.C. players (framed)
A flying lesson at Sheffield Aero club Worksop, worth approx Ł40.
Tickets for 2 people to go along to the filming of a BBC Pebblemill programme.
A round of golf with a professional.

Many family tickets to various places of interest, including:

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway; Jodrell Bank; Treak Cliff Caverns; Speedwell Caverns; Pub through the Ages tour at Tetley's Brewery: Eureka; The White Post Farm Centre; RAF. F. Coningsby; National Railway Museum; Sherwood Forest Farm Park; Heights of Abraham; Twycross Zoo and Chester Zoo. For adults/teenagers assorted vouchers including:
Free facial; Guided tour round Buxton Opera House; Cinema tickets; Donnington Race Track; Ironbridge Gorge Museum; Drayton Manor and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. For the more energetic we have vouchers for:
A fitness suite membership; Ice skating; Swimming; Dancing lessons and a Skiing voucher. For the less energetic we have a variety of 'activities' including:
Driving lessons: alcoholic packages; food packages -including many home-made delights and meal vouchers. Other assorted items also donated include:
A signed football from Nottingham Forest F.C; A turkey for Christmas 1996; room stencilling; toiletries; knitted toys; garden plants; garden manure, watercolour; glasswareand others. Some special 'surprises' are also guaranteed on the night!

Jane Simmonds

Love in a Box 1996 -The Shoebox Appeal (October 1996 edition of magazine)

For the fourth year in the Chesterfield area we will again hear about the LOVE IN A BOX SHOEBOX APPEAL; Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child's well known and best supported appeal. Last year over 280,000 shoeboxes were sent from the UK filled with gifts for children in many countries, including Bosnia, Croatia. Romania, Russia and Rwanda, including over 10,000 from Chesterfield.

Operation Christmas Child's aim is to reach as many suffering children in the world as possible, showing them the love of God. With your continued support, we can help bring a little hope into the lives of thousands of children and their families. Having recently linked with the American charity Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child's aims are more than a dream, they are a reality with people throughout the USA and Canada sending shoeboxes too!

One very important aspect of Operation Christmas Child's work in this country is teaching our children the importance of giving rather than receiving. Many children have been known to give their favourite cuddly toy, because of their feelings for children who have far less than them. Love in a Box shows children that things can be done to help relieve suffering, and bring hope for the future. It is important not to sit back and pretend that the problem will go away, or that we as individuals can't make a difference. Through this appeal, children at home and abroad are shown the love of God and the importance of showing love to others. Your shoebox makes that difference!

Having had such a tremendous response from this area in past years, Chesterfield has been asked to open a regional warehouse for the appeal, covering the surrounding counties. The shoeboxes collected here will be sent directly from Chesterfield to their destination, with a Thanksgiving Service and "send off" being held on Sunday 1st December, 2.30pm at Central Methodist Church. This means that locally we need warehouse space and transport including a lorry to take our shoeboxes abroad -maybe you could help with this?

The simple shoebox says so much to children and families who think they are forgotten. They realise that there are friends in other parts of the world, "their neighbours", who care enough to send a gift at Christmas. Shoeboxes, when all their contents are gone are kept by many little children -empty of gifts, yet so full of love and hope!

Please help us to send a message of Love in a box by giving a shoebox gift.

Thank you, Jane Simmonds

Operation Christmas Child 1997 (October 1997 edition of magazine)

Chesterfield
Arrangements for our local campaign are now well under way. This year we hope to have a more comprehensive network of collection points, thanks to Yeomans Army stores and look forward to having the assistance of Chesterfield Football Club in launching the campaign in the local media. We still have to find a warehouse and vehicles so please can you remember our search in your prayers.

There will be a volunteers launch meeting on 13 October, 7.30pm, at. St John's Church Centre, to which all are invited. The local campaign will run from 20 October to 10 November 1997.

A Million Shoe Box Gifts
Operation Christmas Child -the well known "Shoe-box" campaign organised by Samaritan's Purse is again being launched in 1997.

Last year over 1,000,000 shoe box gifts were distributed world wide, of which over 200,000 were sent from the U.K. and over 15,000 from our Chesterfield warehouse. The shoe boxes were filled with gifts for the children in 36 countries, including those sent from the local warehouse to Serbia, Annenia and Hungary.

The Chesterfield Group are now ready to help Samaritan's Purse achieve this year's Operation Christmas Child U.K. target of 300,000 shoe box gifts. All we need now is your help!

Operation Christmas Child -All the Year Round (February 1998 edition of magazine)

Carol Woodward spent many weeks during October, November and early December an unheated warehouse for up to 14 hours a day preparing the 'shoeboxes' so many of you and your children had put together. They were bound for various Eastern European Countries under 'Operation Christmas Child' She received a quite unexpected reward and memories that will stay with her for life... here is her moving story:

"God, please don't let me miss the rainbows"

This has become my prayer as my family has passed from one sad event to another. Life often has it downside but the last twelve months have been very bleak. God, however, always sends us rainbows if we look up long enough to spot them.

The invitation to go to Romania came out of the blue -just days after my passport arrived. I knew it was a gift. It was still a big decision to leave my family and step out into the unknown. I had few expectations and a lot of fears but in the end I took hold of God's hand and went.

Some snapshots of Romania

overwhelming poverty -poor, hungry people begging a few lei to buy a slice of bread.
stepping back in time -haystacks, woodpiles, horse drawn carts, few real roads,
no hot water and few proper toilets (Ugh!)
prayer is as natural as breathing and the churches are full the people are generous -they go without to give to you. a street child -who shares his mars bar and 'dreams' of shoes.
God's Mountain (the Children's Home where I stayed) -an oasis of light, love and warmth in a cold dark land.

I spent 3 wonderful days with 10 children, all with a sad story to tell. Here's one:

He is nine. He arrived very thin and very sick. His family is poor. He has Hepatitis B. I played with him, laughed with him, taught him songs. He sat on my knee, hugged and kissed me and told me that he loved me. When I looked across at him he was always smiling at me. He was so beautiful it made me cry. His name was Adrian.

Sometimes rainbows look like small boys : or are they angels?

Carol Woodward

Operation Christmas Child '98 (August 1998 edition of magazine)

Many of you are familiar with the Samaritan's Purse annual shoebox appeal - and we thank everyone who has helped us make this such a success in Chesterfield over the years. Our target for '98 is 40,000 shoeboxes, an increase of 10,000 on 1997! Preparations are already well advanced - although secure, local, permanent storage is a problem. If anyone can help with this, we would love to hear from you! We also require a warehouse in which to house and process the shoeboxes, from mid-October until mid-December. It needs to be secure, dry (and preferably not too cold!), about 60,000 sq.m. and have access/parking for cars and lorries. Again offers or suggestions are welcomed.

Lots of our volunteers are already collecting small fillers for us: cuddlies; things to write, draw and colour on, in and with; small, good quality toys; and toiletries. Such items are always useful, joyfully received by us and ultimately by the needy child who opens the box.

Hats, scarves, mittens and gloves are also extremely useful. Many people were touched by Carol's story of Levi, an 11 year old street child in Cluj, Romania. He asked her if she had a hat to give him and was overjoyed to receive a shoebox containing a Newcastle United hat, scarf and gloves! Some dedicated ladies have been knitting since January perhaps this is a way you could help too? We can supply wool and patterns if that helps you, or maybe you have wool you could donate? There are small items that can be made from scraps of material, and we have a nursery of dolls who need someone kind to dress them! Please contact us if you want further information, or just to let us know you're helping - we would be much encouraged!

The campaign proper will be launched in September. Nia, a popular gospel singer, is doing a "tour" to get the appeal off to a great start. She will be in our area on September 15th, and the day will end with an evening presentation at St. John's Church Centre. Please mark the date in your diaries now - she's far too good to miss - and watch out for further details.

Above all, please pray for the work of Samaritan's Purse, not just at Christmas, but all year round. The charity helps many thousands of people in need all over the world, in practical and spiritual ways. At present they are involved in emergency relief in the Sudan and Kosova as well as all their other projects.

Never forget, by helping Samaritan's Purse you really can make a difference and the gift of a simple shoebox can change the world for a child.

Stephen and Carol Woodward

Shoeboxes in Mostar December 1999 (April 2000 edition of magazine)

Back in December 1999 Jane Simmonds was asked to represent Samaritan's Purse in Mostar. Bosnia on one of their shoebox gift distributions. She writes this account which will be of interest to those who have supported Samaritan's Purse in various ways over the years.

Having experienced what I thought was the whole span of emotions from sheer shock when I was first asked to go, to the joy and anticipation of finally being able to experience the distribution of the shoebox gifts; right back again to the fear of what was ahead of me - the day eventually came! After a 2.30am start, and a long journey, I finally arrived in Sarajevo - but alas my luggage didn't! After 2 hours of hanging around to try and discover it's whereabouts, our team of 9 were finally able to set off on the last leg of the journey - a 2 hour journey to Mostar. (Swissair was confident that they would deliver my luggage the following day. Somehow I didn't share their confidence from the start.)

Mostar
Following OCC's video `Wake up to Bosnia' -93/94, I have always wondered what had happened since, in that particular city. It was obviously one of the worst affected cities at the height of the Balkan conflict, but, as is the norm, the media moves on to more current conflicts and we are no longer informed. Such has been my interest in the city, that I had also read a brilliant book called `Miracle in Mostar' a few years ago. Never in a million years did I expect to visit this city on a shoebox distribution. From the moment I heard where I was going I just couldn't believe what a wonderful opportunity I was being given. I felt privileged from first having my invitation, but this destination somehow added to the excitement.

What a beautiful city, and what friendly people. We were welcomed, as you would expect Eastern Europeans to welcome us. The first morning we were out taking in the sights, and 9 of us were actually invited to coffee - literally off the street. That's how hospitable the people are. But what devastation! Our apartment block was riddled with bullet marks and shell holes. Every window had been blown out. Around our immediate vicinity didn't seem too bad. So we asked for an explanation. It was rather a strange feeling when we found out that the Moslems had set up their HQ. in the basement of this block. Being therefore a prime target, it was also quite unnerving to imagine the number of people that had been killed just in our block alone.

The city was, and still is, split by the beautiful Naretva River. On the West of the river live the Croats, with the Muslims on the East. Seven bridges crossed this river in Mostar alone, and each one was destroyed. The most moving tale is of the beautiful 500 year old bridge which was destroyed for one reason only - to get at the hearts of the Muslims. (I was told this by a Croatian who had fought in the conflict.) The Muslims were so proud of this beautiful bridge and it's heritage. They are now recovering the stone from the river, and with the help of the Spanish government, they hope to re-build the bridge, although it will take years; and never be the same.

Peacekeeping forces are to be seen, although thankfully not in large numbers, but every now and then you are reminded that relations between the two sides are somewhat `tender'. The front line devastation has been left untouched. (Or at least that's certainly how it seems.)

Travelling down the frontline with just literally shells of buildings on both sides is actually a very `unreal' experience. I can only describe it as if you were travelling down a film set: it just seems so unreal. This particular area is totally destroyed. People were still living here at the time! Some people were too scared to leave their homes - in fact couldn't leave their homes in the day! There was daylight curfew. Mostar is surrounded by hills. Troops were in the hills - drunk, by all accounts. And firing at anything that moved! Hence no one was allowed out, or simply didn't choose to go out in the daytime. However much we try to empathise with these people. We really have no idea what it must have been like to have lived through this conflict.

Our hosts were the local Christian church, which meets on both Croatian and Muslim sides of the river. In fact the larger Sunday service meets on the East (Moslem side); which is so encouraging. People are transferred from one side to the other in the church mini-bus, which soon became our trusted friend - complete with its flapping sky-roof, sweet smell of burning rubber, and a driver/guide who insisted on finding every puddle in Mostar, when it was time for us to get out! (And if he couldn't find puddles on the road - no problem, we just drove into the ones on the pavements!) Our guide Boris, was a wonderful 'young' Christian. Previous to his 9 months membership with the church, he had been a drug addict and dealer. God had released him from drink and drugs over night, and boy was he thankful. I sincerely hope that my dear friend will visit us sometime, so that you can all hear his testimony. Having fought as a volunteer, he is now ashamed of doing so, and even ashamed to call himself Croatian.

Shoeboxes
Of course, that's what I went for! Well to be quite honest, being able to visit this city, still badly scarred from the conflict, knowing that the children living here are themselves scarred, and in need of these gifts was enough of an experience for me. However we were able to distribute some shoeboxes, despite the fact that the president of Croatia died the morning we arrived. This news sent the West of Mostar (where we were staying) into three days of mourning.

This naturally limited our distribution activities, as it would have looked extremely disrespectful if the Christian church still wanted to give out gifts when the rest of Croatia was mourning. (Ah, so this has confused you! Yes, Mostar is in Bosnia, so why were we affected? The reason being that the west of the city is occupied by 90% Croats.)

However, thanks to the shoebox gifts, or packages as they are called out there, we were able to visit a Moslem school to hand out gifts. Without these packages the Christian church would not be welcome in this school. Apparently the simple shoebox has opened the door into so many schools in Mostar. Many schools and kindergartens had refused visits from the church in the past, but now welcome them because of these gifts. Not only are they welcome to distribute the gifts. They are able to take along a puppet show telling of the birth of Jesus: and indeed they are welcome back throughout the year at any time. This news is so encouraging because the local church is obviously using these gifts as they were intended: to show God's love and to further His kingdom.

Although our timing didn't quite fit in with our partners distribution plans, this albeit rather short experience of distribution, was however the icing on the cake! I was particularly thankful for the opportunity, seeing as my cake was a 7 tier one! (For those who don't know me, I set the shoebox appeal up in the Chesterfield area seven years ago, and have since supported Samaritan's Purse all the year round. This, for various reasons has been my first opportunity to experience the distribution abroad.)

One sight that brought a smile to my face and still does as I recall it, is that of 150 or so children running back into school when in fact they should have been going home. We arrived slightly late for our distribution, and at 11.15am, these children had finished school! Due to a shortage of buildings and resources, this school worked on a three shift system, from 7.30am, up until 8pm. I have never seen children turn around so fast and literally run back down the school drive. The sight of our van full of gifts was all it took!

The distribution was quite strange actually. because initially you don't see the smiles of joy talked about. The children lined up in an orderly fashion, and because they had received gifts before, had a rough idea what to expect. The excitement comes a few minutes later when they're back in their classrooms opening the boxes.

Then the atmosphere is just magical! The `buzz' is hard to describe. You've got excited voices; mouth organs; whistles; girls trying on jewelry and hair decorations; boys playing cars; four or five looking into one box; others quietly studying the photos and the cards; others mouths full of sweets and chocolate - all desperate to have their photographs taken! I found one disappointed face, so was able to exchange his box and bring about the biggest smile of the day. I'm so thankful that I saw him, and could help. Another little boy would not open his box, not even to peep inside. When I asked why, I was told: " His mamma is waiting at home". How lovely!

I met a missionary working for a charity 'Mission without Borders' who distributes the packages in a village near Split. I asked if these gifts really were needed. She nearly cried as she told me that the families could not afford to feed their children, there really was not enough food to go around, so gifts were certainly out of the question. No other charity helps these families, and she assured me that these packages are the only gifts these children ever receive. Hearing this confirms the fact that our shoebox gifts, our messages of love and hope, are really getting to the children who need them.

We also visited a container village on the outskirts of the city. Many of you will have heard of this village through Barbara Goodacre. Novimost International, who have worked for a number of years in Mostar, support the refugees here, and their missionaries worship at our host church. The container village houses many refugee families from Mostar. Having lived in these shipping containers for 5 years they have no immediate means of returning to their homes. We were then deeply privileged to meet some Kosovan refugees also living at this site. This was an extremely humbling experience. (as was the whole trip). Even in a large barrack style building, housing 55 people. shoes were taken off, before entering the living quarters. The one family I met had no desire or heart to return to Kosovo. Their only dream was to go to Germany where they had family. However, visas are essential. With no papers, having had to leave their home rather hurriedly, visas are out of the question. Unfortunately the daughter of the family whisked me away, so I didn't find out any more. The only blessing I can find in this situation is that the whole family was together - five children, mother and thankfully the father too.

These are but a few of my experiences and reflections. I shall have a lasting memory of Mostar and it's beauty, shadowed by the man-made devastation. My memories too will be of the 'living' church we worshipped in; the Kosovan refugees we met, and of the seemingly 'happy' children we shared such joy with. Our spectacular journey back to Sarajevo was a 2 hour reminder of the past conflict. Whatever bridge we saw on that long journey was either blown up, or stood out starkly as being 'new' and just looked totally out of place. I shall be eternally grateful for this experience, which will undoubtedly add another dimension to the work I carry out for Operation Christmas Child and other of Samaritan's Purse's projects. I was also grateful for my luggage, which was waiting to be picked up at Sarajevo before the return journey! (I never thought I was cut out for travelling light, but it proves that God provides if you trust him.)

On my return, I have found life a little difficult. When initially asked had the experience changed me, I replied (just 1 day later), no. I explained that I had helped out for long enough, I knew what situations these people were living in etc. etc., that I'd had a rough idea what to expect. Then I slowly came down to earth. Having returned on 14th Dec., I had to get on with the normal 'spending' for my son's 10th birthday, and the normal 'spending' for a Western Christmas! Then I suddenly realised that yes, this trip had affected me quite considerably - probably more than I could try to explain.

The people I met had experienced such terrible hardships, children had seen atrocities which we hope we never have to experience, let alone our children and grandchildren. Many refugees from Mostar were living in temporary accommodation a few miles away, which they had been in for 5 years already, knowing that there was no way out. I met three Christian teenagers from a refugee camp which we had not visited, and they were so happy - genuinely full of life. They had no where to go, yet they knew God loved them and had a plan for them. Meeting these three and others like them humbled me; knowing that they have lost so much, yet what they do have is precious to them, and they thank God for it all. The hardest thing was having to leave these people, knowing that other than show a little bit of love and concern and compassion; there was nothing I could do to get them out of their situation.

In these last few weeks I have looked around our home and cried, knowing that we don't need half of what we have. I do thank God for what he has blessed us with, often, and in gratitude, try to help others by means of appreciation to Him, and to show his love. After all, we only have what we've got by the grace of God. Throughout the Christmas period though, and probably for the rest of my life, I was and shall be `haunted' for want of a better word, by images of the beautiful children we met. As you would expect, not all of them were happy, and those images hurt more, because even our brief encounter didn't seem to make a difference. I pray that one day, one girl at the container village in particular will be able to look back and see some good come of our visit.

I sincerely hope that after reading this you will all appreciate what power there is in a simple little shoebox gift. Not only do they bring joy to the children and their parents, but the children hear the gospel message as a result of the distribution, and who knows what that may lead to. Thank you all so much for the support you have shown Samaritan's Purse in the past, and we naturally hope we can rely on your continued support in the future.

Jane Simmonds

Looking back on Operation Christmas Child 2002 (February 2003 edition of magazine)

Many of you will be familiar with Samaritan's Purse' biggest project - The Shoebox Appeal, aptly named 'Operation Christmas Child'. Throughout the autumn term many local schools busily pack and collect gift filled shoeboxes as part of school life. The Shoebox Appeal has become as traditional as the Christmas concert!

What makes this appeal so special is that children from as young as nursery age can take an active part, making decisions and becoming aware that other little children are not as lucky as they are.

But not only schools are involved - churches; offices; various groups-both young and old; community groups and individuals all scramble to find shoe boxes and spend hours making what initially looks like a small package into a work of art. Thousands of people are touched by the opportunity to be able to send a gift to children suffering through no fault of their own. Many of these children would not otherwise receive a gift.

In many areas the shoe boxes are sent to, parents are unable to feed their children, let alone buy gifts. As has been told on many occasions, children in orphanages in Eastern Europe are not necessarily orphans. Their families have to make the decision to send a child to a state orphanage in order to keep the rest of the family together - Can you even come close to the thought of having to do that?

Thanks to people's generosity, many of these children can at least receive a gift at Christmas, a time when we as Christians remember that Jesus was sent to us, to teach us to love one another. This appeal demonstrates that act of love, because it is practically impossible to take such time over wrapping a box and filling it, without doing it with love!

This year in Chesterfield and the surrounding district, we have collected and sent 22,042. The total throughout our area (including Derbys, and Notts.), still under the auspices of Chesterfield, was 39,316, and nationally the total is well over 1,000,000, the figure still rising. World wide, well over 4,000,000 suffering children will have received a well deserved gift. Whether you made a shoebox; collected from schools; helped in the warehouse; knitted hats; loaded the lorry or helped with a hundred and one other tasks - you are very much appreciated, and we couldn't have managed without you.

This year one of our Chesterfield volunteers visited Croatia, with a representative from Derby visiting Belarus. It is always good to have this opportunity to hear more about the distribution of the shoeboxes. As well as hearing how the children react when they receive these gifts, it helps us understand what the needs might be and perhaps even reasons for us having to remove items at the warehouse.

This particular point was highlighted on the trip to Belarus, where one gift box had obviously been overlooked at the checking stage. Our leaflet specifically asks people not to include any form of liquid, e.g. toy bubbles, shampoo, bubble bath, snow shakers etc. The main reason for this is, of course, with the pressure of cartons piled high in the lorries, these items could easily crack and leak, or simply leak by being on their side. However, one box in Belarus was opened to find a bottle of bubbles and a snow scene - frozen solid. The glass in the snow scene had already cracked with the expansion of the ice, and both solid blocks would soon leave their marks in a now disappointing half empty gift box! (All items deemed unsuitable for this appeal, have specific reasons for their exclusion, following many years of experience.)

Whilst the team were in Belarus they visited the hospital/orphanage we have supported for 12 years, and it is still hard to grasp the fact that children are still being born deformed as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, 17 years later. The charity is hoping to finish much of the renovation programme at this orphanage this summer.

Following is a brief account of Tessa Hope's distribution trip to Croatia at the beginning of December 2002. Tessa is a committed volunteer at our Chesterfield warehouse and an active member of the Church of the Annunciation, Spencer Street.

6th December - the feast of St. Nicholas is a significant day for most of Europe. It is a day on which children receive gifts. It was the day that a team from Samaritan's Purse flew out to Croatia to distribute Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, in Vukovar, in the extreme east of the country.

For those who watched the news in 1991-92, Vukovar is a name to remember. It was besieged and attacked for three months before it fell to the Serbian army. Every building in the town of 44,000 people was damaged or destroyed in the fighting, or razed to the ground afterwards. The population were exiled from the town and, so far, only about 10,000 have been able to return. Many people live in only partially rebuilt houses, often without all basic amenities like power and water.

This is the town where we went to meet children to bring them a message of hope and love in a shoebox. It's very difficult to describe the emotions of despair and poverty of material things. Many of the children we met were born after the fighting, but they were having to live with the effects on their parents - if any- and on their environment.

Christian is 9 and in a special school. He had put his shoes out for the gifts from St. Nicholas, but they were empty when the day came - his family is very poor. We visited his school on the 7th and it was obvious that this was still a very distraught little boy. However when he received his box, he was thrilled and a huge smile lit up his face. When he opened it and saw what it contained, the smile was even bigger - if that was possible. There was no way he was going to put the box down or let go of it! Miriana lives with her mother and sister, in a fourth-floor flat without power - except that 'borrowed' from a neighbour! On the stairway up to their floor was a three-metre diameter shell-hole, from floor to ceiling - no protection for stair users and no light to see by. The father of the older girl was killed in the fighting. Miriana who is just 6, hardly wanted to unpack her box. Her eyes told a very sad story.

Christina is 3 and the youngest child in an orphanage of sixty-six children. In the bedrooms there was hardly a toy to be seen. We were told that the money they receive to run the orphanage was only enough for food and clothes for the children. I had a large teddy bear, which I gave to Christina. I received a big hug and a lovely smile.

On behalf of these children and many others - Thank you for their gifts.

From just a few stories, adding to those from previous years, it is plain to see that these little gifts are valuable in so many ways - their contents; the expression of love; the memories they build and the hope they bring for the future. For our overseas Christian distributors the value is the doors which are opened by the gifts. This was one of my biggest observations in the Muslim area of Mostar a few years ago. The Evangelical church was welcome in the Muslim school at any time - "because they brought gifts for their children"!

The sad observation is that in our time here on earth there will always be a need for this type of appeal. We are all equal in God's eyes, and therefore all deserve equal. A shoebox is by no means equivalent to the wealth we possess, but its message is strong, and it's giving does make a difference.

Let's not forget though that many of those suffering throughout the world are by far more spiritually wealthy than us, their materially blessed neighbours! The first Christmas Child was born poor, suffered many hardships - but...

Jane Simmonds

Looking back on Operation Christmas Child 2003 (February 2004 edition of the magazine)

Due to such a busy and well supported appeal, 2003 did in fact finish on Friday 9th January 2004! for our warehouse checkers and packers. The incredible number of shoebox gifts that needed to be checked before overseas dispatch meant that we all ran into 'overtime' at one of the busiest times of the year.

(Please note 'overtime' is referred to , and not in the money sense!) In fact, whilst on the subject of money, in a six week period volunteers worked approx. 6,600 hours at our local warehouse in Chesterfield alone. Calculated on the minimum wage, our volunteer's generosity amounts to approx. Ł30,000, which is one huge donation.

Although Samaritans Purse is a Christian Based charity with a clear Christian mission statement, the wonderful thing is that having Jesus as our example, we offer relief to those in need - regardless of any religious boundaries. The other wonderful thing is that in the same way we welcome volunteers at our warehouse - again totally regardless of any religious or other boundaries.

Our volunteers come from walks of life. Our warehouse has an incredible mix of professions from accountants and bank managers, to teachers, mechanics, engineers, nurses, caterers, hairdressers - the list is endless. Where else would all these people meet and work together for hours at the end of a busy day - for nothing?

To date, from the Chesterfield warehouse 32,573 shoeboxes have been handled a time. As an area, covering the whole of the DE postcodes, down to Burton on Trent, and the whole of the NG postcodes over to Sleaford we have sent 52,285. Each individual box will have been carefully collected; checked; sealed; packed and loaded. But before we even received them, they would have been wrapped with care; filled with love; peeped into with concern; and added to bit by bit with a whole lot of generosity before being finally handed over.

Four lorries have left our town with six leaving the whole area - travelling on 'back loads' to Romania (2); Serbia; Bosnia; Hungary and Russia. (In addition to being a cheaper form of transportation, this helps the overseas country's economy.)

Unfortunately this year we were too busy to organise a big send-off linked with a lorry leaving. However, we shall shortly be holding a 'gathering' where anyone interested will be more than welcome to come along. It is hoped that we shall have a presentation from Ian McLeod who was on one of the distribution trips at Azerbaijan. Details of this evening will be in the newsletter.

Once again, I have to thank members of St. Thomas' and St. Peter's Church for your support and overwhelming generosity. Many of you knit hats, scarves and gloves for us throughout the year; many of you collect 'fillers' for us to top up those gifts that are perhaps not quite what we would like to receive ourselves (our volunteers pride themselves on not sending 'fresh-air', so we rely on those unwanted cuddly toys, McDonalds toys,' etc. that you collect all through the year); many of you present us with shoebox gifts to transport on your behalf, others of you support us financially, and many of you give of your time so generously to help us at the warehouse.

A volunteer who gave out gifts last year made this beautiful quote..."from the moment you hand over that gift you become a dream maker".

Children who receive these gifts dream of kindness. To some of them a gift; a hug; even a smile from a caring parent, is just a distant memory or a poignant dream. Distributors remark time and time again on the amazing fact that a simple shoebox, wrapped and filled with lovely little gifts have that ability to make you become 'Dream Makers'.

Jane Simmonds

About Samaritan's Purse (October 2004 edition of the magazine)

Although best known for its annual shoebox appeal 'Operation Christmas Child ', the following focuses a little more on other Samaritan's Purse projects which we have supported in this area during the past few months.

Did you know that as a result of drinking contaminated water one child dies every 8 seconds? The Bio-sand water filter is a most amazing water filter that has been piloted in various countries over the last 6 years. Throughout 2004, Samaritan's Purse had committed to make 1,800 of these water filters in Mozambique.

Amazingly, that target was exceeded by the third month of the year, and we have now started making water filters in Cambodia as well. Working on a purely natural basis, using God's naturally provided filter (sand) one filter can provide safe water for a whole family for life! There are no moving parts, or expensive chemicals to buy. The entire cost, which also covers the cost of employing local people to make the moulds, is just Ł40. (So simple and affordable is this project that donations are being received 'by the bucket full'!)

'Operation Christmas Child' 2004 is on the way! Leaflets will be available in the back of our churches from September, with the closing date being on National Operation Christmas Child Sunday, November 21 st . It's not too early to start collecting / knitting / encouraging. It would be so nice to reach even more than 6.5 million children with God's love this Christmas. Just think - your gift might just be the miracle that a special child is dreaming of. (If this concept is new to you, do get in touch to find out more.)

Now that we've mentioned Christmas - Christmas puddings are available, with specially printed labels displaying the charity logo. Each 1lb 'luxury' pudding costs Ł5, with all proceeds going to support our HIV Aids programme in Mozambique. If you would like to support this project, and enjoy a delicious Christmas pudding at the same time, please ring Jane Simmonds or Pam Brimelow to place your order.

Samaritan's Purse no longer receives a regular donation as part of the Church's 10% mission giving. If you would like to make a personal donation towards the work of the charity, please ask Jane for a standing order form, or visit our website for details www.samaritanspurse.uk.com

Jane Simmonds

Mozambique with Samaratan's Purse International (August 2005 edition of the magazine)

In June Jane Simmonds, Regional Manger for Samaritan's Purse in the Midlands visited the SPI team in southern Mozambique with a colleague from the London Head Office; to gain an insight into the various projects currently being implemented in this area.

SPI UK has provided funds for approx. 2,000 bio-sand water filters to Mozambique over the last 2 years, and 2004 saw the first shoe boxes to arrive in the country from the UK. Having first entered Mozambique on an emergency relief mission in 2000 following the flooding of the Limpopo River, SPI are still in the country, having moved into a developmental role. It became obvious that the HIV/AIDS situation needed addressing and the work being done within the communities is quite remarkable, with an extensive education and preventative programme focusing on the African tradition of storytelling. As an organisation SPI is also responsible for the distribution of food provided by the UN World Food Programme.

The 10 days was an amazing education, living in the local communities, experiencing people's daily frustrations and difficulties. It is difficult to know where to begin as there is so much need in this area to survive, let alone thrive. Since my return (under 2 weeks) I have heard that 12 people have died in one small community from a combination of hunger and HIV/AIDS. People suffering from this illness really need the education being provided by Samaritan's Purse. Innocent HIV/AIDS orphans are left bewildered and alone; whilst the local churches are starting to be mobilized into care groups. A difficult, yet rewarding journey left me with many memories - some sad, some humbling and many happy!

In brief

We saw: A teacher close to tears at the promise of a football! These people, who have so little, have such gratitude for what we would consider such a small item.

We saw: A lady close to tears when she explained how they no longer complain if they are bored, because they consider themselves lucky to have a water filter. (At Ł40, these completely natural water filters provide safe drinking water for a family, for life - from the dirty contaminated water which is all that's available locally.)

We saw: Ladies laugh at us because we couldn't carry a water container 800 metres, (not even by hand, let alone on our heads!) In a month, that easily accessible supply of contaminated water, which humans share graciously with local livestock, will have dried out; and the ladies we met will have to walk 24kms to the nearest river - daily.

We saw: Aids victims who thanked us for our visit. Even had we not brought food for them, they kept saying they would have been so grateful that we had taken the trouble to visit them.

We saw: School upon school that had been built as part of the 'Work for Food' scheme, so that people eligible for food from the UN World Food Programme felt they had worked for it, and not just been handed charity aid. The food was essential as these people are yet again living through a drought - but self esteem is precious and when that's all you to have left in life, schemes like this make a world of difference!

We saw: Children in the bright woolly hats they'd received in their OCC shoe boxes

We saw: Fields and communities full of withered wheat - a reminder of the hard planting season, and of the current drought.

We saw: Pyramid selling take on a whole new meaning - that of Aids education and spreading the gospel.

We saw: People's eyes being opened to the reality of HIV/Aids, and the surprise when they realised that fears of infection, like standing in the same mud, need no longer be a burden.

We saw: People's eyes being opened to the gospel, with the new Chronological Storytelling scheme. Pastors who previously didn't possess bibles realised for the first time that burnt sacrifices were no longer necessary to please God.

We saw: The surprise and sheer delight of the SPI staff who had no idea that we prayed for them in the UK.

We saw: Many people who will remain in our hearts and prayers for a long time and experienced so many situations which we felt so helpless about.

We saw: Courage; dedication; obedience; humility; contentment and gratitude to their extreme. Daphne and I thank God for having had the opportunity to meet these people, to share their homes, their joys and their sorrows and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him. Please pray that the UN would reconsider their decision to cut food supplies to the district of Mozambique which we visited, for with our own eyes we saw that people were literally starving.

If you would like to hear more about SPI in Mozambique or other areas of the world, or to find out more about the water filters in operation do contact me. I would love to share pictures; stories and ways in which you might like to help.

Jane Simmonds

This article also appears on the 'Mission' page

Taking Parcels of Love to Kosovo -Gareth Simmonds (February 2007 edition of the magazine)

36,000 shoeboxes from Chesterfield, 1.25 million from the UK and 7.5 million worldwide, wrapped up in pretty paper, full of ‘Gifts and Love’ were sent in 2006 by Operation Christmas Child, Samaritans Purse. And 7.5 million children smiled this Christmas.

In mid December of 2006 I was lucky enough to fly out to Kosovo with a team of 13 young adults, with Samaritans Purse, to be on the giving end of the shoeboxes and distribute them to the children. I can easily say it was by far the best and most inspiring and encouraging thing I have ever done.

Having been involved with Operation Christmas Child and Samaritans Purse since before I can remember, it is something I feel very passionately about. I have packed shoe boxes, lived surrounded by them, checked them, loaded them on to lorries, and seen all the processes in between, but I never quite imagined being on the other end of it would be as amazing as it was!

To see the smiles on the kids’ faces, when I had heard about all the stuff they had gone through, what with the war and whatnot, it was just unbelievable. We worked with a church over there, these guys were amazing, such an inspiration, we learnt so much from them. They were so on fire for God it was crazy! They were in a country where, in some cases, they got beaten for saying they are a Christian. Yet their main heart’s desire is to show the world what they believed, regardless. If only we were like that back here, when the worst we get is a few people disagreeing with our beliefs!

The journey there didn’t go exactly as planned however. Our plane from Vienna into Kosovo got cancelled, so we were stuck in Vienna over night, and had to catch an early morning flight to Macedonia, to then drive into Kosovo! At times it felt like we weren’t going to make it to Kosovo, but when we have God on our side, we never really doubted it. And sure enough we made it fine.

I had tried imagining what it would be like for a fair while before the trip, but it never seemed real until we got out of the minibus at the first school, and all you could hear was shouting, screaming and laughing. Hanging out of every window, faces pressed against, were children waving and making more noise than I have heard in any of my school life! They knew why we were there, and when we walked in to the school, we knew we were so welcome. Every teacher shook our hand and greeted us, and every child we looked at looked straight back into our eyes, and smiled. It was unreal.

One child I gave a box to, opened it, and picked out the soap, shut the lid on the shoe box, with the soap in his hand, and studied it. To this child, a little bar of soap wasn’t something he avoids using before his meals and sees standing on the sink every time he cleans his teeth, it’s a gift sent with love, from someone who cares.

Yes it is about the shoe box and the gifts inside, but believe me, the children don’t care what’s in the box, it’s not about what’s inside. It’s about the love that is sent with the shoebox, it’s about showing these children that they are loved.

If you would like to hear more, I have a lot more stories I couldn’t cram into this! I have written a blog/diary whatever you want to call it! It is on the church website here.

God Bless,

Gareth Simmonds

(Gareth is a member of CYFA; the youth group at St Thomas’ for secondary school aged pupils.)

Marathon Man -Dave Simmonds (February 2007 edition of the magazine)

Stop Press! Dave Simmonds is running the London Marathon for the first time on 22nd April, in aid of the Samaritan’s Purse ‘Water for Life’ appeal. (The natural bio-sand water filters, which need no maintenance or chemicals provide safe water for families in Mozambique and Liberia.) For more information on the water filters, visit www.samaritanspurse.uk.com If you would like to encourage or sponsor Dave he’d love to speak to you!

Watch out for Dave in training, pounding the streets of Brampton.

Dave's First Marathon at 52 (April 2007 edition of the magazine)

April 22nd is fast approaching – yes, the date of the London Marathon. Dave Simmonds, a member of St Thomas’ church is running for the first time, raising money for Samaritan’s Purse International, the Christian charity best known for it’s annual shoe box appeal, ‘Operation Christmas Child’.

Dave writes:
“Having run shorter events in the past, I have quietly longed to run the London Marathon, but have never quite made it. But 2007 is different! I started training last May, slowly building up my stamina and shedding some excess weight - 3 stones so far - and now I am in serious training.

You probably think I'm mad, and you are probably right! Money raised from my marathon effort will go towards various Samaritan’s Purse water projects such as the bio-sand water filters provided in countries such as Mozambique and Liberia. One such water filter, needing no maintenance or chemical replacement, provides safe water for an entire family, for just Ł40. I would be most grateful if you could reward my efforts by sponsoring me, so that I can help Samaritan's Purse make a difference in the lives of people suffering through no fault of their own. If you feel you could, there are various ways to sponsor. You could sign the sponsorship form on the clipboard at the back of St Thomas’ Church; by contacting me directly either in church on a Sunday or by telephone on 235844. Alternatively you can visit my website – www.justgiving.com/davesimmonds Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me as Samaritan's Purse International will receive your money faster.

For those of you who choose to support me, might I encourage you to gift aid your donation if you are a UK tax payer. If you need more information on this don’t hesitate to ask, but basically an extra 28% will be added to your gift at no cost to you, provided you pay tax equal to the amount of gift aid claimed.

In anticipation, may I thank you for your support and encouragement and prayers.”

Dave Simmonds

Are You as Organised as Rendezvous? (October 2008 edition of the magazine)

....asks Jane Simmonds, RegionalManager Midlands Samaritan's Purse International.

Have you been packing Christmas presents yet? I popped in to the September Rendezvous meeting and that is exactly what they were doing! But the presents they were packing were very special boxes, appealed for by the Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse International.

This charity is best known for it’s safe water project ‘Turn on The Tap’ and it’s shoe box appeal ‘Operation Christmas Child’, but the boxes being so lovingly put together by the group were not for children this time. They were for the Baboushkas [grandmothers] of Belarus. Our partner and his wife in Belarus have an extensive ministry visiting lonely and often very poor Baboushkas and Nicolai and Nina had remarked how wonderful if would be to be able to visit them with a gift at Christmas time, just as they are able to with the children’s gifts.

Receiving a gift has meant so much to these ladies who are often forgotten and housebound. The gifts bring such joy! But I have to add I sensed great joy during my Rendezvous visit as the boxes were being packed. Whilst some ladies wrapped shoe boxes others filled them and I had the job of sticking on the bright green Baboushka labels.

Whilst all this was happening, the gentleman members ‘did their own thing’, so who knows - we might just introduce some Dadoushka boxes next year for the granddads!

May I extend my thanks to Rendezvous for packing these gifts and for bringing a great deal of pleasure to many dear ladies in Belarus and also for the warm welcome I was given on that wet September afternoon.

Puddings Galore! (April 2010 edition of the magazine)

On Saturday 27th February 2010, 100 people enjoyed puddings galore at a fundraising ‘Pudding Evening’, raising funds for the Samaritan’s Purse Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

Members of St Thomas’ Church, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers and friends from the Brampton community raised Ł1,510 whilst enjoying well over 30 puddings donated by many local businesses and individuals. Between courses funds were boosted with a fun mini auction, with a huge range of items ranging from chocolates, signed footballs, hand made quilts and special occasion cakes.

A huge thank you goes to: Fredericks Ice-Cream; Boots No7; Brampton Brewery; Brampton Manor; Chesterfield College Fitness Suite/ Refectory/Quad'rant Restaurant; Chesterfield Football Club; Crich Tea Rooms; Koo; Northern Tea Merchants; Pacific; Royal Oak, Old Brampton; Simply Cakes; Somerset House, Calow; Top Nails...and lots of kind individual donations from many Samaritan's Purse volunteers and friends and members of St Thomas' Church.

Samaritan’s Purse is still very active in Haiti, providing medical care, shelter, food, water latrines and basic essentials. They are also clearing ground prior to rebuilding. For more information on work to date, including an up to date personal blog from one of our UK aid workers, visit the website samaritans-purse.org.uk

Jane Simmonds

Mission Sunday 2010 (December 2010 edition of the magazine)

St Thomas’ supports six mission agencies, including Samaritan’s Purse. On Sunday 31 October Andy Ransburry, Key Relationship Manager for Samaritan’s Purse, came to see us and spoke at both our morning services.

At the 11am service Andy based what he had to say on Luke 10:30-37, the parable of the Good Samaritan. Andy said he always got frustrated when he read the story. He wanted to know what happened afterwards. What did the man who had been shown this unprecedented act of kindness do when he recovered? What did the Samaritan who had carried out the act of kindness do afterwards? Indeed, what did the innkeeper do who after he had witnessed this act of kindness? We are not told. Were their lives changed for ever or did they just go back to how they were before?

Perhaps God doesn’t want to tell us, he wants us to trust that the Samaritan’s kindness changed people’s lives.

Today, if we know we can see a tangible result, most of us will carry out acts of kindness. We are less likely to do this if we cannot see the result of our kindness. A good example of this is giving to oversees aid, both personally and nationally. Apart from the occasional exposure on the television and in newspapers we do not really know what difference our kindness has made. Indeed it may not make any difference for many years (for example if the aid is for long term sustainability rather than acute aid).

Andy sited the story of a twenty three year old girl from Belarus whom he had met recently. She had received a shoe box seventeen years ago when she was six years old. Although the person who gave the girl the shoe box will never know the effect of their kindness, the girl never forgot and today she is studying to be a minister in the church. It is not always easy being passionate for God and doing His will, be it acts of kindness or in other ways. But God tells us not to give up. The Old Testament reading at the service was Leviticus 6:8-13. In it God repeatedly tells Abraham to ‘keep the fire burning’. We need to keep our passion for God burning and do what God wants us to do, in the church, locally in our community, nationally and globally.

Listen to Andy speaking here