Project for 2009-2011

GBWA aims to support a different Christian charity every two years. In the past it has supported:

• Livelihood Project, Philippines - The Livelihood project is a facility for training men and women enabling them to earn a living and support their families. It is a ministry of Cubao Reformed Baptist Church.
• Caring for Life - Caring For Life is a registered Christian charity with the aim of sharing the love of Jesus with homeless or vulnerable people by providing accommodation, ongoing support, love and friendship, and when necessary, providing that care 'for life'!
• Lovewise - Lovewise works with schools and youth groups to encourage young people to consider making good relationship choices.
• Wheels for the World - Wheels for the World restores and distributes refurbished wheelchairs, mostly to people in Africa, giving them increased independence and demonstrating the love of God in a practical way.

The project for 2009 - 2011 is the Rainbow Association.

The Rainbow Association

The Rainbow Association is a ministry of Latin Link. It aims to care for disadvantaged children in Peru. It provides care for street children, has a children's home and organises a feeding programme. Grace Baptist Mission is also associated with this work through one of its missionaries, Sarah Clay. Sarah is a member at Prettygate Baptist Church, Colchester. She worked with The Rainbow Association in 2008 and hopes to return there again in 2010.

New developments - Sarah Clay writes:

'Lots of exciting things have happened in Huaraz since I left.

A few people from the local church have started to visit the street children on a more regular basis alongside the Arco Iris team. It’s been our prayer from the beginning that more Peruvians will capture God’s vision to reach out to the underprivileged and welcome them into the local church.

Opportunities are opening up to work with whole families, with the aim of preventing children ending up at risk on the streets. I could get involved in evangelism, studying the Bible with them, encouraging the children through school, or teaching other classes.

The drop-in centre: Arco Iris has recently rented some rooms to be used as a drop-in centre for the working kids, a place to spend time with them and build up good relationships. We hope to run more events and activities from these rooms to promote healthy development and support young people in their faith.

I long to see God’s power at work in this generation of children so that they grow up to serve and follow Him ... and are able to form healthy families ...'

Giving to the Rainbow Association

All the gifts given to the GBWA project go directly to supporting the work of the Rainbow Association.

See your local GBWA representative if you would like to help in this work.

Can you help support Sarah?

Latin Link and GBM would like Sarah to start this new term in Peru in autumn 2010, fully supported.

She needs to raise a total of £1,100 per month to cover an allowance, rent, travel, health and pension provision. This amount also includes a contribution to support services and the international development of Latin Link.

In addition, Sarah will need a ‘start up’ fund of £4,650 to cover the costs of moving to Peru and setting up home. There is a donation form in Sarah's latest brochure.

To give online, go to: www.latinlink.org/Donate

Encouraging reports from Ivy ...

... 'It's always rewarding when you see people grow more in the knowledge of God and experience His grace every single day'. One girl ...

... 'used to have depression because of her parents divorce and failure in an important exam. She always liked to read books but considered the Bible just one of the normal books which wouldn't have any effect on her depressing life.

About a year ago, she was introduce to us in the group by Amanda ... After studying the Word and making friends with us, she became very interested in Christianity and picked up the core message of the gospel very quickly. She realized that she needed God's forgiveness and Jesus' love in her life. Praise the Lord! She grew amazingly in both knowledge and experience of God. "Thanks to [this] group ... I learned so much and was encouraged. Your love, enthusiasm and teaching really means so much to me, I want to follow my Lord everyday and be a great witness for Him."'

Another girl ...

... 'got married almost the same time as she became a Christian... For a while, she had a feeling that we looked down on her because she married a non believer, so showly she stopped going to church and tried to avoid meeting up with Christian friends. Three leaders of the study group then realized that we lacked love and care for this girl. We went to visit her and urged her to come to the study group every week for spiritual food. It's so important for her to get strength and faith from God's word. Thankfully, since then, she had tried to come every week and now is very active in the group. Although her husband is not yet a believer, he shows much more interest ... and has promised to go along to an Alpha course.'

Pray for each contact, that they 'would grow more and more in Christ.'