Caerwent Evangelical Baptist Chapel
NEWSLETTER
February 2002
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Dear Readers Dear Readers, Many more words are written than are read. If we took the time to read everything we received, carefully, word by word, it would occupy too much of our time. Instead we learn to skim and to scan, hopefully retaining what we regard as important! In a busy world this practice has obvious advantages, but it also has some serious drawbacks. What if we miss the main point that is being made or fail to see the true value of something that is right in front of our eyes?These are real dangers, are they not? In reality we do not treat all letters, articles,books and messages the same. Some we do read through very patiently and carefully, others are "binned" without a second glance. Many more Bibles are bought than are read. It is as if the "Good Book" had some magical properties that brought good fortune to every home it entered - this is simply not true! The Bible is a BOOK or, if you prefer, a collection of books. It is of no value to us unless we read it! This is a point easily illustrated. Would you think it sufficient to go to the shops and buy good food, but then neglect to cook it and eat it? Is it any use at all being in possession of a good instruction manual, if you decide in your wisdom not to study the instructions? Would your house be at all illuminated by some unpacked light bulbs - looking very pretty in the box?
How do you KNOW, KNOW, KNOW that it is not for you? Eddie Jones Pastor |
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The response to last year's 'Shoebox" appeal was absolutely amazing, and we are thrilled to be able to tell you that in December the grand total of 211 boxes were collected from the Chapel. This was almost double the amount sent in the previous year!! As a result of the 2001 campaign, altogether over one million shoeboxes were despatched from the UK and Ireland - over 100 loads. Included in the total were 31,000 sent from South Wales (this was 22,000 more than last year!). Our shoeboxes were sent to Cluj, which is in Northern Romania. The realities of life for most Romanians are still harsh. When Samaritan's Purse first went to Romania in 1990 there were 100,000 children in orphanages. Today the figure has almost doubled. In many cases it is not because the children have no families or are not wanted, but simply because their families do not have the financial means to support them. Romania is not considered strategically important and therefore of low priority to the West. The buying power of Romanian citizens decreases by about 60% each year. Many families find they can no longer meet rent payments and end up on the streets. But there is hope. Hope in the efforts of the ordinary Romanians in the Ecce Homo project in Cluj-Napoca, hope in the aid efforts undertaken by Samaritan's Purse and hope in the eyes of the children who receive your shoeboxes. It would be wonderful to see their faces light up as they open their boxes. We must not forget them. It is great to be able to deliver so many gifts to hurting children and to be able to explain to them in their own language the true meaning of Christmas - a time when we celebrate God's greatest gift to us, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The real success of "Operation Christmas Child" lies in its simplicity and personal touch. Every shoebox is unique, individually packed and represents an expression of love and hope from one child to another. We want to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone who has been involved in any way with this project in our Chapel. The folk from Crickjoined in this year and we understand the enthusiasm is so great that many of you plan to do more boxes next year! A friend from our Chapel had a 'special" birthday and asked that instead of gifts for herself, those invited to her party should fill a shoebox! The result was tremendous. It has been truly overwhelming to experience the 'team effort' of so many of you. God willing we plan to participate in 'Operation Christmas Child" again this year - and 'yes please', your help will be very much appreciated. Could we send even more shoeboxes in 2002? That would be wonderful. Thank you. Joy Dallyn |