Report - 14th October 2023

We had another morning of adventures on Saturday, but firstly  let me tell you about Kevin, who we met last time.

Kevin: briefly, Kevin is currently homeless, who we met sitting on a bench, reading "The Lord of the Rings"...a great conversation starter! We invited him back to the Bandstand where he explained that he was on a journey, walking to the Jurassic Coast in Devon. We talked about our journeys with Jesus and we prayed for him. Menaka, very helpfully, produced a list of places in Bexhill where he could be given food and a warm-up welcome.On this occasion, there were twelve of us; Kevin said he would look out for us and in fact, Helen bumped into him in the town later in the week.
Geoff made a copy of Menaka's list which he has now printed out and laminated for us to use when needed; wonderful and so useful!

Meanwhile, last Saturday, though small in numbers, we set off in pairs as usual, knowing we had the all important prayer backing from our Prayer Team.
Ann and Jane met a lady who is planning to move to Norfolk to be near her dad. They prayed for her as she had some hurdles to overcome first. They then met Jenny from St John's who helps with the homeless. She was thrilled to hear what we are doing and was very grateful to receive one of our Homeless Help Information cards!

Judy and Mike met Dawn and her carer, David. Mike recognised Dawn as she had been a parent of children at Sidley School. Dawn is suffering with a bad back, a result of osteoporosis.
Judy prayed for David who was quite emotional and we promised to pray for Dawn. 

Geoff meanwhile, set off to visit the 'Warm-up the Homeless' shop to explain the Information card and to get their advice. They proved very helpful and pleased to have some cards to give out.
Geoff made a similar very useful visit to the Emmaus shop. They informed him of the activities of the Emmaus centre in Hastings where much assistance can be offered.
We are excited that we have found a new and effective way of sharing the love of Jesus and guiding needy folk to receive practical help.

THE FOOTBRIDGE GALLERY PROJECT
Diana Birch, CEO of the project has asked for our help this coming Saturday, 21st. October for the launch of the latest gallery exhibition.
She has specifically asked us to help tidy up litter and help pack up at the end, (not as previously expected to help at the start).
I will be there from 2PM till about 4PM to help, do join if you can. There will be several gazebos and various artistic displays and exhibits and the event runs from 10AM to 3PM but our help is requested from 2PM to help with litter picking then with packing up. Please let me know if you can help; it's great to be wanted!!

Report - 16th September 2023

Our adventure, in support of Bexhill Lions and the continental market, started for us late Friday afternoon when we met for prayer at David & Pam’s and, whilst a number of our regulars were away in Falmouth, we nevertheless had a good time of prayer, and we are looking forward to all meeting together. Our prayer times have been interesting in as much as we all come from different backgrounds and even different ways of praying. It’s exciting that when we all come together, we will be guided by the Holy Spirit and all our prayer lives will be strengthened and nourished as a result.
On Saturday Geoff, Andrew, Judy and Mike gathered, as usual, next to the bandstand to collect any testimony leaflets and bags that were needed, and off we went to patrol Devonshire Road and the surrounding area. We were accompanied by Andrew’s dog, Jasper, for the first time.  

Before we had even started, Andrew met up with a man called David, who had had to have his dog put down the previous day.  Jasper made a fuss of him, and Andrew showed love, sympathy and understanding.  Andrew told him that he would pray for him, and that God could fill the hole left by his companion. 
We had lots of encouraging conversations; people were happy to talk and take a leaflet; there was the chap with a lovely Cockapoo who wants to move to Bexhill from Tunbridge Wells, and a couple with two black Labradors - the dogs got a dog biscuit and the owners a testimony leaflet.
One of the French market traders gave me a third off what I was purchasing; not sure whether it was a sales ploy or his attraction to my Jesus Loves Bexhill tabard!
Mike had a really interesting, 20 minute chat with David,  a gentleman from the east end of London. He offered Mike a pint of beer and Mike offered him a Testimony sheet; Dave accepted the testimony leaflet!

At midday we met together in the bandstand and were visited by Veronica and Frank, who we had earlier met in Devonshire Road. We have witnessed to Frank over a number of years, prayed for him and invited him to church, up to now with little success, but he voluntarily, with hardly any encouragement, stated that he would like to come to church, and so arrangements have been made to collect him next Sunday.  (Please look out for him at Kings, Bexhill, if you attend there on this Sunday). Isn’t that great, sometimes you get instant blessings, sometimes it takes a while, but we must never give up.

Then in the afternoon, after talking to some stall holders, I took a break by having a rest on the bench at the top of Western Road; after a few minutes I was joined by Andrew, who noticed after a while that there was a chap leaning on a bollard next to the bench, with a painful expression on his face.  Andrew asked him if he was ok, which he wasn’t, and if he needed to sit down; we quickly gave him the space.  He shared that his knee had locked up and he needed to sit down but didn’t want to ask. His name was Kenny, and we proceeded to have a good conversation with him, including that God loved him.  He is a newcomer to Bexhill, a very nice chap, very friendly and positive. 

All in all a blessed day.