Val
Val joined Friends International in 1995 to work amongst international students at SB campus (Nottingham University), with the recognition of the University Chaplaincy. The vision of Fl is to seek to encourage Christians in local churches to welcome and befriend International Students coming to the UK to study each year. Loneliness, homesickness, culture shock, and practical difficulties are among some of the challenges commonly faced by students adjusting to life here in the UK. Some come as Christians, but many come from countries where there is little or no opportunity to hear of the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ. Val is involved and partnered locally in this exciting and strategic ministry.
Latest News
One person changed this world — It’s our job to help them find Him!
Our Dear Friends,
Thank you for standing with us and being a part of Project Denkge
PD SUMMER TEAM JUNE 27 — JULY 28
Mel & (Cici) (Leader), Glyn (Administrator), John, (one of the original builders who designed the Friendship Centre), Phillip (electrician) and myself (physio), will be flying out to China on Weds June 27th — July 28th. Cici will remain in Chengdu visiting family and recuperating after her operation. Mel also has University lecturing commitments in Chengdu, Shanghai and PingXiang to fit in too.
Our main purpose is to get up to Dengke and help with installation of water and electricity into the local government Hospital. Phillip will also be responsible for testing the electrics in our own building which sometimes does not work!. Val, will mainly be responsible in helping with Shimtso—our leper lady & other medical work.
Many of you will have heard the sad news that Shimtso is not very well and has had to be moved into the local Govt hosp albeit into the run-down shack at the back! Thank-you for praying for her, we now need someone willing to look after her 24/7, this is a current strain upon our own Tibetan workers plus our foreign staff. So far no-one has come forward even after offering to pay! We need a miracle to find such a person!
We have a very busy programme with a lot of personnel coming and going from the centre!
We would value your support in a number of ways:
- Accommodation at our centre—with so many comings and goings (up 18 or 20 ) will be staying at one time in our centre!
- Team unity with so many living together.
- Financial: flights, transport, purchase of electrical and building eqpt., furniture; Glyn’s personal support.
- Health: Bonnie our physio at Dengke has had to leave as she fell and broke her wrist and has damaged her back! Shimtso—needing support and healing. The team’s acclimatisation with Headaches, altitude sickness, and continued health at all times.
- Travel—safety as we traverse some of the worst roads ever!
- Flights: we are taking in some heavy equipment, plus necessary medical books. Pray that we will get through even if we are over-weight!
- Shopping: that we find the necessary equipment in B&Q, Ikea etc in Chengdu eg electrical equipment, furniture etc
- Support for our loved ones back at home.
- Spiritual: for our individual and team needs.
God has given us a series of breathtaking opportunities cleverly disguised as impossible situations!
PROJECTS: We are in the middle of some remarkable projects and with your help & support these are now being undertaken. Eg Summer camp; Doctor and Lab technician training; Equipment for Hospital and Lab; Refurbish hospital, water and electricity; Physiotherapy; Houses and care for leprosy patients; Wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs for the disabled; English teaching and Computer training; Anaemia Survey; Community health training; Household food gardens; Surgical Camp; Tree planting to name but a few!
PRAYER this is where you come in as part of the team. IT IS VITAL that you cover us at all times please For without your prayers this work will not continue. . . Please continue to PRAY for Glyn’s finances too.
Prayer Co-ordinator: Chris has taken over from Lynne while Lynne undergoes treatment / chemotherapy & surgery for breast cancer —please do pray for Lynne at this time.
To pray is to work, to work is to pray
Communication: we are able to receive phone calls and emails at the centre BUT for some unknown reason we cannot make outside international calls! We’d love to hear from you please!!
Weekly Activities
10:45am & 6:15pm
All are welcome to join us.
There are tapes of the sermons preached in the church over the last three years. Please email Jerry Griffiths to find out more about what is available.
Sunday 10:45am
On average around fifteen children attend the Junior Church every Sunday morning. The children are aged between three and eleven. They are divided into two age groups according to their age, meeting for news and songs at the beginning and again at the end of the meeting. There are four teachers and four helpers that work with the children.
The Junior Church aims to teach about the bible and how it can be applied to everyday life. It also enables the children to talk about their lives and how God helps and guides them, giving opportunity for them to praise and thank God for what he has done. Children learn through many varied activities and get involved themselves by bringing books, stories and news to share.
Each Christmas the Junior Church puts on a play where all take part. This year "Time" was the theme. Children acted out the Nativity and Easter story showing the time when Jesus came to earth. It also asked poignant question about how we all use our time and efforts.
The Junior Church welcomes all to come and worship and learn more about the God of the bible.
For further information contact Louise Waters on (01509) 672633.
Last Monday of month
A club for fairly active retired or semi-retired men (50+) which meets on the last Monday in each month. Activities include easy walks - ussually in The Peak District or Leicestershire and visits to various places of interest, followed by a pub lunch. Good conversation and gentle humour abound.
Contact: John Dickens (01509) 673007
Tuesdays & Fridays 9.45am (term time)
Sutton Bonington Mothers & Toddlers group. Meet every Tuesday & Friday from 9.45am till 12 noon. Everyone is welcome from birth to 4 years of age.
Contact Katharine Hebblethwaite for more details.
Phone 01509 672889
Tuesdays 3.45pm
ASK? is a youth club for (yrs 3-6)
We run our programme during school term times. Our programme typically consists of craft, snacks, question times,creative Christian talks and activities and active games.
For further information telephone Beth Cumming on (01509) 843923 or email her.
Tuesdays 7.45pm
Rock Solid is resourced by Youth for Christ, which is an organisation specialising in providing resources for youth work. The material we use is specifically geared towards the 11-14 age group, with its particular tastes, interests and needs in mind and provides young people with an opportunity to explore major life issues and choices from a Christian perspective. The overall programme is high-energy, exciting with lots of activities and lots to think about.
Special events and nights out are also a regular part of the programme.
For further information contact David and Karen Gray on 01509 674762 or email them.
Wednesdays 8pm
A club for years 10 and above (14+yrs),
Meets Wednesday evenings 8pm-9.30pm
Leaders
Sarah and Paul Tremeer, Brian Butler, Paddy McGhee, Martin Steel
The club meets for social club nights, trips out, discussions about relevant issues from a Christian perspective and much more!
For more info contact Paul and Sarah Tel. 01509 672917
Small groups - Fornightly on Thursdays & Fridays
Prayer meetings - Fortnightly on Thursday's 7.45pm
We have a number of small groups meeting in peoples homes at different times and days to suit everybody. These groups for the purpose of supporting and encouraging one another. These meetings usually include an opportunity to pray together and study the bible.
The small groups meet once every two weeks.
The meeting on the alternate Thursday is an all together meeting for prayer and praise in the church lounge. We have a time of open praise followed by a special prayer topic. We also pray for people and events in the church and community as well as for friends and members of the church family serving God in different parts of the world.
From time to time we run enquirers groups for those who want find out more about Christian faith. This may be an Alpha course or something similar.
If you would like to find out more about the small groups please contact Pastor John Hebblethwaite on (01509) 672889
Alternate Wednesdays 10.30am
Coffee Break meets alternate Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12 midday in the Baptist Church lounge Sutton Bonington. It's a chance for retired people to meet and enjoy chat and friendship over tea / coffee and biscuits, followed by fellowship through varied and interesting speakers. A warm welcome is given to all and an offer of transport is also available.
Contact: Iris Bonner (01509) 672788 or Mu Miller (01509) 670231 email
Wednesdays 7.45pm
Meets weekly on a Wednesday evening at 7.45pm (in a home). All welcome! For further details of venue, or for transport, please phone Val Thomson on (01509) 670104, or e-mail Val.
Alternate Thursdays 1.30pm
Are you new to this country? Would you like to know more about life in the UK and enjoy friendship in a relaxed atmosphere (with opportunity to practice your English too!)? Perhaps you may like to share a little about your country and customs with us! You will be most welcome to join us, together with your children.
We meet on two Thursdays a month at 1.30pm in the lounge of the Baptist Church in Sutton
Bonington (next to the Post Office). We aim to finish around 3.20pm. On one Thursday we have a programme which includes outings, cooking, crafts, discussions etc, and on the other Thursday we have opportunity to look at the Bible to learn together what it has to say for our daily lives as women.
Once a month on a Friday evening we have fun having dinner together in someone’s home - a chance to relax without the children!
Please do contact Val if you would like further information.
Visit our web page to see what we have been doing recently.
Alternate Thursdays 1.30pm
Meeting on the alternate Thursday at 1.30pm, contact Val Thomson on (01509) 670104 or e-mail Val for further details or transport if needed.
Other special events throughout the year are also held, eg at the Lunar New Year, and at Christmas, contact Val for details.
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