| short-term reports |
January 2006 index|
Whether it’s in an exotic location abroad or right here in one of Britain and Ireland’s urban jungles, the Crosslinks volunteers who go on our smile and next short term mission programmes find they’re no picnic – but hugely fulfilling ... |
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Britain and Ireland Sarah was a smile volunteer for two weeks living among the Bangladeshi community of a large English town. During her first week, she visited several families and took a small group of children on a trip to a part of town quite new to them. This gave her a chance to understand their culture better and prepare her for the annual club week. ‘Time Out’ was held on a local estate and attended by 250 young people; they were joined on the last day by many of the parents for a games day and a barbeque. Such friendly contacts allow the community to get to know Christians and to build up trust and confidence. Future plans include introducing Bible stories to the young people, with the full knowledge of their parents. |
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The Gambia Although The Gambia is predominantly Muslim, our smile teams have found that there are many opportunities for sharing the good news of the Gospel. During their trip earlier this year, the team organised a beach mission to bring people together to have fun and hear the Gospel clearly explained. One of the team leaders, Nick Scorer, wrote, “Yesterday we had a beach mission with a number hearing the Gospel in a couple of short talks between games of football etc. There was a very encouraging response and one man prayed that God would forgive him and is meeting a Gambian friend today to chat more.” |
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India A
next volunteer gives this report of their trip to India: “In the predominantly Hindu and Muslim area of North India many men forbid their women to be seen by another man, even a doctor. Consequently many women suffer in silence at home, some even dying in childbirth. Thousands of female obstetrics and gynaecological specialists are needed to meet the needs. Nurses in Christian hospitals are given a course of intensive reproductive health training. They are then recognised as nurse practitioners, working in Community Health programmes (doing deliveries as well as ante-natal clinics), Youth, HIV/AIDS, and women’s self-help groups. Some are living sacrificially amongst remote tribal groups with no electricity – no fans, phones or piped water.”
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