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SEPTEMBER 2004
Late August we met a guy at the Banquet Run called Dave. Dave openly admitted to being a transvestite, after chatting with him for a while, he said he would like to come to church with us, which he did. After the meeting Dave gave his life to Jesus. Obviously he still has some sorting out to do in his life, but God is so good and always faithful to finish that which He begins.
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen. To loose the bonds of wickedness. To undo the heavy burdens. To let the oppressed go free. And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry. And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out. When you see the naked, that that you cover him. And not hide yourself from yourself from your own flesh?. Then your light shall break forth like the morning. Your healing shall spring forth speedily. The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call and the Lord shall answer: you shall cry and He will say Here I am. Isaiah ch. 58 v 6-9
Dave and I and a group of close friends have been meeting regularly on a Thursday evening for the last year, nothing formal, just talking about how good God is and sharing what He has been doing in our lives, praying for each other and encouraging each other. We have seen God move in great power in our midst. We have been through very tough times together, but through it all, we have never experienced such love and commitment, towards each other. We have all supported and been supported in a way that reminds me of the verse, “ and they had all things in common” God has surely been preparing us for something wonderful. “These friends have been very supportive of the work God has been doing on the streets, and have the same heart as us to see the captives set free, the hungry fed and the naked clothed.
For the last year we have been attending and taking people to a fantastic church in Shaftesbury Dorset (about 23 miles away) The Holy Spirit is very welcome there, and our friends from the streets are always loved and made to feel at home. This had been quite a journey every Sunday morning, and there were more people wanting to come than we could transport, we were having to leave early in the morning, which was a problem for those people with drug and alcohol problems. We really needed a place in the Centre of Salisbury, where our friends who we have got to know from our work on the streets could go and be loved unconditionally and cared for. A place where they would be able to feel the presence of God and experience Him moving for themselves, a place where they can be taught and discipled.
After much prayer and heart searching, the group felt it was right to set up a church in Salisbury for the people who the Lord was bringing to himself not just for the people whom we come into contact with on the streets, but for others who are on the verge of giving their lives to Jesus. A place where people could come, no matter what their background, or what issues they were facing in their lives, a place where, they would be loved and welcomed.
Our first meeting was Thursday 2nd September, we had three new people come and four people who have recently given their lives to the Lord. It was a fantastic evening.
We also had our first Sunday meeting on 5th September. We had an informal meeting with a shared meal afterwards. The recent converts really entered in and took part in all that was happening. One of them was saying how he needed a fridge, within ten minutes someone had offered him not only a fridge, but a freezer as well, and both were delivered within a couple of hours to his flat. He was so moved by the love of the person, it was a real testimony to God’s provision. Our heart for these people is that they experience God for themselves, not just through other people telling them about what God can do.
Since those first two meetings a lad has given his life to the Lord, within a couple of days he was praying for healing for others, and seeing them healed. We have had people come in off the street into the meeting and have been prayed for. We know this is just the beginning, God wants the Captives set Free and we know that the Lord can do it. God is so Good. He is always faithful, and His heart is to meet these people just where they are.
We will continue to hold these meetings every fortnight. On 30th September we will be showing the “Passion of Christ”. With refreshments to start with.
Jesus is alive and living in the hearts of ordinary people!
Sharon who gave her heart to the Lord about a month ago is so thrilled with her new found faith in Jesus. Last week she was sharing how she had prayed for her two sons who live in London she prayed that one would find employment and the other would secure a place in college, within a week both prayers were answered. Sharon who has had many spells in rehabs over the last few years said, “God has done more for me in these last few weeks than any of the rehabs have every done. I know I haven’t stopped drinking completely, but I’m not drinking half as much as I used to. The other day me a friend went to the pub for a drink, and I didn’t even feel like drinking, I had a fruit juice” Sharon says “I have never been so happy as I am now”. She really is becoming a new creation and the old ways of life are dropping away from her.
Hallelujah God is setting the captives free, He is doing it, In His own way and in His own time.
This last Sunday we had a brief meeting and then went down to Bournemouth Beach to Baptise three people, two of whom have recently given their lives to the Lord. Despite the water being really cold, there was no holding them back.
Dave
Mel
Tanya
THE BANQUET RUN
Continues to go well in the latter part of August numbers in some sessions were in the thirties, which is incredible , as we come up to our first full year of the Banquet Run, we look back with amazement at what the Lord has done. The last few weeks we have seen an influx of pregnant young girls coming to the Poultry Cross. Again and again we have had opportunities to pray with people, both for healing and other issues in their lives.  As we approach the winter months please continue to pray that people will be touched by the love of God. A year ago we never dreamed that we would be feeding so many people, or having the opportunity to pray for so many people. We are also praying for a 8 seater people carrier, so we can take people out for the day. Many of these people are stuck in hostels or their little flats, with very little to do, and often no real friends. In the last few months we have been able to take out small groups of people to the New Forest and other places, it really does make a difference, people begin to open up, it provides real opportunities to share the love of God with people and gives them a taste of a different kind of life.
 THE GREAT SOUTH RUN
Please pray for Chris as he continues to train for the big event 10th October, and also for people to be willing to sponsor him. This week an article about Chris and The Great South Run will be going into the local paper. The article talks about the Banquet Run and what the sponsor money will go towards. There will also be an opportunity for the general public to sponsor Chris. Please pray that people will be touched by the article and will want to know more about what the Lord is doing on the streets of Salisbury.
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