What a difference 3 days can make (Part 1)

This year Corsham Baptists answered IT's call for clothes for refugees for men and babies, plus pushchairs and suitcases. Collecting clothes is a great way for church folk to pull together, many of them unable to take part themselves in mission and there has been much sacrificial giving, clearing out offers at the local supermarket and raiding lofts for pushchairs and suitcases.

The 'Van Dash', as we called it, involved a larger than previous Sprinter van, and 3 drivers, Lionel, Stuart and Paul taking turns at the wheel for the 1000 miles plus trip via Dover and Dunkirk, and arriving Sunday morning 21 hours later (12 hours before our expected arrival time). Joan and Pam were already there having taken the plane, completing probably the oldest Corsham team to visit the Oasis Centre - our total age over 300 years!

While here we have been blessed by David's looking after us. It was good to renew our friendship with him, after David's visit to Corsham last year. It has also been great to meet with others in the permanent team, in many cases renewing old friendships and we were pleased to be able to take them out for a meal one evening. In our short time here, we have sorted clothes, unloaded our own contribution and done odd cleaning and other jobs.

An especial blessing, for the ladies in particular, was being able to meet to African ladies and their children in a park in Vienna. I believe that although their time together was short, it was fruitful for both sides as the next blog gives witness. Sometimes it's difficult to know whether it's the refugees or ourselves as visitors who are the most blessed.

We are especially looking forward to the evangelistic evening tonight and hopefully making a positive contribution. A short but blessed visit!

Then tomorrow the men will be returning in the van, and the ladies by plane the same day.