Well, we are nearly at the end of 2009. I remember in August thinking 'I think the rest of the year is going to fly by so fast' .. and it has!
Sefton has been a hive of activity in 2009. Despite many challenges - particularly financially - we have seen the amazing provision of the Lord and have seen many new and exciting things happen. The ministry has developed in many ways and we are so grateful for a wonderful group of people who we are privelilaged to call or staff. They are magnificent.
We have had so many visitors and teams this year. Each team and team member have added so much to Sefton Village and I know that they have gone back changed.
We had to go back to UK in February for 6 weeks after we heard the news that Mary's dad had cancer. It has been a tough year for them and even for Mary .. but God has answered our prayers and David has had some great results over the last few weeks. thanks for your prayers.
We have started some many wonderful minsitries this year - Theatre for Christ, New School Building, Powerhouse Schools Programme, Street Pastors ... if you want to see a short DVD that we made for a church in Hamilton please go to our blog www.markmaryritchie.blogspot.com
There are three things I want you to take note of:
1. Christmas Cards - If you are in UK, please note that you don't have to spend a fortune sending cards to the Philippines for us. Many of you did this last year. David Strachan and his family are coming out in Dec 17th, so if you want to send a card to us, save some money and send it to them and they will bring it out. His address is:
The Ritchies
c/o The Strachan Partnership
37 Hay Crescent,
Peterhead,
Aberdeenshire
AB42 1HH
If you in the Fraserburgh area you can drop it into my dad's house.
2. New Blog: We have decided to make a new blog for Sefton Village. In the past myself and Matthew have had the burden of blogging about all the news from Sefton. But now, hopefully every day, one of our staff will be writing about what's going on at Sefton.
Check it out - www.seftonsoundbites.blogspot.com
Please bookmark and leave a comment!
3. Christmas Expenses
Hate to repeat this again in 2009, but we always struggle at this time of year. By law, we have to pay all of our staff a 13th month pay in December. It's not an optional bonus ... it's law. We also have many extra expenses in December.
So basically, we need around 5000 pounds in the next two weeks! I know it seems impossible but if you can pray about it and help a little ... we can do it.
Please send any cheques to our agent (or email him if you want to put a gift directly into the Sefton RBS a/c):
Dr. Norman Reid
Hazelbank
83 Marjoribanks Street
Bathgate
West Lothian
Eh48 1QH
Tel: 01506 653366
Email: dr_n@btinternet.com
Thank you all so much for your interest and support regarding Sefton. We will be sending out a newsletter and gift in January. If you are not on the mailing list then please contact Norman on the above email address.
As you prepare for Christmas we pray that you will not get too stressed! Remember who it's all about ... Jesus.
We'd love to hear from you ...
All our love,
Mark, Mary, Lydia & Josiah
xxxx
Sefton has been a hive of activity in 2009. Despite many challenges - particularly financially - we have seen the amazing provision of the Lord and have seen many new and exciting things happen. The ministry has developed in many ways and we are so grateful for a wonderful group of people who we are privelilaged to call or staff. They are magnificent.
We have had so many visitors and teams this year. Each team and team member have added so much to Sefton Village and I know that they have gone back changed.
We had to go back to UK in February for 6 weeks after we heard the news that Mary's dad had cancer. It has been a tough year for them and even for Mary .. but God has answered our prayers and David has had some great results over the last few weeks. thanks for your prayers.
We have started some many wonderful minsitries this year - Theatre for Christ, New School Building, Powerhouse Schools Programme, Street Pastors ... if you want to see a short DVD that we made for a church in Hamilton please go to our blog www.markmaryritchie.blogspot.com
There are three things I want you to take note of:
1. Christmas Cards - If you are in UK, please note that you don't have to spend a fortune sending cards to the Philippines for us. Many of you did this last year. David Strachan and his family are coming out in Dec 17th, so if you want to send a card to us, save some money and send it to them and they will bring it out. His address is:
The Ritchies
c/o The Strachan Partnership
37 Hay Crescent,
Peterhead,
Aberdeenshire
AB42 1HH
If you in the Fraserburgh area you can drop it into my dad's house.
2. New Blog: We have decided to make a new blog for Sefton Village. In the past myself and Matthew have had the burden of blogging about all the news from Sefton. But now, hopefully every day, one of our staff will be writing about what's going on at Sefton.
Check it out - www.seftonsoundbites.blogspot.com
Please bookmark and leave a comment!
3. Christmas Expenses
Hate to repeat this again in 2009, but we always struggle at this time of year. By law, we have to pay all of our staff a 13th month pay in December. It's not an optional bonus ... it's law. We also have many extra expenses in December.
So basically, we need around 5000 pounds in the next two weeks! I know it seems impossible but if you can pray about it and help a little ... we can do it.
Please send any cheques to our agent (or email him if you want to put a gift directly into the Sefton RBS a/c):
Dr. Norman Reid
Hazelbank
83 Marjoribanks Street
Bathgate
West Lothian
Eh48 1QH
Tel: 01506 653366
Email: dr_n@btinternet.com
Thank you all so much for your interest and support regarding Sefton. We will be sending out a newsletter and gift in January. If you are not on the mailing list then please contact Norman on the above email address.
As you prepare for Christmas we pray that you will not get too stressed! Remember who it's all about ... Jesus.
We'd love to hear from you ...
All our love,
Mark, Mary, Lydia & Josiah
xxxx
