April 2025 Australia, Greenland, Ireland, Turkey, Ukraine, UK
AUSTRALIA Brother Mark reports another two baptisms in WA, sisters ANTEN and TRISH:
It was really encouraging to see the spirit of the living Lord Jesus very active in the heart of Anten; active in her heart o accept the saving Grace of God. And Anten opened her heart to receive the Lord Jesus. Jesus receiving Anten; Anten receiving Jesus; a "receiving" which is God's will in Christ Jesus. I pray that the Lord leads us to more people on whom their spirit is working and we as servants of the Lord, confirm more people in the calling that they know and feel.
Praise to God that the spirit of Jesus has opened up sound spiritual reasoning in our new sister; sister Trisha. Trisha has been feeling guilty that she hasn't been baptised; well she has been baptised as an infant by mum but Trisha has been feeling guilty that she hasn't been baptised as an adult and by her conscience. It just so happened that Trisha saw our video just at the right time and we thank God that we were on hand to confirm Trisha in her spiritual thinking and the call of Jesus, and help her put her faith/belief into action with baptism. Video of both baptisms
at https://youtu.be/n5H043geHUA
GREENLAND
We mentioned last week that we had been contacted by a Bible reading group in Nuuk, Greenland, and had sent them 12 NEV Bibles with Bible Basics. It's not so easy to get Bibles in Greenland. They're received them with much gratitude and some are considering baptism. Do please pray for this group! The Gospel is spreading literally to the ends of the earth. They sent some pictures of the parcel and their group, and wrote in gratitude:
"I have received the package just now . On behalf of my brothers and sisters here in Nuuk, we would like to extend our warmest regards and thank you for your generosity and love. May the Lord enlarge your border and blessings upon blessings! Melany and believers of Christ Jesus in Nuuk Greenland".
IRELAND
At the outset of the war, we evacuated sister Nastya, her young children and her aunty, sister Irina, after Nastya's husband was killed at the front. They have now settled in Ashford, UK, and sister Irina's husband brother Igor has joined them. Recently Igor and Irina's son and daughter in law made it to Ireland, and Igor and Irina have been able to go there and baptize OLYA their daughter in law, with great joy. It's so great when those baptized take responsibility for preaching and baptizing others. Video [in Russian and Ukrainian]
at https://youtu.be/EEFfvFPyYsc
TURKEY
After a long period of contact and discussion, we were so happy to help AMIR baptize himself into our Lord Jesus online. Yet another Muslim who has come to see the true light of the Lord Jesus, to His glory.
UKRAINE
We appreciate your prayers for our planned visit to Ukraine in 2 weeks' time, Lord willing. And for your donations towards it if possible. There's a Facebook appeal for it where you can donate anonymously if you're on Facebook, see
https://www.facebook.com/groups/69292278377/permalink/10165105887088378/
or via brother Mark in Australia or brother Steve in UK. Around £3000 would be wonderful. Whilst the media for now focuses on many other things, the reality is that the bombing and destruction of civilians in Ukraine is now more intense than at any other time during this long war. Our dear ones there are really suffering, with the medical system not working apart from for emergency medicine, and chronic lack of staff especially in medical and social welfare. Most of these jobs were done by women in Ukraine, and many of those women have now grabbed their children and gone to the West or Poland. The only way to get serious medical attention is through the private clinics that have suddenly sprung up. Some of the issues we're dealing with are:
- Medical expenses for sister Oksana, struggling with pancreatic cancer
- The constant blackouts mean that whilst internet is generally available, electricity is often out. Battery charger packs are like gold dust in many parts of Ukraine. It's the only way people can keep their phones charged, and communication is often their only source of comfort and some safety in the endless darkness of the air raids and life in bomb shelters.
- A family who fled their family home in occupied territory, were living in an abandoned house, and now they've renovated it- the owner has appeared and demands it back
Please think too of those who have loved ones in the military reported "Missing". They have no idea if their bodies were destroyed in action, if they are in captivity in Russia, possibly wounded and not getting much attention there, or whether they have deserted and are lying low somewhere, fearing to contact their relatives lest their location is given away. None of these are nice prospects, and those with loved ones on that "Missing" list are suffering major nervous issues... They desperately go onto social media to see if anyone knows anything... with heart breaking posts, from mothers, sisters, even children looking for their missing men:
UK
We have a huge online following at our meetings in Croydon at the Pub on Sundays and midweek at The Venue . Our video camera is really worn out after many years and thousands of recordings. Does anybody have a decent second hand one they'd be willing to donate?
Our next retreat weekend is planned Lord willing for November 7-9th. These events are just spiritually amazing, so very inspirational. Do decide to attend and book the date! We will use the usual venue, the Carrotty Wood Centre in Tonbridge, Kent. Speakers so far confirmed are Charles Abel, Julian Baseley, Steve Gretton, Duncan Heaster and Tony Whitehorn.
This week there was a providential series of requests for baptism from contacts in Wales- clearly we were directed to go there. Firstly it was a pleasure to visit sister Tamsin's home group in Swansea and to baptize one of the attenders, JULIE. She has multiple health issues but didn't let these stop her from being baptized in Tamsin's bath tub. Such a spiritual and happy evening together, with Tamsin's grandchildren also present. We also gave Tamsin some NEV Bibles and "The Real Christ" to distribute.
Feeding on the greatest packed lunch ever from sister Tamsin, we drove on to Cardigan where GARETH had long been awaiting baptism. An invalid living in a quiet house near Cardigan Castle, he's had a tragic life but through it all has grown hugely in faith. His utter sincerity is captured in his looks and words right after his baptism, which you can see in the
video at https://youtu.be/UPxOnRvgqV4
He had tried various churches but found none of them following the Lord in spirit and truth. He feels so comfortable with our approach and teachings, and is quietly spreading the word where he is- it's really quite the journey to get to that small place.
We have had so many lovely text messages:
PRAYER POINTS
- For those recently baptized
- For our friends in Greenland as they study the Bible and Bible Basics
- For sister Oksana in her cancer battle, and many others also without much medical attention in Ukraine
- For those spending every night in the bomb shelters in Ukraine, especially the elderly
With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks
