Dear Partners and Friends of Welcome Network
STEPPING OUT – Recently Bob and I were given an encouraging prophetic word – God said we had been taking small steps, and that was good, but now it was time to take a BIG STEP forward! (see Isaiah 54:2) 
It was as if we had pressed the PAUSE button; (Do you know that feeling?) and now God was giving us the same stepping out words He had given to us a year ago, because we had hardly moved out on them! Sometimes God reveals the plan only when we take a step! (e.g.Joshua had to cross the Jordan before he received God’s plan for taking Jericho! Joshua 5:13-6:5) As we enter 2023, let’s look over the promises and plans God has given us, and take a big step FORWARD in faith, knowing that He is Immanuel -“God with us”!
AUSTRALIA and PHILIPPINES – Autumn, this year, was a wonderful adventure with four weeks spent in Melbourne, Australia, with our son, Jonathan, daughter-in-law, Dolly, and two young grandsons, Edward and Henry. It was a real family- focussed time; full of the simple joys and everyday routines of life, celebrating birthdays, reading stories and play times, as well as discovering the unique flora and fauna of the area! A great break from our normal routines!
On our way back to the UK we stopped over in the Philippines for a few days. We met a good friend, Angelica, who is busy with outreach and mission in Manila. We also spent a lovely day with another friend, Christine, who we know from our time living in London.
FIRE IN THE NORTH In September we hosted this amazing revival gathering at Howick Hall with fifty leaders from all across Northumberland. It was a significant time of worship, prophetic prayer, speaking out declarations, networking and encouraging one another. We sense God’s leading to continue to bring together those who are eager for God’s fire- His love, passion and compassion, to transform our region of the North East of England! Watch this space!
CEDARWOOD – Bob and I had a very fulfilling time helping in the Prayer and Worship Tent at Cedarwood Festival this Summer. Over the three days, many people encountered Jesus, experienced healing and some gave their lives for the first time! We are helping with next year’s Summer Festival.
OUR VILLAGE – We love living in Shilbottle and helping to share God’s love as village chaplains. This year we held a Jubilee Garden Party in our prayer garden, Albafarne; we co-ordinated the outdoor Remembrance Day service at the war memorial and are posting a Christmas Gospel newspaper and prayer card through the doors of all the 800 houses. Mary is very happy to again be part of a team taking Open the Book into the local village school.
BRIGHT RIVER CHAPEL Our regular online gathering continues every Sunday from 4pm on zoom (also live on facebook from 4. 15pm). You are very welcome to join us as we worship the Lord, encourage and pray for one another. (ID: 7253379548 Password: Albafarne). From January, we will also meet on one Sunday each month, in person, at a local venue in Alnwick. Please pray for us as we take this step forward! Our monthly “POCKETS” ZOOM continues to support and encourage a scattering of folk, from across the North East, who are eager to share the gospel with others in their community.
FAMILY NEWS – It was a great joy this year to welcome our seventh grandchild Jack, born in May to our daughter, Esther and husband Martin. He is now six months and doing well! In July, we celebrated our youngest daughter, Vicky, and one of our sons in law, Scott, as they graduated as doctors!
Much Love and a very Happy Christmas
from Bob and Mary Bain XXX
Welcome Network, 29 Grange Road, Shilbottle, Alnwick NE66 2XN; Mob: 07988564299 e-mail: bobbain@hotmail.co.uk; See our website blog for ministry news and info : welcomenetwork.org To support our work, please send gifts to Welcome Network CIO Lloyds sort code 30-91-92 A/C no. 77504560 or use our giving link, https://www.give.net/welcomenetwork/oneoff
It has also been lovely to visit some of our grandchildren this Summer; in London with Joe, Emily, Alex, 4yrs and Oliver 2 yrs; and in Paisley seeing baby Jack, now 4 months old, born to our daughter, Esther and son-in-law, Martin earlier this year. We are now in the final stages of getting ready for a trip to Melbourne, Australia where we will be visiting our son, Jonathan and daughter-in-law, Dolly and family, Edward and Henry.
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
We regularly connect with a number of mostly more elderly residents. We had a lovely garden party for the Queens Platinum Jubilee in our prayer garden and helped out at a street party the following day. We were also able to distribute copies of a book called, Our Faithful Queen and some commemorative gospels.
We want to thank God for all of you, our Welcome Network supporters and friends. 
Thank you for your prayers and financial giving.
In a very different singing genre, we began Awake Gospel Community Choir this year. It is a great opportunity to bring together anybody in our area of Northumberland who enjoys having fun singing gospel music. We are still in the early stages having had just seven sessions! We are not quite Brooklyn Tabernacle choir yet!
