Dear Partners and Friends of Welcome Network
NEW LIFE
We have been celebrating the births of some babies!
Our newest grandson, Ollie was born on 1st February to Joe and Emily. It was such a joy to meet him on the day he arrived! Also, one of our Welcome Network team members, Michael Osinibi, and his wife Nancy, are celebrating the arrival of twins- a boy and a girl, this June!
We were due to visit Australia in March to see another son, Jonathan, his wife Dolly and their two little boys, Edward and Henry, but sadly the flights were all cancelled. The good side of this was that we were able to be in our village over the lockdown, to help with the local response to the corona virus.
We have been one of the member organisations in the Shilbottle mutual aid group. We co-ordinated with the local council their response, and have been their ‘legs’ regarding meal distribution to some of the elderly. We also held a zoom equivalent of a prayer walk for our village, during the lockdown.
Regionally, we have partnered with some other organisations to host two Prayer Net events via zoom, praying for our region of Northumberland and Tyneside.
GLOBAL ZOOM EVENTS!
During the corona lockdown, we have hosted three special global zoom events. Two of which we called ‘Back to First Love’, aimed at encouraging us to take time out with Jesus, and fall in love with Him again. Each time, we had a repeat meeting later in the day, in order to better catch the time zones. We had a wonderful time together of sharing and prayer with people with whom we network, across the whole globe. Some of these were former international students from our university chaplain days. We connected with friends from Tahiti to Taiwan, and a few places in between.
The third event we called Launching after Lockdown. (see our RESOURCES page for Prophetic insights and Picture and text for The Potter shaping us) Our intention was to allow people an opportunity to reflect on what may be ahead for them, after the lockdown. We have also published a book, called Launching after Lockdown. You may want to check this out! (available on Amazon)
The picture is on the front cover – We are safe in the plane, taking off from the runway. Behind us there is a spectacular explosion – something that God has been doing in us, and through us, during this time.
MINISTRY IN FINLAND
We made another ministry visit to Finland in January, mostly connecting with leaders in Helsinki. We have been relating with the Evangelical Alliance, and citywide, with those who are involved in mission and prayer. During our visit, we were encouraging churches in one part of the city to come together for a united prayer walk, drawing on our own experience of prayer walking some London boroughs, in recent years. We also spent time developing our relationship with various churches who want to reach the city with the gospel.
Last, but not least we want to thank God for all of you, our Welcome Network team and supporters – you have been a great blessing!
Thank you for your prayers and financial giving.It has all helped, and we appreciate so much, your input into our lives.
Much love
from
Bob and Mary Bain XXX
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