Children's Health Follow

"Last Sunday was amazing." I've heard that statement so many times this week. The Health Fair idea came through Dr Adam Ibrahim who has recently joined the Wimbledon International Seventh-day Adventist Church. By Sunday, 20 July at least a third of the church family was ministering in one way or another. That was the first amazing part of the day - seeing everyone ministering with the Spiritual Gifts God had given them. The second amazing thing was how people were greeted with balloons on the streets surrounding the church and led all the way to the reception desk, even if that meant walking for a few minutes. This drew the attention of many families that live around the church as well as shoppers on the High Street. The third amazing thing was the reaction from the community - all the 91 visitors that met us for the first time. A lady mentioned that she passes the church all the time and has always wanted to join the singing, but wouldn't come to a church she doesn't know. Next Sabbath we hope to greet her along with her mother. A young man who had arrived from Croatia agreed to enrol on a 'stop smoking' course. Another 3 homeless men were fed and encouraged by all members who saw beyond the dishevelled appearance. Many elderly ladies from the neighbourhood mentioned that they felt rejuvenated through the day, especially with the Pilates sessions. Beyond these repeated stories of people who were touched, one last person will be in our prayers for some time. He was an Englishman who must be in his 60s. After spending the whole day with us, he was the last to enter the prize draw and we were all glad when he actually won first prize! At this stage we had developed a great relationship with him. We also hope that the blender and book he has received will let him somehow remember that we are here every week. We pray that not only him, but all the other 90+ people, will come back sometime soon. We are all eagerly awaiting their return so that we will once again have the golden opportunity of being used by God to minister to His children, hopefully beyond words. A selection of photos are available on the BUC picture gallery. [Sam Neves]