HOPE CENTRE REPORT ON YEAR NOV 08/N0V 09

The Hope Centre continues to be a place of ‘sanctuary’ for many.   The Presence of the Lord is always with us and HE continues to surprise us.  

As the year progressed, and indeed continuing from last year we rose to need, above and beyond.    This included sandwiches + cake Tuesday,

soup and bread Wed and Sandwiches etc Thurs (we had always done this on Thurs and continue to do so).  

Offering household items that had been donated.

Offering clothes that had been donated. 

Also food like bread, cakes, tomatoes etc from a local company who collect food that is being thrown out by a few food companies and redistribute them to Drop Ins etc.  All these extra things caused us to be very popular and we were always very busy, a lot of the time just giving, giving, giving.

March 09

By March 09 I had reached a point of exhaustion and had to rest for a season.  During this time I fell off a small pair of steps and I broke my foot. Consequently I ended up having 10 weeks off.  During this season the Lord ministered to me. (in fact I think he pushed me !!)

The  Trust re looked at things and decided that all the extra things we had started to offer were to cease in order to calm things down and re focus.  They also realised I didn’t receive enough retreat time away from the Hope Centre so now every 8 weeks I have a week off. (Many thanks)

Nicola and Barbara plus some of the Volunteers continued to hold the fort and I started back in May 09.

The Hope Centre Family continues to grow and flourish.   We continue to pray for and love every one who comes in, always mindful of the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Lots of ones who have moved on a little in their lives, call back in to see us, from time to time and even bring their children.   We have even had local children 9/10/11 yr olds who have been looked after by someone we knew, coming and hearing about Jesus and waiting to come in when we arrived. 

Several have made great strides forward with their lives.

John who joined us last year for Volunteers Day has been in New Beginnings and continues to be drug free.  John has his own flat and reconciled with his ex wife who suffered brain damage due to drugs.  John’s hearts desire is  to  have re-establish his relationship with  his children and is seeking legal help to do this, as they are with their Grandparents.   John is now attending Doncaster College and called in to see us in September looking wonderful.

Danny   A young lady who is much loved by everyone at the Hope Centre came in to see us in August to show us that she has signed up at College on a science course leading to being a Nurse.  Saying “I told you I would do it”.

Danny came back to see us with her boyfriend Shaun complete with badge around her neck with her college pass.  She is doing very well in all subjects and is thinking of going to University.  Praise God

Mary   Who I showed you pictures of last year has slipped again, but came in to share her sorrow with us and receive prayer.

Gemma    still heroin free

Craig     Entered New Beginnings came out full of hope and fell again.  Craig said “I noticed I did better when I came in here for prayer”  

Aaron    Has been a part of Hope Centre since the beginning.  Aaron is in a very difficult place with his health, family and addiction.  However, we have seen great change in his manner, attitude and faith in Jesus.   One day a new man came in with the Koran he kept speaking about it and Aaron stood up and said “There’s only one God mate, Jesus”

Andy  T    attended Hope Centre and is well known.  One of his  issues is dyslexia and his insecurity manifests in bullying and drugs.  Andy has been on the prolific offenders register.   Andy now has a stable relationship with a girl of his own age, a house, has stopped using heroin and is waiting for detox from alcohol in November.  Andy called in in September to thank us for our help.

Becky & Jono    Drug free.  Have a house in a different area.  Thinking of getting married after Christmas.  Becky is to start College and Jono is part of a  Pier Support Group helping others.   Becky also starts a 12 step Programme 16/10.

And so many more………

Volunteers

I continue to be blessed with support from faithful volunteers who have a servant heart.

Future

At New Wine Conference this year the Lord said to me “Open your eyes and look at the Harvest” and he is absolutely right.  He has a great harvest through this ministry although not always in the way WE perceive it or expect it.

He also said to me when Danny came in “Now comes the fruit”. 

I honestly believe that we are going to see wonderful salvations and healings flowing from the Hope Centre as the Holy Spirit works through the years and years of brokenness.   I also believe that the ones we least expect will be the leaders in all this.

Much love - will be thinking of you all.   Marion

And from April 2009..........

Hope Centre is coming up for its fourth anniversary in June. The Trustees have decided to renew the lease for a further year.  We want to refocus on the original aims of the Centre which were to give emotional, and spiritual support to help people move on in their lives. We also want to continue the work begun with many in the chapel of St. Barnabas at HMP Doncaster
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