I Looked for a man

The country has a change of government.

As believers in Jesus we are told to pray for those in authority over us, whilst they that govern should do so diligently, for government has been established to protect and lead the nation for the benefit of all the citizens.

This is true of the church. God expects His leaders, pastors and teachers to work diligently, upholding His truth within the church and to the wider community as has been our national heritage until now.

Why have we seen a general downward trend in attitudes towards each other; respect for those in authority and a seeking after self interests rather than the general good? I believe that a lot of the blame lies at the churches door. The church hasn’t been there with the answers for the nation. So much so we are in danger of being marginalised or worse forsaken.

In Ezekiel Chapter 22, we read how God condemns the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem of social injustice and idol worship. The leaders had forgotten Him. Isn’t this true of our nation’s leaders? Like Jerusalem, our leaders include the clergy. Verse 26 of chapter 22 states, “Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy [truth] and the common [man’s thinking]”. Church leaders have embraced the thinking of the day rather than upholding God’s timeless Word.

It is never too late to call on the Lord to forgive us for forsaking Him and His Word, the Bible. We can do this as individuals, churches, communities and government. ‘For God is slow to anger and abounding in love and mercy’.

The end of Ezekiel, Chapter 22, and verse 30 [the Sovereign Lord says] “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land ……”

For Israel there was none. But I believe there are thousands just waiting to call on the Lord for wisdom to apply His timeless truth in their own lives and for the wider good. Our church seeks to serve God and others and to teach God's truth as shown in the bible. Can I encourage you in this also?

Erin's Blogs

Click for more information

June update

Hello Everyone!

I think my emails are just becoming a monthly thing! lol! I text my friend the other night apologising for hardly emailing but by the time 7pm arrives and I'm finally free, I flop down somewhere for rest........and don’t get up for the rest of the night! lol!

Well I don’t even think I've emailed since Dave's dad got ill. Dave had to fly to the UK on the 19th June (I think it was the 19th anyway-I have lost track of the weeks!) because he had received news that his dad was seriously ill. His Dad's name is Baden and he'd seemed to have a blocked bowel and doctors had to remove the whole of his large intestine. It was a miracle that he pulled through the operation as his health is quite frail anyway. Praise the Lord, Baden is now home and is recovering well.
Dave was meant to fly to the UK on the 9th of this month and then fly to the U.S on the 12th; He is still going so please remember him in your prayers as he tours America. With the extended visit because of his Father's illness, Dave will now not be back at Ebyown until the 8th August and he is terribly homesick. He rings almost everyday and Lyn has the ministries mobile constantly in her hand texting.

Then on the 22nd, Paulina, thanks to a lot of prayer and donations......................got a wheelchair!!!!!!!!!! it is a beautiful black and pink one and it is better than we could have ever imagined! I went with Lyn, Aaron & Di to collect it and we all got very emotional seeing her ride in it for the first time..........her life has already been drastically changed by it......she has gained a whole new level of independence and her self confidence is growing by the day! she no longer has to crawl on the floor to get anywhere. however we have had some screams with her driving........and it doesn’t help when she doesn’t know her left from her right! lol!

I hear you have all been having bizarre weather the last few weeks...........well so have we. last Tuesday night we had a terrible lightening storm and howling winds, then at 1.15am(well I suppose that would mean it was early Wednesday) I get a text off Roxanne Wells (friend) telling me 'not to kill her cos its so late but to look out my window cos its snowing!' well as you can imagine at that time I was not with it so I pulled back my curtain and could only see the silhouette of a tree blowing in the wind so I went 'huhhhhhhhh????' and then collapsed back asleep. (I should also point out I wasn’t sleeping well that night because I was starting with a bad cold and throat). so I was awake at 3.30am when Diane's phone started to ring, when she didn’t answer I got up and woke her in case it was home calling her..........the missed call was off Alen Wells (Roxy's dad......goes to our church)..........so while we're both terribly confused and our sleepy brain are struggling to think, I go to the bathroom and on coming out I glance out of our front door and what do I see...............................SNOW! AND LOTS OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. so i run into Di saying it’s snowed, Roxy had text me.....that must have been what Alen was ringing for......................"what there's snow?????" "yes Di"(pause)"what..........here right now" "yes Di there's snow quick come and see!!(pause)"are you joking???....you telling me there’s snow outside our door?..here.....in South Africa?" "Di...............GET UP AND SEE!"
Well we had so much fun running round at 3.45am taking pics of everything!, I got Aaron up and we had a little snow fight. At 4.15am we thought we'd better go back to bed.
When I woke in the morning I was feeling a little ruff, but not too bad..............and the snow was still there! We played allllllllll morning in it until it melted, and then we back in T-shirts by the afternoon! it was so crazy! that afternoon I took all the =ive kids for their blood tests. It was a 45 minute drive there and back and the tests took over an hour so by the time we got back in the evening I felt TERRIBLE! and was in bed the next day.
I am still trying to get over it and still have the sniffles! lol! but the whole household has got a cold so I'm not the only one.
Then poor Polly got a very bad infection in her bad foot on Tuesday and I had to take her and Lyn to the doctors. Her foot was like a baseball and the doctor asked why she hadn’t been seen by the hosp yet (if you remember, she has a cyst on her bone and was meant to go the hosp for special treatment) when Lyn said we were still waiting for an appointment the doctor was shocked so hopefully they will get thing moving now. Polly had to have an injection of antibiotics right into her leg, it was that bad an infection and she had to go back yesterday and today for two more injections. Me Lyn and Aaron have also been out every morning doing the monthly shopping so I am so tired from driving, I don’t thing I’ve ever driven so much!

Another sad story is poor phoenix the puppy. Rouge had broken her front right leg at the top joint. She had had it in plaster for 2 weeks. Last week the plaster was removed and she was just starting to put weight on her leg and use it again when Rouge attacked her again yesterday evening for chewing on Rouge's bone. it was the same leg as well and this time........there was blood poring out of her wound. & she was howling with the pain......we had to immediately take her to the vet again. We rang today and apparently it looked worse than it was but her leg is back in plaster. We may not be able to keep her if Rouge doesn’t take to her soon which I would be so gutted about because she has kind of become mine and Aaron’s and she is very attached to us and sleeps next to Aarons bed at night.

After reading all of that I guess you can imagine that schooling has kind taken a step back the last few weeks.........so we have taken the opportunity to start making the new calendars for next year. We make them every year and send them to all of Ebyown's supporters. we usually make around 200 and the children help too.

I think that is all the major news.........oh another thing.......S'phiwe has got a new hobby...........hiding in the boot of the combi when Salvador goes out! he's done it twice now and we've had to go pick him at various places in Gauteng and Salvi travels far and wide! it’s almost like he's on a secret mission and is a stow-away!

anyway i will sign off now........I promise I shall email a little sooner next time, and I hope you are all well.
Take care and God Bless
Love Erin
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Click for more information

Erin's News-SNOW

hi everyone....

would you believe it.... there is snow in Gauteng... it started at the wee hours of the morning... me, aaron and di where running around in it at 3am.lol. The last time we had snow was 1985

hope you are all well
lots of love
A&E

Erin's News-SNOW1

Erin's News-SNOW2

Erin's News-SNOW3

Erin's News-SNOW4

Erin's News-SNOW5

Erin's News-SNOW6

Erin's News-SNOW7

Ebyown Childrens Village

Taking care of children in whatever form requires a great deal of love, attention, and time. However, within the context of 'special needs' children and children with HIV/AIDS, there is a great deal more needed in respect of resources and finances because of specific requirements for each child.
Click to find out more about Ebyown Children's Village in South Africa.

Click for more information

Erin's News

14th June 2007

Hello everyone! :o)
Wow it’s been a few weeks (again!) since I have emailed. I am very sorry but to be honest I have no idea where the last fortnight has gone!

Sue Lim arrived on the 30th of May from Singapore. She is 37 years old and is here for a month. She is living with my self and Diane in the new family house. She is very quiet and is helping Lyn with teaching.
Susie has started teaching S’phewi on a one-to-one basis as his concentration levels drop by the day. He finds it very hard to block out the surrounding noise of the school room and gets very frustrated at times.
Please remember S’phewi in your prayers. His dementia is also getting worse and he is showing signs of autism as well. Well he gets upset with you he calls by a comic book villain’s name like Lex Luther (that was my name for 2 days straight!) He is also suffering very bad headaches……..we feel all of this is a part of his deterioration process and it is very hard for Lyn &Dave to watch.

Last Tuesday we had an incredible storm at 2.30am. Our little wooden house was shaking with the thunder and lightening and the rain was deafening. Lyn &Dave where still in Australia at this point so Chris was sleeping in the lounge on the couch. At 3am he heard yelping and barking from outside…….It seemed Rouge had attacked the pup again. She yelped and wailed all night with the pain & the next day we took her to the vet……..she has broken her front right leg, at the joint…….it was snapped in half! So the poor little thing is now hopping around with her leg in plaster. The vet is worried it may never set as it’s a really bad break, we are taking her for a check-up tomorrow. So poor Dave arrived home to a lovely vet bill!

Lyn&Dave had a wonderful time away and we all enjoyed looking at the pictures they took. Life is now plodding on as normal. School is back on, and Pol and carlos now seem to be grasping the idea that if they work well, they get a reward (sweet)…….I have NEVER done so much work with them as I have this week!!!!! Its so funny to see them when I say to go for a break; ‘No! we want to do more school!’…….so now we have a star chart…….when they get 5 stars they get a treat. Lol!

Diane opened Bethesda on Monday but no one has come yet. So she, salve & Lorraine (who lives on the camp) have been going over to the squatter camp to get to know some of the mums. Yesterday all of the workers children came over to play……all of our kids were so excited to play with new children and even the babies went crazy when they saw other black babies their age! It was cute and funny to watch them. Lukey constantly went round tapping the babies on the head and going ‘uhhhh????’

Me&Aaron now meet every morning for a quiet time and our relationship is blossoming because of it. We feel like a new couple starting out, because we have made a fresh start…..with God in the centre. It’s fantastic! Aaron has also asked if he can take over full time in the kitchen when Becca & Susie go Home as Suz makes the lunches at the moment.

So generally things are rather happy at the moment. A lady from the Big Shoes foundation came round on Monday. The org. looks after children or helps support kids who have stopped responding to HIV treatment. She is also sending me, D&L on a four-day paediatric course and I’m really looking forward to it!

It was Paulinas 8th birthday on Sunday and on Saturday Dave took her to get her very own, brand new wheelchair! She was so excited and apparently when she test drive it she went straight into the cashier desk and sent
EVERYTHING crashing to the floor!........thats our Pol! :o) it should
arrive next week sometime.
We are waking up to frost every morning now…..its bizarre to see SA with frost! I’ve never seen so many cups of hot chocolate being made everyday!
Lol!

I had better go as I am writing this before going to soccer training……we have no phone line again ( another reason for not emailing) so I will send this from Sue&Alan’s house.

I hope you are all well.
Sending you allllllllllllllllllllllllll my love and prayers Erin XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


22 April 2007

I don'tknow if that's how you spell it but that's how you say yes! in Zulu!

Anyway, I had a wandeful birthday guys. Thanks for all the cards.
Unfortunately some still haven't arrived yet. We'd had Sue Well's children stay over on Wednesday night so I had eighteen kids bring me breakfast in bed on Thurs with hand made cards. Roxanne (Sue's daughter) ad stayed over too. Then later on a couple from the Baptist church and Lorna and Maggie came to see me and everyone sang me happy birthday. They'd bought two massive cream cakes! I felt so overwhelmed and spoilt. It was so nice!

Then I was taken outby Aaron for the afternoon/evening. We went to East Rand Mall and had a nose in some of the shops and then we went to see Ice Age 2 at the cinema. Then we went to an Italien called Mimmos for dinner.
It was the nicest day I could have had.

Lyn finally fired one of the staff yesterday. It was anekeal who worked in the kitchen. Food has been going missing and she just generally hasn't been doing her job.

I was ill this morning but am feeling better now. I started with stomach ache last night and Dave said it was probably Anekeal's cooking as it was her last meal before she went. i laughed it off but then when I was sick this morning I started to wander myself!!! lol!

For the past week or so we've been reading the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with the kids and they watched the film today. I was in bed at the time so me and Aaron are going to watch it tonight.

I'm going out shopping again on Wednesday and then we're having a farewell Briaar (BBQ) for me on Thursday and then me and Aaron are spending our last day together on Friday, I don't know what we're doing yet. My flight is at 20.50pm on Friday. Its gone so fast i can't believe it.

Ihope you are all well and I'm really looking forward to seeing you all next week!

Lots of love Erin xxxxxxxxx

Erin has returned to Ebyown for 2 years

Erin is now back in Formby UK, after a hard but terrific time in Ebyown. She may go back!!

Erin, an young lady from our Fellowship has been challenged to work at Ebyown for 3 months. (Read her article in the latest edition of Church News).
We will keep you updated with her news. Here is her latest email!

Saturday 22/04/2006 19:43
Yebo!
I don�t know if that's how you spell it but that's how you say yes! in Zulu!

Anyway, I had a wonderful birthday guys. Thanks for all the cards. Unfortunately some still haven't arrived yet. We'd had Sue Well's children stay over on Wednesday night so I had eighteen kids bring me breakfast in bed on Thurs with hand made cards. Roxanne (Sue's daughter) had stayed over too. Then later on a couple from the Baptist church and Lorna and Maggie came to see me and everyone sang me happy birthday. They'd bought two massive cream cakes! I felt so overwhelmed and spoilt. It was so nice!

Then I was taken out by Aaron for the afternoon/evening. We went to East Rand Mall and had a nose in some of the shops and then we went to see Ice Age 2 at the cinema. Then we went to an Italian called Mimmos for dinner.
It was the nicest day I could have had.

Lyn finally fired one of the staff yesterday. It was xxxxxxx who worked in the kitchen. Food has been going missing and she just generally hasn't been doing her job.

I was ill this morning but am feeling better now. I started with stomach ache last night and Dave said it was probably xxxxxxx's cooking as it was her last meal before she went. I laughed it off but then when I was sick this morning I started to wander myself!!! lol!

For the past week or so we've been reading the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with the kids and they watched the film today. I was in bed at the time so I and Aaron are going to watch it tonight.

I'm going out shopping again on Wednesday and then we're having a farewell Briaar (BBQ) for me on Thursday and then me and Aaron are spending our last day together on Friday, I don't know what we're doing yet. My flight is at
20.50pm on Friday. It�s gone so fast I can't believe it.

I hope you are all well and I'm really looking forward to seeing you all next week!

Lots of love Erin xxxxxxxxx

Wednesday 11th April 2006
Hi everyone sorry I haven't emailed since Dave and Lyn got home. LOADS has happened some I can tell you now but some of it I think is best to tell you all in person. It�s all very exciting though.

Well where to start? It�s been over a week. It was so lovely last weekend to have the family back. Unfortunately Pam had to go home early because a close family friend went to be with the Lord and so Dave has flown out to Australia too. He returns on Sunday. Little Luke has had chicken pox and really hasn't been himself. Praise God though he seems to be starting to get over it. Prudence has had shingles too but is now over that.
My baby Baden is back in my room. They sleep so much better when they're all separated cos they don�t wake each other up. The little monster has started teething though and is now a dribble machine. There�s no teeth poking through yet though but I hope to see one before I come home. He's now having porridge twice a day too and is putting on LOTS of weight. The family was amazed when they got home at the change in him. I was so proud and was grinning from ear to ear. I've never weaned a baby before.

What else can I tell you.....errrrrrm........oh Baden�s mother might be coming round soon for a visit? The whole situation needs a lot of prayer and so will I so I don�t do anything stupid. The girl makes me so angry.
She only wants him back cos she'll get government grants for his meds which she can use to satisfy her drug addiction. Also Carlos' mother is improving
(amazingly) she went into hosp with full blown aids, had a heart attack and was resuscitated and then has been diagnosed with cancer. Don�t ask me how she's survived or how she's being let out of hosp but she is and its possible Carlos will be going back to live with her in the imminent future.

I'm going to miss this place so much. All the kids are my little brothers and sisters and I've made friends too. Sue Well's daughter, Roxanne is 20 and we're becoming good friends. She invited me, Aaron and Salvador to go bowling with her on Friday night. It was a blast! It was great to go out and act 18 again and not worry about feeding babies or changing nappies or giving out meds just for an evening. For those of you who don't know Salve, he's a 27 year old from Manchester who came out for a few years when Dave and Lyn first started to foster and has become part of the family. He arrived last Thursday and will be working here for three years! helping Dave with evangelism and church work. I envy him I have to admit. I wish I was staying here for three years. Lyn tried to persuade me to stay longer yesterday but I know I have to come home and sort a few things out.

I don't thing there's anything else to tell (at the moment) I tellya guys I really want to tell you my other news but I know it�s not right to tell all now. All I'm going to say is my faith has come on leaps and bounds and I've never been closer to God. He's revealed so much to me about His plans for my future and it's been amazing the way he's blessed me so much while I've been here. I'm buzzing!!!

Anyway I'd better go. Hope you're all ok. Speak again soon love Erin xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Saturday 1st April 2006
Howdy! The family arrived back on Thursday night. We had a lovely day yesterday and I was just as excited and happy as the children to have them back!

The floor was covered in gifts that Dave and Lyn gad bought for the kids from England. Today we're having a breakfast Brie (BBQ) and just chilling. The sun is shining and it's going to be a glorious day!

I'm absolutely shattered though after last week. But I think under the circumstances, Me and Pam coped very well. and I have to say I really enjoyed it even though I couldn't think straight due to lack of sleep! It
was fab looking after all the children. But I am glad to have them back!
Lol!

I hope you are all well. We had a donation the other day of sour milk drinks for building up babies. We got 62 boxes and there was 10 bottles in each box!!!!!! The store room is overflowing!

I can't believe I'm now in my last month. I'm sad at the thought of leaving because I love it here so much but I'm going crazy missing all you guys and so can't wait to come home and see you all. Both Dave and Lyn have said that
they want me to consider coming back out here in the future.

I�d better go. Love and hugs guys! Love Erin xxxxx

9th March 2006
Hi everyone I've had a lovely day today. Been outside for most of it because the Sun was lovely and warm. I did another science lesson today. We looked at how all the colours of the rainbow make the clear white light of the Sun and then I read them the story of the transfiguration. They were really interested and we had a giggle.
We tried Baden on some Bio Yoghurt today to see if it would help his tummy but he's just been sick so we think that was the wrong thing to do!
I and Lyn are making a rota and list of all the jobs that have to be done everyday ready for when she's goes away. I do know the routine now but Pam (lady from Australia won't) and it'll make it easier if we do one so we can follow it.
Lyn took Devon to the clinic today and the doctor is pleased with him. We were expecting Niaomi to join us this week again but she hasn't come. Lyn thinks she'll come the week she's in England!
Things are starting to become like clockwork to me which is good. I took a video of the ladies teaching the children the S.A national anthem. It was really funny and Patience has said that when I get married and have children she wants to come to England and be a nanny for me! Lol! I haven't told Lyn!

Anyway I�d better go now. Hope you are all ok lots of love Erin x



13th March 2006
Hey there! We've had a busy few days. The water pipes burst on Friday so we've had to turn the water off for most of the weekend and survive from buckets and fill up dustbins and baths! None of us have had a shower or bath and we're all going mad from it! It�s going to be a major job fixing it all cos it's all under ground outside in the children's play area.
We've just had a demonstration of the new vacuum cleaner. Man it was BORING! Left half way through to feed Baden even though he wasn't hungry!
lol!
I've done another lesson with the children today. We tested our senses. I blind folded them and got them to guess smells tastes and feeling. None of them could keep their eyes closed long enough so it didn't really work but
they enjoyed it I think which is the main thing.
Baden is becoming more and more like a little baby and is smiling lots now and talks all the time. but he's having nightmares due to his medication. Luke's skin is slowly improving but today it looked like grease proof paper
stuck to a baking tray, Poor little guy gets very grumpy from the itching.Devon is refusing to sleep (he's the 6 year old with severe brain damage and epilepsy). I think he's an insomniac! so the other night we only got three
hours sleep and my average is between four and five so I'm starting to feel like a zombie. It's a good job I'm into the routine now because everything�s just becoming second nature.
I heard there's been more snow your end of the world (man I'm so jealous) it's always hot here. We were hoping to watch a meteor shower tonight but there's cloud covering the whole sky so I don't think it's going to happen. /.
Anyway I'd better go. Take care guys lots of love Erin x

Tuesday 7th March 2006
Heya guys we've had a really good day today. We had a science day and I planned the lessons. First of all we measured the size of the Sun using a special formula (and got it wrong!) and then we looked at the design of the feather. It was really good and all the children seemed to like doing it.
Last night I cooked dinner for everyone for the first time. I made pasta carbonara and made the cheese sauce. I was petrified I have to say but I did it and everyone loved my sauce! lol!
Lyn had gone to the clinic with some of the children you see so that left me and Aaron to sort out supper time.
Baden has Pneumonia as well as Tb now. Praise God we've caught it early so there's not a lot of fluid in his lungs. N'tombi has tonsillitis, Prudence has thrush and a gland up in her neck so it's medicines all round now.
It took me and Lyn 40 mins to prepare them all tonight before they went to bed! Everyone is happy though which is the main thing. I�m shattered and find it
hard to function in the morning and early evening......which I might add happens to be the busiest times of the day! lol!
I hope you are all well. Think about everyone lots and wander what you're all up to.
Will be in touch again soon. Lots of love Erin x

Sunday 5th March 2006
heya guys I think it's been bout a week since I emailed. I've got to be quick because I'm using the main phone line while Dave is in the UK because he's taken his laptop. He and Chris flew out on Thursday but didn't arrive till Saturday because all the flights from Amsterdam were cancelled because of snow!

He preached at my church this morning and used some pictures I'd taken of the children in his PowerPoint presentation. Then he went out for lunch with my family!lol! how weird must that have been for my mum!
today we've sorted out all the children�s winter clothes because the winds are picking up which is a sign the seasons will start to change. It's still be around 20d.c so it's not cold but you can feel the temperature dropping.

Last week was very busy and I didn't get more than four hours sleep a night so I'm exhausted. Baden is back in the living room now with Luke (sniff sniff) but it does means I'm not having to get up at 2 or 3am to feed him
lol!

On Wednesday Prudence�s Dad turned up at dinner time with 5 other men. we thought he'd come to snatch. it was very intimidating. he showered the 9 year old (who he has ignored for 6 months) with gifts and even gave her money and a mobile phone.I don't trust him one bit and Lyn and Dave are not happy either.Lyn has a strong suspicion he's about to die and so is buying her affection. He abused and starved her terribly and sent her to the witchdoctors who chanted curses over her and covered her in chicken blood. I can't help but
not wanting to give him a second chance.

We now have a pet frog.We found it in the store room yesterday, and the children find great pleasure out of catching flies and feeding them to it.
Personally I find it quite gross lol!

eeeeerm I�m sure there's more to tell you. I can't think cos of time pressure. I just want to say congratulations Stacey. I think of you feeding and changing Leah whenever I hold little Baden. He'll be the same
size as Leah although he's now 6 months old! can't wait to meet her.

I hope you are all well and I miss you all. take care guys. I'm really racking my brains to think what happened last week!........I think I'll give up and go have a hot chocolate instead! lol! Lots of love Erin

Friday 24th February 2006
Heya guys. Woke up feeling better. Took my antibiotic and pain killers straight away.......without having any food with it! BIG MISTAKE! I fed Baden at 6am; he always takes around an hour to feed because he can't suck so has to be fed by an oral syringe. by 7.30am I was feeling completely nauseous and my arms and hands felt funny like I was about to get pins and needles but I never did. Every time I moved by head this intense wave of nausea swept over me. I had to go to bed and poor Lyn had to get all the children dressed and ready and give them their meds and well as finishing packing for Cape town. She made me some toast too and made me eat it.
I managed a few bites and then passed out. woke up at 9.30am and the nausea had gone. Those tablets are so strong that I should have had them with food and I shouldn't have had the painkillers at the same time as the antibiotic.

Lyn, Dave and his parents left for the airport at 10am. Aaron had been feeling funny too so he was in bed. At lunch time he started throwing up everywhere all over his bedroom floor. We had to clear it up and move him into his parent�s room. Poor guy's been sick another five times this afternoon. He's got a stomach bug.

The kids are healthier than u! Poor Chris has had to look after Aaron as well as keep the kids entertained and cook the dinner.
The children are now all asleep and me and Chris are chilling in front of the TV with some chocolate!

Baden is staying in my room tonight. Hopefully tomorrow will go smoother than today!
Little Luke has been given some new cream for his skin because his eczema is now a fungal infection. I put it on him before and he started to screamed.

It's burning/separating the bad skin from the healthy. Poor little guy.
Paullina hates wearing her 'legs' as we call them. They're the metal frames that go on her legs so she can stand up. Well today she got a pair of scissors and cut all down the middle of her shoe laces so she wouldn't be able to wear them. I couldn't get angry, bless her, it must be horrible.

Hope you are all ok. Tell me all your news too.
Lots of love Erin xxxx


Thursday, 23rd February 2006
Please uplift Erin in your prayers. We have a report that she is very poorly - possibly mumps and is on antbiotics.

Thu 23/02/2006 17:03
Hi everyone, I've got an infection in my sinuses (hope that�s spelt right).
Started getting a sore throat and headache yesterday afternoon but just thought I was dehydrated. Woke up this morning and my head was banging, my throat is on fire and my glands are swollen and my neck is aching and is swollen. Dave thought I had mumps at first!
I'm now on antibiotics and hopefully will be feeling better in a few days.

I had to teach the children in school today because Lyn and Dave had to take Luke and Devon for their checkups at the doctors. We did maths and English! I felt terribly ill afterwards but was very pleased with myself!

A few people have asked how little Naomi is getting on. The truth is, we don't know! We haven't heard anything from the care worker since Monday and we can't get hold of her when we ring her. We don't even know what hospital she is in to ring there (This country!) Social services came round yesterday when it was just me and Lyn in. They've been the last four weeks in a row and have turned up without making an appointment. That�s actually against the law. Dave sent them packing last week but they were back again and this time gave Lyn a really hard time.

They told her that as foster parents they were only allowed 6 children so why did they have 9? To which Lyn answered that the government state that you are allowed to foster 10!!!
Then they started on her about the fact that they weren't yet registered with social services. Lyn and Dave applied for registration THREE YEARS AGO!!! It was hilarious to see their faces. They were just out to find a fault and didn't know what they were talking about at all!
Dave was fuming when he got home.

Lyn and Dave go to Cape Town tomorrow for the weekend so me, Aaron and Chris are in charge! Should be fun! I'm having Baden in my room (which I can't wait for) and Luke is going in Aaron and Chris' room.

I'm getting more and more attached to Baden each day. Wherever I go he's always with me! He's sitting up against me right now! And he holds my hand when I feed him too. He's changing and developing so fast now! He's an absolute miracle!!!!!

Keep in touch guys and I'll try and email sat or Sunday and let you know how the weekends gone! Lots and lots of love and hugs Erin x

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 18:47
Heya guys it's been a very long and busy few days. Think the last time I emailed was the 16th.

On Friday we waited up till late for a little six month old girl to arrive. The social worker had told us that she wasn't well and had been bleeding from the mouth but we didn't even know if she was HIV+. At 6pm on Friday we got a phone call to say that she'd been taken to hospital but the doctors had turned her away straight off. They wouldn't even examine her! Lyn gave Anne (social worker) the number for their GP who had the little girl admitted straight away (it's now 9pm) She was bleeding from the mouth, nose and stomach because her grandmother had fed her porridge at one day old and so had stripped her stomach lining!!!! Poor little girl now bleeds internally when anything enters her stomach. Her mother had also been breast feeding her as well and so her whole body is riddled with HIV
She is due to come here next Monday, basically to die. We have no idea what it�s going to be like till she comes! Would really appreciate your prayers guys for all the family and the little girl Naomi. Please pray that she'd die peacefully and quickly.

On a happier note, it was Dave's birthday yesterday....We got him a calf!!!!! It was only born a few weeks ago so won't come to Ebyown till the en of March so I made him a card saying �congratulations! It's a girl!� His face was a picture!
It was little Carlos' birthday today. He's five and we made spider man cakes for lunch. It was really funny trying to make blue icing sugar because the powder went up his nose and he couldn't stop sneezing!
Prudence�s lymph node in her groin swelled up over the weekend and we started to worry but praise God it had now gone down again.
Baby Luke�s mum came to visit on Saturday. He SCREAMED the entire time. She's had two other children; one was Luke's twin, both dies due to neglect. His mother now has a job and Dave is terrified that social services will hand him back over to her. She lives in a squatter�s camp and isn't taking her own ARV'S and TB medicines so the chances of her giving them Luke are very slim. Please pray that he doesn't go back to her. Dave would be utterly devastated and he's get seriously ill again and may even die. There�s no way she's look after him. When she left he passed out. It was very distressing for all of us too. We can't deny her access but it's obvious he still remembers the neglect and abuse.
Baby Baden is going from strength to strength. He has gain 200g in a week which is a miracle in itself. He cries though as soon as he hears my voice or as soon as he sees me. I think He's starting to see me as his mum! Lyn's dreading what he'll be like when I leave. I apologise if you don't receive some of my emails. Sometimes I get a msg saying they've failed.
Thanks for your emails guys. Miss you all.
Lots of love Erin xxxxxxx


Thursday, February 16, 2006 8:00 PM
Sorry I haven't emailed for a while guys. I tried yesterday but I kept losing the connection (ahhhh Rural Africa....don't you just love it!)

So much has happened this week. On Saturday we were tidying out the old school room when a massive rat came tumbling out of one of the cupboards
(Don�t know if I�ve already emailed this but I�ll tell you it again! lol!)
I was also bitten by a spider so my fourth finger on my left hand is a mess. Having to put antiseptic cream on it. My legs and arms are a mess too because of bites.
Just remembered I have told you bout the rat! And the hot water tank in the main house burst. Then the very next day MY water tank burst! It was hideous! Water was pouring everywhere. I moved into the main house on Tuesday because Dave�s parent shave come to stay for two weeks. I was meant to be staying in the caravan but it was full of ants! The bed was covered in them! The last two days have been terribly hot. There's bound to be a violent storm soon so watch this space. can't remember what day it was but the thunder and lightening was so close that it shook the house and the tree in the kids play area was split in two by lightening. Last night I had my first S.A BBQ or Brie sas they call it. Have had stomach ache all day so think the fat in the sausages was nasty!

Me and Paulina are becoming really close. She�s becoming my shadow! I'm loving it though. Yesterday we were sitting in the garden and ended up laughing so hard because we were both so over tired. She�s only six but has such a big character. Also Baden has started cooing and gurgling. He's a miracle and he sits up comfortably now! He weighs 5lb now and is 5 months. Lyn says he's coming on leaps and bounds because of all the TLC I've been giving him.

Will email again soon. Thanks for staying in touch guys. Love and miss you all
Erin xxxxx


Thursday 9th February
Hiya everyone sorry I haven't emailed in a few days. Allot has happened this week already. On Monday I went with Lyn and Dave to do the monthly shop.

We had to go twice and both times the car was filled to capacity. I've never seen so much food bought. Huge sacks of veg and potatoes. They go through 42 loaves of bread a week alone!

There are three other women that work here. Anekial does the cooking, patience looks after the abaies and Victoria cleans the house. However all three of them are driving Lyn, and now me insane! They come to work to get money and don't actually work. They turn up late everyday and take over an hour for lunch and another half hour break in the afternoon. Some days they don't turn up (like today cos it rained!) and yet still expect to be paid.
Patience will go for her lunch and leave the babies alone in a room and not tell anyone! It's really starting to cause problems so tomorrow Lyn is telling them either to start working or they're getting sacked on Friday!

Today the electricity was off for most of the day. This afternoon I went to the doctors to see little Baden's doctor at the hospital. Everyone was amazed at the progress he's made.
This evening though the hot water tank has burst in the house!!!!! Water has been POURING down the walls in the house. The kids were going crazy! It was mad! All the water has been cut off now and don't know when it'll be fixed.

I'm getting eater alive by bugs and all the bugs here�re MASSIVE. Last night I had to fight off big black flying beetles (it was terrifying!), crickets and spiders in my room! I'm itching all over!
Weather is still hot though.
Keep emailing guys
Lots of love x

Fri 03/02/2006 18:27
Heya guys thanks for all your messages. I'm sorry but I haven't been able to read them all cause there's a big thunder storm coming so I wanted to email before the electricity goes! lol! Today was boiling! In school I taught the little ones about the circle and the colour red! none of the children are very academic and will probably not get past the stage of year 3 in primary school.

Have looked after the babies a lot today... Baden is five months old but is smaller than a new born, he only weighs 2.5 kg. He was expected to die before Christmas but praise God he is still here. He's a little miracle and is so tiny you can't imagine it till you see him. Luke is 9 months old and has the most amazing smile. when we went to the clinic we found out that he's now got pneumonia as well as TB and HIV. Please remember him in your prayers. All the Kids and I get on like a house on fire. They're always following me around and giving me hugs. Have already taken loads of pics and video clips. one of the boys called S'piwie doesn't usually take to visitors and told the last one that he hated her! but today he brought me a flower and has given me lots of hugs!
Tomorrow we're going to visit some of the friends that do a similar work and have eight children. We'll go to their house (which is Dave and Lyn's old house) and have a BBQ!
Hope you�re all ok. Better go, can here thunder, electric will go in the next 30 mines. bye Erin xxxxx

Wed 01/02/2006 19:34
Hello everyone! My first night was very interesting. The dogs scared me half to death walking round my house and then at four in the morning I witnessed my first South African storm....it blew the electricity and we didn't get it back till ten this morning. Got up at 5.30 and went to the clinic with Lyn to get the babies some more TB medicine and ARV's. It took us two and half hours because of all the people there. Most of them suffering from AIDS. While we were there people were coming up to Lyn asking her to take their children because they were going to die. It was really hard, she had to turn them all away and others were asking for jobs. It was mad. Both the babies were weighed. Baden wgo is 4 months old only weighs 2.5kg; he�s so tiny, you can't imagine it until you see him. Luke is 8 months old and weighs 5.8kg.

When we got back it was time for school. I helped Paullina and Carlos to discover the colour red! We cut out pictures and did some colouring. In the afternoon I went and played with the children, I feel like they've accepted me now. They were all giving me hugs and fighting to hold my hand whenever we walked anywhere. Was really nice. Have already taken lots of video clips and pics of them. They're all so funny! At one point Prudence and N'tombie were teaching the boys to dance, it was hilarious.

It's now 9.30pm here and all the children are in bed. Will be going to bed after this myself.
Oh, we�re getting a new arrival this week, a one year-old girl is coming to live here. We're getting more details tomorrow. Will keep you updated.

Love and miss you all. Thanks for your emails.
Lots of love
Erin xxx

Monday 30th 7.20am
Bye everyone! Gonna miss you all loads. Will email you all when I arrive tomorrow.
Lots of love
Erin x

Tue 31/01/2006 11:08
Hi Everyone I've arrived. Am absolutley shattered! only got bout four hours sleep.
The complex is lovely and I have my own house with bathroom and kitchen! The laundry is being built right next door to my house so it's very noisy. It's really warm here. about 24dc! Thunder storms expected this afternoon. The kids are all a bit shy of me lol!
Will try and email you as often as I can but the internet conection is isn't very good and Dave's son's are on the net a lot too.
Take care lots of love Erin xxx

Tiny tablet provides proof for Old Testament

Identification of Tablet in British Museum Supports the Historical Veracity of the Bible

Jeremiah 39:1-39
Now when Jerusalem was captured in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it; in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the city wall was breached. Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came in and sat down at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sar-ezer, Samgar-nebu, Sar-sekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab- mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.

LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH - By Nigel Reynolds, Arts Correspondent - July 11, 2007

The sound of unbridled joy seldom breaks the quiet of the British Museum's great Arched Room, which holds its collection of 130,000 Assyrian cuneiform tablets, dating back 5,000 years.

But Michael Jursa, a visiting professor from Vienna, let out such a cry last Thursday. He had made what has been called the most important find in Biblical archaeology for 100 years, a discovery that supports the view that the historical books of the Old Testament are based on fact.

Searching for Babylonian financial accounts among the tablets, Prof Jursa suddenly came across a name he half remembered - Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, described there in a hand 2,500 years old, as "the chief eunuch" of Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon.

Prof Jursa, an Assyriologist, checked the Old Testament and there in chapter 39 of the Book of Jeremiah, he found, spelled differently, the same name - Nebo-Sarsekim.

Nebo-Sarsekim, according to Jeremiah, was Nebuchadnezzar II's "chief officer" and was with him at the siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC, when the Babylonians overran the city.

The small tablet, the size of "a packet of 10 cigarettes" according to Irving Finkel, a British Museum expert, is a bill of receipt acknowledging Nabu-sharrussu-ukin's payment of 0.75 kg of gold to a temple in Babylon.

The tablet is dated to the 10th year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, 595BC, 12 years before the siege of Jerusalem.

Evidence from non-Biblical sources of people named in the Bible is not unknown, but Nabu-sharrussu-ukin would have been a relatively insignificant figure.

"This is a fantastic discovery, a world-class find," Dr Finkel said yesterday. "If Nebo-Sarsekim existed, which other lesser figures in the Old Testament existed? A throwaway detail in the Old Testament turns out to be accurate and true. I think that it means that the whole of the narrative [of Jeremiah] takes on a new kind of power."

Cuneiform is the oldest known form of writing and was commonly used in the Middle East between 3,200 BC and the second century AD. It was created by pressing a wedge-shaped instrument, usually a cut reed, into moist clay.

The full translation of the tablet reads: (Regarding) 1.5 minas (0.75 kg) of gold, the property of Nabu- sharrussu-ukin, the chief eunuch, which he sent via Arad-Banitu the eunuch to [the temple] Esangila: Arad- Banitu has delivered [it] to Esangila. In the presence of Bel-usat, son of Alpaya, the royal bodyguard, [and of] Nadin, son of Marduk-zer-ibni. Month XI, day 18, year 10 [of] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.

ARUTZ SHEVA- By Hillel Fendel - July 11, 2007

A routine research visit to the British Museum nets a landmark archaeological discovery and proof of the Old Testament's truth.

British newspapers report that ancient Babylonian expert Dr. Michael Jursa of Vienna discovered a small clay tablet that provides proof of the Old Testament's veracity. Though the tablet was unearthed near Baghdad in 1920, only last week was it deciphered for the first time, by Dr. Jursa.

Upon reading the tablet, which records a donation of gold by "the chief eunuch of King Nebuchadnezzar," a man named Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, Jursa suddenly realized that the name sounded familiar. He quickly consulted Jeremiah 39, where he found the man's name listed as one of Nebuchadnezzar's top ministers who took part in the destruction of the First Holy Temple 2,500 years ago. The Biblical account, however, has his named spelled slightly differently: (Samgar) Nevo Sarsekim.

Irving Finkel, assistant keeper in the British Museum's Middle East Department, was very excited: "This is a fantastic discovery," he told The Telegraph, "a world- class find. If Nevo-Sarsekim existed, [then] which other lesser figures in the Old Testament existed? A throwaway detail in the Old Testament turns out to be accurate and true. I think that it means that the whole of the narrative [of Jeremiah] takes on a new kind of power."

Speaking with The Times, Finkel said, "A mundane commercial transaction takes its place as a primary witness to one of the turning points in Old Testament history. This is a tablet that deserves to be famous."

Dr. Jursa, associate professor at the University of Vienna, said, "It's very exciting and very surprising. Finding something like this tablet, where we see a person mentioned in the Bible making an everyday payment to the temple in Babylon and quoting the exact date, is quite extraordinary."

Dr. Jursa has been visiting the museum for over 15 years to study a collection of more than 100,000 inscribed tablets. Reading and piecing together fragments is painstaking work, The Times reports, and more than half are yet to be published.

The full translation of the tablet, as provided in The Telegraph, reads: "[Regarding] 1.5 minas (0.75 kg) of gold, the property of Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, the chief eunuch, which he sent via Arad-Banitu the eunuch to [the temple] Esangila: Arad-Banitu has delivered [it] to Esangila. In the presence of Bel-usat, son of Alpaya, the royal bodyguard, [and of] Nadin, son of Marduk-zer- ibni. Month XI, day 18, year 10 [of] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon."

"Not Altogether Invented"

On hearing of the discovery, Geza Vermes, the eminent emeritus professor of Jewish studies at the University of Oxford, said it shows that "the Biblical story is not altogether invented." - - - -

Frieda Kelly

The funeral for Frieda took place at The Family Life Centre, Ash Street, Southport at 10.45 am on Monday 18th April 2005.
Frieda had battled cancer for eight years and as a 'born again' Christian is now with her Saviour. The service was a wonderful celebration of her life and witness to her Lord.
Friends were invited to the Shelbourne Hotel after the service for complimentary drinks and a buffet.

'Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.'
Ps 116:15 (from The Holy Bible: New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society)

Letter from Romania

We have been sponsoring Eva-Simona through the agency Samaritans Purse, for a couple of years. Our small contribution makes such a difference to her life

November 29,2004

Dear Ainsdale Evangel,

My name is Mirela Marian and I am the social worker at the People to People Foundation, Romania. I write you today to give you an update on Eva-Simona Talpa, the little girl that you sponsor.

Eva turned 11 this year, on November 11. She lives in Urvind, a small village near to the city of Oradea, together with her mother and her siblings. Eva's parents are not married, and they live separately at the moment. He lives in another village. Eva and her f~mily live in very poor conditions. Her mother, Ena Varga, is 37 years old and she doesn't work. She stays at home and takes care of her seven children. The older one is 17. and is already married. They live in a very small house with two rooms, which is supplied with very few facilities. They have electricity, but don't have running water in the house. The hygiene conditions are completely missing. To get drinking water they have to go in the neighbourhood to pull from a fountain. The clothes are washed in cold water, directly in the river that crosses the village. Due to their critical conditions of living the family gets social support from the state, but very little. It is very hard for Eva's mother to take a proper care of the children. Their clothes are old and ragged. It is impossible for her to buy new ones every time they get old... therefore, the clothes go in turn from a child to another... in not such a good condition.
Eva is in the fourth grade now. Her learning capacity is not very good. She doesn't like school and she often chooses not to go. Instead she goes every week to the church in the village, where she is involved in all the programs that take place there. She likes it very much.
When talking with her about her favourite activities she said she likes to colour, to listen to music and to make crafts. She is a very sociable girl and very careful with her look.

Due to your sponsorship Eva is able to attend an educational program every week, where she has the opportunity to learn and grow mentally and spiritually and get material supports. Thank you for being a powerful instrument of change in Eva's life. Thank you for caring about her future. May the Lord fill your heart with abundant joy.

Sincerely: Mirela

Power of the Cross

Click for information

Click for more information

x Mission 2005

One of our young men, Chris Fazakerley, recently spent a week in Paris, assisting a local evangelical church in a mission to their neighbourhood.
This was an exciting and challenging venture, as not only did he have to use his language skills and work in a different culture, but also to work very long hours and live in very basic conditions. However it was very worthwhile as he describes below.....
Paris Mission - March 2005

If ever there was a time when I experienced Gods helping hand in my life it was during this outreach mission in Paris!

As a Christian, I firmly believe that everyone needs to hear the good news of Jesus life death and resurrection, and that through Jesus we have forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life in heaven instead of hell. During the outreach mission I had the privilege of being part of a team of men and women with a zeal and passion to share this good news. The area of Paris that we were working in had a large Muslim community, so we had made sure that we had literature, CD�s and DVD�s in French, Arabic, Kabyle etc for their convenience.

I arrived not knowing what to expect, but here I was, after 10 mins on arrival, already starting to do work ready for the mission. We did open air work which involved talking to many different people as they passed on the street. It was great to see who the Lord brought to us to talk with; people from all walks of life, with really interesting stories about their searches for God. We also had the opportunity to do door to door work. This involved us visiting people at their homes to offer them some information about the Lord Jesus. Sometimes it was quite a challenge. We had some people that were rude and abusive, but the Lord gave us the strength to continue for him. There was one woman in specific who I remember. This Lady seemed to have spent all morning drinking, and was extremely unhappy with herself and her life. She stopped and talked to us for a bit, and after a while we had a good conversation about the love that God had for her.

The whole time was fantastic, and I came back to the UK really encouraged, and with better French I hope!

I want to encourage all those who may feel stagnant in their walk with the Lord, or those who are looking for something better in their life than the slow degradation of this world. Jesus cares, Jesus loves, and he came to this earth for you. He died so that you might have forgiveness of sins. He rose again to save you for the eternal flames and torture of hell. Jesus made it possible for us to have direct access to God. For those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and saviour, now have an eternal assurance of forgiveness of sins and a life with God forever. Turn to God and he will show you the plan and purpose for your life.

CF

Click for more information

Meetings in 2010 letter

Click for more information