Does it make a difference?
At the Basics Bank we know that we cannot solve all Brighton’s problems. But we do believe that God, in His sovereignty, brings across our path those He desires us to minister to, and we try to help them on the road to recovery.

With the vast majority we never find out how their story unfolds because their lives move on. But there is a real encouragement with people whom we see changing before our eyes, steadily, week after week after week. Alan was one. A drink problem, a marriage breakdown which he admits was a direct result of his addiction, and then a wake up call following the close deaths of his father and sister. He appreciated the help he received so much that he composed the following poem which he read at our Partnership Event in April:

“My Bank” by Alan Saddington

I went to the Bank, my life in a mess
And to be honest, I couldn’t care less;
There I met Trevor and Jill, his wife,
I said, “I’ve had enough - give me a knife”

“Oh no”, they said, “tell us your tale,
We will help you, but keep off the ale”.
They gave me a kettle and
something to make toast,
To me it was better than a Sunday roast!

They gave me soup, meat and
spaghetti hoops
All in a bag with plastic loops.
Fish and rice, and plenty of bread -
All top of the range, it must be said.
I get to my room and I sleep on the floor,
I think positive - at least I’ve got a door.
So “Thank You” Bank for giving me a hand
I feel grateful I don’t have to
sleep on the sand.

And I will never forget what you did,
I’ve got a saucepan with a lid.
Now I’m going to the Bank on Sundays with Trevor and Jill,
“Many thanks again for helping when I was ill!”

We thank you, our partners, for helping us to make a difference to people like Alan and pray that he will find God’s love.

Dad@hvn

Those of you with mobile phones may recognise this as text language. It is very much the written language for many of our young people. Our desire at the City Mission is to embrace this technology to communicate God’s truth.

Recent developments have made it possible to send text messages to not only individuals but large groups as well, all from a personal computer. We have for some months used this to send birthday greetings to individual Basic Bank clients, as well as Easter and Christmas greetings. Others have been kept informed of times and dates of various meetings.

To encourage young people to get some exposure to God’s word, we have introduced a new service called LiveLife Simply by texting livelife on 447786200350 a text from the book of Proverbs will be received. This God-inspired wisdom of Solomon has been organised into 365 short daily messages with a wealth of practical advice to live God’s way. ‘The Message’ describes the book of Proverbs as - A manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. Oh how our young people need to be instructed in God’s way! Would not our desire for them be to - Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for His voice in everything you do. He will keep you on track..

Already these messages are having an impact on one Basics Bank Client who wrote: ‘thank you for the livelife messages. I txt to them everyday. I find them very comforting.’

Do pray that this young lady S, and many other young people, will be drawn to Dad@hvn - which simply means “Our Father in Heaven.” 

  Tony Smith City Mission Co-ordinator                                                                

New Homes continue to welcome us!

I am delighted to report that in recent weeks the Lord has opened six more Rest Homes to us - all in Hove. This brings our total to twenty one!

Managers of Glentworth House, Swallows Lodge, Cavendish House and Carlton House immediately recognised our ministry as a blessing to residents, and they all set dates for our visits to the end of the year. At Dane House and Regent House, the Managers have invited us to hold an introductory service, after which they are sure that the residents will decide they want more.

As we have had this increase in the number of venues, we thank God that we have a couple of new helpers and are looking forward to finding more to build up a second team. From July the present team of Audrey, Christine, Rosalie, Rosemary, John and Pauline will release me from ministry in some Homes to begin the work in the new ones. 

                                                                     Colleen Hurd Rest Home Co-ordinator