Europe Updates

True Joy

Laura Boswell| TV Presenter & Script Writer

Ihave always been a very outwardly joyful person. I’ve always wanted to be friendly and approachable, as well as smiley to those around me.

It has always been a huge part of my personality. As such, it has been easy for people to assume that what they have seen on the outside is how I have felt on the inside. Unfortunately, that has not always been the case.

I was saved back in 2002 following a lady sharing the gospel with me on a work placement from University at a Christian radio station. I was convicted of my sin and my need for Jesus and gave my life to Him in a prayer.

Shortly after that I had a troubling time with my thought life. Previously, as a teenager, I had experienced fear and irrational thoughts, but it seemed (after salvation) to crank up a gear. Suddenly I found life became more challenging and I was unable to mask what was actually going on inside.

At the time I think I was very caught up in my feelings and believing that my thoughts were important. The more I dwelt on them, the worse I felt.

What God has taught me over the years is that He is in control, and we can choose to be joyful! That doesn’t mean we need to understand everything first. As soon as I have engaged with the thoughts and fear has grown, it always creates more thoughts and more fear.

God says in His word: “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 4–6). What God has taught me is that the Truth is true regardless of what we are thinking about. If God says don’t worry, then we don’t need to worry because He is in control of everything.

I used to think this was a nice scripture, but it spoke against what I was doing and as I had so many reasons to be worried, it couldn’t apply to me. It’s like when I have a thought and worry, I will think “but there’s this and what about that?” God is saying, you don’t need to worry about that! It is literally a case of letting go of the control and trying to figure it out and instead, leaving it with God because He wants me to trust Him and to live at peace. When we obey God there is such freedom and peace. It reminds me of a child just trusting their parents for everything. They don’t worry about their needs being met. They don’t even need to think about it. That is what God wants for us. Trusting Him like a child.

There is such power in God’s word and when we stand on it, we will bear fruit from doing what it says. When I sense fear attached to a thought, I now know that I can stand on that scripture and not even let the thought land because God does not want me to worry. It is living life in peace today and not allowing fear to rob me of it. Joy is the fruit of that.

The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” When we choose to be joyful, He lifts us up from the pit we are in.

We apologise that there were technical difficulties at the LLHM virtual partner event that took place on the 02 April 2022. Rest assured that the annual partner event will still be going ahead on 7th October 2022. Look out for further details. We hope to see you there!

Gizmo in mascot dash

Oh, what an amazing day it was! Our runners did us all proud by completing the Half-Marathon. Amongst many charities, Gizmo was one of the eight mascots selected to take part in the Mascot Dash – woohoo! The Cheering Squad pumped out praise, fun and encouragement to every runner and spectator.

Love the vibes? Join and be part of the CBN Team next year 2nd April 2023! Bring joy as a sponsor, cheering volunteer or as a runner-fundraiser. Training starts now! Drop us a line at fundraising@cbneurope.com

Eniko finishing race

Kim finishing race

The SUPERBOOK 5K

is back! It’s not too late to sign up today!

Which of your friends will you invite to join you on this SB 5K? Encourage the children in your life to get to know Jesus. Help other children to have a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Fundraise for Superbook!

23rd to 30th June 2022

Registration fee:

£7/child £12/adult £35/family (2 adults and 2 children) All participants will receive an event pack – including a little surprise...!

Fanoulla – Top Fundraiser 2022

Special shout out to our Super Troopers – Reuben, Joel and Luke!

Need help to begin your fundraising? Please drop a line to: fundraising@cbneurope.com We are SUPER grateful for all who have taken part so far in a Superbook 5K – Adults and children alike! Everybody’s effort is making a huge difference!

Thank you for your support in Ukraine!

Because of you, CBN’s Operation Blessing staff quickly sprang into action at the start of the war in late February 2022. Whilst men had to remain and fight, there were millions of women, children, and dependants fleeing for their lives.

Your kindness helped bring solace to scores of families facing an uncertain future in a new land. You provided a basecamp at the Ukrainian border in Medyka, Poland. Here, CBN’s Operation Blessing staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to provide food, blankets, direction, encouragement, and a warm, safe haven for weary refugees.

Not only did you provide the basecamp, but your generosity supplied an Operation Blessing warehouse in Poland. This warehouse provides a central location to store and send out these critical supplies across the border into Ukraine as the war rages on.

Your support facilitated partnerships with local churches and community leaders throughout Ukraine. They were able to put supplies directly into the hands of Ukrainian families who need it. They are able to stand with and strengthen families through prayer and words of encouragement.

One refugee shares, “I’m grateful for such support and care, it’s unreal. It is so needed, and we love you. Right after we crossed the border, without any doubt we knew that people would help us.”

Want To Read More Stories?

Visit cbneurope.com/impact to read more inspiring stories about how God has used CBN across the globe.

Changing a Young Girl’s Life

Nine-year-old Shiloh in South Africa was intrigued when her mother introduced her to Superbook after seeing an advertisement on The 700 Club. It wasn’t long before Shiloh was hooked, and soon, she could not stop watching.

As a special surprise, her mother blessed her with a DVD combo of Superbook episodes.

As a result, Shiloh received Christ and even got baptised. Her mother raved about the impact that Superbook has had on her life. The love and support of global CBN partners are making an eternal difference to children and families worldwide.

Shiloh says that she and her mother are “Superbook fans” and that they love to “tell others to watch it too!”

Saving Baby Praise

Betty couldn’t stop her baby Praise from crying. Something was terribly wrong, and Betty didn’t know how to help.

Times were difficult for this family since her husband had suffered an injury and could no longer work. Without his income, food was scarce, and medicine was non-existent.

Following her pastor’s advice, Betty took Praise to a local centre near their home in Uganda supported by CBN’s Operation Blessing. Doctors determined that Praise suffered from a cold, anaemia, dermatitis, and a lack of nutrition.

Thankfully, Betty received the urgent medical care that her child needed. Including baby formula, nutritional education, and a better quality of life that compassionate global partners helped make possible!