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THROUGH CHRISTIAN EYES
PORTHCAWL LIONS
Did ‘Freedom Day’ (July 19th) bring you release? As we enter August we may be enjoying greater liberties from the protective measures of Covid19 restrictions but many other things can still hinder our lives. For some of us it is the consequences of our poor choices or an addictive obsession, for others it can be our own or others expectations for our lives. At some time in our lives most of us feel trapped in an emotional ‘lockdown’ of one kind or another. But there is hope; there is release in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” (Luke 4:18-19). Whatever situation frustrates and limits you from enjoying life to the full, bring it to Jesus in prayer and let him deal with it, or with you, and may the rest of this year truly become a ‘year of the Lord’s favour’. For more information contact us at faith@gilgal.co.uk
July saw a very welcome well-attended first social gathering (separated tables of six at the Hi-tide) and the handover of the President’s chain (see picture attached) from outgoing Lorrie Desmond-Williams to Carole Roberts. Lorrie has obviously presided admirably over a difficult year and mastered zoom we hope she will have another go and enjoy more normal and rewarding times, as indeed we do for Carole just starting a second term. We are now planning a Sandcastle Competition on Trecco Bay (unlike previous years), spread over the four mornings Wed to Sat 4th to 7th August. Time to practise and make perfect! Competitors should have their castle (it can also be a car, boat, plane monster or any creature) ready for our photographer at about 12 noon. There will be prize-certificates each day and on the Saturday The Mayor of Porthcawl, Tracy Hill will join us to judge (by photo and live) the overall winner. As always details are on our website - Porthcawllions.org.uk - where we hope to show all the splendid creations of a staycation summer. Sadly with loss of venue and restrictions Car Boot Sales seem unlikely this year, but things are hopefully returning to normal and we more than ever need a new generation of lockdown survivors with new ideas to help us revive a club which has done, and still does a lot for our community. Even now we are still supporting youth groups and the food bank, but working together and with new faces will be great - contact Jim 859505 to learn more. Andrew Collier
REV. MARTIN GILLARD Gilgal Baptist Church, Porthcawl www.gilgal.co.uk
TOOLS FOR SELF RELIANCE Tools for Africa
TFSR has not been idle during the problems arising from Covid. As well as re-furbishing tools for a number of kits in the workshop, more akin to an operating theatre, bearing in mind the need for self- distancing, masks, adequate hand sanitation etc. We have nine kits ready to go, Builders, Carpenters and Automechanics. All the kits going to our training partners in Africa. A Typical Kit is shown in this month’s photograph, with 91 tools in total for a Training Centre. Two of the crates also contain hand sewing machines and haberdashery kits. We are always thankful for the support we get and have recently received a number of hand sewing machines from Bridgend College for which we are very grateful. We have also sent a number of un-refurbished tools to TFSR Cymru destined for Tanzania, as well as supplying gardening tools to the Llanelli group for sale at the National Trust Property at Llandeilo. Be assured all our kits will be self- isolating when they arrive in Africa, let alone Llanelli. As you see TFSR here in Porthcawl has been busy during these problematic times and we shall continue to be so. Mark James Chairman
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