We now have their
'Let us not become weary in doing good' (Galatians 6: 9)
And in case you are weary, why not treat yourself to the wonderful playing by the Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman of the theme from Schindler's List. The YouTube video can be found below.
What is happening? What are our current pressing needs?
Well, as of 2020 our current pressing need in working with the Arafeh family is preparation for moving into employment. For what you can do, please see our page on 'How can you help?'.
We are delighted to acknowledge with gratitude a significant recent donation towards our work from the local Union of Catholic Mothers, who made us their project for 2019.
We also recently heard that the CRSS has been selected as the 2020 parish project of St Dominic's Church, Dursley.
Thank you so much, everyone, for hearing the cry of those in such terrible need. We, and those we try to help, are enormously grateful to you for your generosity.
STOP PRESS (October 9th, 2019)!
OUR SYRIAN FAMILY IS NOW WITH US IN BRISTOL!
Dear Friends - just to let you know that our Syrian family has now arrived!
Janet Andrews, Mary Brennan and Paul Williams, together with our super interpreters Ahmed El Halabi and Nermin Gobrial, collected the delightful Arafeh family from Exeter Airport late this morning. In spite of heavy rain the pickup was extremely quick and smooth, and they were back in Bristol soon after mid-day.
We have now shown them their new accommodation, briefly explained everything, signed the tenancy agreement, and left them with our Welcome Booklet in Arabic, a big supply of provisions and a lovely halal lamb meal cooked by a Syrian lady who lives in Westbury on Trym.
Of course, they were tired having been travelling for nearly 24 hours (they arrived at Amman airport for their first ever flight 8 hours ahead of takeoff!). But they were also exhilarated, and so pleased to be here at last. Soon after arriving the youngest son, Abdulmalik, looked around outside the airport terminal, breathed deeply, and said 'Biritanya'! Yes, this is it, Britain - your Britain, our Britain, and now their Britain.
And it is thanks to you folk that they are here, that you heard our blessed Lord's call to help those who needed your help. It is very early days, there is a lot to do, but already YOU are making a real difference to the lives of such a lovely family. Thank you, thank you, and please spread the word so that others too can have the deep joy we are feeling at being able to help those who need help.
May God richly bless you all.
****
We have recently been reminded why we are doing all this. Once more only tears seem appropriate. Syria is old news. This item also appeared on July 25th, this time on the BBC website. When we looked the next day it had gone from their news page already. It wasn't an item that reached their top ten.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49111537
Please look at it - if you can. It will remind you of why we are involved in all of this. So often when items like this appear in the media folk look, lament, shrug their shoulders and say, 'But what can I do?'.
Well, even tears are not enough! Here in Bristol at the CRSS we are doing something, something practical, something that is and will bear fruit. Tell others. At the CRSS we are perilously few. Send this BBC link on to others you know, others on your contact list, your Facebook friends. Tell them to dare to look. The banquet is laid and ready. Tell them to join us, either us at the CRSS or others involved with the Community Sponsorship Scheme.
We desperately need more volunteers; we need more support. We and those we are supporting need more help.
For further updates - watch this space!
'Let us not become weary in doing good' (Galatians 6: 9)
And in case you are weary, why not treat yourself to the wonderful playing by the Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman of the theme from Schindler's List. The YouTube video can be found below.
What is happening? What are our current pressing needs?
Well, as of 2020 our current pressing need in working with the Arafeh family is preparation for moving into employment. For what you can do, please see our page on 'How can you help?'.
We are delighted to acknowledge with gratitude a significant recent donation towards our work from the local Union of Catholic Mothers, who made us their project for 2019.
We also recently heard that the CRSS has been selected as the 2020 parish project of St Dominic's Church, Dursley.
Thank you so much, everyone, for hearing the cry of those in such terrible need. We, and those we try to help, are enormously grateful to you for your generosity.
STOP PRESS (October 9th, 2019)!
OUR SYRIAN FAMILY IS NOW WITH US IN BRISTOL!
Dear Friends - just to let you know that our Syrian family has now arrived!
Janet Andrews, Mary Brennan and Paul Williams, together with our super interpreters Ahmed El Halabi and Nermin Gobrial, collected the delightful Arafeh family from Exeter Airport late this morning. In spite of heavy rain the pickup was extremely quick and smooth, and they were back in Bristol soon after mid-day.
We have now shown them their new accommodation, briefly explained everything, signed the tenancy agreement, and left them with our Welcome Booklet in Arabic, a big supply of provisions and a lovely halal lamb meal cooked by a Syrian lady who lives in Westbury on Trym.
Of course, they were tired having been travelling for nearly 24 hours (they arrived at Amman airport for their first ever flight 8 hours ahead of takeoff!). But they were also exhilarated, and so pleased to be here at last. Soon after arriving the youngest son, Abdulmalik, looked around outside the airport terminal, breathed deeply, and said 'Biritanya'! Yes, this is it, Britain - your Britain, our Britain, and now their Britain.
And it is thanks to you folk that they are here, that you heard our blessed Lord's call to help those who needed your help. It is very early days, there is a lot to do, but already YOU are making a real difference to the lives of such a lovely family. Thank you, thank you, and please spread the word so that others too can have the deep joy we are feeling at being able to help those who need help.
May God richly bless you all.
****
We have recently been reminded why we are doing all this. Once more only tears seem appropriate. Syria is old news. This item also appeared on July 25th, this time on the BBC website. When we looked the next day it had gone from their news page already. It wasn't an item that reached their top ten.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49111537
Please look at it - if you can. It will remind you of why we are involved in all of this. So often when items like this appear in the media folk look, lament, shrug their shoulders and say, 'But what can I do?'.
Well, even tears are not enough! Here in Bristol at the CRSS we are doing something, something practical, something that is and will bear fruit. Tell others. At the CRSS we are perilously few. Send this BBC link on to others you know, others on your contact list, your Facebook friends. Tell them to dare to look. The banquet is laid and ready. Tell them to join us, either us at the CRSS or others involved with the Community Sponsorship Scheme.
We desperately need more volunteers; we need more support. We and those we are supporting need more help.
For further updates - watch this space!
