Prayer Letter

December 2010

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners"1 Timothy 1:15

December has arrived with nearly two feet of snow however camps continue. Clare is coordinating food deliveries to the main road (the lorries won’t get down the back drive). Tom is digging the tractor out of the shed and rigging up a sledge of some kind to tow the food back to the house. A local farmer is going to clear the drives and we will dig out the car park and clear paths ready for our 8-11’s Discipleship camp tomorrow (3rd). After a day of snow clearing and then seeing it snow even harder the novelty has worn off for the team. However we did get
to go sledging at the local park.

We’ve been encouraged by the numbers signing up for the discipleship camps, particularly the older age groups. We have had to open up extra rooms for the 14-18’s girls. This is possible because of the extension. It has also proved a winner with visiting leaders being able to enjoy more comfort and privacy. We are aiming to have 60 spaces for campers, which seems to be a critical number for many groups/schools.

The team are doing a great job but as ever at this stage of the year starting to feel tired with colds and coughs taking their toll. Please pray for them to be able to finish the year well and healthy. They have learnt fast and are a pleasure to work with. Remember in your prayers Daisy, Luke and Bethany on furlough in America as they update supporters and recharge their batteries. They are back in February.

Jane has now finished in the office and is trying to pack and get things ready for the container arriving on Monday, 6th and leaving on Thursday, 9th. The snow could make that difficult so please pray for the logistics of it all. Give thanks for all that Jane has done. When I think back to how things were before she arrived and what she has turned the office/administration into and how the systems work so well we have a lot to be thankful for.

Please keep on praying for Jane’s replacement and a Programme manager (part of Rich’s role). We have been able to spread the work around and I am particularly grateful for Becca (my PA, brave girl) and Craig (Programme Assistant) who have picked up a lot of things and without whom the camps and many other things wouldn’t have happened.

Looking ahead to the new year please pray for our review time in January when we see what works well and think up new ideas and games. We are always striving to improve The Oakes and this is a key time. Also pray for the last few slots in next years calendar to fill up and give thanks for the groups who book again straight after their visits.

In the next two weeks the mailing should be arriving on doorsteps. Please pray that it would go out without any hitches or delays and that it would serve its purpose to encourage, inform and raise awareness and support for The Oakes.

Thank you for your prayers. We are seeing young people respond to the gospel, which is a great privilege and your prayers are key. We wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Dan (On behalf of the Team)

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and
ever. Amen"1 Timothy 1:17

See this months prayer points