At long last more news from Haus Barnabas
The above picture shows some of us at our Easter Conference. Peter Ninnis, who has recently retired from his pastorate in Truro, Cornwall gave us five extremely helpful talks on the subject of 'God's Providence' having himself been much blessed by the puritan John Flavel's book The Mystery of Providence in recent years. Our resident guests over the weekend came from a wide area, Yorkshire, Huntingdon, Cheshire and the Alsace region of France and we were pleased to welcome more local visitors from Switzerland and Germany to a few of the meetings.
The week after Easter was also eventful with a visit from a Malaysian Christian couple with a Chinese background who are currently teaching at a Bible school in Malaysia. 'Joey' is also working on a doctorate at Spurgeon's College and they were visiting Europe before returning home. It's a tremendous blessing for us to meet Christians from all over the world and to hear how God in remarkably wonderful ways has called them to faith in His Son Jesus. Also immediately after Easter we had a 'Fellowship and Prayer Weekend' for 'Friends of Haus Barnabas'. Spurgeon commented that prayer can be likened to the moon! The moon moves the tides, and the full moon, reflecting the full face of the sun, has the greatest effect, causing the greatest movement of the waters. As we prayed for the Black Forest, for the witness of Haus Barnabas and all future developments, i.e. in regard to staff and projects, including the proposed extension into the roof with more guest rooms and a seminar room, we can believe that asking in the name of our Lord Jesus, our heavenly Father will move in power and do what seems Him right for our blessing and His glory.
There are always many jobs to do the house and grounds and the enthusiastic, practical support of guests and friends who see ways in which they can help and arrange to come back specifically to combine a holiday with some works thrills us. Here in the picture it was our Easter guest-speaker who stayed on to exercise his practical skills.
There are exciting new developments taking place in 2014. A new couple Jonathan and Ruth join us next week with the possibility of a longer term involvement in the ministry. Also building plans for a small apartment, adapting a loft room over the double garage for Len and Phyl's partial retirement, have now been passed by the local authority. There are indications that much of the work on this can be carried out by voluntary helpers! Your continued interest and prayers are so much appreciated. Please also find the opportunity to come and spend time with us. The income from our guests together with financial support from like-minded friends keep the work going and we are humbled by the testimony of those who have found encouragement and blessing in Haus Barnabas and some for the first time brought to a living faith in Christ.
Len and Phyl with Tim and Deb Brooks and Tom and Esther.
