From the January-April 2012 Issue
SUMMER WORKPARTY AT GUESSENS
Andy & Jean Woods
Have you got ten days to spare? Can you paint, garden, do DIY, or any other practical jobs? Then we would love to hear from you. As most readers of Vision for Europe will know, the EMF headquarters and the School of Biblical Studies are housed in a very large old house. Old houses always need work to be done. As a Mission we could use your help with some of these jobs. We can’t pay you, but we can promise you the opportunity to meet new people, to learn more about the Lord’s work in Europe, great fellowship, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have given invaluable help to the work of EMF.
You may be a student with time to spare, recently retired, a housewife… You may be from the UK, Spain, Germany, Portugal or another country. Whoever you are, we would love to hear from you if you are interested in coming to ‘give us a hand’.
We plan a work party in August, but would also love to hear of anyone who has a week to spare at any other time. Please contact Andy and Jean Woods: Tel: 01438 840 796 Email: woods.jeandy@gmail.com
Here is what our 2011 group had to say about their ten days with us: Take eight people – three Spanish, two English, two German and one French. Add paint and brushes, pasta/ plaster, hard work outside and inside. Ten days later you have two rooms which have been completely redecorated and a beautiful garden without a weed in sight.
The EMF work party is an opportunity for people, young and old, to get to know the mission and Christ’s work in Europe. Working with the permanent staff of Guessens, we learnt about the history of the mission and had the privilege of meeting the new Director, his predecessor and their families. We had wonderful fellowship with those from different countries, and the opportunity to improve our English and get to know other cultures. We made new friendships and learnt many things about the various churches of EMF, as well as about the home churches from which the workers came.
We would like to conclude by thanking all those at Guessens for their warm welcome, patience, hospitality and Jean’s good cooking. All felt it was a privilege to spend these ten days together and look forward to repeating the experience next year.
Gloria, Emanuel, Ioana, Liz, Anthony, Miriam, Sofia and Wendy