I have just received a letter from Maurice Jones (co-founder of Victory Outreach UK alongside his sister Dinah). Maurice has worked faithfully within Victory Outreach since it started and has brought young men to visit us one many occasions. The letter is an open letter to all those who support Victory Outreach, it is extremely moving and challenging. Please read, it moved me to tears of gratitude for the Love of God that just pours from the words.

Dear Friends,

This is one of the saddest letters that I have ever had to write. For over 40 years it has been my privilege to do the administration for David & Dinah in the call that God gave them, back in the 1960's to help the lost and the homeless and provide Christian "family" homes for them. Then, when Victory Outreach UK was founded 26 years ago I became the treasurer too, and more recently it has been my pleasure to help Pastor Richard and his wife Jill as they have taken over as Directors and expanded further the work on the Ministry.

But now, at almost 80 and not keeping well, the time has come when I must step down from any official position. I don't like the words "retire" and "resign" but I am sorry I have to resign because I cannot go on doing what I was doing and I must pass the baton on.

However the work in the Ministry will continue, the needs in the prisons, the daily requests for help, lost souls needing Jesus. The call is greater & more urgent than it ever was. Please I want you to stand behind Pastor Richard and Jill and every member of the wonderful Victory Outreach UK staff.

Over the past years thousands have responded to the call, but there are many thousands more in need today. I want to thank you personally, these have been the happiest years of my life, difficult often, but so rewarding and I believe that the best is yet to come.

Please continue to support this Ministry. You are such an important part of the body of it all - young men and young ladies in prison cells will hear about Jesus and find true salvation because of your faithfulness. I want to say a huge thank you to You for all that You have done for Victory Outreach UK and I want to genuinely thank you for all that you have done for me personally. Please don't change anything because of my being unable to do what I did do. General Booth of the Salvation Army in the last ever speech said "While there is still a lad in a prison cell, while there is still a homeless girl on the streets I'll fight on...." let us echo these words and say "We will fight on.........." Pastor Richard's motto is "Making a difference, one life at a time".

If you wish to contact Pastor Richard, or send any gifts, or application forms, please contact the office at Abertillery. All Bankers orders and gift aid forms already done for Victory Outreach UK remain unchanged and need no alteration.

In closing may I say this is not "Goodbye" this is the opening of a different, but tremendously important and challenging new chapter. Words seem so inadequate to express my heart to you and to thank you for all that you have been to me over the years, to thank David & Dinah for answering the call of God, to thank Pastor Richard and Jill for "taking up the baton" and going ever forward. Finally, over and above all, I want to thank God for everything that HE has done for me personally, and for all that HE is doing for this - HIS Ministry - Victory Outreach UK. I could never count the many, many times when we have had to pray and HE has ALWAYS been there to hear our cry. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!! What a privilege to know that HE cares and HE will never forsake us - no not ever. Thank you in Jesus' name.

I will be praying for you.

God bless you all.

Maurice.

(We thank God for Maurice. He is an amazing servant of God and has served so faithfully for so many years, a wonderful example to us all. Please do pray for Maurice that he will have many years of good health and continue to serve God in various ways, which it is his desire to be able to do).

VICTORY OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP MEAL

Hungry looking guys.

Roger, Mark & Carl wait patiently for their turn to be fed.

VICTORY OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP MEAL

Alana finds a way to serve teas and coffees using a cup cake tin, a perfect fit for the cups.

VICTORY OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP MEAL

Desserts up!!

Jonathan looks really pleased with his choice of dessert.

VICTORY OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP MEAL

Geoff looks really pleased that there is still some of Chris' lovely cake left.

VICTORY OUTREACH FELLOWSHIP MEAL

Michelle & Karen help out with the washing up in the kitchen after the meal.

A DAY WITH VICTORY OUTREACH UK

On Sunday 30th May we had the pleasure of spending the day with men from the Victory Outreach homes in Cwmbran, Abertillary & Crumlin.

During the morning the men shared in our morning meeting where we heard many testimonies of how God has transformed these lives in a way that society can never do "from the inside out". Men who just a few weeks ago were addicted to Heroin and other drugs (even one who had only been at Victory Outreach 3-4 days) stood before the church telling how Jesus had turned their lives around.

After the meeting we all adjourned to Hebron Hall where we had a superb lunch together and an opportunity to spend more time with the group (Photos attached).

This weekend was also our quarterly opportunity to support Victory Outreach with a food donation for their homes. Due to the wonderful support of the fellowship we were able to send the men back home with 3 car boots full of food.

A big well done to all who contributed and those who worked so hard to pull the day together.

FELLOWSHIP LUNCH WITH VICTORY OUTREACH TEAM

As the Victory Outreach team are with us on Sunday 30th May we have decided to have a fellowship lunch at The Cabin, Hebron Hall.

We did this a couple of years ago when the men were with us. It was a great opportunity to chat further with them and it was apparent (after 3rd's and 4th's) that the lads really enjoyed the food as well as the fellowship.

Rachel Long & Georgina Davies are sorting out the main course's but if you would like to contribute something to the meal then give them a ring and they will let you know what else is needed.

Don't forget that we are also going to make a food bank offering for the team to take back with them to their home in Cwmbran. Details of things that they would like is available on an earlier blog. Rachel is already taking items from people in advance of the day so give her a ring if you have something for her or what to check anything out.

Hello, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Cast your minds back to our Harvest Service last year, remember the delicious soup and bread? Do you also remember the abundance of food, toiletries and cleaning products that were collected and then donated to the always encouraging Victory Outreach team.

Maurice Jones [administrator] wrote a wonderful letter thanking all involved [that's you!!] expressing how many '' tears of joy and happiness'' were shared after being shown such generosity.

Dinas Powys Baptist Church has committed to providing food parcels to the Victory Outreach team on a quarterly basis. The first will be given when the team come back to share their testimonies and God's amazing Grace on Sunday 30 May 2010.

It would be wonderful if we gave twice as much as last time for them to take home. Please have a look at the list overleaf. The young men and women are so genuinely grateful for everything they receive, so let's come together to show them how much God loves them.

'' A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor'', Proverbs 22 verse 9.

To God be all the Glory,

God bless you all,

Rachel L

These are items that are desperately needed all the time. If you are able or know a family member who would like to help, please consider donating the following:

MEAT: Sausages, Bacon, Cooked Meats, Burgers, Hot dogs, Pies, Meatballs in tomato sauce, Chicken, Minced beef.

DAIRY: Buttery spread, Cheese, Milk, Mayonnaise.

FISH: Fish (Frozen), Fish fingers, Tins of tuna.

TINS: Tins of Ham, Tins of sweetcorn, Evaporated milk, Tins of Steak, Tins of Peas, Tins of carrots, Tins of tomato soup, Tins of vegetable soup, Tinned puddings.

GENERAL ITEMS: Potatoes, Sugar, Squash, Pop, Soap powder, Bin bags.

Anything else that you feel that you would like to give as part of this love offering.

Collection for the 'dry' items can start straight away and there will be freezer bags available on Sunday 30 May for the chilled or frozen items. You can either bring the items to church or I can collect during the week.

If you are away from Church that weekend and would still like to help then get in touch during the week before and I will store any cold store donations in readiness for the Sunday.

Thanks.

01446 404875
07793 360000

18 Aeron Close
Barry
CF62 7PX