Archive for January, 2014
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
I was watching this film on TV this week & was struck by the courage of the lady Gladys Aylward(who looks nothing like Ingrid by the way), especially the scene where she enters the prison compound alone during a riot . In the film she is almost axed. Was this added to the film to give it more drama or did this really happen?
During her second year in Yangcheng, there was a riot in the men’s prison that no one could control. The Mandarin sent her there to stop the riot. What was a foreign missionary woman to do in the chaotic prison where convicts such as murderers, bandits and thieves were rioting and killing each other? Gladys asked, “Why don’t you send the soldiers to stop it? If I went in, they will kill me!”
The prison governor said, “How can they kill you? You tell everybody that you have the living God inside you. You preach it everywhere –in the streets and villages.” Gladys prayed, “Oh God, give me strength” and she went in.
There were several dead bodies in the courtyard of the prison and blood everywhere. A convict with a meat axe with blood on it was ready to strike. Gladys prayed in her heart, “God, do your will.” She stepped toward the man and commanded, “Hand that axe to me.” Should he strike this “foreign devil?” Suddenly his face dissolved into meekness and he handed her the axe. She restored order in the hellish prison and later even helped to improve the prison conditions.
Gladys’s nickname changed from “foreign devil” to “Ai-Weh-Deh,” which means a “Virtuous one. Gladys simply depended on God for help and served the Chinese people.
SHADE
SHADE is a user-led self help group for adults who suffer with depression.
We are based in Risca, about 7 miles north west of Newport in South Wales (UK). A number of members travel to us from surrounding areas including Chepstow, Newport, Cardiff, Pontypool, Abertillery and Tredegar.
Any adult who has or has had depression or anxiety is welcome on the basis of mutual respect. You don’t have to have a formal diagnosis. We also reach out and invite referrals via health professionals, social services, and voluntary organisations.
We meet twice a week, on Tuesdays from 7pm – 9pm, and on Thursdays from 1pm – 3pm. There is no charge to attend or for membership, just come along and meet us. Our aim is to support each other, in a safe confidential environment.
We chat, listen, empathise, have fun, invite speakers, go 10 pin bowling, go out for meals, gentle walks… the list continues to grow and we welcome new ideas. A key word is Respect – we try to adapt to the needs of those attending. SHADE is affiliated with Journeys (previously Depression Alliance – Cymru).
We have made links with the Caerphilly East Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) in Risca. Doctors’ surgeries and chemists display our poster, as do many other local health organisations and projects.
Dan-y-Graig Church, Risca, kindly let us use their hall for our meetings, and display our poster. Some SHADE members are Christians – many are not – reflecting the general population.
1 in 4 people in Britain suffer with depression, but many don’t or can’t acknowledge this. Social “stigma” and lack of public knowledge and education makes life very difficult for sufferers. The Press often don’t help – remember “Bonkers Bruno”? We try to find ways of reducing stigma – working with various organisations.
Any adult who has or has had depression or anxiety is welcome on the basis of mutual respect. You don’t have to have a formal diagnosis. We also reach out and invite referrals via health professionals, social services, and voluntary organisations.
We meet twice a week, on Tuesdays from 7pm – 9pm, and on Thursdays from 1pm – 3pm. There is no charge to attend or for membership, just come along and meet us. Our aim is to support each other, in a safe confidential environment.
We chat, listen, empathise, have fun, invite speakers, go 10 pin bowling, go out for meals, gentle walks… the list continues to grow and we welcome new ideas. A key word is Respect – we try to adapt to the needs of those attending. SHADE is affiliated with Journeys (previously Depression Alliance – Cymru).
We have made links with the Caerphilly East Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) in Risca. Doctors’ surgeries and chemists display our poster, as do many other local health organisations and projects.
Dan-y-Graig Church, Risca, kindly let us use their hall for our meetings, and display our poster. Some SHADE members are Christians – many are not – reflecting the general population.
1 in 4 people in Britain suffer with depression, but many don’t or can’t acknowledge this. Social “stigma” and lack of public knowledge and education makes life very difficult for sufferers. The Press often don’t help – remember “Bonkers Bruno”? We try to find ways of reducing stigma – working with various organisations.
Handel’s Messiah 25th Jan
Cambrensis choir and ensemble will be performing Handel’s Messiah at the Sony Theatre, Bridgend College, Sat Jan 25th at 7pm.
Door open 6,15 and light refreshments served.
There will be a short talk on Handel and THE Messiah before the performance, by Rev Stephen Clark.
Soloists are Jessica Robinson, Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, Chris Jenkins and Kelvin Thomas
For tickets contact the Cambrensis office or ring Ieuan Davies on 07816 491225
Cambrensis in support of Blythswood
