Risca Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre One Year On

Proverbs 31:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

As I write this it was exactly one year ago that we met with our first client. Since then we have had a total of 24 referrals. So far four have become debt free and another three are almost there and should be debt free within the next year or two.

It’s not all been success, we have had some failures as well. Two clients didn’t engage with CAP at all for various reasons; one client we couldn’t help as she became self-employed in between ringing CAP and our first visit, unfortunately CAP is not set up to assist those who are self-employed. One client has moved to another area, transferring to another debt centre so she is still getting help from CAP. The rest of our clients are either paying in to their CAP plan or are currently in the visit stages.

Thanks to God’s provision and your generosity not only were we able bless our clients with a hamper at Christmas but we have also provided a replacement washing machine for one client, a cooker for another, baby clothes and nappies for another, clothing for another and provided one month’s rent to keep a roof over another family’s head.

Matthew 25:34-40 New International Version (NIV)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Personally, it has been an incredible journey. Starting a few years ago with a sense that God was telling me to step out of my comfort zone. Believe me when I tell you I am now way out of that comfort zone. Little did I realise at the time that I would not only be speaking at other Churches but also engaging with support agencies and rooms full of professionals, let alone meeting with total strangers who are struggling with debt and all that comes with it. On occasion, I have been part marriage counsellor, part bereavement counsellor as well as a debt counsellor.

The greatest pleasure of doing this work is to see the rapid change that comes about when people have that burden lifted and they see their lives begin to get back on track. Hope creeps in again and that is an amazing thing to see.

Debt isn’t just about the lack of money someone has. It’s about what it does to that person and their family, often when they are already feeling very low from unemployment, shame, relationship breakdown or mental illness.

After calling the Freephone number 0800 328 0006, all clients are seen in their own home. Any paperwork such as unpaid bills are collected and sent to CAP’s head office where staff negotiate with every creditor, construct a budget and examine the best way out of debt. Best of all it’s free. To find out more about CAP visit www.capuk.org or you can contact me via email at johnpinkstone@capuk.org or by phone on 07549 900288

Finally, I would just like to say a big thank you from myself and on behalf of all the clients that we have helped, those that we are currently helping and those we are yet to help, so THANK YOU to you all for your continued support and prayers.

God bless

John Pinkstone

Centre Manager

Risca CAP Debt Centre

Whether you’re ready or whether you’re not, one day it will come to an end,

There will be no sunrises, no minutes, no days, no cards to receive or to send.

All the things you’ve collected whether treasured  or not will just pass on to whom you desire.

What you owned or were owed, your ambitions and plans, and to do lists will then just expire.

What once seemed important will just fade away, with your gender, your colour, your power,

Your side of the tracks, your knowledge or lacks, will just end like the life of a flower.

The body you owned will be put in the ground, or be burned and your ashes get scattered.

So who’ll be bereft about the life that you left, your achievements and things that still matter.

What will really matter?  And how will the value of your days and your life then be measured?

Was your life lived in vain, caused some strife and some pain, or would your existence be treasured?

It’s not what you bought, it’s about what you built, not what you had but about what you gave,

It’s not what you learned, but what you then taught, not the ones you condemned but forgave.

Every act of integrity, compassion or courage, not what you had or you even desired,

What will be remembered are the footprints you left, for the ones that you may have inspired.

It’s about who will feel your loss when you’re gone, an example that they’re sad to lose.

The life that you live is not just a chance, it’s about all the roads that you choose.

© Dave Evans  (May 2016)

Essential Truths

Forgiveness

Well, that’s a tricky one!!

I’m very happy to accept the forgiveness of Christ But to forgive others?

Then I read the Prayer that Jesus taught his disciples.

“and forgive us like we forgive others”

(now I know that forgiveness from Christ is by Grace & not dependent anything I do)

So what is Jesus saying . As we receive eternal forgiveness that should flow into a forgiving life.

The parable of the unmerciful servant Matt 18 makes the same point.

No doubt in any individual case we can construct strong argument for our right, moral position and the pain we have suffered and the injustice.

But maybe our ability to forgive others comes back to the cross and really understanding why Jesus was there in the first place.

On the cross Jesus says, “Father,forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” I don’t think any of “them” deserved forgiveness but Jesus gives us a supreme example.

The Bible Book Club began on Monday, the 3rd of July at 8 Twmbarlwm Close, 7 to 7:30 pm. The book we read was Ruth and everyone was given a chance to express their opinions and suppositions on what might have happened if certain things hadn’t worked out just the way they did. Cake and coffee/tea/cold drinks were served and fellowship was great. Our God is very good to us.

The next Bible Book Club will be on Monday 7 Aug and will be led by Jan Owen. She is telling us at church today which book we are reading. The location is the same.

However, my faith and my relationship with God are incredibly important to me and, after long consideration, and plenty of prayer, understanding the downside, I am not afraid publicly to recognise God’s role in my life.

This doesn’t mean I see myself as better than anyone else. I am not. This doesn’t mean I see myself as morally superior to anyone else. I certainly am not. What it does mean, however, is that I try very hard to be receptive to the teachings of the Bible, that I am sincerely committed to the Word of God and that I aspire to lead my life in that way.

AB de Villiers(cricketer)

He was imprisoned for four days, but he saw God work in amazing ways. He preached the gospel and prayed for an inmate who was sick. He was healed and believed in Christ instantly. His other cell mate was a person suffering from intense depression. He kept saying he wanted to kill himself. He was prayed for and the suicidal thoughts left him. He also accepted Christ. A third person had been falsely accused of raping a women. The gospel was shared with him and he also accepted Christ.

(India)

Its nearly 50yrs since the 1967 Abortion Act.

Intended to reduce the number of dangerous ‘back-street abortions’ in reality it has opened the door to legalised abortion on demand. This act has resulted in a greater loss of human life than any other piece of legislation has in the history of the UK and countless women have suffered-physically and emotionally-from the experience of ending their pregnancy.

Our hearts go out to all women who have experienced the loss of their baby from any cause.

However ,we do believe that unborn children should be afforded full protection and dignity from the time of conception.

Need help or information?

www.beresfordcentre.org.uk/

pregnancycentresnetwork.org.uk

Divisions are the result of sin! When sin entered the world, it brought 4 levels of alienation:

1. alienation from God: spiritual problems
2. alienation from self: psychological problems
3. alienation from the other: social problems
4. alienation from nature: ecological problems

A complete, full gospel will be a gospel that will continually analyse the situation of each community in terms of these 4 levels of alienation and bring a relevant message until change happens.

Like many baby boomers of my generation, growing up in the 70s and the 80s, Christianity was not very relevant to me personally.  Even though I attended church  on a regular basis – it was through meeting people who were passionate about Jesus and making him known that I made a commitment.

Andrew Berry (Director of Outreach Uk OM)

CAP

From 12 to 18 June this year, it’s Carers Week – a week celebrating those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

To mark the occasion, events are happening all over the UK, bringing together a wide range of charities and organisations to build much-needed carer friendly communities. Carers Week celebrates carers of all ages who are putting in hard work to care for the people they love, often for little or no pay. These are the people that are there at all hours, dealing with a wide range of situations, from long term illness to old age to mental ill-health and addiction. Often they’re there because there’s no one else.

Carers do lots of different jobs depending on the situation of the person they’re looking after. They may be there to offer practical support with day-to-day activities, emotional support or advice in financial matters. They may be measuring and administering medicine or helping the person to get around. The question is: who’s caring for the carers?

Without the right support, both emotionally and financially, being a carer can become very difficult. While these people are so focused on someone else’s wellbeing, their own physical and mental health can be affected, they may struggle to sleep, maintain relationships with friends and family or hold down a job.

Sadly, this was a true story for Richard* and his wife Jodie*. Jodie was suffering with bipolar disorder and, as a result, had to leave her job. As her health deteriorated further, Richard decided to give up his job too in order to be at home to care for her. In a position where neither of them could work nor bring in a stable income, and with Richard finding he couldn’t claim Carer’s Allowance, the couple struggled to cope and sadly fell into serious debt.

‘We had no income,’ says Richard. ‘People lent us money, we used credit cards, and it all got out of control. We went without food for a week once – we just didn’t eat.’

For Jodie, the combination of her condition and the stressful situation they were in caused her to lose all hope.  ‘All I could see was blackness,’ she explains.

Thankfully, Jodie and Richard weren’t as alone as they may have felt. Jodie was volunteering at her local church hall one day when she happened to meet a CAP Centre Manager and built up the courage to explain her situation. The couple were then visited at home and an affordable plan was put in place to allow them to start paying off their debts. With the help of CAP and their church, things started to feel a lot more hopeful. ‘We owe CAP a debt of gratitude,’ says Richard. ‘They’ve saved us. There’s light at the end of tunnel.’

If you need help with debt, whatever the reason may be, call CAP free of charge on 0800 328 0006 between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. To find out more about Carers Week and how to pledge your support, visit the official website and join the conversation on social media using #CarersWeek.

*Names have been changed in the interest of confidentiality