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The residents at Mercy house sent their own 'thank you' letters, in advance, for donors to see
And Diana sent her thanks:
Dear parishioners
We knew very well about your Xmas sale and were thinking of you and praying for its success: Veno and I even said the rosary for this intention on Saturday morning while sitting on a tree trunk during our dog walk in the park! So we were there in spirit. We have received £1000 - that's not the final total! This is really splendid and encourages us so much. On the ground level it can be real uphill, trying to help so many with such genuine needs, but when we have support of the kind that we get from St Richards, we are heartened indeed to continue with courage.
The attached picture shows Richard who came to us in 2004. At a very young age, he witnessed the killing of his father, mother and sister at the time of the genocide and was forced into the army when still very young. When he tried to escape, he was found and beaten ostensibly to death. Although he survived he was left with a broken hip and came to us, dragging his left leg along beside him. It was a life-changing and overwhelming sight. After waiting 18 months we managed to get him into the local hospital where he had to have 3 hip operations. In the picture he is recovering from same. The amazing part is that, inspite of all the sadness of his past, Richard has such a radiant smile which is there so very often, a divine smile, if you wish to call it that! He is currently doing studies in electrical engineering, but we need money to pay his study fees for next year. There are quite a few others who would also like to study similar courses next year. Your money will go in the first place to help with Richard's fees, and if there is any to spare to help another young person to study. So it will be well spent: studies is the focus. |
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Many many thanks, especially also to the organisers, in particular Mick and Penny Finn and Judy McGregor who spear-headed the project. Every good wish to all of you, some of whom I have met personally. Diana Beamish
Someone else who needs help:
The young lady with her baby looks about 14 years old. In fact she is a few years older, but still too young to have the responsibility of a child, Olivier, to care for. Azeba was brought to SA when she was 10, but the person who brought her left her alone and we found her living in a passage in a condemned block of flats where there was no water, no electricity and no garbage removal. We got her into temporary accommodation, but from the end of November she has no place to stay, no job and no family to support her. Of course it is a great worry as Mercy House is full. These are the situations that war puts our young people into. Please pray for her and even more, for Olivier (just over one year old). |
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And here are more comments and thanks from the residents:
"I would like to sincerely thank you for your financial support during the four years of my B.Ed degree course through Mercy House/JHB. I have now successfully completed the course. I don't have the proper words to express my full thankfulness and joy from my heart, but I trust that the Lord will reward you heavenly. Yours in Christ: Manasse Mukeshimana.
...with your help you have managed to make life easier and pleasant for us to live. Thank you once again... Shadadi
... you make us forget about the past and focus on the future, when we are sick you .. don't rest till you find medication for us. We will always be thankful and God bless you - Richard Mushmiye
To everyone at St Richard's church...Thank you for showing a gentle attitude towards everyone in Mercy House . Vanneau from the Democratic Republic of Congo
And they add: "A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008"