Our Newsletter
Our newsletter comes out twice yearly. For older newsletters, please go to our Previous Newsletters. We can also provide our newsletter in paper format through the post, if you would prefer this. Please contact us: lazarus.anderson@btinternet.com.
EASTER 2010
WISHING YOU ALL A BLESSED EASTER.
CHRIST IS RISEN HE IS RISEN INDEED ALLELULIA
A letter from the Chair of Trustees
Dear Friends,
The message of Easter is so clear – New life, new hope, new beginnings!
It is this message that I hold in my prayers for the girls at the Lazarus Home, and those who care for them. Despite the many hardships and problems faced, whenever you go to see the girls, there is an overwhelming sense of love and happiness shared.
As I reflect on the Easter message, I once again give thanks for all who have shared in this work with us. The shell of the new building stands as a reminder of the urgency to complete the work begun.
As you will read in this newsletter, work has once again begun now that funds have become available. We praise God for two generous donations which we will receive this year: the anticipation of a gift from an unexpected legacy, and the promise from McCabe Educational Trust and McCabe Travel, made up of donations from travellers which will be match-funded by the company.
We now look forward in hope that the new building will soon be completed. We pray that for the girls of The Lazarus Home; new life, new hope and new beginnings will soon become a reality.
God Bless.
Kevin Dunne, Chair of Trustees
Construction Report
"Unless the Lord builds the house its labourers build in vain."
Following my meeting with the appointed architect Ibrahim Younan and the charity;s approved and appointed Construction Contractor Yousef Majlaton, the tender documentation was signed on behalf of the charity’s board of Trustees and witnessed in the presence of Michael O'Hara, Trustee.
It was agreed at the meeting that work could now re-commence internally by the construction of the internal perimeter block work, including the insulation to the internal perimeter walls. Yousef informed the meeting that savings can be made on the spraying of the insulation directly to the face of the internal concrete walls; this would give a saving of approx £27.000.00. The architect confirmed this would meet the standard of insulation for the approved Local Authority documentation and certification.
It was also agreed the sum of $120,000 would be forwarded out to the architects bank via an International Bank Payment. Although this would not cover the total cost of the work, it would be a starting point until further funds become available. It was also agreed if the contractor exceeded agreed funding, he would not receive payment until further funds become available. No extra charges to the charity would be incurred for this financial arrangement.
Once the perimeter block work is completed and finance becomes available this would allow for all the windows, doors and frames to be installed.
Clinic
The outcome of a meeting on Friday, 22 January 2010 and Monday, 25 January 2010 with the head of the Palestinian National Authority and his staff: we were informed grant applications to the value of $100,000 had been applied for the internal fitting out of the clinic. If the charity is successful the appointed architect and myself will coordinate the project. A decision will be reached at the commencement of the new financial year April 2010-2011.
It was also agreed Palestinian National Authorities department would be totally responsible for the running costs of water, electrics, and the salaries of doctors and nurses.
A formal rental contract will be agreed at a later date between the Charity and the Palestinian Authority, which will be paid into the charity’s bank account.
An estimated 600 adults and children will benefit from the clinic once this clinic becomes operational.
Finally, once again may I personally thank you for your prayers and support in the work in which we all serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Alan Anderson. Vice-Chair and Building Coordinator.
A gentle reminder that Alan is available to give presentation talks on the charity’s work to your local
groups or clubs. This service is free of charge.
If you would like to be included into the charity's diary, or for further information, please contact us
Sponsorship News
As I reported in the Christmas newsletter, Liana, aged 10, is the latest girl to be welcomed into the Lazarus home. I am sure you will remember the graphic photograph of Liana's pain and despair. From your correspondence I know you await an update on Liana's progress and how she is adapting in to her new life at the Lazarus Home, where she is surrounded by love. Ongoing specialist one-to-one counselling is slowly assisting Liana in her healing progress, although to date progress is slow; Liana is still not speaking but I can confirm Liana has integrated well into life at the home.
Sponsorship information can be obtained by contacting us.
Russian Convent School
It was also possible for Alan and Michael to meet with Sister Martha, Head Teacher of the Russian Covent School, Bethany.
The girls' interim educational progress reports are encouraging. Most of the girls are making good progress, although there are challenges still facing some of the girls in relation to their own personal backgrounds.
As well as raising self-esteem, special individual target setting remedial programs have now been formulated and introduced to encourage a more structured curriculum, which is more adaptable to meet each girl’s individual needs. Sister Martha and her staff are giving their own personal time to formulate each girl with their own individual targets to improve their learning. This will allow the teaching staff to closely monitor and evaluate each girl’s progress on a termly basis.
Treasurers Report
As you will have read in Alan's report, an International Payment of $120,000 has been forwarded to the architect for the commencement of the internal work. Due to the current economic climate, the exchange rate has dropped dramatically. Last year the charity was achieving a business rate of exchange of $1.95 to the pound, but this has now fallen to $1.53. This evaluated to £78,323.87.
Hopefully, by the time next interim payment is due, the financial climate will have improved in our charity's favour.
As the charity is now reaching the financial 2009-2010 year's-end, it gives us all a time to reflect on this year's blessings in the charity’s tremendous strides forward in the procurement of this much needed home. Your most generous donations and fundraising efforts have assisted in the charity reaching this huge milestone. We would therefore like to thank each and everyone one of you for your constant support, both in terms of your prayers and in your financial donations. As well as the building fund, the charity's sponsorship scheme has, through International Payments, been forwarded out to the home. £12,000.00 is the total sponsorship funding the charity has forwarded out the home for the up-keep benefits of the present girls at the Lazarus Home. You have all assisted us in helping those who need the most, but unfortunately have the least.
I reiterate to all our supporters: the charity's trustees pay the charity's running costs, and each individual trustee pays their own expenses, so you can be guaranteed your donations small or large can make such a difference to these tender young lives
Love in Jesus.
Shirley Anderson, Hon. Treasurer
Role of Honour
The trustees would like to extend belated 80th Birthday wishes to David Gregory.
David, an ardent support of the charity's work, has unselfishly asked friends and relatives to make a donation in lieu of birthday presents for the charity's work out at the home. A substantial amount has been raised and forwarded to the charity for processing. We all say a very big thank you David and may our Risen Lord richly bless you.
8th March 2010
A big thank you goes to Newcastle Soroptomists Club, who invited me to attend and join with them in representing our charity at the International Women's Day. The day was lead by the Women's Institute, who invited many women's charities and church groups to mark this annual International Women's event, which raised the profile of the works relating to women's international projects. Over 200 women joined together across the Millennium Bridge spanning the River Tyne to highlight the local and international works, which assist women’s projects.
Prayers for the Homes and for peace in the Holy Land
They can be used as biddings in Church Services; for expansion into extemporary prayer; and as themes for meditation.
Mondays – Give thanks for the Jeel Al Amal Boys' Home and School, for its excellent education of our boys. We pray for the Head, Rana, the teachers and for impovement in the boys’ accommodation. We also thank you for the education of our girls at the Russian Orthodox convent school and especially for the remdial education being offered to some of our girls. We pray for cooperation with the nuns over this.
Tuesdays – Pray for the Lazarus Home for Girls in Bethany; for Samar and the housemothers; for abused children, especially Liana, who cannot speak. Pray that the cruel stigma of being an orphan may disappear for all children.
Wednesdays – Give thanks for the completed shell of the new building for the Lazarus Home and we pray for the successful completion of the building work as it recommences. We thank you for the funds already received, especially for a generous legacy. Give thanks for the willingness of McCabe Travel to make available further funds donated by travellers on tours to the Holy Land. Pray for further giving, so that the residential building may be finished next year and the girls may be able to move into their new home.
Thursdays – Pray too for the fitting and furnishing of the proposed Medical Centre and for the willingness of the Palestinian Authority to fund and run this place of healing, for the benefit of adults and children in the neighbourhood.
Fridays – For the peace witness of Samar and her Jewish women friends; for the wider reconciliation of Jews, Christians and Moslems in the Holy Land, in this country and in the US. For lasting peace and justice in Israel, the Gaza strip, the Palestinian Territories and the Lebanon.
Saturdays – Pray for the overcoming of problems caused by the wall and its extensions. We pray for the Prime Minister of Israel and for his response to international pressures for ending Jewish settlement on the West Bank.
David Attfield