Our Previous Newsletters
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EASTER 2011
CHRIST IS RISEN. HE IS RISEN INDEED, "ALLELUIA."
Wishing you all a Happy Easter
A letter from the Chair of Trustees
Dear Friends,
The seasons of Easter and Lent are traditionally a time of spiritual reflection which enables us to grow closer to God. This is so relevant to God's work out in Bethany. As we walk this great road in faith, we are not alone, as Jesus walks this road with us, showing us His wounds and touching our hearts as we all realise His grace and love. It is through our faith in Him that we have been able to take great strides forward over the last year in achieving success in the development and progression of the new Lazarus Home. This was clearly demonstrated during our February 2011 visit, where Shirley and I were blessed to witness the tremendous strides forward which have taken place since our previous visit in September 2010. This has been achieved by your prayers and generous financial support to which the board of trustees are overwhelmed. As you read further on in the charity's newsletter new changes are exciting, challenging and renewing.
Palestinian UK Embassy Visit:
In March this year my wife and I were cordially invited to meet his Excellency professor Manuel Hassassian, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom at the Embassy in London, where we were able provide him with a presentation outlining the work of the charity and the construction of the new Lazarus home out in Bethany. His Excellency has given the charity his full support and will endeavour to assist us in the development and progression of the constructions work to enable to girls to be relocated into the new home.
His Excellency has also kindly posted our charity on the Embassy's website which has a direct link this, our own website.
Construction Report:
As I am writing this report, I reflect on our previous February 2011 visit, where we witnessed tremendous strides forward in the works program. Through your strenuous efforts and commitment the following progress has been achieved:
- 80% of the external windows are double glazing and guard rails have now been installed
- he first phase of internal electrical wiring has now been completed
- all pipe work and services for water and central heating including the water storage tanks to the roof have been completed
- plaster work and painting to part of the ground floor and totally to the first and second floor have now been completed
- work is now progressing on the fitting of the internal doors and frames
- preparation work has now commenced to the sub floors in preparation for the new floor finishes.
The 'friends' trustees have agreed with the architect and the new Lazarus board work will be concentrated on the completion of 50% of the ground floor area for reception area and administration offices. The first floor will be totally completed to allow the girls to be relocated from their present temporary accommodation. With your continued prayers and support we see no reason why the 'friends' aims cannot be achieved as we reach this final hurdle.
On behalf of all the 'friends' trustees may I extend to the charity's appointed architect Ibrahim Younan, CEO of CATD, and his team, our profound gratitude whose invaluable contributions have helped greatly in the procurement of this much needed home. We look forward shortly to the day when the girls and staff will be relocated into their new home and the pilgrims will return.
In Christ.
Alan Anderson Chair of Trustees.
New Lazarus Board
On the 4th January 2011, the new board of the Lazarus Home was officially approved by the Ministry of Interior in the Palestinian Authority.
| Mr Soby Makhoul | Chairman | (Maronite Church Secretary) |
| Mr Nabil Abdallah | Vice Chair | (Deputy Head – Social Teacher) |
| Mr Mosab Abas | Treasurer | (Activity Teacher) |
| Mr Wael Abu Solom | Secretary | (Teacher) |
| Mrs Shamiram Maklouf | Member | (Secretary) |
| Mrs Rima Sharabati | Member | (Beauty Specialist) |
| Mrs Randa Tavitian | Member | (Church Employee) |
The new board has a varied infrastructure of expertise which will enable new strategic integration policies in the safeguarding and future development of the girls within the Lazarus Home. The 'friends' extend to the board their congratulations as well as our continued support and commitment.
Sponsorship News
The 'friends' trustees are acutely aware of our supporters' concerns over the welfare of the girls as they are being temporarily boarded at the Al-Zahra home in Bethany. Although the girls are being well looked after and are attending school, as you might well understand the girls are stressed at being away from their home, in unfamiliar surroundings and away from their usual way of life. As you will recall from our September 2010 visit, we were able to procure written confirmation and full support from the Minister of Social Affairs and the Manager of NGOs in Palestine that the Lazarus girls would be all temporary boarded together until the new home is partially ready for occupancy. We are continuing to work closely with the Palestinian Authority for the benefit of all the girls. During our visit we also were able to hold a meeting with Samar Sahhar and Soby Makhoul, the new Lazarus chair of trustees in Bethany, to discuss the future of the new homes infrastructure.
Treasurers Report
As I am writing my Treasurer's report, I am aware that the end of the financial year for the charity is fast approaching. This is always a time of reflection on how the Lord has blessed our efforts. It is during this financial year that the charity will have reached the tremendous milestone of raising the building to its present status for the benefit of the girls and the staff of the new home. This could not have been achieved without your tremendous financial support and prayers. Thank You All. We would also like to extend to our certified chartered account Ron Joyce a massive thank you; his expertise and time is so vital to the furtherance of the charity and, as a practising Christian, Ron freely gives these gifts as his donation to the charity. This financial year has been greatly boosted by the legacy of £136,000.00 by a dear personal friend of mine. This has greatly boosted the progress of the building to which Marjorie would have been delighted.
Once again we reiterate to all our supporters that all donations go to the welfare of the girls and the construction of the new home. The trustees all pay their own expenses and the running costs of the charity as we are all unpaid volunteers working for Christ.
Despite the progress we are making, I am saddened to report that the Friends continue its work without the ongoing support of MET. I continue to pray that MET will find it in themselves to rejoin the project. For those of you with any questions regarding MET's use of funds under its control, all I can suggest is that you direct these to MET.
Role of Honour
St Chad's Church
Christmas presents turned into donations
From Mrs Radcliffe and Revd D Hall
Sylvia Austin's planned Garden Party.
The trustees also extend our profound gratitude to all those who have donated so generously but wish to remain anonymous.
If your church or group require a presentation on the work at the Lazarus Home for Girls in Bethany (no cost incurred), please contact the registered office.
Love in Jesus.
Shirley Anderson, Hon. Treasurer
Prayers for the Homes and for peace in the Holy Land
Mondays – Give thanks for the Jeel Al Amal Boys' Home and School, for its excellent education of boys. We pray for the Head, Rana, and the teachers. We also thank you for the impovement in the boys’ accommodation and for the provision of a new library and computer rooms. We also thank you and pray for the education of our older girls at governrnent schools in Bethany.
Tuesdays – Pray for the Lazarus Home for Girls in Bethany; for abused children; and we pray for the seven members of the new Board. We thank you that we have now received on the 4thJanuary the License grant approval for the home from the Palestinian Authority.
Wednesdays – Give thanks for the near completion of the new building for the Lazarus Home after so much delay and we pray for putting in of the final touches, so that the girls may be able to move into their new home in the summer: that it may be a splendid symbol of what we can achieve through faith and prayer.
Thursdays – Pray too for the fitting and furnishing of the proposed Medical Centre and for the willingness of the Palestinian Authority to cooperate in running this place of healing, for the benefit of children in the neighbourhood.
Fridays – For the peace witness of the Lazarus Homes; 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 Jewish Settlements. We pray for the Prime Minister of Israel in talks with Hamas and the West Bank.
David Attfield
Earlier Newsletters in PDF
Christmas 2010 Newsletter [PDF]
Easter 2010 Newsletter [PDF]
Christmas 2009 Newsletter [PDF]
Summer 2009 Newsletter [PDF]
Summer 2009 Newsletter [PDF]
Easter 2009 Newsletter [PDF]
Christmas 2008 Newsletter [PDF]
Summer 2008 Newsletter [PDF]
Easter 2008 Newsletter [PDF]
Christmas 2007 Newsletter [PDF]
Summer 2007 Newsletter [PDF]
Christmas 2006 Newsletter [PDF]
October 2006 Newsletter [PDF]
July 2005 Newsletter [PDF]