funky doo

Haiti responses

India Knight has some suggestions for making a response to the tragedy in Haiti and for helping those waking up each day facing homelessness, hunger and deep loss.

We will be sponsoring an additional child in Haiti through Compassion where you can also donate directly to their projects in Port au Prince and the outlying settlements involving basic care, provisions and healthcare and ultimately, I am sure, housing for those who have lost their families.

Young people at the Solid ReMix event in Chelmsford Cathedral last night (320 of them!) donated to the Tearfund relief projects.

Finally, Bishop TJ Johnston, from the Anglican Mission in the Americas who ordained our friend Jack in Knoxville TN in 2008 while we were visiting has dropped everything to fly to Haiti to deliver medical supplies. As you will see from this article it is a place which holds a special place in +TJ's heart for many years. This is a shining example of how our church leaders should act in these times of tragedy and crisis and we will be praying for +TJ's effectiveness in his ministry out there - for however long he stays.

pray and petition - for Jo Grant

Those who knew me before my current role as Youth Adviser will know I worked for Aquila Way for 3 years, supporting young homeless women through residential projects. The charity has an amazing vision and I personally saw lives dramatically changed, through giving young women hope for the future and support to get there. The charity has been headed by an awesome woman of faith, Jo Grant, whom I have been able to also call a friend, for a number of years. A few weeks ago, I heard that Jo had cancer and then last week the update came that it's development had been swift and severe.

I post this prayer request to try and get the word out far and wide - Jo is not done yet and neither is God's purpose through her and through the work of Aquila and her passion for social justice and community hope - so please please pray and link to this blog post, especially if you are in the Newcastle area and can be part of the day of prayer on 12th September.

This is the text of the email sent today to the charity mailing list:

Dear friends and supporters

Most of you will be aware that our Chief Executive, Jo Grant, has been unwell for some time now. In May this year, it was confirmed that Jo had cancer of the kidney; this was successfully removed and with further chemotherapy to follow, a prognosis was made for a full recovery. Following recuperation from her surgery over the past few weeks, Jo began her first treatment of chemotherapy this last Tuesday. Six two-week sessions, each followed by a week off, were planned.

On Tuesday last week, Jo and her husband, Peter, had a consultation with the oncologist. He explained the very serious news that a CT scan taken the previous week showed that the cancer had now spread to several sites in Jo's body. This was an absolute surprise, considering the previous scan taken a few weeks ago had not shown anything. But as the doctor explained, it indicates the likely aggressive nature of the cancer. Thankfully, from a medical perspective, the newly begun chemotherapy is also the best treatment for the current situation.

As you can imagine, this news has come as a huge shock to Jo, her family, church, friends, and colleagues here at Aquila Way. However, Rev Paul Merton, Acting Chair of Aquila Way and a personal friend to the family, was privileged to be present by invitation to support Jo and Peter during this consultation and relayed to us that both of them remain determined to fight the disease – being fully convinced of God's sovereignty concerning the days numbered for Jo's life and of His power to combat this disease.

As a friend and supporter of Aquila Way, whether you have faith or not, could we ask for your support in spreading the word in that her illness be targeted by even more concerted prayer than to date. A range of prayer initiatives, both public and private are underway. Jo has asked that both in personal and church prayers you join her and Peter in praying for the miracle that she would be healed. As you pray for Jo and her loved-ones, please especially pray for a great infusion of God's healing power and for the remedial effects of the chemotherapy. Please also pray for the Lord's protection from the potential side effects of the drugs. In Jo’s own words:

“All along I have not fitted the mould (no surprise there folks)! This is a rare cancer not found in someone of my age, gender or lifestyle and continues to do the unexpected, and for me these are clear indications that another’s hand is at work...Hence I am asking you to join with me in this spiritual fight, using the weapons given to us of prayer against the powers and principalities recognising that we are on the victors side. I am not dying yet, nor do I wish to. I long to live out God’s purposes for my life and have many exciting things which I wish to share in...but please no pity, sorrow or pretence. This is a battle for life and death but it is with a real God who is alive and reigns on high and we are his family and have much to praise him for...”

With Jo and Peter, we are also planning a special intensive day of prayer on Saturday 12^th September. This will enable all of you and the many Christians in the North East who know and love Jo to join together to cry out to the Lord. Everyone is invited to pray as continuously as possible throughout that day and, if it would be of help to you, to come to Westgate Baptist Church (366 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE4 6NX) at any time between 9.00am and 9.00pm on that day as a central gathering point and quiet place of inspiration.

In making this known to so many people, especially the church at large, Jo and Peter ask that you respect their need for privacy and peace in their home. Visitors also need to be limited because of Jo's reduced immune system during these weeks of chemotherapy. So, if you have anything to share or ask about, please contact Aquila Way’s Central Office and we will happily respond and liaise with Jo as appropriate. However, please note further correspondence to follow will detail a blog which will go online after the 12^th September giving us all a method of responding and encouraging Jo without invading the family’s privacy at this time.

In the weeks to come, Jo will be meeting with members of the Board to discuss a phased return to work. Not full time and around what she can physically manage. In this interim, we would ask that even if you do not attend church yourself, you join us on 12^th September and spread the word as far as possible in order to ensure that as many people stand together in united and powerful prayer.

Jo, her family, and all of us involved in her care are hugely grateful to you in advance for your efforts, your faith, and for all your love and prayers to date.

Sincerely yours

 

Phil Dobson Rev Paul Merton
Projects Director   Chair of the Board

Aquila Way®
Kings Court, Kingsway
Team Valley Trading Estate
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE11 0SH
Tel: 0191 4915700 Fax: 0191 4913334
www.aquilaway.org