A report on the 2010 UK Supporters Day

A report on the 2010 IHA-UDP annual supporters meeting

2^nd October, hosted by Glenfall Church at Cheltenham

By Arthur Champion

About 40 friends gathered from all over the UK on a glorious autumn day to hear news directly from Jember, pray together and strengthen the supporters’ network.

Welcome	Keith Holland
A recent trip	John Massink	John told how Tesfahun (born in 1981 and who grew up in CBISDO area and who was a shoe shiner (street boy). He was a beneficiary of IHA-UDP sponsorship programme. He completed high school, and recently he has been inspired to bring together various professionals who are now caring for some of the city’s thousands HIV/AIDS orphans. John showed a slide inside the boy’s home and this quote: “One day I hope to have a chair so people can sit and we can talk about Jesus and read the Bible together. Tesfahun’s “Hand in Hand” project gives practical support for the social and medical needs of about 100 HIV/AIDS orphaned children.
CRED	Simon Paylor	Since starting at CRED about six years ago Simon has become Director. He is running trips for young people to Kenya and India and Ethiopia. Simon showed a lively video of 27 children visiting the project and caring for CBISDO (Ex-IHA-UDP) children with mental disabilities.
Jember’s update	Dr Jember Teferra	Points for prayer: IHA-UDP has built over 2000 houses in the past 20 years. IHA-UDP is the only NGO committed to building condominiums despite difficulty in planning and other practical issues eg. The poorest of the poor now live in better conditions, in homes fit enough for human habitation, than some of the slightly better off community members. CBISDO Clinic is currently run by a part time Health Officer who has replaced Dr. Getachew. HIV/AIDS programme is struggling with financial shortfall – please pray for concerned donors. Sponsored children only get one meal a day and many children who feel that their younger brothers and sisters even get less are bringing them to the feeding center to share their lunches – if this continues, sadly they will unfortunately be under fed. Substantial funding via Comic Relief needs a new partner since they do not fund directly (only through British Partners Channeling) Christian partners have been contacted – although Glenfall offered, but the new head of the People Living in Urban slums funding desk has made it very difficult. Requested the supporters to pray for wisdom to handle sponsorship issues in the future.
Lunch	Annie Green and friends	Technicolour soup which tasted very nice! Group photo outside the hall.
Family news	Workneh	Workneh has a new job with a big law firm. Father’s autobiography is due for publication in English version hopefully in 2011. Tata is in full remission and runs Koochu handbag business http://koochu.com/ Jemima has started nursery and Nikkita is going to study at John Moore University in Liverpool and the girls are doing well. Dr. Memmenasha and Joseph have a new baby boy, Meba, born on 31/8/10 in London-Praise God, they are doing well. Sister “Puppy” is caring for refugees and ethnic minorities in Manchester whilest finalizing her Masters at Manchester University next year.
Financial report	Chris Hughes	Reported that there is £28,000 in an endowment fund and £13,500 in a saving account.
Library books	Keith Holland	Keith has used Amazon Marketplace to purchase £25k worth of books for one tenth the cost! DHL are shipping them next week for the Institute of Urban Workers.
Light for our Path	Kate Hughes	Kate edits this book of Bible notes: International Bible Reading Association (IBRA) with contributors from 45 countries including Jember whose contribution, next year, is in the last week of January 2011. The book costs £8.50 per copy. http://www.eden.co.uk/shop/light-for-our-path-2546079.html
Prayer	Small groups	A special time.
Liz Scotland – a tribute	Jember Teferra	Jember spoke movingly about her dear and special long time school friend Liz Scotland, from Clarenden school who passed away in June. She paid tribute as well as thanking her very much for many many different issues as well as her role in making Glenfall Church Support to IHA-UDP, at first, though her husband Nigel who was a Pastor.
The Grace	Everyone	A nice evening to travel home