Prayer Focus - August 2021

Newsletter - Prayer Focus

We have now moved our church services from Penlan Methodist Church to Bethel Mission, Brynhyfryd. We would like to thank Rev Howard Long and the Methodist Church for the use of the building which was a great blessing. We would also like to thank all at Bethel Mission for welcoming our church and making us feel so much at home.

After prayerful consideration, this newsletter / Prayer Focus is a bit different in that we will not be mentioning people by name to protect privacy. The Lord knows who they are and your prayers will still be much appreciated.

The biggest challenge that Step by Step has at the moment is the fight against drug misuse and abuse. Many of the people on the project are fighting this addiction and it feels like we are in the midst of a battle. We need people to pray against the drug scene in Swansea, Llanelli and surrounding areas. We have had some good success with overcoming addictions in the past and pray that we will see some positive results again. We fully understand the work that we have been given and are seeing steady progress with certain individuals on the project and are seeing attitudes changing too. We are really praying for a breakthrough. We also acknowledge the this cannot be done in our own strength but we will only see success as we stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  We realise that the work is a heavy work and our prayer is for God to send more labourers to the harvest. We need prayer, we need people and we need more training to be made available.

We have recognised three areas in the project that we need more of:

1.     Prayer We apologise that we haven’t been able to send more updates to you, our supporters, There is certainly a lot to pray for. If you would like to be included in Carl’s prayer warrior group please text him on 07788 122089 and he will send out messages for immediate concerns and needs.

2.     Resources       People are our most precious resource. We would like to see some of the workers on the project grow up into leadership roles but until then we are lacking in people to lead certain areas of the project.

3.     Training           We have always seen the importance of training but this is one of the areas that we have fallen short. To progress and take the next steps we need to develop a better training strategy. Every aspect of the project needs training.

Gardening and Clearance Work

The need in this area of the project is to find someone who is a Christian and has a heart for the work and the skills to teach and lead the gardening project. This area is growing and has the potential to be a good income source for the project but without people to run it, it is limited.

Phoenix Way

We will be vacating the premises in Phoenix way in the next couple of months, so our work there will be coming to an end. We have a large Unit in Caerphiily where we are able to store some of the items that were in Phoenix Way.

Clydach Workshop

Over the years we have been blessed with donations of tools and machinery as well as materials to set up a workshop. We are praying for the right people to run this area of the project so that people can be trained up.

Shops

We have two shops open in Llanelli. For the last year and a half we have managed to keep the project running while the shops closed down because of COVID 19. Most shops are continuing to see a shortfall in takings due to the pandemic. Please pray that the shops can do well. We continue to receive very generous donations in the shops.

The shop in Pontarddulais has been the centre for EBay sales. We were able to continue the online sales through out the lockdowns.

We may also have the opportunity to open a shop in Port Talbot. Please keep this in your prayers.

Van and Van Driver

Our blue van has finally been consigned to the scrap yard in the sky. We are thankful to have had so much good use out of it and especially to see the wonderful messages written on it. We now need to get another van to do all the deliveries and collections. We are looking to employ a Van Driver who is a Christian and has a heart for the work of the project.

 St Helen’s Road

Carl has been meeting up with people on Friday mornings for prayer and counselling. Swansea Prison Fellowship have used the Upper Room on a couple of occasions for meetings. The work in the lower ground floor has been suspended until we have the funds to progress it.

The building has so much potential, and we pray that we will have the opportunity to use it and make it available for others to use for the Lord’s work.

We really appreciate the prayers and support we have had for the project. We couldn’t do it without you.

God Bless you

Carl and Vivienne