Page 12 - PT Winter 2021-2022

MOTIVATED
BY FAITH

Making a difference –

closer to home

Mary Hammond, The Plain Truth Editor

ftentimes, one thing leads to another – would take them to Cape Town, South Africa, serving
and frequently these incidents happen the marginalised – gangsters, addicts, prostitutes and the
Oquite out of the blue. And this was just destitute within the community. But then the pandemic Photo Credit: Joe and Anna Beswick
the case that led us to our story about Joe hit, travel restrictions were enforced and their travel plans
were halted.
and Anna, one which we think you’ll find both But rather than lament the loss of what could have been
interesting and inspiring. in South Africa, Joe and Anna focussed on how God may
In the Summer-Autumn 2021 issue of be calling them to serve closer to home. Their prayers were
The Plain Truth, we ran a short piece on the soon answered, when a role became available for ‘Team
trypraying programme that was at that time Leaders’ at the Eden Project in Hexham. ‘God redirected
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being rolled out across the UK. To highlight the us to this role, and Anna and I took up this position in July
last year,’ said Joe.
initiative that we came across being supported Supported by Joe and Anna’s local church in the town,
by one nearby Cambridgeshire church, we an initiative called the ‘Eden Project’ is part of the Message
had 40 trypraying booklets to give away to Trust’s outreach. The Trust works alongside churches
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subscribers. that either own or rent properties or facilities to be able to
accommodate this outreach initiative. It requires a trained
Responding to our article, an email arrived from a Christian team to live within communities which have
subscriber in Northumberland which read: ‘I think I’m high rates of poverty, unemployment, addictions and other
probably too late, but if you have any left to give away, I would social issues.
like to have 20 copies to give to people who come to our Eden The aim, to give practical support to individuals and
House.’(Fortunately, we had a few extra copies, so we could families living in these deprived areas whilst ‘preaching the
help out with the request.) gospel’ through their love, care and support, and spreading
Intrigued to know more, and after an exchange of several the Christian message of hope.
emails, I was able to learn about the Eden House project in The Message says of its projects: ‘The places in greatest
the North East and was put in contact with Joe and Anna need of transforming power of Jesus are often the places where the
Beswick, the couple running the scheme in Hexham. church is in decline.
‘Education favours the richest in society. Healthcare favours
Thwarted plans the richest in society. And the church favours the richest in society.
Joe told me that he and his wife Anna, WEC missionaries, We equip and empower the local church to bring God’s kingdom
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had been excitedly making plans together for a Christian to communities across the UK and the globe through both words
missionary project. A long-term commitment which and action.’

12 The Plain Truth Winter 2021-2022 Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk