The Besom in Witney Newsletter – July 2021
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth”
1 John 3 v18
Focus on Food Parcels
Most of our effort is still on the delivery of food parcels. We’ve distributed slightly fewer parcels over the past three months than we did in January to March, but as you can see from the graph below, the number of parcels for January to June this year almost matches what we provided in the whole of 2018!
Once again, we’ve been able to “top up” many food parcels with a supermarket voucher, making it easier for recipients to buy some fresh food and essential items.
We’ve helped people coping with various problems – for instance, those who have relocated following domestic abuse; people who were previously homeless; the newly unemployed; people who are self-isolating; those suffering from mental illness or family break-up; or those awaiting the start of Universal Credit etc.
A small portion of the food stock in our Witney store
So, a big “Thank you” to all those who donated food items over the past six months. Without your generosity and God’s grace, none of this would have been possible.
Helping Individuals in Need
Here are two stories of individuals supported during difficult times in recent months.
A man lost his job when he had been quite poorly but the doctors couldn’t find out what was wrong with him. Some Besom time-givers prayed for him and provided food parcels plus some supermarket vouchers, allowing him to buy his own fresh food. Eventually, the doctors identified what was wrong, he got better and was able to get a new job. The Besom continued to support him until he got his first pay cheque.
Another story involves a family with young children and a mortgage. The husband lost his job when his employer folded, and although he’s now got another job, it’s through an agency and pays minimum wage. The couple were thrilled when the Besom provided some Co-op vouchers, allowing them to buy essentials for their baby.
“Thank You” Messages from Recipients
And here are some uplifting messages that we received from other recipients:
A message from a recipient now cut off from family and friends:
“Thank you for the furniture. It’s perfect and has definitely brightened the darkest of weeks.”
A message from the recipient of a food donation:
“I want to say a massive thank you for your generosity. It’s very much appreciated. God bless you and the team.”
And finally, a message from a man provided by Besom with new bunk beds for his children:
“Want to say a massive thank you to you and everyone else at Besom. I am so happy. Thank you again for your help – it’s appreciated by my children and myself.”
And a “Thank You” Message from the Trustees
The past 15+ months have been particularly challenging for those who are disadvantaged for whatever reason. So, the Besom in Witney trustees would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to all of those time-givers who have – by one means or another – supported our efforts to help these people. It means that we’ve been able to bring some of God’s love to many folk who have very little.
Prayer Requests
Just to echo something from the April newsletter – please pray for the safety of those Besom time-givers who may be involved in the collection and delivery of household goods and furniture later in the year.
Here’s an astonishing statistic! A recent survey by the Yorkshire Building Society found that 19 percent of UK adults had less than £100 in savings – see weblink for more details: https://www.ybs.co.uk/media-centre/savings-crisis/index.html
So – bearing that in mind – please uphold in prayer those people across West Oxfordshire who are in need, for whatever reason. In particular, please pray that we can support them through the challenges they face and that they might experience something of God’s love for them.
We are all so thankful to God for His faithfulness to us, and we’d like to thank you for your prayers and continuing support.
Every blessing from The Besom in Witney Team