TAKING THE GOSPEL ACROSS THE WORLD

Residents at Norwich YMCA receive New Testaments

From schools, hotels, prisons and hospitals to solicitors' offices and Broads' cruisers - you'll find a Gideon Testament just about anywhere. Through the work of the Norwich branch of Gideons International, a dedicated team of volunteers make the gospel available across the city and beyond. It's work that is reaping results reports SANDIE RIDGLEY.

One of the most exciting aspects is placing a Testament into the hands of so many young people. For most of them it is the only time they get near a Bible, explains one Gideon.
One schoolboy, who did not have a Bible at home, said it was the most wonderful book he had ever read.
Some start reading immediately, but sometimes the Testament lies on a shelf before they read it years later.
A small red Testament even saved one recipient from death. While suicidal he felt compelled to turn out one of his cupboards; he re-discovered his Gideon Testament, given to him years before, and it pointed him to God and a reason to live.
At a local prison, some inmates attend Gideon-led Bible studies after reading the Testaments. When prisoners leave life behind bars with a new-found faith Gideons ensure they are nurtured by a local church.

The Norwich branch began 35 years ago. The original dozen members now number over 30, including some women auxiliary members. The Gideons in the United States helped finance its existence at first, but now the organisation is self-supporting and gives monetary aid to Gideon work overseas.
"Every penny given to the Gideons goes to purchase scriptures while members' own annual subscriptions pay for expenses," says a spokesman. Donations are received from local churches and, through a special scheme, the public can send money for the purchase of scriptures, instead of flowers at funerals.
Prayer from 200 local 'friends' underpins the work in the Norwich area, which extends to homes for the elderly, fire and ambulance personnel, the police, doctors' and dentists' waiting rooms and university. Gideons constantly search for new distribution channels. The l00-bed hostel at the YMCA in Norwich is also equipped with Gideon Testaments, as is the Norfolk summer camp for overseas workers.
Gideons is an extended missionary arm of the church with a ministry now operating in 172 countries. It places scriptures into the hands of people of all colours, cultures and climes at the rate of one million copies every eight days - a statistic which Norwich has helped to boost!
For further information, or to arrange a speaker at your church, contact Trevor Johnson - 01603 436234.

BOOST FOR NEW UNIT

The work of Hebron Trust's new mothers and children unit at Bethany Lodge, Thorpe, has received a boost a few months after opening.
The Norwich branch of Marks & Spencer have donated £3750 to help pay for a child support worker at the unit.
Bethany Lodge is Hebron's specialist family home for women suffering from drug or alcohol-related illnesses. It enables them to be accompanied by their young children through the period of their treatment and rehabilitation.
"Our 1997 appeal for the unit was very successful," said trustee Audrey Brand. "The house has been open for nine months now and we are finding the work with children very rewarding."

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