Mission: Possible with the Fletchers

We had the Fletcher family with us at Holy Trinity last Sunday. Elise is the daughter of the previous vicar Kevin Roberts as Trinity Churches. It was a real joy to see them and hear some of their incredible stories about life in the Klong Toey slum, Thailand working alongside Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH). As a church we supported the family as one of the Living Stones projects in 2017 helping them to buy a house in the slum and supporting the wider neighbourhood by developing new walkways. Jon, Elise and their boys Sam and Elliot have recently moved into their house and are enjoying having more space!

Some of you bought gifts, after the services, from the RoyRak jewellery project that their friend Nut is involved in. RoyRak means ‘bead love’ in Thai and encapsulates what the project is about – creativity and bringing the best out in people. The project enables vulnerable women to learn new skills and to earn a living. If you weren’t able to buy something after church there is an online shop where you can still purchase something to support them by clicking on this link: https://www.royrakbeadinglove.org/jewellery

As part of our services Jon talked of the importance of seeing others as image-bearers of God – even when it’s a challenge. In the slum over 100,000 people share 1.5 square miles so this close proximity is an added challenge when it comes to their relationships in the community. With violence and drugs as part of the culture they encounter regularly some of their neighbours are not the easiest to love. But just by valuing and respecting people this can bring about a complete transformation in their life and can even be the start of them discovering God for themselves. The family were able to publicly express God’s love by throwing an elaborate four day funeral for a friend who would have been thought very low in the eyes of society. To hear this story and the rest of his talk in full from 1045 please go to the ‘Sermons’ menu on our website (trinitychurches.org)

The family are grateful for all those who support them financially and through prayer. It encourages them to keep going in the tough moments of mission. Not sure how to pray for them? Take a look at their blog which has regular updates and prayer points: https://jonandelisefletcher.com/latest-blog/