This is a letter sent out recently to try and raise the final ‘capital’ payment on the big extension to Ana Beiba’s ‘Home for the Abandoned Elderly’ in Cali, Colombia. I’ve received some help, but I’m still a way short, and if it’s something you could help with with, then – thank you!
HOME FOR THE ABANDONED ELDERLY
Thank you for all the love and generosity you have shown to Ana Beiba, the amazing lady who began, and runs, this incredible ministry in Cali. Last year, with your help, I was able to give her the money to buy a second house, next door to hers, to extend this ministry. I was back there in April, with a small team, and then again in July, with dear friends Alan & Barbara, from here in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Ana had increased her intake of people to mid-seventies by July. I had the wonderful privilege of being photographed with her two most elderly residents (photo attached!) – one 99, the other 97. The 97 year old has been with her for (now) a year. The oldest, 99, she found living rough on the streets at Christmas, last year. As you can see, they – and the two houses (you can see the ‘cage’ door that once separated them, now always open of course) – are spotlessly clean, the house immaculate. I asked Ana what the next stage of her dream for her ministry (The Mercy of Jesus Foundation for Abandoned Old people). She produce a sheaf of papers, with well listed estimates and quotations, for extending the ‘new’ house up a floor – maybe two. That will mean she can then take in over 100 old people, she informed me.
The estimate for materials was for 25,000 Colombian pesos (current exchange rate: about £9000). Quite miraculously, someone had been in touch with me prior to my going in July, and had made a donation of £8000, which, of course, I gave her. The quotation for labour, to build an ‘upstairs’, was for 10-12,000 pesos (£3500-4500). The gift in July meant, of course, that she could begin the work.
I’m going back to Cali this Friday, 25 October, for 3 weeks, with a great team, including Simon from England, and Robert from Melbourne, Australia, who have both been to Ana Beiba’s home. I have, thankfully, once again, been given a little towards her needs (£1500), and Simon & Nick (who, with Brian from Maidstone isgoing with me for the first time, wonderful friends) are doing a pub quiz just before they leave, to raise some more much needed money.
As you can see, I’m a little (!) short – (£3000) – to cover the cost of the whole upper floor. I’m just ‘putting this out’ to you as people who have been moved by Ana’s incredible ministry: if you can help, please would you? All the ‘usual’ ways of helping are available:
1. www.stewardship.org.uk a/c 20028331 in my name – or by mail to them, at PO Box 99, LOUGHTON, Esex 1G10 3QJ. Stewardship are great: if you send anything to them, could you add this in any comment box, or letter, please? – “Support the work of Healing ministries, worldwide. worker: Paul Bennison”.
2. Internet transfer – I can send you details
3. Good old fashioned cheque to 61 Belfast Road, Bangor, Co. Down BT20 3PW.
If you didn’t see the short interview with Ana Beiba that my friend Lee shot in Cali in April, here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP-zaWbZUxI
If you can help, and your gift is going via Stewardship, could you let me know please, as it’s often a week to ten days before I her from Stewardship! It’d just help me to be able to get the gifts ‘collated’ and the total worked out. (paul@paulbennison.com) . Thank you, and bless you.
With my love
Paul
