Hey Claire-bear, saw you on TV last night, you did so great! Made me wish that I was with you and was able to do more than shove some pound notes into a bucket. Was really struck by the scripture on your home page - surely you did have an Angel going before you to prepapre the way - didn't quite count on an adventure like this, though I'm sure! GBU, loads of love, Kels xoxoxoxo
Allie Drew
Hi Girls, Glad to see you on ITN last night in a T.V special, Your both doing such great work and God's really using you both. Keep up the Fab work your doing. We all miss you loads and wish we could be there to support you, but got you covered in prayer anyways. Love and blessings to you both! Allie -x-
Liz Jenkins
Hi Emma, Just thought I woild drop a note to let you know I am thinking of you. My sister say you on TV last night, I cannot believe I missed you...my eyes will be stuck to the box for your next screening. Its hard to imagine what life is like out there, everything is so shocking every time it is shown on the news! It sounds like you are doing a lot out there to help, just like you. Keep up the good work and we are all thinking of you at home, lots of love Liz and Paul
Allison
Hi Emma. Just a quick note to say still thinking of you and claire lots, and still very proud of the pair of you. Unfortunately, I missed the TV appearance 'cos I was at work, but Andrew managed to catch about 5 seconds of it on video for me - very brief, but good to see you. Anyway, I'm still at work, and abusing the NHS's computer, so I best go!!! Lots of love, Allison & Andrew xxx
Esther
Hi there Emma, I am still unable to grasp the huge scale of what is going on over there, i guess it is one of those things you have to see to believe. I am so frustrated because i want to be out there with you right now, helping as you are instead of feeling helpless. I have the holiday time...
I have been really struck by the verse on your home page, about God going ahead and keeping you safe - how prophetic has that turned out to be?! Gutted that being in belgium still i have missed seeing you on TV, was only thinking the other day that i may see a glimpse of you on BBC world. Will watch extra hard when i get home tonight. Much love, e x
Chris & Sally
we thank God that he chose to keep you safe - we know that this is for his service - we are so grateful that you have retained your sense of humour - with so much death surrounding you -you must hold onto his higher purpose for you. it was good to see you on the TV and your e-mail message re-printed in the local paper spoke volumes - we continue to lift you up in our prayers and we will not forget those that have extended their love and support to you in phuket
Jan & Mal Field
Hi Claire, you may not remember me - I'm one of your Mum's friends from school. We have been catching up with the horrors that you have been through and were very pleased to find out that the place where you have been helping is setting up a relief fund. We wanted to make a donation but were not keen on sending to the large organisations, we wanted our money to go straight to where it is really needed. As soon as they reply to our email with the account details we will make a transfer. Meantime we hope you and Emma are coping with the terrible things you are seeing and hearing. Our thoughts are with you and we admire you so much for helping.
Sue & Randy
Wonderful to know that you are safe, as soon as I heard, the verse in Esther 4:14 "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this" came to mind. It is a great aid to prayer to have you two specifically to pray for, keep sharing His love and He will surely give you His strength. Love & prayers Sue
Mark Vargeson
Hi Emma, we watched the video of you guys at church (St B's) on Sunday night. It sounds like God is working miracles out there through the Christian Centre. If you need people to come and support what you are doing I would consider flying out immediately....If I should contact Brian directly could you e-mail me his details [email protected] or call me on 0044786 3330393
Thanks,
Mark
Claire And Emma
Thank you soooooo much for all your messages of support. We are really touched!
Here is the latest...
Things at the church and hospital have quietened down considerably. Most westerners have now managed to get flights home. There was a memorial service at the hospital yesterday afternoon for remaining patients and hospital staff. The world's press gathered with their cameras, which was a bit scary as we had been asked to sing. You may also have seen that the Phuket Christian Centre was on a programme on ITV. We hear we made our TV debut. How embarrassing! Apparently we made the front page of Emma's mum's newspaper too. Today Emma was interviewed by Radio 5 Live. It's all rather overwhelming.
Over the weekend Pastor Brian met with the governor of Phuket and other officials. The Christian Centre has been asked to help in the distribution of aid and the re-building of 12 villages. We are hoping to get involved with this project later in the week. The waiting period is frustrating, but until clear plans are made we can't get started. There have been many knock-on effects. The main economy is tourism, which has been completely destroyed. Hotels need to be rebuilt, staff have lost their jobs, the water supply is contaminated, fishermen have lost their boats, the corals and dive sites are damaged, homes have been washed away....the list is endless. Will things ever get back to normal and tourists have confidence to come here again?
The church family has been amazing, especially the pastors Brian, Margaret and Nok. They have taken us in as their own. We're now staying with our new mate Bernadine, who has been a Godsend. We have a proper bed instead of the church floor!
If you are feeling very removed from the crisis over there in England and wondering what you can do to help, one of the greatest needs is cash (sorry to be blunt!). If you'd like to make a donation directly to the work of the church, you can email them for account details at www.phuketchristiancentre.com. Account details are not posted on the web for security reasons. Thank you. That's all for now. Watch this space for more news, love the girls xx
Geoff P
Hi, we've not met but i heard of your great work whilst at church this week and thought i would send a message of support to you all. you are in my thoughts and prayers
Rach+Damo
Yo girlz, great to see your lovely faces on ITN tonight, I wanted to climb inside the telly and give you a BIG hug but then again, don't think I'd be fitting right now - anyways, know the thought was there! Keep loving, hoping and trusting. R,D+B x x x x x x x x x x x