Parkside Church

Dave Summers, who was a minister here in Malvern, is now the director of a charity called HANDS ( Health and Nutritional Development Services ) out in Thailand. A couple of our group, until recently, were working as missionaries out there with them. ( We have another member going out on the 1st of Feb. for a couple of years).

They primarily work in the north of Thailand, on the borders with Burma. with displaced and vulnerable people groups. Many of these people have lost their homes in Burma and live in complete poverty in the jungles. These are mainly Shan people. Other hill tribes, such as the Akha, are vulnerable to the "businessmen" of the big cities (e.g. Bangkok) who prey upon their young girls and boys, stealing them, and putting them to work in the sex and slave trade.

When found these children are returned to the north where they are protected in schools and hostels. The younger ones are schooled (5 - 15 yrs) the older ones are taught trades. We have around a 100 at the moment. In times of disaster and the like (e.g. Tsunami) then the group will go and assist in whatever way they can.

This year we have a multi church / age ( 2 churches and peoples between 17 and 65) group going out on 9th Feb. (11 of us) and we shall be building a pre school and playground, together with working in the schools and villages. We are also funding a bridge and a building on the centre site. lots to do, but the team is very excited.

In its "all proceeds to the Thailand Trip 2007" The Splash have taken the Thai Trip on as their chosen charity for the next three months — so people can obtain their sponsorship forms from the there and get fit at the same time as raising money for the vulnerable and displaced peoples of Northern Thailand, with whom we shall be working in a little over three weeks now (leaving on 9/2/07)!!

Also this Sat and Sun is the Splash open weekend when ALL swimming is just £1.00 ALL of which goes to Thailand. (Isn't it an incredible blessing). The Thai Swim is being launched on Wed. 17th Jan between 3 and 4 pm at the Splash by Mike Taylor (I'm told that if you swim in the launch it's a free swim) - all welcome. On Saturday at the Chase School at 7.30 pm there is a send off concert for the team - again all, plus friends are welcome - it's a family show, with music, drama, dancing, magic, and will be free, as a thank you to all who have helped.

John Tinnion, Parkside Church