Sixteen church members and two friends from the neighbourhood attended the South Niagara Life annual fundraising banquet at the Delphi Banquet Hall on October 27th. It was an enjoyable evening of fellowship, information, prayer, Christian witness and financial giving.
We all enjoyed having a meal together and meeting with other Christian friends from the community. It was an opportunity to learn more about the services offered by SNLM. Martha Beroud, the executive director, shared some of the afflictions their clients have, ranging from family breakdown, anger, depression, material needs, grief, people contemplating M.A.I.D. and a host of other issues. Their clients are helped in person and by Zoom.
Three young women spoke about their troubles and how they were helped by counsellors at SNLM. One woman married to a man addicted to drugs who left him to keep her children safe needed help coping with being a single mother. Another was a refugee from Kenya who fled her home with her daughter because she was in physical danger from her father-in-law due to her Christian faith. The third woman had always felt there was something missing in her life. She and her children left her emotionally abusive husband and her counsellor led her to faith in Jesus. She started her own business to support her family. She joined a church where she continues to learn about the Lord and finds ways to serve him and now has found a purpose and contentment. All three women were given sound biblical counselling and despite their difficulties, were strengthened and encouraged and gave witness to the faithfulness of God.
It was a privilege to support this ministry which provides life-changing counselling services free of charge to so many afflicted people. I would not hesitate to recommend this organization to anyone needing help and encourage you all to support it.
Janet Ramsay
“It was a lovely evening getting together, meeting new people, and hearing firsthand the needs of our community.
The testimonials were touching and inspiring. It was so nice to hear about how lives are being changed for the better in a sustainable way. As we reflect the stories were relatable and it has made us become more mindful of others in our daily lives.”
Much appreciated,
L & J (Louis and Joy)
Those in attendance:
Table 1 Cathy Ramsay, Brenda Ramsay, Joanne Mellis, Elsie Spear,
Farrah Gafoor, Phyllis Sterry, Claudia Beach, Marilyn Giles
Table 2 Nel and Henry Koudys, Mabel and Bert Lee, Joy and Louis Adams,
Odel and Dmitry Gilbert
Table 3 Dianne Oster and Janet Ramsay (with Martha Beroud, SNLM
executive director, board members and Andy and Dorothy Veenstra)
