Greetings from a very warm Boaz Trust!

This will be a shorter newsletter than normal, as we seem to be busier than ever here in the office.

So far this week Boaz staff and volunteers have:

-- accompanied a client in her court hearing
-- supported a family whose daughter / sister was detained (this awful situation has not been resolved yet)
-- helped a client access much needed medical and social services support
-- moved 2 clients into new accommodation
-- bought a new washing machine to replace another broken one
-- delivered several bags of fresh vegetables from Abundance to our office for clients
-- taken a small group of clients on a day trip
-- done some painting and decorating to make a Boaz house ready for clients
-- had to turn down two potential clients who visited our office and are desperately seeking accommodation as they are street homeless...

...and it's only Tuesday. I should add this isn't a complete list.

As we read in the papers each day about the various cuts being made by the government, we are already seeing the effects of this in our work as some clients have lost their legal aid provision after Refugee and Migrant Justice went into administration (read more here.) These are difficult times for everyone, but especially for those we work with and speak to daily who have nowhere to live and no support at all. Please remember them.

Thank you for the part you play in this work.

News from clients

Do you remember reading last month about one of our older clients who has been with Boaz since 2004? Here is her story as a reminder:

“I came to the UK in 2001 because I was involved in politics and had to flee.  The Home Office refused me asylum in 2002.  Before I came to Boaz I was spending my time everywhere, sometimes I would sleep at the bus station.  I was hungry and suffering for a long time before I came to Boaz.  They gave me somewhere to live in 2004.  Now I have a house to live in, I have food, I have clothes.  I can open my house and have friends round and relax.  Now I am safe.  I am very happy.  I have been in a Boaz house for 6 years.  I hope to get  leave to remain in the UK soon.  I want to work to support myself.  I would like a job looking after old people or children.  Boaz has shown such kindness, they have saved my life, they have saved us from suffering." 

We are so thrilled to tell you that at the beginning of this month, she got leave to remain in the UK!

We hope and pray that there will be many more.

STOP PRESS- just as I am writing this, another client has received her papers and I had the joy of calling her, opening the letter while she was on the phone, and celebrating with her!

It is such a privilege to celebrate with these women, and to see the physical transformation as the fear of detention and deportation is lifted from them.

Now that they have refugee status, some more hard work starts- getting a National Insurance number, looking for a job, finding somewhere to live...

Could you become a friend of Boaz?

We are always grateful for donations towards our work, but we especially value people who can give a regular gift each month.   Even just a few pounds a month can make a real difference and enables us to make future plans.  If you could become a Friend of Boaz and give a few pounds a month towards our life changing work, check out our website or get in touch.

French Bibles

We have a number of French speaking clients at the moment, and a couple of them have asked us for French language Bibles. Could you help us with this? If you have a French Bible, or would like to perhaps like to make a donation specifically to buy one for a client, please contact the office.

Boaz Bits and Bobs

AGM - PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

The Boaz Trust AGM will now be held on Sunday 21st November at 2.30pm, venue TBC.  This will be a great chance to hear about our work over the past year and to pray together.  Pop it in your diary now.

Love Facebook?

Why not become a fan of the Boaz Trust?

Going to Greenbelt?

Look out for Boaz at the Greenbelt festival- We'll have an exhibition stand and a seminar somewhere too!

And finally...

Thank you to everyone who supports the Boaz Trust, to our volunteers, hosts, financial supporters, prayer supporters, and people who are simply interested in our work.

 If you'd like more information on any of the issues we've talked about here, please don't hesitate to get in touch.  Alternatively, check out our website www.boaztrust.org.uk

-from everyone at the boaztrust

--

Rachel Todhunter

Communications Manager