Page 39 - link magazine

MILLENNIUM THOUGHTS 39

A different view on the coming of Year 2000

Since last February The Link has contained a monthly comment on the coming of Year 2000. As we move close to a date which is to some
profoundly spiritual, and a complete boozing binge for others, we asked Dr Francesca Elloway to conclude the series. She is linked to St
Mary's Church in Lydiard Park via the Church Mission Society. In October she visited Swindon, on leave from her work overseas.

his Christmas and New Year on peace, love and hope. We all
will be my first in the UK have the hope to begin again and
Tsince 1993. For the past six start a new life at the millennium."
years I have spent them in Africa, I'm sure that these thoughts
mainly in the Democratic Repub- would be reiterated by folk in many
lic of Congo, (DRC), the former parts of the world where there is
Zaire, where I work as a doctor. currently tension, unrest or war.
Of course this year is special, So many long for a lasting peace to
being the millennium, but I am come to their country that will en-
already surprised by the hype and able everyone to live without fear
sadly see that much of it bears little and to have access to the basic
relation to what the millennium necessities of life: food, health care
really celebrates - the birth of Jesus and education.
Christ 2000 years ago. I am very much looking forward
Both Christmas and the millen- to both Christmas and the begin-
nium will be much quieter affairs ning of the new millennium, to be
in Congo. On both days families able to spend them peacefully with
Francesca Elloway with children at Oliver Tomkins Infants School
will try to eat a special meal - one my family and friends in the UK. I
that has meat which is a luxury but all cost money. Churches will civil war, so their thoughts are un- shall enjoy the festivities, but I hope
that many folk will not be able to be decorated with fresh foliage and derstandably focused on the con- that I will not forget to be thankful
afford. flowers, but otherwise there will flict so close at hand. that I have been born in this coun-
I think that relatively few peo- be no decorations, no Christmas One said, "we see it as a time of try with its peace and relative pros-
ple will stay up until midnight on trees, no fireworks and probably hope, the time to end the war. It is perity, and that I will remain con-
New Year's eve. There is no elec- no presents. a moment of light, when we hope. cerned for those, who through no
tricity where I have been working Seeing all the activity here made God will bring each person to a fault of their own, find themselves
so once it gets dark people tend to me wonder what my colleagues in new start." facing a much more precarious and
have a meal and then go to bed. the DRC are thinking about when Another said, "our wish is that uncertain future.
Candles, torches and paraffin they reflect on the millennium. The on New Year's eve God will reveal I hope the next millennium will
lamps are available for lighting, country is sadly in the midst of a himself to each person on both be peaceful and joyful for us all,
sides of the conflict, so that all will lets do our best to make it so for
unite to build a new Congo based everyone.
Thank you Swindon for helping in a crisis
The Upper Stratton Baptist Church Kosovo Albanian Refugee Ap-
peal has now sent its final truckload of aid to the crisis-hit Balkan
region, writes church elder Chris Butcher.
Opened in April by USBC, the ap- tact with Dudley Powell, formerly
peal generated a tremendous re- an Anglican curate in Swindon and
sponse from the people of Swin- now a missionary in Albania, the
don. Some 8,500 boxes of food, right kind of aid was directed
clothing, bedding and sanitary quickly to refugees in the Berat
items - over 1,000 cubic metres of area of Albania where he is based.
aid - has been sent on a total of 12 Through daily e-mail messages the
articulated trucks. church was able to keep fully
abreast of the latest needs - even
managing to provide a custom-
built goods trailer which was built 1V% OTT
and despatched within 9 days.
As the refugees returned to their orders over £25
homes, the trucks from Swindon Not to be used with any other offer. Valid until 31/12/99 Alan Trask of Ultra Clean
were sent into Kosovo itself, ini-
tially to a village near Prizren and *Fully trained & insured * We move furniture
most recently to Prishtina. Over operators
300 people helped us sort, pack * Professional spotting
and load the aid which has helped * Commercial rates available kits available
many thousands, of people whose * Dupont Stainshield Stain removal made easy
lives were torn apart by the con- Protects against spills and dirt * Anti Allergy Treatment
flict. As Christians we could not
Chris Butcher, right, with USBC elder * Deodorising Treatment For asthma &
just watch and weep. We firmly
and jointappeal organ iser John Sinnnonds allergy sufferers
believe that God called us to do Leaves carpets & fabric
at the first lorry loading in May * Satisfaction guaranteed
this, and that He helped us di- smelling fresh
We are extremely grateful to the rectly on many occasions through-
people of Swindon for their gener- out the appeal. So many specific Phone now for free no obligation quotation on
osity. We knew at the outset that prayers were answered - it was
we had to do something, but never tremendously exciting. 1)1793 - 870756
dreamed we would be able to do We want to take this opportu-
so much. The appeal was funded nity to say a very big 'thank you' to
entirely by donations - totalling everyone who supported us, and ULTRA CLE AN (WILTSHIRE)
more than £40,000. to The Link for the tremendous sup- Open: Mon - Fri 9.00am 7.00pm • Sat 9.00am -1.00pm.
As a result of the church's con- port and encouragement too.