Page 12 - News Autumn_Winter 2024_Print

YOU CAN USE OUR

CAR PARK!

Region 7 and Region 8 linked up for their Sometimes it is more than just the opportunity to place
Scripture Focus this year covering the south Scriptures in rooms. The Lord can use us in many ways.
Before leaving the hotel, Peter and Rosy had a couple
coast towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch of lemonades in the bar, where Emily was serving. They
and Poole. Over the two days, teams went chatted to her about her situation and what they were
out on 16 routes covering 364 hotels, B&Bs doing. She said she was wearing the cross given to her by
and care homes. What a blessing it was! her grandmother. Her father was a Catholic and she said
she was wondering if she should reconnect. They offered
On the first day of the Focus, Keith and Elaine Dennis her a Bible. “Can I really have that?” she asked. They
(Southampton Branch) were given a route comprising shared that God said, “you will seek me and find me if
large and small hotels, all close together, near the seafront you search for me with your whole heart…” and also that
not far from the Bournemouth International Centre. They if she is looking, Jesus will find her.
were warned that parking would not be easy and were Later in the day, Keith and Elaine were looking for the
concerned about finding a suitable space. But, they were Liza Inn. It now had Hotel Capital on the board outside.
blessed by finding a two hour parking space and set off They went towards its side entrance and a group of
for their first group of hotels. At the first hotel, they met people approached them from the outside. One of them,
Serena on reception, who gave a really warm welcome. Eric, saw the Bibles Keith was carrying and immediately
Wonderfully, she said they had Bibles in each of their 27 said, “Can I have a Bible? I’m an ex-prisoner and had a
rooms - her husband had obtained them when they took Bible but lost it in prison, where I was going on with the
over the hotel. She took a Bible as a spare, a Testament Lord.” Wow! It transpired the location is now a place
for herself, and three HOPE magazines. Keith asked her for the homeless. The person in charge that day took a
where they might park in the area for the rest of the day Testament for himself and a HOPE magazine.
and Serena said, “You can use our car park! Give me your
registration number and you can say until midnight!” God
goes ahead in providing parking as well as receptive hands.
Peter Bacon (Hants West) and Rosy Fenwick (Banbury) met
Catharina, a new manager, at one hotel, which was part of
a chain. Catharina (pictured with Rosy) is a Polish Catholic
and was happy to recommend Bibles for the rooms.
However, she needed to contact her group manager for
permission for her hotel, and maybe others in the group,
to have Bibles. We pray for a positive answer.

At one of the last hotels Keith and Elaine visited that day,
they met a lovely Christian young man called Vr from
India (pictured above). He said he would like a Bible for
each of his 33 rooms. They gave him four they had with
them and returned later with a box of 20 remaining from
the day. A further 10 were provided the next day. Vr also
took a Testament for himself and two HOPE magazines
to put in the lounges of the hotel.
Julie Pearce (Reading Branch) is a new member who
joined the Scripture Focus and was partnered with
experienced members. She reported that they had great
responses from most of the nursing homes. Twice they

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News Autumn_Winter 2024.indd 12 18/09/2024 12:22