Sam Bradley's sponsored paddle for the Carelinks Winter Appeal

Carelinks is delighted to announce that Brother Sam Bradley's sponsored paddle for the Carelinks Winter Appeal went off very well.

His brother Matt accompanied him by canoe, with father Rick and others on the land. It was truly a marathon achievement to paddle such a long way and keep going a whole day. And Sam's keen to repeat it next year, God willing! You can see a report and pictures of it at www.tacomaecclesia.net/sampad.htm

The financial crisis has really bitten in many parts of Eastern Europe. In Latvia, the now bankrupt Government have reduced all public salaries by 15% from January, and many private firms have followed suite. Welfare support for pensioners and handicapped has also been affected; whilst as factories close and even food has to be imported, prices are rising. Heating and transport have almost doubled in cost. Stores and restaurants are now relatively empty compared to what they previously were, and often we hear of brethren losing their jobs as their employers bankrupt. Many of our elderly sisters are having to spend most of their pensions on heating bills and Carelinks is regularly helping out with food, clothing and utilities payments.

> http://www.carelinks.net/doc/-1671827879