An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Chilean coast on Saturday, 27 February 2010 at 3:34 am (local time) with devastating results. ADRA immediately swung into action.

The Government of Chile has reported that over 700 people have been confirmed dead while one and half million homes are believed damaged.  The earthquake caused massive damage to buildings and key infrastructure and the subsequent tsunami caused serious additional damage and loss of life along the Chilean coastal settlements.

"Our staff in Chile are already in the affected areas to see first-hand the extent of the earthquake damage and identify the communities that are worst hit," said Mario Ochoa, Executive Vice President for ADRA International.  "A quake of this magnitude can have a devastating impact in a wide area."

ADRA is currently conducting an extensive assessment in the region, including in the southern cities of Talca, Temuco and Concepción, in preparation for an initial response worth at least $105,000.  Funders include ADRA International, the South American Regional office, the Adventist Church in Chile, and ADRA Canada.  As part of this initial emergency response, ADRA expects to provide jerry cans, tents, mattresses, and blankets.  Canada-based GlobalMedic is partnering with ADRA to set up water purification points.

The Chilean National Emergency Office (ONEMI) has called ADRA to assist immediately with distributing blankets, bed sheets, food and water.  ADRA Chile is in the process of completing a needs assessment and is developing a network-funded proposal/budget.  ADRA-UK has already committed to help provide funds for this relief programme.

ONEMI also requested ADRA volunteers to help with organizing food baskets at one military area of the airport.  It took about an hour and a half to mobilize 60 church volunteers to work the next morning.  Coinciding with the visit of Mrs Hilary Clinton, Chilean TV cameras picked up the cheerful faces of the ADRA volunteers wearing their smart uniforms -  happy to help in the midst of this crisis.

While helping the hurting the church family itself has been affected.  The Adventist News Network (ANN) reports that several Adventist church buildings were destroyed in the city of Talca, including the Central Chile Mission administration office, an ADRA warehouse and the Talca Central Adventist church.  Many houses in the city of Constitución have been swept out to sea including seven Adventist residences.

Church officials also reported structural damage to churches in Los Ángeles, a city in the Biobío region; the Chile Union Mission office, located in Santiago; the South Chile Conference office, located in Temuco; and Chile Adventist University in Chillán.  Adventist leaders emphasized the need for practical help and Christian concern: "We are working unceasingly and calling for everyone to pray for the Adventists and the population in general in Chile who is suffering right now in this tragedy," stated Pastor Erton Köhler, South American Division President.

ADRA continues to work in Haiti including opening a children's centre that will help traumatised children towards healing.  With only a few weeks to go until the ADRA Annual Appeal in the UK, one of the questions people may ask when volunteers go door-to-door is 'What have you done for Haiti or Chile?'

10% of the funds raised through the Annual Appeal are set aside in an emergency response fund.  Whenever disaster strikes, ADRA-UK immediately releases funds for an emergency response.

For Haiti, ADRA-UK released US$50,000 on 13 January to help ADRA Haiti respond and in the weeks following raised almost US$200,000 to help with the ongoing relief effort.  The ADRA-UK website has regular updates on our work in both Haiti and Chile - see <http://www.adra.org.uk>.

When people give, they help ADRA-UK to be ready for the next disaster!

[Bert Smit/BUC News]

Myrto Theocharous is completing a PhD in Old Testament Studies at Cambridge University. That is nothing exceptional in itself - but the story of her search for Jesus, her move to Evangelical Christianity and her plans to return to Greece as an Evangelical missionary thrilled the small congregation of the Bury St Edmunds Adventist church on Sabbath, 27 February.

On her return she will be teaching theology and will work with the disenfranchised in Greek society.  She combines ministry to the destitute and prostitutes in Greece with her academic pursuits.  It was a gripping, and deeply moving, presentation.  Equally, she was impressed by her day of 'Adventist worship' writing in her blog that night that, 'The simplicity and genuineness of this church's worship was striking.  It was a privilege to witness the ordination of two deacons, Limbani and Antonio, and see the hands of the church touching them in approval, in trust, in unity.  Thank you for sharing your "rest" with me on this Sabbath day!'

Three years ago, the Bury St Edmunds Adventist congregation in Suffolk was declining at an alarming rate and the morale amongst the faithful remaining few was at an all time low.  Since then things have changed.  God's blessings have been poured on that little flock.  Today Bury is a lively, thriving and growing community of some thirty worshippers from: England, Scotland, Portugal, Brazil, Malawi, Germany, Mauritius, USA, and the Caribbean islands.  An ongoing variety of worship services and programmes cater for all ethnic, age and gender groups.  Bury is a showcase of unity in diversity.  The church facilities have been upgraded to keep up with new legislation and provide comfort to the tiny tots, the disabled, and to the elderly worshippers.

This day was special not just for the visit of Myrto or the dedication of the deacons, but as the day that their new pastor, Amalendu Bairagee was introduced to the church family.  Pastor Bairagee quickly appreciated the skills of diversity in his new congregation, with Eric and Bob, both elders, conducting a captivating Sabbath School around the theme of "Meekness", Richard, the head elder leading out in the worship service in his characteristic gracious and humorous style and Magli singing a meditative solo in Portuguese to the sound of an appreciative congregational, "Amen."  Claude's cogent sermon was entitled: "What to do with sin".  The answer in one word was, "flee" from it.  He then enjoyed an exotic fellowship meal before Myrto's afternoon presentation about her conversion to Christ and her subsequent life's journey on the work she did with women in prostitution in Greece, and her scholarly pursuits.  She has seen God opening and closing doors every step of the way.  Claude says, "Myrto is a special Evangelical Christian young lady.  She radiates a genuine love for her friends the Adventists."

Myrto will go to Greece in September as a self-supporting missionary, to continue in her ministry to the disenfranchised, teach theology, and mentor women, amongst other ambitious projects.  Visit her blog, entitled, "Sabbath rest..." for more details.  Myrto will be speaking again at the Cambridge Seventh-day Adventist church on Sabbath, 27 March at 3:00 pm.

[Claude Lombart/BUC News]

Five services in one church is somewhat unusual, but that is the reality of Newbold church in Binfield, Berkshire. With up to one thousand in attendance on an average Sabbath worship is divided between the Early, Family, Contemporary, Russian and JUMP Student churches. So with five different services, how does a church worship as one?

On Sabbath, 27 February the attempt was made.  "Whoa, we're that big," surprised members commented as all five parts of the church family met together in the College gymnasium to celebrate a day of fellowship.  Accompanied by the church's fantastic orchestral ensemble and brilliant College choir, the congregation sang with its heart and soul in a stimulating spiritual atmosphere.  Lynette Shrimpton, who normally attends the more subdued early service commented that, "it is so great to be singing with a choir of 800 people."  Senior pastor, Patrick Johnson noted that, "there was a definite positive buzz. People had a proper feeling of what Newbold church is."

"Unity" and "church body" were the words most spoken during the event and expressed the reality of the day.  In his sermon, Pastor Patrick Johnson stated that, "About 800 people in this hall today are one body and one spirit, and if one part suffers, all feel pain.  We are here not to enhance suffering but to grow and develop; everyone is of the same importance in this way."  He also emphasised tolerance and mutual understanding within the diverse church body as requirements for its unity.

Associate pastor, Kirsten Øster-Lundqvist and one of the elders, Alastair Agbaje, presented Newbold's different church departments and the activities within them.  However, the main contribution to the topic was the participation of all the different contributors during the service.  This enriched and gave flavour to the whole event.  These included the Newbold Primary School choir, the puppet group 'Alive', the Contemporary Service leaders, a mime youth group, the Russian String Quartet, and dozens of others who participated in technical teams and with the logistics of the day.  Each contributed to the whole picture of Church, a community with great potential as well as great responsibilities.  For photos of the day see the gallery page of the Newbold church website, <http://newbold.adventistchurch.org.uk/photo_albums/895>.

[Tihomir Zestic]

Last week we reported on the positive impact a visit to "the land where Jesus walked" was having on North England Conference ministers and staff. Pastor Jeff Nicholson concludes the story reporting on the second half of the week:

Over 100 members of the NEC ministerial staff and spouses shared in a life changing experience at the NEC Workers' Meeting and educational tour of Biblical sites in the Holy Land.  The first few days can be summed up by Pastor Cyril Sweeney: "I think that every Adventist should save up and visit the Biblical sites in Israel at some time in their life because this journey will bring alive the words and scenes of the Bible in a new way like never before."

Thursday, 25 February was our second day for touring the sites and we visited Masada the old Herodian fortress which later became the Zealot heart of resistance during the Jewish rebellion against the Romans in 66 AD.  The heroic tales of their resistance and sacrifice chilled yet inspired all who visited.  While on Masada we met a group of Adventists from Columbia on tour also.  They embraced us and asked us to sing with them.  This was one of the many moving moments of the day as they sang in Spanish and we in English, the song "Side by Side We Stand."

We next visited Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and where the Essenes lived transcribing and studying the Bible.  Needing refreshment we then visited the lowest spot on earth, the Dead Sea, and many swam or floated in the extremely briny waters.

On Thursday night the weather changed to howling wind and rain.  On Friday we travelled to Bethlehem to visit the church of the Nativity and the sites there.  Sunset was special.  We shared with the family of David Shalom as they demonstrated how a Jewish family joyfully brings in the Sabbath - the way a groom welcomes his new bride into his home.  We drank grape juice, sang Psalms and shared food as we welcomed in the sacred time.

Sabbath in Jerusalem was unforgettable.  Starting at the Garden Tomb, a possible site for the burial of Jesus, we were given a spiritually insightful presentation by the guide, a Methodist minister originally from Derbyshire.  For over an hour the Garden was filled with the sound of joyful praise as we sang hymns and celebrated communion together.  We then moved to the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, then across the valley to the old city of Jerusalem through St Stephen's Gate, stopping by the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic.  The rain drove us into the Church of St Anne's where we sang hymns beautifully amplified by the acoustics of the splendid edifice.  The attending crowds joined us in singing hymns of faith and adoration.  After lunch the highlight of the visit was to see the Wailing Wall the heart of Orthodox Jewish hope and worship.  The sight of hordes of Jewish men and boys reading and reciting the Torah in ecstasy and praying for Messiah to come was moving yet sad.

As Adventists we were reminded we are People of Hope for the Messiah we know and of the sure promise that He will return again.  We left for England committed to that hope.

 A picture gallery and a short video reflection on the trip is available in the BUC picture gallery.

When it comes to joy and happiness nothing compare to children's smiles. That was why Sunday, 28 February was so special for members and friends of the Newport Seventh-day Adventist church.

The idea came about when the church board realised that they needed to do something special for the large number of children and youth now attending the Newport church.  They planned that Children's Fun Days should be part of the long-term outreach strategy of the church, but that the first one - a trial run - should be organised just for the children and youth within the church.  Of course they brought their friends anyway and at the end there were almost 30 children and youth playing in the youth hall, with the regular attendees explaining to their friends what was going on.

So what was going on?  For the first time in their lives, parents and children saw a bouncy castle actually inside the church building!  After recovering from the shock they made good use of it - parents and children like.  Another activity was face painting, with Eifion Paul from the Swansea church working solidly for about four hours and doing a great job for the children.  Some of the youth brought a Wii console and, together with a projector and large screen in the church foyer, it provided several hours of entertainment for the older young people.  Other activities included table hockey and table football - the latter being used so enthusiastically that it required periodic maintenance to keep it in working order.

Special thanks go to Sara and Chris Shepherd who helped us to find the right bouncy castle and also worked very hard in the kitchen.  Also, big thanks go to the parents who accepted the idea and were happy to help with food and scheduling their duties and responsibilities so that there could be more children playing together.  Other members of the church helped with donations or came later to help with the cleaning and tiding up the hall.

Everybody was happy together in the Newport church and there is general agreement that this should now be pursued as a significant part of the church's outreach programme.  There are lots of children living near to the church and this would provide a great opportunity to befriend them.

More than 100 pictures can be seen in the gallery section of the Welsh Mission website at: <www.adventistwales.org>.

[David Rancic]

The seemingly uncivilised and yet calming breeze of the countryside. Little or no signal for our mobile phones. How would we survive the week? Yet the remote Chantemarle Christian Resources and Education Centre, Dorset truly set the stage for a spirit-filled experience during half-term week, 15 - 19 February.

Well what can we say?  Youth + God = Prayer and Faith Conference (PFC).  This year the Area 5 Thames Valley Youth Federation (TVYF) definitely delivered a spiritually uplifting programme.  With a mixture of young people, from Ipswich, Aylesbury, Oxford, Reading, Bracknell, High Wycombe, Slough, Basingstoke and London, Adventist youth and their friend, God had brought each and every one of us here for a purpose.  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  [Jeremiah 29:11]

Our journey began with a delicious Jamaican favourite of rice and jerk chicken with a vegetarian alternative as the main course, topped with a tasty salad on the side to provide a healthy well balanced meal.  There was also a variety of exciting recreational activities such as swimming, volleyball, badminton, snooker/pool, table tennis and football.

From the tasty food and recreational activities we move to the uplifting praise and worship services.  Each day a marvellous sound echoed through the centre as well over 150 young people lifted their voices to sing praises to God.

The week provided timeless reminders of God's grace and love for mankind.  This strengthened our faith in God.  We spent a lot of time on our knees in prayer.  During the course of the week we were blessed by some powerful speakers.  The main speaker, Dr Andrews Ewoo, currently working at the Netherlands Conference but originally from Ghana, rattled off some powerful messages about "the book of Daniel" and on "Becoming a friend of God" and many more great topics that concern us as youth.  We were given the opportunity to write down pressing questions, issues and prayer requests anonymously which Dr Ewoo would answer and pray for at the end of each presentation.

Another speaker, Elder June Thompson, focused on "what our purpose in life is".  Malika Bediako concentrated on "relationships and purity", which is always an interesting and heart racing topic for all young people.  Pastor Sam Ngui looked at the pressing issue of "Peer pressure" and how to deal with it.

On our final night the Holy Spirit filled the room and many young people gave heartfelt testimonies on surprising issues that you might not expect young people to be going through.  Many of the youth are struggling with addictions, street crime, bullying, health and family issues; but on this night each young person dedicated their lives to God and were appreciative of having loving parents.  Dr Ewoo performed an anointing ceremony for those that were fasting the day before.

So what was the response to the week?  Gemma stated, "Well, it's been really fun."  Another youth said that it was "really good, worship is lively and the atmosphere is great, I'm really enjoying it".  Chris added, "Well, this whole God thing has been hitting me hard, making me realise a lot of things, and it's definitely got my mind churning".

Surely there must be a PFC3 next year as this one gave us all a blessing, including the non-Adventists that were among us and many of us as young people were delivered.  God had spoken to us and we believed His words.  Now it is our responsibility to go out day by day and live for Jesus.  I believe the youth really had a blessed time.  This was one of the best five day experiences which we will remember for the rest of our youthful lives.

[Report by Tatenda, Chisola, Rumona & Juliette]

Malawi Adventists from all over the UK converged on the South Wales African Adventist Fellowship on Sabbath, 27 February to worship and fellowship with the African congregation in Cardiff.

The ladies took a significant role in the day - a role that is no longer contested in the Adventist Church.  Women in Adventist churches play leading roles in extending philanthropic activities and community services to people in need.  Formally known as the Dorcas Society, Adventist Women's Societies are remembered for their physical, spiritual and mutual benefit initiatives.

Women's Ministries have shown over the years that they can make a significant difference in the lives of less privileged people in society.  As the Christian community stands, Malawi Adventist women can play formidable roles in caring for their own and the communities in which they belong.

With the support of Malawian men, the congregation raised two hundred and forty pounds towards an evangelistic campaign in Ntchisi District of Central Malawi.  Various singing groups added joy to the day.  For the many first time visitors to the celebration, it was a Sabbath day worth remembering as they expressed their desire to visit again.

Pastor Thangalimodzi's interactive and poignant sermon on "Pregnant Question" brought the congregation to reflect on how Christians perceive others vis-à-vis Jesus' own question who do people say I am?  The afternoon sermonnette by Pastor Newton Kawiliza placed the earlier sermon into perspective and cautioned that meeting the Saviour of our world, Jesus Christ, is dependent on what people do today as the world stands on the shores of eternity.

For a selection of pictures from the day visit <www.swaaf.org.uk>.

[Theophilus Gokah]

It is with sadness that we have received news of the death of Mrs F K (Peggy) Foster, the wife of the late BUC President Pastor E H Foster.

The funeral service will be held in the Grantham Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dudley Road, Grantham, Lincs, NG31 9AA at 10:30 am on Thursday, 11 March followed by committal at the Grantham Crematorium, Harrowby Road, Grantham at 11:45 am.  Family flowers only - donations in lieu of flowers will be given to Newbold College.

Tim Standish is the first guest on In Conversation Series IV. Robert Hines and David Riley tell their stories.

 UK programmes on the Hope Channel Europe satellite this week:

 Friday 5 March: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm:  Robert Hines

  8:30 pm: Faith Development: How Much Justification Do We Have for What We Know

Sabbath 6 March: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Robert Hines

Monday 8 March: 3:00 am and 9:00 pm: David Riley

Wednesday 10 March: 8:00 am: David Riley

Friday 12 March: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: David Riley

  8:30 pm: Faith Development: Can Jesus Literally be called a Superstar?

Sabbath 13 March: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: David Riley

  3:30 pm: Faith Development: Can Jesus Literally be called a Superstar?

Peter Jeynes and Jeff Nicholson are just two of the North England Conference Ministers spending a week of learning and spiritual refreshment in Israel. They bring this report:

The long flight, for some a very long journey, gave way to an opening devotional by Pastor Richard Elofer, the President of the Israel Field. Pastor Elofer, a French-speaking, Jewish Christian, came as an agent provocateur telling stories of the early days of Adventists in Israel.  He told us of Clarinda S Minor, from Philadelphia who felt called to be a missionary in this beautiful land.  She found poverty among the small Jewish population.  Her solution was to travel back to America and seek the funding for an agricultural development programme.  It has been recognised that her contribution to Israel laid part of the foundation for Israel's current agricultural wealth and state of the art farming methods.

Then moving on Pastor Richard called the pastors to be a blessing to the people of Israel.  "In clear and open language we have a very special mission…to prepare people for the Second Coming of the Lord."  Continuing the thought NEC President Pastor Ian Sweeney set the direction for the week's series.  Under the heading, 'getting the setting right' the pastors were encouraged to take this week away in Israel as an opportunity for spiritual revival.  Just as Moses found himself at Sinai, with his shoes off, so were we to soak up the atmosphere and the setting for revival.

Thus the pastors soaked up the scene.  They learned that today Abraham is pronounced Avraham and Jacob would be pronounced Yacov.  Our ministers learned the differences between the current 'tribes' of Jewish people - the Ultra orthodox wearing black large brimmed hats, producing large families back at home, and the men studying for up to 18 hours a day.  From coach drivers pastors learned of 'Orthodox lite' - small hats and smaller families while in the Kibbutz hotel they learned of the integration of Arabs into current Israeli society.

Archaeological notes, a historical setting and social commentary were provided by excellent tour guides.  Bena Mantel on the one coach affirmed the relevance, accuracy and authenticity of the Biblical record.  A visit to an ancient 'church' on the shores of Galilee described as 'Peter's house' gave a picture taking us back to the times of the Apostles and help set the scene of what life might have been like in the time of Jesus and His disciples.  Set next to a synagogue we could picture the people of Jesus worshipping, working and walking side by side.

One specialist, the very interesting Shahar Shilo described the archaeological findings in the Old City of Jerusalem which affirm names, locations and dates of the Word of God.

There were the departmental programmes of course - news of the Pan-European Advanced Centre of Evangelism and details of strategic evangelistic efforts in the North of England revealed that the frozen north may well be described as 'the chosen north'.

The event wasn't all study and the seeking after wonders.  Food at the Kibbutz hotel showed that the Conference Health and Temperance leader, Grace Walsh, could resist the temptation of wonderful foods in abundance and still eat healthfully.  Rumours passed around of recently retired, but still active, Pastor Masih praying at the Wailing Wall -  and then perhaps looking for a studio to record a television programme.  Tales of pastors' wives haggling for pottery with stories of Pastor Sidney Almeida's search for a portable communion set enlivened the Monday.

The pastors' wives were not neglected.  As their husbands took note of challenging lectures aimed at deepening pastor/congregational vision and practice delivered by Pastor Steve Currow, the spouses had a tour and treat of their own.  Not just a chance to shop but also a chance to meet Israeli women and become a little familiar with current social activities.

One colleague commented on the experience, "this Israeli study trip has significantly deepened my understanding of the world of the Bible and given a deeper well of experience that will enrich not just my preaching but my own spiritual journey."

The journey continues with visits to the Dead Sea, special worship and lectures.  A fuller report will appear next week.