Derby City Mission

Dear Friends of DCM
Here are a few highlights of the past week.

We would appreciate your prayers at present.
I have lodged a concern with the Licensing committee of Derby City Council regarding a variation on Syn Night clubs license. Up to 1600 people visit this night club on a Friday and Saturday night. The plan is to host "Cage Fights" there, experience has shown that alcohol and violence makes for a dangerous mixture. So please pray that the council think hard and judge fairly on this.
Wednesday we were able to get at least one person that you had been praying for into a Hostel and some help with probation services. This young girl who has sadly had several trips into prison is at last safe and the charity "Womens work" will hopefully begin to channel her into the help she needs. I am often driven by William Booths words...

While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!......

The fight is an ongoing one and we are determined to not give up in our belief that the Gospel is for the whole man..
Friday we met with other charities and council officials to look and plan together on what can be done with the destitution and homelessness among European Migrants. The government has implemented a "no help policy" and churches are actually the only ones in the position to help. Most charities are funded by 3rd sector funding so they are bound to do nothing. Meanwhile we hear stories of young people trafficked into the city fleeing to the streets sleeping in parks and taking shelter in Churches while we feed them as best we can.

It is possible that next year through the winter months churches might operate a night shelter to take the strain off the Hostels. Please pray that the Lord leads us in this.

Friday afternoon we interviewed two people for the post of Debt Worker and we hope to announce the appointment at the end of next week. We sensed as the interviews went on that Gods person was appointed.
Saturday, morning Robin and I met with Church leaders in Walsall to help them with setting up Street Pastors, it was a privilege to be a part of what God was doing there.

The weekend bought more violence on Friday night as the Street Pastors worked on Derby's Street. Our work among the street gangs of South Derby is going well. At times it is heart breaking to see young people as young as 11 or 12 being groomed into these gangs and my heart sunk as i listened to a girl of 12 talk to her friend asking if she had "scored some drugs"
Please do pray for Daniel Cullen and the team that work there among such challenges and need.