From:-
TORCH TRUST FOR THE BLIND, Torch House, Torch Way, Northampton Road, Market
Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL, U.K.
Telephone: (01858) 438260, Fax: (01858) 438275, email: info@torchtrust.org
Charity Number 1095904.
STAFF - Wendie & Haydn Everall
2006 season at Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre ended with us celebrating the birth of Jesus. We all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Houseparty together with Peter & Margaret Jackson.
2007 season has begun with the remembrance and celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection. These two houseparties are central to the holiday programme each year because Jesus is central to the ministry - and to our lives. It says in the Bible that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Unfortunately we cannot say the same for our lives. Life, and our circumstances, are always changing. Sometimes change is good bringing growth, development and freshness, other times change can be difficult. It can cause stress, discomfort and fear. Whenever God brings about change it is always for good. The reason I can say this is the promise God gives. "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." [Jeremiah 29:11 NIV]
In this a long awaited newsletter. I will be telling you about a number of things that have changed and will be changing in the future. There is an article written by Simon Allaby who has worked at Torch HRC since June 2006, though has since left us to pursue his own ministry. There is news of some of the new holidays planned and some interviews with guests who have visited torch for the first time. There is lots of family news - the family is constantly changing - and also introductions to some new faces at Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre.
I have just returned to work having had 3 months extended leave. It has been very interesting returning to work at the beginning of April only to find that most things are just the same. But the one thing that is different is me. I started back rested, full of energy and joy, full of passion and excitement and full of anticipation of what God has in store for the coming months and years within the ministry of Torch Holidays. I trust as you read this newsletter you will be excited to hear and know what is happening in and about the centre and that you will continue to support us in prayer.
Gail Whitaker, Manager
Farewell to Torch!
It is almost exactly a year since I went into the village greengrocers, here in Hurst, noticed a poster advertising the position of part-time housekeeper at Torch HRC, and thought, "I could do that!". Perhaps not the most auspicious career move, after 15 years as a church leader in the Church of England, but all part of God's plan for I and my family.
I moved to Hurstpierpoint in February 2006 with my wife, Sarah, and our three children, Esther, Joel and Miriam. I had recently had to resign as Rector of Ardingly . Sarah was very ill in 2004, and in March 2005 I was signed off work after a year of trying to be a part-time vicar, full-time dad, and supporting Sarah in her recovery (as well as working through a shed-load of my own issues!)
We moved to Hurst because we had become involved with The Point church, and that is how we first came across Torch HRC, which at the time was where The Point was meeting. It was a new chapter for us as a family, and we came not knowing what the future would hold, but trusting that God would show us in His time.
I believe without doubt that the job at Torch was a Godsend - what other employer would have taken me on after declaring on my application form that in the previous year I had taken 365 days off work! In the event the role of "housekeeper" morphed into "assistant manager" which is Torch speak for "someone who is prepared to do anything!", and so it has proved! It has been a great year, and I have loved being part of the Torch family for this time. It has been a real privilege to serve those who have come to stay, and I have been challenged to do things I would never have tried before - despite my fear of heights how could I sit and watch Molly abseil and not go myself! It has been such fun being here, but I knew when I started that it was just for a season.
For us as a family it has given us time to continue our recovery, and has gently eased us back into a routine of work (when we came Miriam, who was then 4yrs old, assumed that daddy was always at home and did not want me to go to work at all). But now God has moved us into a new season of life: last September I launched an evangelistic ministry under the banner "6:19", and on 1st April I took up the post of part-time assistant pastor at The Point church.
Torch is a very special place to be, and I shall always be grateful to God for opening this door, and to Gail for agreeing to take me on. I am delighted too that as we are staying nearby our association with Torch will continue for a long time to come.
Simon Alleby
Beth Goddard arrived at Torch HRC in September and is our resident angel. Beth kept the Centre functioning for most of the three months that I was on extended leave as well as looking after Emma, Sarah and Philip for 3 weeks. Beth is with us until August then she is moving to Market Harborough to work at Torch House.
Dawn Stephens joined the team ready for the Easter Houseparty and was a brilliant asset. Dawn is from South Africa and is a trained teacher but has been unable to work in South Africa. Her brother Paul is a friend and goes to The Point church and lives locally.
We have moved from Sixpenny Handley near Salisbury to be at Torch Holiday & Retreat Centre.
We have five children - three boys and two girls as well as two grandchildren.They are all scattered in different places within the UK. Wendie & I have worked together for 19 years in the family business. Our business has been in sales and service of domestic appliances and it has now been passed on to one of our sons. We have been members of our local church - St Mary's for 16 years where we have been involved over the years in the Sunday school, youth group, lay pastoral work and organising group holidays to Spring Harvest. At the time of my 60th birthday (Haydn that is) we thought it was time for a change and we felt we ought to spend more of our time in directly serving the Lord. One day we typed into Google "Christian couple seek job UK" and up came an old advert for Torch Trust for the Blind's Holiday Centre amongst many others. We were then without internet access for a while but after 3 weeks our enquiry was followed up by a phone call from John Darby. We found ourselves being led to Torch Trust and after a process of interviews we arrived on Sunday 15th of April to a warm welcome by Gail.
We look forward to working with the team and learning all there is to know to ensure the warm welcome and very special Torch HRC holiday experience continues. We have been encouraged by 1 Thessalonians 5:24 "The one who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, He'll do it" [The Message]
Haydn & Wendie
With a bursting house we celebrated Easter together. It was great to have our regular guests as well as some new ones. Simon Allaby was our speaker and he was excellent. On Saturday afternoon we saw the film "Amazing Grace" at the cinema. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed having our meals outside on the terrace. April also hosted the Art & Craft week led by Olive Gatward joined by the ever popular Marilyn Baker and Tracey Williamson
Time for our gardening gloves to come out again, to make baskets and tubs for the gardens of Torch HRC. Also the opportunity to enjoy visiting Hampton Court Gardens and Wisley Gardens to see how it is done properly. Peter & Kate Mancey are joining us for this week.
The highly popular Book Week is having its sequel. The last one was such a huge success with every one having such a fantastic week there is the demand to repeat it over and over again.
We have six busy house parties planned for June and July ranging from Surprises in Spring to International Cuisine Week to the Activity Week followed by our 3 Summer Sunshine weeks. All of these are very popular and have attracted many bookings. We encourage you to book early to ensure you do not miss out on enjoying a special holiday at Torch HRC this year.
We offer transport from the local station, airport or coach station.
EMMA is 18 1/2 years old. She has completed her college course in early years and is now a nursery nurse in a children's nursery in Brighton. She works very hard full time and is responsible for up to 27 two-year olds. She is learning to drive and is part of the technical team at church helping with the sound system.
PHILis 17 years old. He has started learning to drive. He is at college studying music technology, IT, sport and accountancy.
He is a swimming coach for children, he is a partner in a sound and events company, he works at an organic fruit and veg shop every Saturday and he heads up all of the sound technology and teams at church each week, so he is a fairly busy lad.
SARAHis 13 years old. She is in year 8 at senior school and is doing really well.
She has grown into a beautiful young lady and is a great help around home. She plays football and tennis and helps in the church kids club every Sunday. She also really enjoys the youth group and all the activities it involves.
2007 began with me having 3 months extended leave. It was great to spend more time at home, be a full-time mum as well as being able to catch up with friends who I had not seen for 10 years or more. One of the highlights was a three week trip to South Africa. Stuart and I were invited by Karen's (who lived with Teagan at Torch for 2 years) family who live in Johannesburg. First we stayed with Heather and her family in Cape Town. Heather used to work at Torch HRC in 2004. We then had a week's holiday with all 13 of Karen and Teagan's family on the east coast, then travelled up to Johannesburg for the weekend. We then went on Safari to Kruger Park staying in a tree house, all of which was fantastic and amazing. We also spent a day in Soweto meeting lots of people, and where we visited a Christian orphanage and we enjoyed visiting a couple of churches. It was a very memorable holiday. Beth Goddard did a brilliant job of looking after the children while I was away. The leave gave me the chance to seek God's way ahead for my work with Torch.
The week after we returned Stuart asked me
to marry him. So on March 10th we
were pleased to announce our engagement with plans to marry in March 2008.
Stuart lives in