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As
we left Cardiff airport, the sun was shining brightly in welcome, and
as we travelled through the countryside to our destination, the
daffodils were out in bloom along the wayside, waving in the breeze to
greet us. It was most enjoyable to sit and relax and to admire the
views from the car.
We were based in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, where the Welsh language
is freely spoken. We were very indebted to Rev. Mary Davies, pastor of
five churches in the area including Llandeilo for allowing us access to
the church where our meetings were held. Members of the church provided
us with lunch each day. Two of the other churches pastored by Rev Mary
provided our evening meal on Wednesday and Friday. It was lovely to sit
down with the people of the churches and share fellowship and
conversation with them over our meals. They were interested in us and
of course we were interested in them. The food was wonderful; we were
so well fed that our clothes felt tight by the end of our visit! The
fellowship also was wonderful and we were so blessed by being with
God's people.
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Business was conducted Wednesday – all day, Thursday – morning, Friday
– all day and for an hour on Saturday morning. The business included
various reports from each of the committee, from the countries we are
in contact with, and from other agencies. Finance always features in
our business; a fair amount of time is spent dealing with requests for
funding for a variety of projects within the Union. Prayer and
consideration has to be given with regard to what projects to support
and to what amount can be allocated to these projects. Planning ahead
also takes up our time and on this occasion we were thinking about the
autumn conference to be held in Tallinn, Estonia, at the request of the
Estonian women. Europe is responsible for 2013 Baptist Women's Day of
Prayer, and we reminded ourselves so we could each be praying and
noting our thoughts.
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Across the road from the church where our business was conducted was a
beautiful view across the valley which stretched for miles. As the
weather was good and the sun shone, once we had eaten lunch we went
outdoors to en-joy the fresh air, the scenery, and to have some gentle
exercise by having short walks in the vicinity of the church.
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On Thursday after-noon we paid a brief visit to the Welsh Baptist Union
Office on the way to Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire to visit Yona Pusey, a
former Secretary and President of EBWU. She had arranged for us to have
afternoon tea with some of the local Baptist ladies in a restaurant
owned and run by a Latvian lady which brought much delight to Livija,
our present President who is from Riga, Latvia.
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Following tea we each shared a little of our roles within EBWU and then
we were taken to Yona's home which is situated on a cliff top with a
commanding view of the sea in St Bride's Bay. We had a beautiful view
of the setting sun as we watched it sink beneath the horizon, praising
God for the wonders of His creation. Yona was brought up to date as far
as we were able with the European scene, and we enjoyed relaxing and
chatting. She fondly remembers her time serving with EBWU. Yona
provided a sumptuous supper for us before we travelled back to
Llandeilo.
Once our business was completed on the Saturday we were able to have a
short walk around the town to see a bit more of it, and as women
usually do, to visit various shops. Wies, a butcher's daughter, was
delighted to come across an old-fashioned butcher's shop; she just had
to go in and get some photographs!
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At lunch time we had a special lunch in a hotel where members of the
Women's Union and Baptist Union Officials also attended, and brought
Welcome Greeting officially to us. All the members of the Committee
were presented with a Welsh Loving Spoon beautifully carved in wood.
Following lunch we returned to the church for a Celebration of Faith.
This was arranged by Rosemary, and presided over by Rev. Davies. It was
a wonderful time, a blend together of worship and praise and Welsh
culture of music and song brought to us by various bards, singers and
musicians who had won prizes at the national Eisteddfod, the annual
Welsh festival of poetry and music. Again each of us shared about EBWU
between the items of music and song. This was one of the highlights of
our visit, and will be long remembered. In the evening Rosemary
provided a lovely supper for us in her home, and we enjoyed a time of
fellowship together. Three of us were able to attend morning service on
the Sunday morning and very kindly Rev. Davies preached in English so
we could under-stand, and benefit from the sermon. It was a joy to
share with the folks in worship.
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All too soon it was time to take our leave, but we will never forget
our visit to Wales, nor the warmth of the people, their faith in the
Lord Jesus, and the hospitality and help they gave us – true Christian
service.
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Our hosts, Rosemary and Evan Morgan, just „pulled out all the stops'
for us – they couldn't have done any more for us than they did. Three
of us stayed with them while two were with another couple and two with
another lady, all of us some distance apart, yet it seemed no bother
for Rosemary and Evan to ferry us around, by ensuring we were at the
church in time each morning, and at the venues for our evening meals,
and re-turned to our „homes' at night. Their hospitality and care was
first class.
We give thanks to God for all the people we met, an for all the
experiences of our time in Wales, knowing that our lives are the richer
for having met these wonderful servants of His.
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