Caring for Life Supporters Day

Wendy Smith reports on Saturday July 8th, Caring for Life Supporters Day

My cousin Janet and I went up to Crag House Farm in Leeds for the annual supporter’s day which is the base for Caring for Life. We stayed in a nearby Premier Inn on the Friday night and travelled up Saturday morning. We also met up with a friend, Mary who joined us. We were a little anxious with regards to the weather forecast, which indicated heavy rain and storms, so when the heavens opened, we prayed that it would stay dry for our visit (more about that later!)

As soon as you enter the farm, for me personally, you immediately sense the presence of God, with the warmth and love from the Chris-tian folk working there.

The supporter’s day is the only time that you have access to the beneficiaries and the projects that they are in-volved in, be it, looking after their award-winning longhorn cows and sheep (Tractor rides around the farm), the hens and egg production, the equestri-an project, woodwork, arts and crafts, the music group and the new pro-ject, ‘The Growers Garden’. The aim of these projects is to come along-side the folk in their care, and to share the love of Jesus with them. Indeed, some of them have come from horrific circum-stances and tell us that CFL has literally saved their lives. You can see the joy on their faces as they happily tell you what they are making and how they look after the animals.

One story is told of a young man who would only talk to the horses, because they didn’t shout at him, and abuse him. With the love shown from CFL, he now chatters away happily! There is a lovely garden centre and farmers shop, sensory gardens and they are also building a new refectory, a social hub where all the volunteers, beneficiaries and staff can meet together for food and fellowship.
During the afternoon, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving Service in the main barn, with updates from Jonathan Parkinson, who when praised for the work of CFL. humbly stated ‘It’s not us, but The Lord who has blessed us’ There was ministry from Bill Bygroves and the music group sang to us. The worship and song was amazing!

Now, back to the rain. The Lord did indeed answer our prayers. Every time we were inside it rained, as soon as we stepped outside it stopped, literally. Hallelujah!

The service ended with a song written by one of the worship leaders, the chorus reads:-
“We bring our loaves and fishes, to you The Lord of all. We’ll follow in your footsteps, and answer to you call. Lord take our small resources. Take every loving deed. Turn drops into an ocean to meet a world of need.” Just about sums it up.

Wendy