"For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold; it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw."

(1 Peter 1:18 & 19)

As Easter approaches let us take time to focus on the great investment our Father has made to redeem us and all mankind. Let us consider Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away our sin and the sin of the world. With these thoughts in mind we pray that you will have a blessed and peaceful Easter.

PAKISTAN - There has been good news and bad news from Lahore recently. Basharat Ureem reports that over the last five months the gospel has been shared with two hundred Gypsy families and there have been many converts. The Christmas programme met with opposition from a group of religious people and because of the poverty of the Gypsies in the village they were severly intimidated. Later Bash was able to comfort them from the Scriptures and assure them that he would return. Please pray for the protection of these vulnerable people and for those who oppress them; for Bash who takes so many risks as he works among them; and also for his family while he is away travelling long distances to preach in various churches in neighbouring cities.

EASTERN EUROPE - Sonnie and Rosemary will be away for three weeks in May (5/5 - 26/5/98) visiting Hungary and Slovakia. The first stop will be at Papa where they will be making new contacts before travelling on to Partizanske to encourage the church. Once again we will be taking as much aid as we can carry for distribution among the needy. The Blowes family - Malcolm, Phyllis & Sam - are now with Teen Missions International in Florida preparing for work in India. Holly is at the TMI Bible School and is doing very well. They would value your prayers for this new phase of ministry. The Pramen Zivota Fellowship is now being run by Slovak Elders and the youth work is in the hands of young Gypsy Christians. You may have heard the report on Premier Radio about two Gypsy brothers from Shropshire who hired a church in Dover and preached to the Slovak Gypsies there. One hundred and forty people attended this outreach and one hundred and thirty of them responded to the gospel. We hope to get news of the Christian Gypsies who have returned to their own country - other reliable sources state that some two hundred and fifty were converted while they were here. We would appreciate your prayers for this trip and the long journey to Chita, Siberia in August. Plans are yet to be finalised, papers put in order, bookings made and finances raised. We praise God that He can meet all our needs! Next year Poland and Bulgaria will be the agenda and we would value prayer for these countries too.

HOME NEWS - We also attended a Gypsy gathering in a church in Pontypool where we met some old friends and made new ones. The GFC Team was at the Seaside Mission in Southend in February where we got a very warm welcome. We had an encouraging time in Talywain, South Wales and made contact with some gypsies on a local site. We are grateful to the supporter who was touched when she heard about Project Alina and gave enough to cover Alina's grant for another year. She is doing well at school and we look forward to seeing her and the family again when we visit Romania later in the year.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE - Terry Hurst is now Chairman for the Bucks Gypsy/Traveller Project and his wife, Lin, is a Trustee. He is also the contact for the Methodists on the Churches Commission for Racial Justice. Rosemary has also been asked to serve on the advisory committee for the CCRJ - justice for the Gypsies is something that is close to both their hearts. Terry is also doing some translation work at the Wycliffe Centre and hopes to travel to Belarus with Language Recordings later this year. In addition he has many preaching engagements. Please keep Terry with his busy schedule and the family in your prayers and praise God with him for the provision of a good car.

EXHIBITIONS - Terry Hurst reports that the Missionary Exhibition in Littlehampton went very well and would be worth repeating. Contacts were made with the LCM, Gideons and local people who knew Christian Gypsies. He hopes to arrange a similar event at Downley in the future. We have also been invited to take part in the Convention for World Mission at the Nazarene Theological College in Didsbury, Manchester from 23/6 - 27/6/98. We are in for a busy time!

CHANGES - We welcome Terry Hurst as the Vice Chairman of Gypsies For Christ and Golden Spearman who replaces Bernard Mends as one of our Trustees. It is good to have the support of these two committed Gypsy men in the work of Gypsies For Christ. Bernard has been a tower of strength over the years and we look forward to his continued fellowship and good advice in the future.

Thank you to The Woodford Christian Life Church ( formerly The Way-In Christian Fellowship) who sponsor our Newsletters. We are extremely grateful to our pastor, Simon Smith, and the members of the church for their continued support of GFC.

With Christian love, greetings for Easter and many thanks for your support in prayer and by giving, from everyone on the GFC Team.