Sarah DeCarvalho and Happy Child International (Brazil) Happy Child is our first and oldest mission partner. In 1989, St Mary’s supported local girl Sarah Jarman (now DeCarvalho) when she responded to God’s call on her life to go to Brazil and work with destitute street children. Since then, thousands of children have been rescued from the streets and their lives transformed through a ministry immersed in the love of Jesus Christ. Sarah is based in the UK and works on raising the profile of the Happy Child organisation and finding funding opportunities. She is also on the steering committee of the 180 Degree Alliance of organisations that work with children globally

Andy Economides and Soteria Trust (Nigeria and UK) Rev Andy Economides is well known to our congregations through his visits and teaching at St Mary’s/L1FE. Soteria works to bring people to Christ across the UK and in Africa. The Trust’s current challenge is to complete the building of the Soteria College of Further Education and Christian teaching in Ibadan, Nigeria. As well as assisting people in Africa, Soteria runs conferences, breakfasts, training and missions in the UK.

Arnold Mwonge and Kampala Children’s Centre (Uganda) Some of our congregation have visited this centre for the orphans of war and AIDS in Uganda, founded by Rev. Arnold Mwonge (regular Detling speaker and pastor of a church in Cheshire). Several houses have been completed but the vision is to continue building until at least 1000 children are given the chance of a home, education and happy childhood. The children were thrilled to receive a teddy bear knitted by our church members. Our money has also supported the building of a well to provide fresh water to the orphanage.

Sandra Benko and Gateways Ministry Sandra is leaving Operation Mobilisation in South Africa at the end of 2008 after 3 years with them. She is moving on to join the Gateways Ministry and will be based in Cyprus for the first 6 months of 2009. This six months at Gateways is not only preparation for what mission location is beyond but as missions work in itself - whether that work is in the Gateways missions training school, worship and prayer, ministry to Israel and the Jewish people, outreach and evangelism, community and hospitality or ministry to the poor. God has given Sandra a heart for the nations and Muslims and Jews in particular but she doesn’t know specifically where she will be located after these next six months. Sandra has felt very strongly that it is time to move on from OM and has received many words and prophecies confirming that this is a move from God. Gateways Beyond is a messianic community committed to sharing a life of daily worship and prayer, discipleship training and world outreach led by Emma and David Rudolph for the last twenty years. Sandra says: “I’m excited at the prospect of moving out of the safe haven that has been a place of replenishment and restoration over the last three years to push forward to new frontiers.” For more information: www.gatewaysbeyond.org We will be continuing to support Sandra in this next phase of her life that God is calling her to as a missionary.

Phil Morrow and the Church Army(UK) L1FE congregation member Phil Morrow has been called to train with the Church Army to become an evangelist. He is studying full time in Sheffield and is undertaking both academic and practical assignments.

Steve Legg and Breakout Trust (UK)

The Breakout Trust is the charity behind Evangelist Steve Legg. Many continue to come to faith through Steve's gigs and his crazy mix of magic, comedy and escapology. The ‘It's a Boy!’ Christmas initiative is going strong with a board game in addition to the DVD and book. The Son Newspaper goes from strength to strength with over 55,000 copies this summer. Steve has recently launched a new glossy men's magazine for Christian blokes called 'Sorted' and he plans to publish two books for children.

B@titude (UK)

B@titude is a Christian charity committed to loving and serving the community of north Leatherhead through their shop in Kingston Road. Here they sell quality ‘as new’ clothes for babies and children at very reasonable prices, provide a comfortable environment for coffee and snacks, as well as a small play area, and offer an environment for friendship and prayer. They have acquired a caravan on the south coast and as a result have been able to send many families away on a holiday or short break – one teenager said they had never been away on holiday. They have many plans for the future but already they have been described as ‘not just a shop, but a door into the community’. Members of our church regularly help in the shop.