Slavanka Trust

Thank you for all of your support over the years for the residential ministry of Slavanka. Yours prayers for the current work of supporting the Lord’s work around the world are greatly appreciated. Please continue to pray for:

• The Trustees with all of the essential decisions they have to make, that they will know the Lord’s leading
• The former staff of Slavanka as they settle into a completely new way of life, that they will have peace
• That the grants made will be used wisely for the furtherance of the Lord’s work throughout His world
• That the grants made will have a profound and far reaching effect on all who benefit from them
• That the Lord’s will be done

One third of the earth’s population are under the age of fifteen and an estimated 8 out of 10 churches in the world lack the resources to effectively disciple children and young people. A growing number of strategies are helping to evangelise children and new leadership and creativity are emerging from places least expected. Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and the Pacific are giving the world new momentum and models of how to reach children.
Max7 is a new Internet strategy that is free and accessible to people everywhere in the world. Owned by no one and yet by everyone at the same time. It is about making disciples of Jesus and growing God’s Kingdom. A suitcase of resources is available on www.max7.org The name Max7 is derived from the words of Jesus that He came to give life and to give it abundantly. Jesus came that children might ‘live to the max, 7 days a week with Jesus’.
The Slavanka Trust has provided a grant to train a group of writers in the Max7 approach and produce resources for the website. If you haven’t visited the site, please do so without delay!

The Diocese of Antsiranana is in the poorest part of Madagascar, which is one of the poorest countries in the world. They have a boys hostel and a girls hostel as well as seven schools most located in the rain forests of Northern Madagascar. Transport is urgently needed in order to transport the children and visit the hostels and schools. Ordinary vehicles are unsuited to the terrain and Slavanka has provided a grant for the purchase of a 4×4 vehicle.
The former Bishop used to take a taxi brousse for his visits. He died due to kidney failure brought on by this very unreliable form of transport.

Scripture Union Portugal was founded in 1949 and has been serving Christians in that country with Bible Camps, daily reading notes and Christian literature. In addition, they have two residential sites that are used by the Christian community for retreats, training and relaxation. The one for which funding is required has an occupancy rate of 79% per annum.
Funds are required to expand the chapel, which presently can seat 90 people and to update the toilet, bathroom and sleeping areas. SU Portugal has launched a ‘Tile Appeal’ and tiles can be purchased at €20. The appeal is working and they have received tile support and donations. In addition, they plan to go to the Portuguese community in Toronto with their appeal.
The staff are using all resources to raise funds so that the residential site can be better used to promote the Gospel and be of benefit to the Church community in Portugal. By this means, the Kingdom can be expanded. The Slavanka Trust willingly made a grant to help with this important area of ministry.

In 1999 DPB (Scripture Union Croatia) purchased a property near Zagreb and adapted it for use as a Christian residential centre. They have since been able to acquire adjoining pieces of land with the necessary building permission. However, due to the complex legal situation it is now necessary to have the land registered as one and not as several different sites. If this does not happen then it will not be possible to place buildings on the imaginary boundaries. Also, it is necessary to bring the kitchen area and the fire safety regulations up to standard.
The site is used for Christian summer and winter camps as well as by Christian groups and individuals. In 2004 DPB entered into a partnership agreement with SEND International who provide sports equipment and training for sports instructors. This has enabled DPB to widen the age range of campers to include older teenagers. Hundreds of children and young people benefit from the Christian residential experience on this site.
The Slavanka Trust has given two grants, the first to ensure that the legal work that is in progress can be completed by the end of 2007. The second is so that the physical work on the site can be carried out in the spring of 2008.

Scripture Union in the Czech Republic has been in existence for 15 years and started with one volunteer lady translating Sunday school materials. Now, they run summer camps, ski camps and leadership training camps. In addition, they have started to organise and run Holiday Bible Clubs in order to gain a closer relationship with Churches of all denominations. Also, they take a group of young people to a church in Cardiff to help with a Holiday Bible Club and to be trained at the same time.
All of the above happens through a group of dedicated volunteers and just two paid staff. At the start of 2007 and in faith a third member of staff was appointed. A grant over three years has been given so that the third member of staff can move from a part-time to a full-time role.

The second part of the grant has been made to the work in Varna. The grant to date has been used for the school classes and we give thanks that part of the Centre will be opened officially in August.

…is a project aimed at children of all ages and is part of the ministry of Scripture Union (Europe). It is a way of transporting a summer camp to a number of communities and churches in Poland and will give the children the opportunity to learn about God’s Word and to enjoy the experience. Also, it will help to break down barriers with local people as well as build relationships on many levels. Slavanka is assisting with this exciting work.

…was established in 1985 from a foundation of voluntary youth work using outdoor activities. They hold fast to their roots as a Christian led organisation and visitors are given the opportunity to see the Christian message being lived out. A range of groups use the centre including schools, youth groups as well as individuals who sign up to join in publicised activities. The age range is from children with their parents to senior citizens. CYESC is recognised as a teaching establishment by the Royal Yachting Association and the British Canoe Union.
A grant to ensure that the Gerald Daniel Accommodation Ship remains fit for purpose has been made. A refurbishment project is in hand and the grant from The Slavanka Trust will ensure that this can take place over the next nine months.

The launch of Y Cam Nesa, a valuable resource for children moving from primary to secondary education in the Principality, has been very successful. Scripture Union have now embarked on the translation and publication of other books for children into the Welsh language using the grant made by Slavanka.