2022 was a busy year for the team. We did more outreaches than in the previous year with a 15% increase in the number of nights that a team was out (150 outreach opportunities). In turn, there was an increase in the number of contacts by 33% to 582 with over just 45 different women supported.
We could not have done this without the help of our supporters, donors and those that hold us in their prayers. We would like to say a huge thank you and please know, we regularly give thanks to God for your support and are truly grateful.
An example of this is all of those who donated gifts so we could make up Christmas presents for the women we support. They are amazed at what has been donated and incredibly grateful that we have thought about them this Christmas time – for some, that present is the only one they will receive this year.
In John 1 v 5 we read “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Whether it is a present made with gifts from our donors, or support from our Chaplaincy outreach we seek to bring the light of God and to restore all hope and belief. We don’t judge, just listen to find out what the women need and to see how we can support and encourage them when they want to make changes to their lives.
Throughout 2023, the Rahab team will be out continuing to support the women, helping with advice, and signposting to the organisations that can help them. Please continue to hold us in your prayers.
Other ways of supporting Rahab is to:
- Join us on our monthly prayer walk for those living and working on the Oxford Road area. We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 12.30pm at Lifespring Church (143-145 Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7UY).
- Donate via our website (rahab.co.uk). A donation of £5 would enable us to purchase 10 packs of wipes or £7 for a box of 48 packs of mini-cheddars which are very popular. We also need to raise funds for our running costs each year so all donations are gratefully received.
- Volunteer with us. We would like to increase the outreach to five nights a week, but we need more volunteers from the Christian community in Reading to do so. We ask our volunteers to commit to a minimum of two evenings a month. The outreach runs from 9.30pm to 11pm. All our volunteers have training to Safeguarding Level 1, Sexual Exploitation Awareness training and the Rahab induction.
For more information, please call Christine Munday on 07443 487191 or email her at Christine.munday@themustardtree.org