On Saturday 23rd December we partnered with Ditty’s Home Bakery, Castledawson to give out 100 turkey dinners throughout the local community. Please continue to remember those in prayer who may be alone or struggling, not only at Christmas but throughout the year. A big thank you to Robert and Helen and their team for supplying us with each of the dinners.
This past weekend we delivered 100 turkey dinners throughout the South Derry community. This time of year is difficult for so many, will you please keep those who are struggling or are living alone in your prayers at this time. A massive thank you to Robert and his team at Ditty’s Home Bakery, Castledawson for supplying us with each of the dinners.
2021 has continued to be another unexpected year with continued restrictions. Despite this we have continued our work in our local community of South Derry and beyond:
Local community
We have continued to reach out to show God’s love in practical ways to those who are most vulnerable in Maghera, Draperstown and surrounding rural communities. Most of our work continues to be with the elderly, those living alone, single parent families etc. Our Community Outreach Coordinator has continued her work by connecting and befriending via phone calls and when possible in-home visits or walks. She has continued to be available for prayer support and to run errands as needed especially for those who are immobile, have no family support or have been fearful to leave their home.
In addition we have:
Continued to pray over our community and land from the summit of Slieve Gallion mountain
Delivered 623 free meals
Delivered just over 600 free bread items donated to us weekly by Ditty’s Home Bakery, Castledawson
Delivered just over 100 free turkey dinners the weekend before Christmas supplied by Ditty’s Home Bakery
Delivered 30 food hampers the week before Christmas to those in need of encouragement and support in a season that is difficult and lonely for so many.
Delivered 30 packets of pancakes on Pancake Tuesday
Assisted the Maghera Cross Community Link with a BBQ in one of the local community housing estates.
We have been able to serve practically in different ways, i.e. cutting grass, yard clean up, providing furniture, small household jobs etc.
Maghaberry Prison
Due to restrictions we have been unable to visit the prisoners in person in Maghaberry Prison since March 2020 so we have continued to connect with the men from choir via Zoom and phone calls. We have also been able to connect and visit with men who have been released to encourage them as they adapt to life on the outside and get them connected with a local bible study. Due to a generous donation for the 7th year we were also able to deliver 1,200 selection boxes for all of the prisoners and staff in Maghaberry just prior to Christmas.
Bible study
Our men’s bible study continues weekly and has been an opportunity to bring men together from various denominations and traditions around the word and prayer. We continue to see these men grow in their faith and we see God moving in each of their lives.
As we step into 2022, we are ready to go and do what He wants us to do. Please continue to pray with us that we would be obedient to His call in each of our lives. We have never let go of our vision to see Ireland healed and restored in Jesus’ name, for people to encounter Him and walk in all of His fullness.
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
2021 - Our year in review
This past weekend we delivered just over 100 turkey dinners throughout the South Derry community. Please keep those who are struggling or are living alone in your prayers as this can be a difficult time of year for so many. A massive thank you to Robert and his team at Ditty’s Home Bakery, Castledawson for supplying us with each of the dinners.
For many elderly in South Derry the past 11 months have been a time of extreme isolation and loneliness. We have continued our work specifically in the Maghera and Draperstown communities befriending and offering continued support in practical ways. So for Pancake Tuesday we decided that we would go into our local community and deliver packets of pancakes from Ditty’s Home Bakery and meals to some older folks who we have been working with and live alone.
Please continue to pray for those who are alone and feeling continued anxiety at this time.
2020 has been a busy and unexpected year for us at Healing the Land and we are incredibly grateful for the doors that God has opened for us. This year we have:
Hosted Mighty Men Ireland with Angus Buchan in July. If you missed it you can still watch it here: MMC Ireland Online 2020
Prayed over our community from the summit of Slieve Gallion for 111 continuous days from the end of March to July and again daily throughout December
In response to Covid, we delivered 1,287 meals to those who were shielding and isolated.
Ran errands as needed for those self isolating and shielding and made countless phone calls checking in on folks
Delivered bread donated to us by Ditty’s Bakery, Castledawson to those living alone
Provided 1,200 selection boxes for prisoners and staff at Maghaberry Prison and connected with prisoners via Zoom
Delivered 95 turkey dinners and 30 food hampers to folks in the Magherafelt, Maghera and Draperstown communities
We are ready (like many others) to step into 2021 and see what God has in store for us next year. Will you join with us in prayer for the ministry of Healing the Land that we would continue to step into the things that He wants. We have never lost our vision to see the land of Ireland (and other lands worldwide) healed in Jesus’ name, for people to encounter Jesus personally and to walk in fullness with Him.
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Unfortunately due to current restrictions we were unable to host our Community Christmas Dinner in Maghera this year so instead we delivered 95 turkey dinners and selection boxes to homes in the Maghera and Draperstown communities. Please keep these folks in your prayers, like so many they will be spending Christmas alone. Please pray that even while they may not have family and friends with them this Christmas that they would know the peace and presence of Christ with them.
A special thank you to Robert Ditty from Ditty’s Bakery, Castledawson for preparing all of the meals.
Healing The Land, Mid Ulster Area.
