THE CHURCH OF BANGLADESH - BILIAM SARDER

The parish has a long standing relationship with Biliam Sarder, a christian minister operating in Bangladesh, in sometimes challenging circumstances. See the panel on the right for background details. He sends us photos on a regular basis; here are some of them.

Below are some pictures of Gita's shop which a number of you helped her purchase through your kind donations. Thank you very much for all your ongoing support.

Honorable Fr.Matthew,

I Just backed from a thanks prayer gathering, it had been being the thanks God prayer since 37 years. Every year I may get a special invitation letter from the villagers. It became only 3 day's. Last week I got a another special respect From Roman Catholic church people for a lovely lenten prayer gathering. There’s 3 father and 6 sisters and nearly 3 hundreds people have joint there’s. It’s make me very happy.

Father Matthew, I met with gita and her husband in Their shop. They're doings hard work, almost Their son and daughter of law got very sock and surprised whose left Their parents. Our loving God is always living with us. Miriam Maya have gone her Hostel this morning. If she get one day late, she would be punished 200 hundred Taka. So she backed right time.

Father, our door to door lent prayer will close 12 th of April, Then palm Sunday and Holy week,holy Thursday I shall wash all the congregation, honestly at that night may make a great feeling all of the church people, every eyes cries. Then every one wash one another. Create a Great moment. I like it indeed father. In the Good Friday 7 preacher I have Selected already, almost 3 hours they Will preach, this year I got 4 new preacher. I am hoping they shall do Well. Father, I know you’re now too much busy,and you like and love it.If you get free please send a email. Although it’s a great feeling and pleasure for me always. Thanks Again for everything which you are doings and thinking well for me always. All my respect and heart felt greetings to you always and your loving church people.

Your loving Biliam.

Here are some photos from Biliam of people from his church having completed their counselling course, some photos from his Pentecost Sunday Service, and on a lighter note, with some of his pet hens.

It is now a good number of years since I first drew the Parish’s attention to the life and work of my friend Fr Biliam. Over these years your generous support has assisted Biliam in the education of his two children and the support of numerous people in the various parishes in which he has worked.

Sunday School Children have been given books and Bibles, boys in an orphanage have been given warm clothes, storm damage has been repaired, poor girls have been given dowries which have allowed them to marry. People have been given vehicles and tools to allow them to earn a living and the elderly have received health care and assistance.

These are just a few ways in which we have been able to help Biliam and members of his church. It is comforting to know that your donations have made such a huge difference to so many people in one of the world's poorest countries. Furthermore, Bangladesh is a majority Muslim country, and your help has done so much to lift the morale of the small Christian community. Matthew

New Bell for Mission Church

Thank you to everyone who contributed to helping Biliam purchase a new bell for his mission church.

Here is a picture of the bell now purchased and ready for installation.

ABOUT ST. GILES CHURCH

Some of you may be wondering how I came to know Biliam. Back in 1999, I was working as a Team Vicar at St Christopher's Newington, Ramsgate. Whilst there, I was approached by the Church Missionary Society to see if we would be prepared to take part in their bi centenary celebrations. Their idea was that representatives from various churches, which missionaries in former times had supported, would be invited to share in the life of the Church in the UK. Consequently we hosted a priest from the Russian Orthodox church, a Religious Sister from the Coptic Church an ordinand from the church of South Korea and a Deacon from the Church of Bangladesh, who was Biliam Sarder. They stayed for 3 months, and we were all enriched by their time with us.

When Biliam returned to Bangladesh, we kept in touch and over the years I have been delighted not only to support him in his ministry but to receive his friendship and prayers for our ministry in Farnborough as well. I am always humbled and inspired by Biliam's ministry and all that he has to endure in the service of Christ. The Lord that we trust and believe in is also the same Lord that he and his people believe and trust in. In supporting Biliam I am constantly reminded that the Church is a worldwide family. It is a privilege to help where we can, and I hope that we will continue to do so into the future.

Thank you.

Mattthew

Read more about the
Church of Bangladesh