(From Tim Dunwoody - World Mission and Development Officer)

I am sending this to all those who I feel may be interested and feel prompted to act.

I just signed an urgent petition calling on the Chinese government to respect human rights in Tibet and dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This is really important, and I thought you might want to take action.

After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans are sending out a global cry for change. Violence is spreading across Tibet and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now making a crucial choice between tougher crackdown or dialogue.

President Hu Jintao needs to hear that "Made in China " exports and the upcoming Olympics in Beijing will have the support of the world's people only if he chooses dialogue. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention. Click below to sign the petition - in just 3 days, the campaign is almost half way to the goal of 1 million signatures!

Tibet end the violence - click here

Thank you so much for your help - forward this email to friends!

Tim

Tim Dunwoody
World Mission and Development Officer
Methodist Missionary Society/World Development and Relief Fund

Many years ago, on a rainy November morning, surrounded by the paraphernalia of working life, Debbie Blair accepted Christ as her Saviour. From that moment, the young mother of two has spent her life proving that faith really does work. We got the chance to talk to the owner of Faithworks.

Why did you decide to open a Christian book and coffee shop in Glengormley?
I chose to open the bookshop/coffee shop because of my love of christian books and literature. It was always my dream to open something like that from when I was saved 10 years ago. However, that's all it was - a dream! Over the last couple of years the desire to do this got stronger and stronger and I truly believe God puts desires like this on our hearts. At the beginning of last year I started looking into the possibility of doing this and as I did every door just opened so very wide for me! Within months the dream became a reality.

Faithworks is an interesting name, why did you choose it?
We discussed the possibility of a few names with my family. My sister came up with this name and as soon as she said it we all knew this was it. Faith really does work. It is also based on the scripture.... faith without works is dead... James 2:17

What have you most enjoyed about running this shop?
The thing that I most enjoy about the shop is talking! I love to talk and meet new people. This has certainly given me an opportunity to do this. People come in for a coffee and end up staying for ages as conversations develop.

What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced with the business so far?
The biggest challenge so far has been financing the shop. As we knew from the beginning this was never going to be a 'money making' venture, it is a ministry. It has proven to be a real challenge for my husband and I to fund this ourselves.

What is the "bestseller" in your shop?
There have been a couple of best sellers in the shop over the last few months. Christian fiction always goes down well, in particular Francine Rivers - Redeeming Love. However, Brother Yun - Heavenly Man has been the best seller over all.

Which book would you most recommend?
My favourite at the moment is Frida Gashumbas book - Frida. This is the story of a young girl who miraculously escaped from the Rwandan genocide. Her experience of the genocide was horrific as she watched her family being slaughtered and was then left for dead in a mass grave. However, she then goes on to tell of her story of love and forgiveness for her family's murderers. Brilliant!!!!

Finally what is your recommendation from the coffee shop menu?
Recommendation from the menu - stew!!!! Our stew (served with fresh wheaten bread) is now 'famous' in Glengormley. Come early though, it's usually all gone by 12.45pm!!!!! 0 comments »

Praise Team Rota: March – May 2008

Month	Date
March	2nd	AM	Alan, Jack, Marty N, Claudette, Lydia, Jonathan, Willie, Luke, Katy.
	2nd	PM	Alan, Martin, John, Loraine, Lydia, Chris T(drums), Paul.
	9th	AM	Alan, Jack, Martin, Loraine, Michelle, Willie, Jonathan, Katy, Luke.
	16th	AM	Alan, Martin, Marty N, Loraine, Lydia, Claudette, Willie, Jonathan, Luke, Katy.
	16th	PM	Alan, Marty N, Martin, Lydia, Claudette, Chris T (drums), Paul.
	23rd	AM	Alan, Marty N, John, Claudette, Michelle, Chris T (drums), Paul, Katy, Luke.
	30th	AM	Jack, Martin, John, Loraine, Michelle, Dean, Jonathan, Katy, Luke.
April	6th	AM	Jack, Marty N, John, Michelle, Jane, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.
	6th	PM	Alan, Martin, Marty N, Loraine, Lydia, Paul, Chris (drums).
	13th	AM	Jack, Martin, Alan, Loraine, Michelle, Lydia, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.
	20th	AM	Jack, John, Martin, Loraine, Michelle, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.
	20th	PM	Alan, Martin, John, Claudette, Loraine, Paul, Chris T.
	27th	AM	Jack, Alan, Marty N, Claudette, Michelle, Dean, Jonathan, Katy, Luke.
May	4th	AM	Alan, Jack, John, Lydia, Claudette, Jane, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.
	4th	PM	Alan, Martin, John, Lydia, Claudette, Paul, Chris T.
	11th	AM	Alan, Marty N, Martin, Loraine, Michelle, Jane, Jonathan, Katy, Luke, Willie
	18th	AM	Alan, Jack, Martin, Lydia, Loraine, Jonathan, Willie, Katy, Luke.
	18th	PM	Alan, Martin, Marty N, Loraine, Lydia, ChrisT
	25th	AM	Alan, Marty, John, Claudette, Jane, Jonathan, Dean, Katy,Luke