Bible Studies

We are so encouraged on CFL’s Housing Support team with the ladies and gents who regularly attend our monthly Bible studies. We have 25 people who we pick up around the city and bring them to the farm for the study and tea. Some of them are really isolated and it may be the only social event they go out to. Thankfully it’s one where they hear the good news about Jesus too!

We often do something visual with props, acting or a DVD and then a short explanation and a prayer. This month the story is the love of Jesus washing His disciples feet, even when He knew one amongst them was going to betray Him.

Everyone is so good at listening and there is no shortage of hands going up when questions are asked!

We recently gave out easy read Bibles to those who wanted them, how precious it is to see these being read in their own homes.

After the Bible study we enjoy a hot meal together and lots of chatter. The journey home is often a time when more questions are asked about what they’ve heard that evening.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to invite folk, we get a chance to share time together and to learn more about Jesus.

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Creatures in Flight, by Day and at Night

The lovely sunny September days have not just been enjoyed by the beneficiaries and visitors who come to the farm each day, but also by the abundant flying creatures that call Caring For Life home. When we stroll around the the gardens with the beneficiaries on the Conservation project, the air is humming with the sound of buzzing insects such as honey bees, butterflies and hoverflies taking every opportunity to feed on the long flowering, nectar-rich planting.

Plants such as persicaria, monardas, echinacea and sedums were specifically chosen to provide more forage and larval foodplants for our beleaguered native pollinators and they have been successful in attracting many species. The large flat umbels of a single sedum specimen seems to pulsate with life as dozens of insects systematically move from tiny flower to tiny flower collecting nectar.

Common Darter Dragonfly

It is wonderful to be able to bring people who may be hurting, lonely or isolated within their home to such a beautiful and bountiful environment. For some it is their only experience of being close to nature.

Dragonflies are also enjoying these warm days and the beautiful bright orange-red form of the Common Darter can be seen acrobatically flying around the pond. If you are patient and hold out your hand they may even come and rest on your palm. You can take a closer look at this majestic insect whilst it uses your hand heat to warm up!

Beneficiaries on the conservation project are also really enjoying being involved in our expanded species monitoring work. In particular they love seeing what different species of butterfly or bumblebee they can spot and then checking they have identified it correctly in our new set of field guides.

Another exciting development on the project has been the use of a new moth trap. This has enabled us to start learning which of the 2,500 British moth species can be found on the farm. Attracted to light during the night, they are contained in the trap, examined and recorded the following morning before being released unharmed. Whilst we have only found common species so far we have been amazed at the beauty and intricacy of patterns of these otherwise unseen creatures.

We are very thankful to be surrounded by evidence of God’s amazing creation here at Crag House Farm and are privileged to be able to share it with many precious individuals who may never otherwise get to enjoy it.

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His Story

Tuesday was a very unusual day at Caring For Life. 

None of our businesses were open. We had no beneficiaries on site. We didn’t do any home visits. 

Instead we had all staff together for a great big team day. This is a rare and highly prized opportunity to spend time with our colleagues to focus on the amazing opportunity that God has called us all to in this place. 

A group of staff in one of the training seminars.

The day started with a wonderful presentation from Esther one of the founders of Caring For Life who gave us a breath-taking insight into the history of the charity over the last 32 1/2 years and indeed what God has been doing through his people on the site of the charity’s headquarters, Crag House Farm, over many centuries. 

The presentation took place in our beautiful 17th century barn which is now home to The Granary Restaurant and we had a few laughs as we were reminded what it used to look like and the very many purposes it had in the past. 

However, although the change and progress that could be seen in the farm and its buildings was impressive, the changes seen in so many precious lives over these years is far more important. 

We’ve seen thousands reached, helped, loved, rehoused and many many souls won for the Saviour. 

And as it says above the entrance to the Granary: Non nobis  Domine Non Nobis Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam (Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory.) - Psalm 115:1

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