Outgoing Chairman's Report

CHAIRMAN`S REPORT 2009/2010

I believe it is fair to say that the past year has not been the easiest or smoothest that we have experienced in EEFC and yet we can say with truly grateful hearts that God has brought us safely through all our exigencies and left us more than ever thankful for his care, his love and his mercy. Thus, when a swine flu contact forced the cancellation of Bucsin camp we were able to divert the staff who were "en route" to join up with a team from Northern Ireland who were camping near Mahanaim.Similarly when extreme weather conditions necessitated the cancellation of a meeting with our Hungarian colleagues in January we were able to re-arrange the meeting for April.When recruitment for some camps proved quite difficult we were still able to maintain our programme.

The programme this year comprised two camps at Hejce and one each at Debrecen, Hodmezovasarhely, Mahanaim and Tivadar, and catered for 235 youngsters.The weather, though a bit mixed, did not prove a handicap for the campers and the overall comment was that "camp was very good".After two seasons Debrecen is now well established but the search is going on for an out-of-town site where campers can stay overnight.

We were very encouraged when WFM made us one of the beneficiaries of their phenomenally successful fund-raising for the year. Their gift of £10,000 is enabling us to help fund a new sewerage system at Bucsin so that the new showers and toilets can be brought into use, and at Mahanaim our donation towards the cost of drilling for a clean water supply will, when complete, mean campers and staff no longer have to "wash in the stream".

For me as chairman a major event of the year has been that, in response to several requests, we have paved the way for re-establishing a camp in Ukraine and I wish to thank the retired Bishop Horkay Lazslo for his enthusiastic support.of this venture. If you or anyone you know is willing to lead this camp please speak to Sam Thompson without delay..I am very pleased that Rev Tim Donachie has agreed to relieve me as Chairman,that Rev David Collingwood has agreed to take over the Secretary`s role from Janet Matheson and that Andy Johnstone is willing to come back on to the Council.Today`s meeting will be asked to ratify these appointments.

Finally I wish to express my sincere thanks to all those who, in UK or Hungary or Romania or The Ukraine, have supported EEFC during my five years in post, whether by assisting with administration or running camps or by contributing financially to our efforts to win Eastern Europe For Christ. I can assure you without fear of contradiction that "Your service in the Lord is not in vain".

Donald Matheson