Greenstones Christian Trust
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    • 2013 Team visits to Ethiopia
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    • 2019 Team visit to Ethiopia
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    • Prayer pointers - Oct '21
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    • Ethiopia - practical support >
      • Dormitory Project
      • Twinkle of Hope-Refuge
    • Ethiopia - chaplaincy etc
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"Missions to Prisons"
and
"Friends of Prison Fellowship Ethiopia"
are working titles of Greenstones Christian Trust. 
Registered Charity in England and Wales (Number 513862).  Founded in 1974. 
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Welcome! 
Picture
A group of children in the Twinkle of Hope and Refuge Child support projects
This website provides a brief introduction to Greenstones Christian Trust and outlines the holistic nature of the work we are involved in in partnership with others. 

We hope that as you browse through it you will  find it of interest and, as we try to keep it regularly updated,
that you will keep coming back!  

As you get a glimpse of the wider picture, the opportunities and the challenges, you might like to pray for us that we may have the necessary wisdom and resources for the task.
As far as possible we work in co-operation with others here in the UK and in Ethiopia. 

Much of our involvement in the UK - in prisons and in the community - is made possible by invitation often associated with a growing interest in the work in Ethiopia. 

In Ethiopian prisons our involvement in this holistic Christian work is all in partnership with Ethiopian NGO Justice for All Prison Fellowship Ethiopia (JFA-PFE) based in Addis Ababa. The work is facilitated in most Ethiopian prisons by JFA-PFE
Chaplain Coordinators supported through this Trust and includes a whole variety of practical projects as well as great opportunities for prisoners to hear the gospel message, get involved in Bible Study and enjoy Christian fellowship and worship
.


As mentioned above there are both opportunities and challenges in this area of the Lord's work and your prayer support is greatly appreciated as we seek his will on where to focus at any given time.  As you will see as you browse this site there are ongoing aspects of the work and also special projects.  Daily prayer pointers for October 2021
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ETHIOPIAN PROJECTS

As you browse this website you will see there is quite variety of need and it has been our privilege for over 20 years to
share with Justice for All PF Ethiopia in exploring ways to address some of these needs.  

A number of them are ongoing including the care of children affected by having parents in prison
 and the support of chaplain coordinators working in the prisons. These ongoing areas of the work of made possible with
the help of regular donations from supporters throughout the year.  More regular donors are needed.
 
In addition to the ongoing work there are also one off capital projects including ​the construction of
chapels and dormitories as well as water supply and storage and other practical projects.
 
The most recent of these capital projects was a sewage treatment plant in Addis Alem Prison which has cured a serious problem affecting both the prison and surrounding area for many years.. This was commissioned in September 2020.
 

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON REQUEST
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Twinkle of Hope and REFUGE projects caring for Ethiopian prisoners' children.
Click to find out more
Yes Jesus loves me!
See a prisoners' version of this well known childrens' song
.
Click here
PRAYER POINTERS
 
An aid to specific daily prayer for the prisons ministry.

for October 2021
Click here
 Chapels and Chaplains in Ethiopian prisons. A brief introduction to what they do and how they may be supported.
Click here
ETHIOPIA VISITS
2013 to 2017

Teams visit prisons and get up to date on a number of projects 
Click here to find out more
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  ​VISITS TO ETHIOPIA
Although all the partnership projects etc have continued, sadly, due to travel restrictions
in recent months FPFE visits to Ethiopia have not been possible since our 2019 one.
On that occasion - from 11th to 22nd January 2019 - the team consisted of founder Bob Spratt,
accompanied by trustee Di Gilmore her husband Boyd and supporter Tim Coleman. 
During the visit they hosted the annual Chaplains' Conference in Adama when chaplain coordinators
come together from all over the large country. This, as in previous years, was a great opportunity
for worshipping together, enjoying fellowship and receiving teaching.
Also at this Conference it was a joy to celebrate 20 years of FPFE/JFA-PFE partnership.
The team was also able to get up to date with current needs, opportunities and challenges.
Several prisons were also visited and Bob was privileged to share
 in the amazing opening ceremony of the recently completed accommodation
building for women prisoners in Addis Alem Prison.
Click here to see a brief report with a few pictures

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JUST IMAGINE......
The Howard League for Penal Reform have asked us to imagine being locked up in a cramped,
filthy cell and then go on to describe some of the disgraceful prison conditions current in the UK.
Please take a look at their
summary and get praying that something will be
done as a matter of urgency to address this unacceptable state of affairs.
Pray too for both prisoners and staff facing danger day after day.  
Thank you

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The LORD sets prisoners free
Psalm 146:7
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THE LOVE OF JESUS
Click here to find prisoners version of that old favourite "Jesus loves me......" 
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A FEW PICTURES FROM ETHIOPIA BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION
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Children in prison with their prisoner mothers before Twinkle of Hope was formed
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Original accommodation for women prisoners & their children
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New dormitory accommodation for women & children
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Delivering motorbike to an Ethiopian prison for the Health Worker
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New dormitory under construction
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Opening ceremony for new accommodation for women and children
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Group picture - Ethiopian Chaplains' Conference December 2014
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Teaching session 2014 Chaplains' Conference
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Open air service in an Ethiopian prison
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WORKING IN PRISONS IN THE UK and in ETHIOPIA
Working in the prison environment can be life transforming for all concerned. 
It is at the same time full of challenges as well as opportunities and there are times of joy and time of sadness.
We value prayerful support and hope this website will help this to be focused and informed.
Click here to find other websites that may help you discover more about the world of prisons and prisoners
as well as some of the Christian responses and resources. 

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You can see an overview of this Trust and its charitable status  
on the Charity Commission Website 


Click here for more information about the Trust including Data Privacy Notice.
Please do contact us if you wish to comment, ask for more information, request our regular email prayer & news pointers or just to say "hello".
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