Lent has arrived (for those who have no idea what that is, it’s the period in the Church of England calender between Pancake Day and Easter Sunday!) and we’re doing something a bit different this year.

In addition to the Lent Endurance Challenge, we’re launching a Lent blog, called ‘Write to be Heard’. This is a space for Boaz supporters, clients and team members to share their thoughts and experiences relating to asylum issues- and we’ll be adding something new every day for the next 40 days!

Check it out here: http://boaztrust.moonfruit.com/ and contact us if you’d like to contribute- it doesn’t have to be related to the Lent Endurance Challenge and it doesn’t have to be faith-based either. All contributions welcome!

Last year Manchester hosted the largest sleepout in the country and it was great to be part of it. We’d love to see lots of Boaz reps there again- could you join in, and sleep out for one night to raise awareness about this huge issue?!

Visit our ‘Get Sponsored‘ page for full details and a sponsorship form (as you can raise cash for Boaz whilst you do it as well!). The most important thing is that you turn up- at the steps of the Manchester University Student Union on Oxford Road from 7:30pm on Thursday 23rd Feb. You’ll be sleeping out until the following morning- let’s hope it’s not too chilly.

Let us know if you’ve got any questions or if you want to get involved!

Watch this space for more details- or contact the office (01612021056) if you want to register for a Lent Endurance Pack!

Today we focus on… financial independence

Pray for training/employment opportunities for those who have got ‘leave to remain’ and are waiting for work. Please pray for funding in the coming year so we can develop this effectively!

Take action by supporting the ‘Right to Work’ scheme, led by Still Human Still Here, and by supporting the ‘Stop the Azure card’ campaign by clicking here.

Today we focus on… complex asylum cases

Pray for clients going through particularly difficult times at the moment- for our Zimbabwean clients struggling with appeals and fresh claims, and for Eritrean Pentecostal Christians at risk of deportation. Please also pray for Glory, who is currently in detention, for peace of mind at this difficult time.

Take action by joining the Lent Endurance Challenge! This is an annual opportunity to live on the contents of a Red Cross food parcel for a week (or longer) and raise sponsorship for the Boaz Trust as you do it. It begins on 23rd Feb and you can register your interest by clicking here today!

Today we focus on… waiting lists

Pray for those on the waiting list for Boaz accommodation list- currently 85 people, plus 12+ in the temporary night shelter. Please pray as well for our hosting network, that it may grow and that those who generously volunteer in this way would know how valued their support is! And finally, please pray for all our clients/ex-clients who are waiting to receive National Insurance numbers, housing benefit and pension credit.

Take action by considering joining our hosting network, if you’ve got a spare room in your house, or if you have a house you could lend Boaz! Please contact us if this is you!

Today we focus on… funding

Pray for funding breakthroughs- loads of charities are struggling in this difficult financial climate and many organisations have lost core funding in 2011-12. We are so grateful to God for blessing our work, but ask for continual provision to keep our front line services running and expanding!

Take action by donating to Boaz 2012, our new campaign to raise enough funds to support every Boaz client with £20 a week for food and travel costs. We want 250 people to give £20 a month, to make this dream a reality. Could you be part of this?

Today we focus on… stigmatisation

Pray for good relationships within the media, local churches, national organisations and government, and for a turning of the tide in the way asylum issues are presented and understood. Please pray particularly for those doing positive work in this field, for courage and wisdom in what is often a very hostile environment!

Take action by visiting the NCADC website, writing to your local MP or visit the City of Sanctuary website to see if your town is part of this movement for change!

Today we focus on… awareness and campaigns

Pray for Dave attending the Centre for Social Justice conference tomorrow- that he will be able to make contact with movers and shakers in the field of asylum! Please also pray for our friends at Sound off for Justice as this is an important week for the Welfare bill.

Take action today by going to the City of Sanctuary website and registering your support. If you’ve got time today,why not also visit the NCADC website and sign some petitions?! Your help really does make a difference!

Today we focus on… mental health

The majority of destitute asylum seekers struggle with mental health problems, sometimes as a result of their experiences in their country of origin (for instance, post-traumatic stress disorder, or memory loss due to trauma) as well as experiences of destitution, exploitation and rejection in the UK, often due to the unjust and inhumane treatment they have faced.

Pray for our clients facing desperate and often uncertain situations, for peace, openness and courage. And please pray for our support workers, Vicky, Ros and Nigel, as they respond to the needs of our clients.

Act today by visiting the campaigns centre on the Freedom From Torture website, or by donating to our work…