Autumn 2014
CAMPFEST, SLOVAKIA. 2014
It was such a blessing at Campfest, not
only to play there, but also to see many of the worship bands using our instruments. This has inspired me! All the equipment we used was left, as shown in the photo. Our next trip, is to take guitars to Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Croatia.
Next year we will be celebrating 25yrs of Guitar Aid. 1990 – 2015. If you want to see what we are doing, as it happens, you can “like” Guitar Aid on Facebook. I regularly update this page and find that it encourages many as they see how God is blessing and expanding our vision.
BULGARIA & THE BALKANS
In October, I went to Macedonia as part of a missions team from the UK, that has a specific vision for the Balkans. Thirty Pastors & leaders were invited from the countries in that region. I was really blessed to meet up with so many of my friends in one place. I took ten guitars on this trip. The photos show how pleased everyone was to receive these instruments. I then travelled to Bulgaria with Pastor Lyubo, to his Church in Stara Zegora. What a joy it was, to share in what God is doing in that nation.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORSHIP LEADERS
Each of the guitars we have given, represent a story, over 2,600 guitars, so many stories! Here are a few that have particularly inspired us, encouraging us to give more.
Csilla's Story
My name is CSILLA, I am 13 & live in SERBIA. I come from a Christian family & I follow the Lord. A while ago, the thought entered my mind, that I would like to learn to play the bass guitar. In January, 2013, we started to pray for an instrument. In the meantime, I started to really walk with Jesus, to have a closer relationship with Him. Sometimes I asked God if I would ever receive a guitar, but every time I asked, it was as if he answered, “pray more for it.” So I continued to pray.
In September, Pastor Viktor called me & said that he had heard about my prayer request & promised me that he will try to help me get a guitar. One month later, my dad said to me that he would take me to a church service in another church, where guests from England will speak about worship. The service was excellent. At the close of the meeting the guests started to hand out acoustic guitars to visitors from other churches. At last, my name was called & as I stood up & went to the front, I felt very strange & I didn’t understand the whole deal. But I quickly saw that the guitar case I was to get looked totally different from the rest. Then they took it out of the case & it was a Ferrari red bass. My jaw dropped, I couldn’t say anything. I wanted to laugh & cry at the same moment. That moment was indescribable. Suddenly I understood that it was worth to pray so much, and I knew that it was God who answered my prayer. In the evening, when I got home & showed the guitar to my siblings, my sister was very happy for me, & my little brother started to weep because he saw that Jesus really takes care of us. Thank you all for this bass guitar! God bless you! Csilla.
Sergiu's Story
My name is SERGIU, from Lipova, ROMANIA. I am very glad to tell you a few words about Dave Sumner & his team, who are doing a great service for musicians from all over the Churches. I remember clearly the moment when, almost 10 years ago. I got my first electric guitar. Being just a child, I could not afford it, but through Guitar Aid, God sent me this gift. The blessing didn’t stop there, but through many years, God blessed myself and the entire worship team with other musical instruments through Dave & his team. Guitar Aid is a great blessing for us, & I hope & pray to God to bless them for their efforts & what they are doing.
'Daniel's Story
Hi, my name is DANIEL, I’m from SLOVAKIA & I’m 25 years old. On my 18th birthday I received my first bass guitar, I was very happy at that time as I was playing in our worship band. Two years ago, my friend was talking about starting a band – he wanted to encourage their bass player to buy him a bass, it occurred to me that I would like to give him my bass, but what I’m going to play? another friend advised me – contact Marian Lipovsky – he has friends from Guitar Aid that supply instruments. I wrote to him, he liked the whole situation & said he had 2 professional basses, a 4 string & a 5 string. I said, all I know is, I would like to try the 5 string. 4 days later I had a new Lakland Skyline 5 in my home. I prayed I would like it, when I saw my new instrument is surpassed all my expectations! God has fulfilled the desire of my heart. I gave my instrument, & he sent me, through his people, even better! It’s a really wonderful instrument! I am extremely honored that I can get to play with this bass & praise our God, because I never could afford it. Thanks to God for you all!
I hope these testimonies have encouraged you. Sponsoring a worship leader or musician, like those above, costs only £7 a month. Please consider helping us in this great work, bringing many into a closer sense of God’s presence, through the gift of worship. A guitar represents more than a month’s salary in many of the countries we give them. Any donations will be greatly appreciated, making a difference to the individuals, churches and communities we serve. Thank you for your support, be blessed! Dave Sumner.