news & events -testimonies

Testimonies from the early days in The Haven

Sometimes It is only when you look back that you realize just how much has happened in the last few years. While there have been many times of anxiety as we came to understand better what was happening, God has been faithful in his provision and his encouragement. Often the encouragement comes through seeing the impact that The Haven in its various manifestations is having on the lives of those around it, or on the “coincidences” that keep on happening as we get things going. These stories have been collected by various people in The Haven and are retold here (in their own words):

A young mother from another country living in Cork who meets one of The Haven staff somewhere and is invited to the Toddler group. Though describing herself as having no faith and knowing it is run by Christians, she comes along and finds a welcome. Though she has to leave to return to her own country she shows an interest in the different churches in her own country. She made friends with another young expatriate mother and tells Evanne the Toddler group is the highpoint of her stay in Cork.
The tired pastoral worker from one of our nearby hospitals who comes for a coffee and finds a listening ear from one of our helpers.
When the furniture was arriving on 7 pallets from IKEA we were in a panic as to who would help unload. Tim sent an email to John Faris and Mairín but other than that Padraig and his Dad stood waiting for all the Pallets to be unloaded with all the bookcases (Tim was away,
Cork Christian Trust. Trustees: Tim Jenkinson, Sr. Bridget Dunne, Bill Lane 2
as was Naomi). Then John Faris shows up, then Mairín. Then out of the blue John Barry, Sean Tessyman & a friend of theirs turn up to help. Hadn't heard of the big delivery just felt that they would offer on that day.
We had been looking for volunteers also and Sean and John offered that day, one a chef and the other willing and able.
Lots of cleaning to be done after all the building and Siobhain and 4 girls turn up from Carrigaline. Decided to help that week....blitzed the place. Then turns out that Siobhain would love to help out also. Deirdre and Berna offer to volunteer.....suddenly loads of support.
Then we have the difficult task of loading all the stock on to the new computer system. An American guy (Paul) shows up with guess what....aptitude for this sort of thing.
Opening week all the staff and volunteers we need, including Beth Delaney who has been a stalwart ever since. As the weeks go by things get a bit difficult, the fun of opening ends and we are into marketing.... looking for reassurance etc., can we ever do the sort of figures that we need to break even? Siobhain is handing out free sausage rolls at 8.30am and prays for reassurance that we are doing the right thing.... we are full for the day...so busy.
Monday we take 150euros at the Tuesday prayer meeting Mairín prays that we do double that day what we took Monday....to reassure us that we are doing the right thing....guess what ...we take 300euros on the Tuesday!
We pray for more business..... a young girl comes in who's mother is dying and we pray with her. She is not used to this but feels very at ease in the place. Keeps coming back and keeps us up to date on her life. Unfortunately her mother died last week but she still keeps in touch.
Volunteers keep coming when we need them... we only advertised at the very outset. Matt leaves.... Maggie come, Siobhian takes a break Declan comes, etc.
Business man in quite regularly for latt�(c), starts to browse the bookshop. Leaves quickly the first time. Weeks later browses again.....weeks later buys a bible for "his friend"....back to buy a book on Christianity explained......
Very tight budget now with all savings gone Evanne & Padraig worried about if we can pay wages & rent. An 800euro booking comes in and we have a bumper week of sales. Rent and wages paid we continue to run on Faith and looks like we will have just enough this month also.
So many people have left their names in our prayer diary, so many people visit from the Mercy. So many people tell us how peaceful, relaxing, something special about the place....it encourages so many. Still the volunteers come..... when we need. Padraig and Evanne head off for two weeks and people can do extra, Ewa works more hours as does Maggie. Naomi heads of for the month of June and we get 4 school kids for the month helping.
One of our suppliers always gives us freebies and samples, Padraig meet a friend of his who has a caf�(c) doing double the business we do, says he never gets/got anything from them. We continue to welcome their driver every morning with a happy greeting. "He loves coming to us"...he helps us out where he can.
Our delivery guy to the Bookshop, is now looking at videos in the shop, picking things up and said last week he must buy a bible.......