Andrew van der Bijl or Brother Andrew is a Christian missionary from Sint Paneras, the Netherlands. He founded Open Doors in 1955 which is noted for smuggling Bibles into Communist countries. He earned the name God’s Smuggler -the title of his 1967 book. he is known for having prayed Lord, make seeing eyes blind when stopped at the border of a communist country for his car to be inspected. Andrew was born on the11th May 1928 in Sint Paneras. He was the fourth of 6 children. His father was a poor, near deaf blacksmith and his mother was an invalid. In the 1940s he enlisted in the colonial army of the Dutch East Indies during the rebellion that would eventually form Indonesia. He was wounded in the ankle and during rehabilitation read the Bible obsessively, eventually converting to Christianity. He studied at the WEC Missionary training College in Glasgow. July 1955 visited Communist Poland to find out about the underground church. To do this he had to go on a government controlled tour. He felt he had to respond to the Biblical Commission *Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die ( Revelation ch3 v2) In 1957 he travelled to Moscow. He started to smuggle Bibles into Communist countries in a blue Volkswagen Beetle. He prayed and left them deliberately in full view. This was a fulfillment of child’s dream of *derring-do . The work of Open Doors continued to expand as it extended its network throughout Eastern Europe and Soviet Union. (Read ‘Brother Andrew’s Story’ crossing into Romania.) In the 1960s he visited China, Czechoslovakia and Cuba. In 1967 published first edition of God’s Smugglers. By 2002 over 10 million were sold, ( See Bridge Books for special 60th anniversary edition of first trip.) 1970s visited war torn Lebanon. In 1990s travelled several times to the Middle East - Lebanon and Israel Brother Andrew has written 10 books. He is now in his 90s. Is he still smuggling?

John (Jock) Troup (1896-1954) was a well known Christian evangelist fro Fochabers, Scotland. He was the son of Harry and Harriet Troup. He spent his youth as a cooper and was part of the Territorial Forces Service. He went to work in the fishing industry and then on to service in WWI. He was then converted. According to a neighbour he had enormous hands - he could pick up a fully inflated football with one hand. He had 16 inch biceps, unexpanded and the neck like a prize bull. He did not look like a typical normal preacher. Jock played a big part in the Fisherman’s Revival, also known as Jock Troup and the fisherman’s Revival. He preached all over Britain to bring people to Christ. In 2001 Revival Man, The Jock Troup Story* by George Mitchell was published followed by a film* Jock Troup and The Fisherman;s Revival.

Kenneth Nathaniel Taylor ( 1917-2005) was an American publisher and author. He is best known as the creator of The Living Bible and the founder of Tyndale House, a Christian publishing company and Living Bibles International. He was born on 8th May in Portland Oregon. Having a pastor for a father a godly mother meant he developed a solid faith in Christ and a deep respect of the Bible from a very early age. He graduated from Wheaton College, Illinois in 1938. He then attended Dallas Theological Seminary for 3 years… He received a Theology Masters (Th.M) from Northern Baptist Seminary in 1944. During the course of his studies he was offered the position of editor for HIS Magazine, headquartered in Chicago. He was a long time member of College Church in Wheaton. He worked briefly for Clyde Dennis, founder of Good News Publishers on translating Gospel tracts and distributing them overseas. In 1947 he moved to Moody Bible Institute as Director.of Moody Press and stayed until 1963. In 1954, as rode the commuter train into Chicago ,he began paraphrasing the New Testament into modern English. This was originally to help his 10 children to understand the King James version of the Bible more easily. The children were responding to what they were hearing and Ken thought he was onto something. He developed a series of books for his children to read. They were eventually published in a book called The Bible in Pictures for Little eyes. After 7 years of writing and rewriting he submitted the manuscript, called Living Letters to several publishing houses. After having It rejected by ALL of them Ken, with his wife Margaret, decided to use their limited saving to publish it themselves. Paul Benson, president of Lithocolor Press, offered to print 2,000 copies and allow the Taylors to pay for them when the books sold. In the early days it was a kitchen table operation. The older daughters typed Ken’s manuscripts, Margaret typed invoices and mailing labels and the younger children filled envelopes and packed books ordered by the bookstores. In 1962 he exhibited his self published* Living Letters* at the Christian booksellers Association convention. BIlly Graham saw the book the following spring and asked if he could print a special edition to use with his crusades - 500,000 were given away. Tyndale House Publishers (THP)was born. In 1967 the Living New Testament was published. In 1971 the complete Living Bible was released to an eager public. It was the best selling book in the USA 3 years in a row! The profits were put into a charitable trust. All royalties were donated to the Tyndale House Foundation. He stayed president of THP until 1984 when he handed over to his son Mark. He served as chairman of the board until his death. Kenneth N. Taylor died 10th June 2005, aged 88, from heart failure. Ken’s THP mission minister to the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been venerated since early Christianity. According to Christian theology, Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit whilst still a virgin. Both the gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament, and the Quran, describe Mary as a virgin, and as being betrothed to Joseph. Over the centuries she is said to have appeared to many believers. 6 Fascinating facts found in ‘Beliefnet’ Her life was foreshadowed in the Old Testament Virgin Mother of Emmanuel Isaiah ch14 v7 2.She was a woman of great Courage and Character When the angel Gabriel came and told she was to be the mother of God’s son she showed great courage and character Luke ch 1 v38 3.Believed by many to be the greatest of all saints She was chosen and prepared by God to be the mother of his son. 4.She was Instrumental in Jesus’ Life She was there throughout his lifetime -birth to Ascension 5.The true meaning of the Immaculate Conception The Immaculate Conception deals with the conception of Mary herself, not that of her son. A Life of Witness Her life was to witness to the glory of her Son and we can’t help but admire her for that. I have included Bible references, 2 copies of the Magnificat - traditional and modern, information about Jewish betrothal and marriage plus Catholic Mariology I hope these sheets prove useful. Note Mary is mentioned by name on more occasions in the Quran than in the Bible.

The Annunciation also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady or Annunciation of the Lady The Annunciation of Mary is when the Archangel Gabriel visits Mary to say that she is going to have a son, who she was to call Jesus. * (See Luke ch. 1 verses 26-38) Mary is surprised because she asks, How can this be I do nor know a man? She is still a virgin who has only recently become betrothed to Joseph. The angel replies with these words The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Gabriel goes on to explain that her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, is going to give birth to a son. (This son is John the Baptist) Mary says Behold the maidservant of the Lord!. Let it be to me according to your word. Gabriel then departed. This is how Mary learned that she was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Brief information about Mary and the Archangel Gabriel included. Sources The Bible Wikipedia

James the Less is a figure of early Christianity,possibly one of the 12 chosen by Jesus. According to translation he is called ’ the minor’, the little’, ‘the lesser’ or ‘the younger’ Jesus chose his 12 apostles Matthew ch10 v 3-10, Mark ch 4 v 13-19 Luke ch 6 v 12-16 *first Simon (also called Peter) then Andrew (Peter’s brother) James (son of Zebedee) John (Jame’s brother) Philip Bartholomew Matthew ( the tax collector) James (son of Alphaeus) Simon ( the zealot) Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him) * We have the ‘sons of Zebedee’ - John and James- he is not that James. This James is recognised as James the Great ( although that designation does not appear in the New Testament) The other James in the 12 is James the son of Alphaeus James is mentioned 3 other times In the Gospels along with the phrase Mary the mother of James. Matthew ch 27 v 56 * Mary (the mother of James and Joseph) Mark ch 15 v 40, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph) Luke ch 24 v 10 Mary the mother of James At no point is this Mary actually referred to being the mother of Jesus. In Matthew ch 13 v 55 and Mark ch 6 v 3 *he’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary his mother and his brother’s - James, Joseph, Simon and Judas This James is clearly a brother of Jesus. The experts are divided as to whether James the Less was James, son of Alphaeus OR James the brother of Jesus. Jerome concludes that James the Less, James, son of Alphaeus and James the brother of Jesus are one and the same person. Read the thoughts of Jerome, Jacobus de Varagine and Papias of Hierapolis. Modern scholars are divided, Reach your own conclusion

John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. He baptised Jesus in the River Jordan. All 4 of the gospels look at the life of John the Baptist - notes used from Luke His parents were Zachariah, a priest, his mother was called Elizabeth. Zachariah was chosen to burn incense in the temple. While in the temple the angel Gabriel appears to tell him that, although he and his wife are quite old, they are going to become parents, and he is told the baby is to be called John… He does not believe and is struck dumb and can only communicate by writing on a slate. Luke ch 1 v 5-22 Elizabeth becomes pregnant and the baby kicks for the first time when Mary, the future mother of Jesus, visits her. Luke ch 1 v 39-56 After John is born his parents take the baby to be circumcised. Zachariah picks up the slate to write ‘John’ and his voice is restored. Luke ch 1 v 57-79 We now move forward approximately 30 years. John, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, is baptising people in the River Jordan calling on them to repent of their sins, saying he is the foreunner of the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Luke ch 3 v 1-18 Jesus goes to be baptised by John. John reluctantly baptises saying he is unworthy. A dove appears and a voice says You are my son whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke ch 3 v 21/2 John later tells his disciples to follow Jesus, the long awaited Messiah. John speaks out against Herod Antipas’ illegal marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife and is imprisoned Luke ch 3 v 19-20 Herod holds a party and after seeing. his wife’s daughter Salome dance offers the daughter anything she wants. After speaking with her mother she asks for the head of John on a plate. Reluctantly he agrees, Luke ch 9 v 7-9 I tell you among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Jesus Luke ch 7 v 27 Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander The Nativity (Life) of John the Baptist New Living Translation Bible - John the Baptist notes

I came across these sheets suggesting ways of saving energy, especially in the summer. I created a ‘blank’ so the children could make a comic strip of the 8 suggestions. The Easy Energy Action Plan might also prove to be useful as an idea.

The task is for the children to see how many words they can find in the words ‘spring’ and in ‘sunshine’. They place their words in the ‘mini’ crosswords. They choose 2 and add clues. They can then ask their friends to fill in the crossword. Please note the ‘master’ sheets contains words which are NOT in the Collins English Dictionary. Something a little different to try, There are also 2 Spring word searches.

I have put together 5 simple nature word searches with answers. British Birds On the farm In the Woods Pets Wild Animals in G.B

I have put together 2 word searches, with answers, plus pictures of cricket equipment

It is very important that we try to look after our Environment. Over the years I have created a number of pieces of work connected with this subject. Environmental Issues is a good source to debate. I have included 2 debate sheets Environmental Issues and Save it , a simple debate vocabulary sheet, a special thesaurus using antonyms and synonyms linked to environmental issues,a more simple thesaurus a countryside code sheet, 2 differentiated Poetry Aids and a How many words can yo find in Environment?. I have also included 6 example answers. I hope these sheets and example answers prove useful.

Greta Thunberg is the ‘face’ of Climate Change. I have included some basic information on Climate Change, Polar icecaps melting, Deforestation and trees. There are three vocabularies - Debate Words and Phrases, A Thesaurus of antonyms ands synonyms about Climate Change, plus a Poetry Aid. There are also 2 pieces of writing, one about trees the other about the greenhouse effect. Hopefully some of the work will prove useful. Sources Climate Change by Melanie Jarman

I have attempted to create 2 mini crossword sheets, one on Climate Change, the other on the environment. The idea is that the pupils look for words within the two main words. They then make ‘mini’ crosswords, They then make clues for 2 of the crosswords. and give the crossword to friends to solve. Please note the ‘master’ sheet contains words which do NOT appear in the Collins English Dictionary. Something a little different to try.

I came across these sheets looking at Alternative fuel. They listed 9 alternative fuels for cars- Air Biofuels Electricity Heat Hydrogen Kinetic LPG liquified petroleum gas Nitrogen Steam Another sheet listed 5 innovative alternatives to fossil fuel- Elephant Grass Hydrogen fuel cells Solar paint Wave energy Whisky - (waste from the distilleries)

I have recently being looking at Environment and Climate Issues and found these definitions which might prove useful which might prove useful to use with older students.

I have put together 10 pieces of work associated with trees. The second sheet about the rain forest I think is excellent clip art. The poetry aids ‘In the woods’ and ‘Trees’ also have excellent clip art. The two narrative pieces at the end, ‘Trees’ and ‘Tree Lover’ were both written with an environmental bias. The first dealing with the importance of trees, the second is how trees are inhabited by many wild life animals. David Woodroffe, an established illustrator, draw all the pictures.

In the Woods includes differentiated work covering the Primary years. The work was originally for Key Stage 2 pupils but I have added more pictorial work which hopefully the younger child will appreciate. It divides into 3 sections - prose, poetry and word searches Along with the In the Woods sheet I have included The countryside Code. I have put together several different best copy sheets, 3 having illustrations and 2 set up like a comic strip. For the poetry section I have started with the famous poem Starting by Woods by Robert Frost. I have then tried to build up away for the children to attempt writing poetry. First by taking 2 words and trying to write simple couplets, then encouraging them to attempt simple poetry. I have included 2 word searches. One is very simple - I wanted to included David’s picture of a hedgehog All the illustrations, are the work of David Woodroffe, a professional illustrator, except the last sheet.

I have tried to find out information about Father’s Day and material on Google which might prove useful. Father’s day in the U.K. falls on the third Sunday in June. The week before younger children are often given the opportunity to create a card - illustrations from two web sites showing 2D and 3D have been included. For the card they need to use positive phrases and words about their father. In my research I came across ‘15 Meaningful Father’s Messages’ which I thought would be useful. I have also included ‘How many words can you find in Father’s Day?’ with answers.

John David Pawson (1930-2020) was an evangelical minister, writer and prominent Bible teacher based in the U.K. He was not afraid of tackling the controversial topics. All he wanted people to do was to read the Bible for themselves. He was born in the northeast in England. His parents were H. Cecil and Jean Pawson. His father was head of Agriculture at Durham University and Vice President of the Methodist conference. From childhood he had always wanted to be a farmer but by the time he had completed a B.Sc. in Agriculture at Durham University he felt God was calling him into full-time Christian ministry. He studied for an M.A. in theology at Wesley House, Cambridge. On graduating he joined the Royal Air Force as a chaplain and served in Aden When he left the RAF he served as a Methodist minister. He found he was uncomfortable with infant baptism. Following a doctrinal meeting of the Methodist church he volunteered to leave the denomination. Shortly afterwards he became pastor of Gold Hill Baptist church in Buckinghamshire. Later he moved to Guildford Baptist Church, Millmead, which helped design. Here he established a reputation amongst the evangelicals and charismatics as a Bible preacher. He began to create teaching tapes for the church’s sick and elderly members- these tapes became popular world wide. Under his ministry Millmead became one of the largest Baptist churches in the U.K… David left Millmead in 1979 and began an itinerant worldwide Bible teaching ministry. His ministry, predominantly through seminars for church leaders, took him to Asia, Australia, Africa, England, Europe and the USA. MILLIONS of copies of his teachings have been distributed in more than 120 countries. He was a writer and speaker with a reputation for urgency, clarity and uncompromising faithfulness to the Scriptures. he wrote over 80 books. His extensive and accessible overviews of the books of the Bible have been published and recorded in Unlocking the Bible, available on CDs, DVDs and YouTube. Steve Dally worked alongside him during his last ten years. In 2013 he was still preaching at events across the globe. David now in his mid 80’s had a mini stroke and was found to have advanced prostate cancer which had spread to the bones but he fortunately was not in significant pain. As his public appearances became fewer he worked on making his teaching accessible online. David died on Ascension Day, 21st May 2020 aged 90. David is considered to be one of the world’s finest biblical expositors *All he wanted was for people to read the Bible for themselves. Steve Dally Sources used Wikipedia this includes summaries of 10 of his books Christian News Read Not as bad s the truth -David’s autobiography