Aberystwyth

We've headed up to Aber. Problems on the M4 meant that we came via Gloucester and Ross on Wye. It all seems to be drying up lovely now. We called in to Cwmbran to see my dad and niece. Sunshine all the way. Today we went over to see Eleri's cousin and her five children, over from America. Her USAF husband is serving in Iraq at present.

My parents-in-law are out all day - Geoff visiting a man on day release from prison and Iola at the funeral of her former pastor Elwyn Davies, a man used by God in the establishment of the EMW. Below is a notice I found posted on Alan Davey's blog last Monday.

It is with sadness and a sense of loss that the Evangelical Movement of Wales announce the death of the Revd. J Elwyn Davies after a long illness. He was one of the chief founders of the Movement, leading the work as its General Secretary for over thirty years.Following the Second World War a number of Welsh men and women – some of them students – were converted. This group of new converts from all over Wales came together. Meetings, missions and retreats were organized, with Revd J Elwyn Davies taking a leading role. All the activity testified to their evangelical faith, rooted in personal experience and a sure belief in theefficacy of Christ's death. Unknown to Elwyn and his fellow believers, the foundations of the Evangelical Movement of Wales were being formed, with evangelical Welsh Christians, old and new, coming together across traditional denominational barriers.Over the next months the Cylchgrawn Efengylaidd (Evangelical Magazine) was established and Elwyn and his friends became known as 'Pobl y Cylchgrawn' (The Magazine People). With the blessing they were experiencing came not just enthusiasm but also a more formal structure, and in 1955 Elwyn Davies was appointed as the General Secretary of the Evangelical Movement of Wales.With other members of staff appointed from 1956 onwards, the work grew with the publication of an English language periodical, The Evangelical Magazine of Wales. While he was General Secretary, Elwyn saw the formation of the AECW which sought to link together evangelical churches in Wales. From being a Welsh language work the Movement grew to become a bilingual organisation, arranging camps and publishing literature. Elwyn Davies was also instrumental in assisting dozens of ministers and religious leaders in Wales and beyond. By his preaching, his personal conversations and gentle character he became a friend, a teacher and mentor to numerous people. His particular burden was to see God's people sharing and being united in the traditional Biblical faith of Wales.

He laboured tirelessly during his long lifetime, emphasising that Wales – which he loved dearly – had its unique spiritual features and needs. In his preaching, teaching the Bible, or writing a pamphlet or booklet that love for Wales was always to be seen. He worked without ceasing for God and for Wales. His great desire was that the country he loved so dearly would be reconciled to the Christ whom he loved even more.He accomplished so much during his lifetime. He was a Congregational minister in Blaenau Ffestiniog (1950–55), and worked for the IVF (UCCF) between 1955 and 1962, a part time minister at Seion, Cwmafan at a later date, the President of the British Evangelical Council (1969–72) and a part time minister of an English Evangelical Church (now known as Free School Court) in Bridgend. All of this and more whilst heading the work of the Evangelical Movement of Wales (1955–1990), and finding time to minister for short periods in Australia and Patagonia.

Elwyn was ably assisted by his wife, Mair Humphreys, whom he married in 1951. They complemented each other perfectly, and they were glad to be able to spend more time together when he retired as General Secretary in 1990. During these last years of weakness Elwyn relied heavily on Mair's support and that of the extended family. We extend our deepest sympathy to her and the six children and their families. We thank God for the hope of the Gospel which speaks of a heavenly home 'not made with hands', and thank God that Elwyn has reached that home.