Simplify

Experiencing the effects of poverty

Steve & Ann Clifford speak to Premier Radio about Simplify for the last time as they come to the end of their experience. Listen to Steve & Ann's final audio blog.

They reflect on the challenges of managing the shopping on their bikes, giving up the luxuries and trying to be hospitable on a limited budget. They also look forward to being able to be generous with what they have saved, and help those who have to struggle with their finances.  

What a month!

Ann - Something very curious happened to me on Sunday.   I have talked about us having a German family to stay - a couple bringing three teenagers with them.   I shared it on the blog how happy I was when I found some extra Waitrose vouchers, £70 worth.  It meant I could feed everybody and I was delighted.   I shopped for them and spent about £50.     When I came to pay by voucher I was delighted to discover that I still had £50 left.   I assumed that I had probably added up the vouchers incorrectly.   I went shopping on Sunday to buy cakes for neighbours that we'd invited.  I also shopped for the family.  A lovely last meal.  I didn't really stint as Sunday was our official finish.   I had spent £73.  I knew I would have to pay an extra £23.  I got out the vouchers and to my shock discovered I had £75 worth and the cashier gave me some change. 

It was a truly curious thing.  If it was money, then somebody could have put it in my purse and I could explain it away.  I can’t explain these away.  God has been making himself known to me constantly throughout all this.

Steve - We have now completed the pilot for Simplify.  It now starts for real at the beginning of October.    It's been an amazing learning experience.  An opportunity to reflect on how we live our lives.  We've done an awful lot of talking about priorities.  Not being able to jump into the car has probably been the greatest hassle, and I am going to be glad to leave jam sandwiches behind.  Now comes the fun bit - we get a chance to give some money away.  It's amazing how just a month's worth of living the Simplify life has released some extra opportunities to give which we would never have otherwise considered .  

So how about it?  Let us know your experiences.

Some like it hot!

Ann - It's our final week of Simplify and the cheap recipes are rolling in.    Last night I cooked one sent in by Jey and his wife Kalai.   Jey works at the Evangelical Alliance and his wife has obviously heard about Steve and the jam sandwiches he's been taking to work.    The recipe is delicious and I can thoroughly recommend it. It reminded me of eating in Malaysia when Steve and I were visiting a church there.   Enjoy.

Recipe for a noodles meal (believe me, it’s tasty and economical!).

Take quite a bit of ginger, take the skin off, cut into pieces and crush manually. Take 1 or 2 Bombay onions, peel and cut into small pieces. Add some green chillies - only if you want to make it hot – otherwise, don’t put chillies in. Boil crushed ginger, cut onions, (cut chillies) and some salt in one litre of water. Boil it for 10 to 15 minutes (until ginger is cooked). Add cut (into small pieces) tomatoes 3 or 4 into the boiling saucepan. Then add a few vegetable, such as sweet corn, chick peas and broccoli. If you’re adding easily cooked vegetable like broccoli, add much later. You can also add prawns if you like. Cook it for another 10 minutes Then add 2 small packets of Instant Noodles along with a packet of ‘soup base powder’ that comes inside the packet  You can use any flavour you want. The average cost of this packet is only 25 pence. Boil it for another 5 minutes. Add 2 raw eggs into the saucepan. Add pepper and any other herbs you like and mix it. Boil it for another 1 minutes or so. Serve it hot. (It should look like a soup i.e. not thick) –enough for 2.

Steve - I think Jey must have taken pity on me.  It has become a bit of a habit now.  I walk into the staff kitchen and am accosted by these amazing smells as Jey is warming yet another wonderful meal provided by his 'obviously' deeply loving wife.   Somehow my jam sandwiches, or occasional cheese and ham sandwich don't match up.  So the recipe arrived - we just had to try it.  Jey laid down the challenge to have the extra hot chilli or not.   Little did he know I was brought up in Bradford and curries were a compulsory part of my adolescent development.

A thankful heart.

Ann - Our lovely German friends have been with us for the past week.  It has been a pleasure to have them and yes, the John Lewis vouchers have been plenty.  We've eaten well.  For me Simplify has given me a chance to re-evaluate and appreciate the kindness of friends who turn up with extra eggs, extra food and on Friday this week, the wonderful offer to take us out to our favourite restaurant in the area.    I am so grateful for the church community that God has placed us in.   It is never easy to change churches, find a new community where you can put down roots and contribute.   When we moved from Surrey a couple of years ago it was a huge upheaval after 29 years in the same place, but over these few weeks I realise I have found a home and I am full of thankfulness.   So there are many things we haven't been able to do this month, but a rediscovery of what is truly important, sharing my home and my life with others, seeing prayers answered, rediscovering life's not about money but about relationship, glorifies my Father in heaven and brings deep joy to my heart.

Novelty wearing off?

Steve and Ann Clifford report to Premier Radio on week 3 of Simplify challenge.  Struggles are increasing on day 20 but they tell us how much they have learned despite the difficulties.  Hear how they are getting on and how they are being enriched and gaining more gratittude.

Listen to Steve & Ann Premier audio blog 3

Check out www.simplify.org.uk for information, stories, tips, recipes and guidelines. Can you get involved and join us in October?

Even more interviews - Simplify is catching on!

Steve - I am so encouraged by the number of people that are catching the vision of Simplify.  On Sunday I had a further 13 BBC regional interviews with several wanting to do Simplify themselves.   We want to see as many churches and individuals get involved as possible.   This means signing up to the Simplify website to let us know that you're going to take the challenge on.  The website includes everything from tips, stories, recipes, budget sheets and even an "ask Danny" section.   Let me take this opportunity to tell you Danny is real and is waiting expectantly for all your questions.   On the website we want you to write in all your experiences and things you have learnt just like us and we'll post them up.   

Ann - I had a radio interview this week with Stuart Sharkey of Hope FM in Bournemouth.   He got so excited about it he has since said that he and his wife want to do Simplify in September.  He also wants me to interview him in weekly 5 min spot about their experiences.   Today the German family comes and I feel ready for them.   Steve and I did a shop on our bikes.  One of his bags broke so he was reduced to riding with a backpack, two carrier bags on each handle and clutching another to his chest.   You'll be pleased to know we made it home with all our shopping intact.  I hate shopping without a car.  For me I think the shopping is the worst thing on Simplify. I know I could do it online, but on benefit you couldn't as you mightn't have a card.  Where we shop they don't deliver.   So its bike time.   Of course there is always a silver lining - I'm probably getting fitter!

A painful conversation

Steve - it was all going so well. One of those everyday conversations that take place regularly around the office and then Marine arrived asking Helen whether she wanted some sandwiches to be collected from the local shop. If so, what delightful flavours would Helen choose? As the conversation developed, my gastric juices began to flow as I remembered that waiting for me in my sandwich box was a jam sandwich and a marmalade sandwich. Simplify was taking its toll on my lunch provision! A conversation ensued where I reflected on the good old days, when I could choose a sandwich from Tesco's. A BLT would be my usual choice, although occasionally a prawn sandwich with mayonnaise.  If I felt in need of a little luxury - salmon with cream cheese!   Those were the days. Of course, if I chose a sandwich today it would be almost half of my Simplify budget.

God's not on a budget.

 Ann - Something very exciting has happened since starting Simplify.  On Saturday 1st August I was introduced, through a friend, to a lady from South Africa called Bev.  In 2000 on the north coast near Esenbe, South Africa, Ntombephi Ntombela was doing beadwork which was being sold on the Durban beach front. All she was being paid was R50 per month, which was not nearly enough to feed her or her children. In October 2000, Ntombephi Ntombela and Bev Gibson founded Ubuhle, creating beaded jewelry which was sold to friends. Through word of mouth the business blossomed. More than 200 women have now been trained in beadwork and creating jewelry turned into creating wonderful pieces of art.   Somehow Bev had managed to bring a piece of art, a stunning African interpretation of The Crucifixion, 7metres by 4 metres to the UK to hang at an exhibition in Oxford.    She was leaving August the 2nd to go back to South Africa could I find a place for the artwork?  www.ubuhlebeads.co.za

How could I resist?  A magnificent piece of art created by HIV widows, many with HIV themselves caring for their children and orphans and working so hard to uplift their community.  I hesitated, I had £25.  What would God do?   Remarkably I found a wonderful church in Brentford willing to hang it called St Faith's.  Asking for help I managed to find enough money to have it delivered to the church on the Friday.   Then we tried to hang it!   It soon became obvious a structure would have to be built to hang it safely.

Three wonderful men offered to help all I had to do was find £500 and I was down to my last £20.   Would God help me?  Amazingly as I prayed I realised what I had to do.   I contacted the person I had thought of and without hesitating they sent me the money.   How exciting!   It seemed impossible and yet God helped me find just the right people.   Hopefully when it is hung many people will come and see it and support these lovely ladies in South Africa.  I might be on a budget but God certainly isn't. 

The Birthday dilemma

Steve

The weekly money is now in a pot.  Seems cash is the best way forward.  That way we can work out how much we have left.   So for the dilemma of the week.  Friday is Ann’s birthday, 21 again.  We can’t afford to organise a party so I thought I’d contact our small group that comes round on Thursday night.  Hopefully someone might be willing to bring a cake.  Maybe some presents might materialise.  Then there’s the planning for the day.  Best idea we’ve come up with is a picnic in Richmond Park, so the bikes will come out.   We’ve saved a bit during the week so will buy something nice.  Let’s hope for good weather or maybe we should pray!

Ann

I went to visit the Salvation Army charity shop because Theresa told me it was the best place.   You could get children’s clothes for 50p, a pair of shoes for £2.00, and a bargain rail where everything was a £1.  The underwear goes a bomb.  Most charity shops throw it out. Today it was being run by two lovely Christian ladies of 70 and 82.   The 70 year old is battling with cancer; in fact she just had chemotherapy yesterday.  She says she will be okay today and be on her bed tomorrow.  She tells everyone she has cancer hoping it will encourage others battling with illness.  It seems the shop is a meeting place for anyone who fancies a chat and a bit of a welcome.   One man has just recently started returning, almost unrecognisable from before, as he had been viciously beaten up when mugged and left for dead.   He was found the following morning and spent weeks in hospital.  All the 8 who volunteer to work there have the same approach that they are there not simply to sell, but to welcome and encourage.  I got the feeling it would definitely be a place Jesus would hang out.

Phones or food?

Last night Steve and I sat down and worked through our finances for Simplify.   We took what we as a couple would probably get on income support, looked at our exempt costs, then worked out our monthly outgoings.   Monthly bills have to be paid.   We decided if this had really happened to us we couldn't keep a car so we will either bike, walk or use public transport if possible for the month.  We reckoned we needed the internet because we would be looking for jobs. We have no tv packages and only pay a licence fee so included that.   What we were really shocked about was what we paid for our phone bill.   There is no question we would both have to go on pay-as-you go in a real situation.  We are left with £10 per day for the two of us for clothes, food, entertainment, entertaining everything.

We entertain a lot.  Over the last week I counted up we have had 5 people staying with us on and off over the last 7 days, and fed 15 extra people that I remember about (that's not including the 5 who slept over).   We don't want to stop.   So my first course of action is to work out menus for the week.   Hospitality is a core value to us.  It is something Jesus has taught us.  We will need God's help to keep hold of it.