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My name is Salmoon Salmoon. I am from Islamabad, Pakistan and I was born into a Christian family. I came to London in 2012 and stayed there for nearly 3 years. I moved to Wolverhampton in 2015 and started attending Bilston Baptist Church where I am now a member.

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I wasn’t allowed to work so I was free all the time. Our church members, Derek and Roger, told me about Birmingham City Mission, how it worked to help people in need. They asked me if I was interested to do voluntary work at the Resource Centre, and I said yes, I would love to.

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Birmingham City Mission has helped me a lot with food and furniture and especially with work experience. I was so pleased to be part of BCM.  I have met many people who will tell you what is good for you and what we should do to help others, but BCM and Bilston Baptist are living examples of it because they help people first and then ask you to do the same.

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BCM helps many people with food, furniture, clothing and in many other ways. I really wanted to work with the Mission, but I wasn’t allowed to work. But BCM promised me that once I was allowed to work, if there were any vacancy in the Resource Centre I would be offered a job.

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Finally, in April 2023, I was allowed to work. I was over the moon! I was now waiting for a vacancy in the Resource Centre. In September I had a call to say that there was a one. Here’s where my ‘big testimony’ comes in, because I refused the offer and said, “I don’t want to work right now.” I don’t know what was going on in my mind but without a second thought I refused.

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I told my wife what had happened and she was a bit upset at what I had done. She reminded me that in my difficult times BCM had helped me a lot with food, furniture and work experience. I realised that I had made a big mistake, so I rang back a week later and said, “I am interested in the job.” But I was told it had been offered to someone else. I got so upset and told my wife I had made a big mistake and I didn’t know what to do. But she comforted me and told me, “Our God is a good God. Let’s get on our knees and pray and ask God if that job is for you, it might come back to you.”  We prayed every single day, all the time while shopping, while driving, while walking.

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After 2 weeks I had a call again from the Resource Centre to say that the job had been given to someone. I was disappointed but I never doubted God. I kept my faith and kept praying. After 3 weeks I had another call. For some reason the other person could not continue and the job was available. I praised God and thanked him for answering my prayers and never leaving me.

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In January 2024 I started a full-time job as a BCM Support Worker and Van Driver. I was so happy: they had helped me and now it was my time to serve BCM. It’s great to be helping others now. I love to be here. It feels like my second home and my team is very helpful and supportive. I have learnt so much and would like to learn more. My manager Chris has supported and guided me a lot, and I can’t thank him enough. I am proud to be a part of Birmingham City Mission. Thank you.

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