George Collett, a former Müller orphan, died in the early hours of last Saturday morning in Thornbury, after a time of illness and increasing frailty, with his wife Ruth at his bedside and his family close around him. George was well known to us all at Müller's and was truly a part of the Müller family, having written a book of his experiences with the title above.

In that book's foreword was written:

'..the young boy sharing George Müller's Christian name who found himself at Müller's somewhat bewildered and lost. George Collett's upbringing in Müller's Homes has been a powerful influence at every part of his life - as an orphan and then a teacher in the Homes, in the services, as a missionary, as a church leader and preacher, counsellor and friend. Müller's was where he discovered many things - friendship, foundational life-skills, and faith, often through hard and difficult experiences. But there is is this thread that runs through George's life - a passion for people and a passion for God and that the one might know the other.'

George was a regular at the annual reunion of former orphans and spoke frequently to groups and churches on his experience as both orphan and teacher at the Homes.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ruth and the family as we and they rejoice with George that he is finally, and in the fullest sense, home.

It seems that Christian booksellers are having the same struggle as secular retailers in the current economic climate, with the reduction in Wesley Owen outlets recently. However, a new venture called Life opened in The Centre, Weston-super-Mare in the second half of 2011, a Christian bookshop with new and second hand offerings, the offer of a cup of coffee, people to talk to and a place to pray. It has taken over the premises from the former Wesley Owen and Oasis bookshop.

Their ambitions don't stop there, either. The owners, Andrew and Lydia Williams, are keen to take Life on the road and offer bookstalls and ordering services for dated and other goods. They also want to offer a meeting place for local Christians and are looking to provide a dedicated prayer room in time.

If you are in their locality do drop in - you are assured of a warm welcome and friendly service.

Our latest Annual Report is now available to download. It gives news of our progress over the last year, as well as an insight into some of the things we hope to develop in the future. 

Just click on the link below.

http://www.mullers.org/images/stories/keith/george muller_report2011_lores.pdf

Please let us know what you think.

Due to refurbishment, our museum of the life and work of George Müller will be closing with effect from Friday 12th August and reopening on Thursday 1st September.

So, please do not visit after Thursday 11th, although we are still able to take bookings during this time for when the museum reopens.

The refurbishment will include exciting new interactive screens giving a tour of orphanage life, as well as new displays and exhibits.

Even if you have been before, why not plan to visit again in the near future? We are open Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm and you can book by phoning 0117 9245001 or sending us an email. We take group bookings, as well as individuals.

Hope to see you soon.

Last Saturday we entertained some 30 Old Boys and Girls (former orphan home residents) and their families, a total of some 100 people to their annual reunion here at Müller House. We prayed daily for good weather in the preparations for the Saturday, so were disappointed with the deluge on Saturday morning. However, come the start of the event and the rain gradually stopped, to be replaced in due course by bright sunshine, so that people could enjoy the gardens or stand and chat comfortably outside.

 A big hit was the DVD of a summer holiday in 1947, playing all day in the Training Room compiled from cine film, bringing back memories for several of our guests. The biggest hit, of course, was the opportunity for this 'family' to get together and wander down memory lane.

My thanks to the staff and volunteers, who worked so hard to make the day possible and such a success for our guests.So, no incidents, no accidents, no rain - thank God!

Just a week before we were due to host the annual reunion of orphans from Ashley Down and the scattered homes, a major happening on the lawn at Müller House, right by the expected site of the marquee. Our ancient cherry tree - the subject of some significant past surgery - finally announced its end with a great bang.

Not being ones to panic, within hours the staff had arranged for a tree surgeon to come with a full team and the tree soon disappeared, piece by piece. All we are left with is a nicely planted stump, plenty of light and some wooden seats in the garden. The extra space has come in handy as well, and now we can see the beds so long obscured behind the tree. All was completed in plenty of time for the reunion.

In the year of the 175th anniversary of the children's work (started 1836 in Wilson Street, Bristol), we were pleased to be asked to contribute to a feature in the Bristol Evening Post this week, commemorating this milestone. Although unsolicited, the approach was welcome and helps to promote the profile of the work, to the glory of God.

The article itself was sympathetically written and very largely accurate in its details, although the photos of certain staff look a bit suspect - I see now that I was being asked to strike a Müller-esque pose!

Let us know if you found the article helpful and informative - why not let the Bristol Evening Post know, too! There is a comments tab on their website under the article; see: www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/PLACE-HOME/article-3540788-detail/article.html

Download Evening Post Scan

Ever since the start of the original work, George Müller wrote an annual report to account for his handling of the money, services and articles given to him by God. In it, he would set out the ways in which God had provided and what he had therefore been enabled to achieve, to the glory of God. In this way, Müller could demonstrate good stewardship, financial integrity and an evangelical zeal to see non-believers converted.

Today we publish annual accounts through the Charity Commission and Companies House and thereby retain financial transparency. However, we also continue to prepare and distribute an Annual Report of the work, so that we can do more than account for the proper use of our finances. In our Annual Report you will find articles, photos and stories of the various arms of the work. You may be surprised to see the extent of our involvement in missions around the world, for example.

Why not take a look?

Click on the picture below to download.

Yesterday was the AGM and trustees’ meeting of the Trust and also the final occasion on which Peter Mulhall joined us as a trustee, retiring after a faithful 33 years of service! Peter – a retired solicitor and avid sports fan with particular fondness for cricket, tennis and Arsenal - was appointed back in the dim and distant days of 1978 and has seen off several directors, trustees and even long serving members of staff in his time. His expertise has been evident and particularly valued through many changes and challenges for the Trust during that period.

This sad but celebratory event was marked with a lunch, followed by a presentation and speech by Rob Scott-Cook, chair of trustees and former director. Peter responded in his usual dignified, humorous and slightly mischievous manner before cutting a cake and leading us into his final meeting.

This Saturday afternoon Müller House will entertain some 60 'old boys' and 'old girls' and their families to afternoon tea, films, chat and reminiscences. These former residents of the orphan homes have been invited to gather annually to meet up with their old 'family' and for the last few years this has been at headquarters. In former years it was often at the old orphan homes on Ashley Down.

As usual, orphan records and genealogies will be on display, together with access to the museum, photo albums and bookstall. This year there will be a special showing of the new Spurgeon film, some of which was filmed at Müller House - there are prizes for those who spot members of staff acting as extras in the film!

We have prayed for good weather, so if you enjoy wonderful sunny weather in Bristol on Saturday, you can thank God!