Tearfund are asking Pembrokeshire Christians to be a Gift of Life to some of the most vulnerable people, this Christmas. Tearfund's recently launched Gift of Life campaign tells the story of Malawian teenager Gloria, from Fombe village, and how the church is giving her the gift of life. Thanks to Tearfund's support, through local partners, her village has been transformed and hope is now a reality.

Local Christians, who work at Help Charity Shop, Johnston, are supporting Tearfund's campaign. They held a stall at last Saturday's Alternative Christmas Fair, Broad Haven, promoting Gift of Life and raising funds. This gave people the opportunity to buy good quality second-hand gifts for Christmas, which also helped people affected by the devastating effects of poverty and HIV.

"In the Gift of Life pack we learn more about the desperate needs of people like Gloria, a little girl who lost both parents to AIDS related diseases; she is also infected by HIV. Gloria's local church offers vital, practical and spiritual support, giving her love and hope," said Sharron Hardwick, Tearfund voluntary media officer

Pastor Cuthbert Gondwe who works for Eagles, a Tearfund partner in Malawi, said: "Over the last few years, I've been inspiring and equipping the local church here to lift people out of material and spiritual poverty. If you visited today you would see women growing crops, men digging a reservoir and children playing at the community centre that villagers built themselves, all made possible with the support of people like you.'

Tearfund are looking for people to pray for and support this work. The Gift of Life pack has a list of prayer requests and each leaflet contains two prayer gift tags, encouraging us to pray this Christmas time. They remind supporters of what Christmas is really about:

'The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ' (Romans 6:23) and encourages us to respond in love: 'Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others' (1 Peter 4:10).

"Christmas is about love. We have a great opportunity to share Jesus' love in a practical way this Christmas by supporting Tearfund's Gift Of Life Campaign. You can order a pack filled with materials that will help you, your small group and church get involved in being part of a miracle. Together we can make a difference," continued Sharron Hardwick.

To order your Gift of Life pack or make a donation and help Tearfund continue their transforming work, visit http://www.tearfund.org/giftoflife">www.tearfund.org/giftoflife or ring 0845 355 8355.