What if we miss the miracles around us everyday because we expect them to look like magic, instead of God's redemption of this corrupted world?

So, I thought I'd start titling our new prayer updates with an interesting question or random thought. We'll see how long that lasts;)

We had a great 2 weeks with our friend from the States. We also had a conversation with the people at Crossroads Baptist Church in Leesburg, VA this afternoon via Skype. We shared a bit of what God is doing through and around us, and had the privilege of encouraging them to support so many people like us through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (Video). If you're visiting our site from Leesburg, welcome and thank you for your support.

Please pray this week...

- that we would thrive in spite of the darkness, both spiritual and physical. The days continue to get shorter (currently the sun rises at 8am and sets at 4pm) and the clouds hover for long periods of time. It's easy to see why the people of this city could be so closed off.

- for a promising lead on housing for our interns who arrive in January.

- that we will seek God and hear from Him. It's easy to build momentum and then begin to run on our own strength. Well, I say it's easy, but in the end it's not. It is easy to be decieved and begin to think that we have everything under control. But we know that only God has life in control and our efforts are futile. We've been encouraged by several things recently, but with the good can come the temptation to take control.

- for our good friend Jeremy who is interviewing at 1pm our time on Monday for a job in Cairo. Ask God to give him wisdom and discernment. He hasn't lost his job and wasn't looking to move. But this opportunity was set before him. The job would mean a significant move for his wife and two kids. Pray that God would give him clarity and that he would consider God's glory in his decision.

There's always so much more. Please continue to pray that God will be glorified in the areas mentioned in the last update as well.

We love you...

Gaining Focus

As we've gone past the one year mark in London, God has begun to build a vision for sharing His hope and love with teenagers and their families. Several doors have opened to partner with local believers and churches in the US. We had a great time with the guys from FBC Canton, Georgia last week and some excitement has begun to stir about this partnership. We continue to pray for God's wisdom to bring life into Acton (West London).

- Pray that God will open a door into Acton High School.
- Pray for the "Hoodies" team as they develop a youth centre that will reach into the lives of local teenagers. They are currently applying for a government grant that would make the initial stages of the project financially viable.
- Continue to pray for housing for our interns arriving in January. (There was a misunderstanding and we have two interns for Spring/Summer 2009. You can read about them in the INTERN SECTION.) They also have a house in the US that needs to be rented for the 6 months that they will be away and a vehicle to sell. Pray that God will take care of these logistics.

- We continue to praise God for the 5 teenagers that chose to follow Him a few weeks back.
- A good friend of ours is visiting from the States right now. It's been fun exploring parts of the city we haven't before.
- With Thanksgiving yesterday, I am especially aware today of all the people that pray for and support us. We love you guys and are blessed to call you friend.

New Prayer Update

Once again, we have had delays in posting to our prayer section. Since we've been back from our travels, life hasn't slowed down for us, but last week God decided for me that it should. I (Chris) was attacked rather vigorously by the flu. I was down for a week and my body still seems to be feeling some residual effects. To top it all off, I was hit by an allergy attack last night and the sneezing continues. Please pray...

- for our health.
- the Parents of Teens group is going well. Pray that the people will catch the vision, that the Holy Spirit will direct new people to Jesus through this group, and that we will have wisdom as we lead.
- We are talking with a local group of believers that is starting a youth centre. Ask God to give us wisdom as we pursue a partnership in this endeavor, that teenagers who are distant from the church will come to a saving faith in Jesus.
- We have 3 interns arriving in January to work with us for 6 months. Since we submitted our budget request, the housing market has sky rocketed in London. Pray that God provides a flat for these interns in the Acton or Elthorne areas.
- Angie has done well on her goals not to drink cokes and eat healthy snacks. She has hoped to also walk several days a week, but the weather (and lack of sun) here isn't very helpful. Pray that she will have the motivation to accomplish her goals.

AND...we have been praying for God's direction for our future. We are confident that he is directing us to stay in London for at least five years initially. However, our first term ends next autumn. As we've prayed for His guidance in this, we feel He is directing us to apply for career status with our company. Most of you will not really understand that, but know that it entails a new application process, interviews, and official approval by the board of directors. It can be a stressful process and we have loads of paperwork to complete. Please pray that God will have His hand all over the process.

Travels and More

Thank you for your prayers while we have been traveling. We have had an incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating time as we enjoy the sun of Spain. And God is beginning to give shape to our vision for teenagers and their families in London. Please continue to pray that He will give us clear direction and we will have the courage to carrie it through.

Angie flew back to London on Wednesday and I will return on Monday (13 Oct). Angie's mom arrives today to spend some time with Angie while I am still in Spain and then a few days after I return. We are really happy that she is able to be with us again (especially Angie). Praise God for His provisions.

Would you pray specifically this week that God would begin preparing the path for us to be in the schools in London. I will pursue that more diligently when I return. I won't go on and on about it all right now, but I would covet your prayers that He would give us direction as to which schools to begin our focus and provide a person of peace in those schools.

Also, Angie's Uncle Ed is having heart surgery this week. Please pray that God will perform a miracle through the hands of the surgeons.

We love you lot...

After the meeting

The Parents of Teens group was really great tonight! We talked about the desire of humanity to be loved, cared for, and known, which is pronounced in adolescence. We shared how we have received love, been cared for, and felt known over the past two weeks and how each parent has attended to these needs of their teens.

I briefly mentioned the idea of true community pointing towards Jesus and hope to continue that discussion in the near future. It is going to take time but there is already one lady that seems really keen to lead this group and another lady who I think is a prime candidate to launch a separate group. Please be praying that Chris is able to coherently communicate the vision of inviting parents who do not follow Christ into this community, being the church with them, and naturally sharing Christ in this context.

Belgium

Thank you for your prayers during our travels in Belgium. We had a refreshing time with our friends there and hope that we were able to bring a breath of fresh air into their life. Would you quickly say a prayer asking God to give our friends there a new understanding of the French language today? Would you also pray that their 3 year old daughter would nap every day this week? We love you.

Parents of Teens

Tonight, at 8:30pm (2:30pm CST) we will meet with parents of teens for the second time. Our time together two weeks ago was encouraging and a brilliant first step towards parents distant from the church coming to know Christ personally. Chris had a great conversation (although confusing at times) with the wife of the local vicar today about the group. Tonight we will spend time talking about how each parent has received love, been cared for, and felt known over the past two weeks as well as how they have loved, cared for, and known their own children. We will also spend time in prayer together for each other and their teenagers. Since we last met, I have learned a bit more about the parents who have expressed interest in this group. A few are much further from Christ than I might have thought. Please pray that our time together tonight will point them a step closer to Jesus. Pray fervently that those following Christ will be bold in their witness for Him as a parent tonight.

One of the ladies, called Jenny, had to take her husband to hospital Sunday night. He has had sever abdominal pains but the doctors cannot find the problem. As of right now, he is still in hospital. Please pray for him and their family, that he would be healed (whether miraculously or by the hands of the doctors whom God has given their abilities) and that they would share the hope that they have in Jesus through this situation.