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.

Parents Group

Last Tuesday we were part of the first support group for parents of teenagers. It was SO exciting to spend time talking and praying with 8 parents. They are all so hungry for support in a community setting and several shared very personal struggles as they do their best to parent in difficult situations.

Cynthia has lived through multiple tragedies and is in the midst of a difficult, demanding, just crazy situation. Both her and her current husband have previously been married. Along with her own daughter (28 y.o.), Cynthia now has two step-children (Ben-16, Kate-14) and quite a predicament. As many step-children do, these kids don't seem to like Cynthia. In fact, they have even assisted their birth mother in breaking into the house to take out some of her anger against her ex-husband (now Cynthia's husband). And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

In the midst of all of this, Cynthia has recently found Christ. She is taking steps toward Him as she faces this situation. She has also expressed a deep interest in being a part of what God has called us to do among parents of teenagers (especially step-parents). Please pray for peace in Cynthia's life. Pray that God will resolve the issues that surround this situation. And most of all, pray that Cynthia's husband, Peter, finds the hope that she has found in Jesus (pray the same for Peter's ex-wife, Janine). I am both broken and excited by all of this. Pray that God will give us wisdom as we relate to Cynthia, Peter, and, hopefully, their children and the courage and leadership to point them towards Christ in a way that will rapidly influence those around them.

We love and appreciate you!

Angie & those pesky allergins

Angie saw the doctor last week and was given a prescription medicine for all of the allergy problems that she has had. So far it seems to help but she still has quite a bit of sinus congestion. Pray that this medicine will clear that out OR, if necessary, the doctor will recommend the necessary next step (rather than tip toe around and waste time).