I am sitting in Rome right now updating this section. It's a bit surreal sometimes when I look around and realise where we are and where we have been. By American standards this probably isn't the best time for us to be away for 6 days, but it has been SO GOOD to have little responsibility and no stress. We have a seminar for parents of teenagers coming up on 2 May and an art exhibit for teenagers on 28-30 May. That's just around the corner and several pieces to the puzzle have yet to fall into place. But with your prayers we have no doubt that God will bring glory to His name through our efforts to follow him closely.
We are...
1) still searching for a space for the art exhbit. A space on the high street in Acton with a large enough open plan to ehibit art and interact with teenagers.
2) waiting to hear anything from Elthorne High School about providing a space at the school for the parents seminar.
3) developing some new relationships with some guys in London that have a heart for teenagers and passion for Jesus with a vision that matches up with ours. (www.regenerateuk.co.uk)
What's God doing? We can't always see it but recently we have seen...
- our UK license for sponsorship granted by the Home Office. This means that we will be able to keep people with our company in the UK and will allow new personnel to enter the country.
- Acton High school agree to provide art from their students for the art show. We hope that this will open a door for continuing partnership.
We're in Rome until 11 March, soaking up the sunshine!
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
When your internal motivation fails you, what makes you press on?
Nick and Shannan have settled in Lisbon, Portugal for the next 4 months. Thank you for praying for them while we all listened intently for God's direction.
Visas
We have been informed by the UK Border Agency that our company can apply to be a sponsor of our own personnel in the UK since we pay taxes and own property here. This is a huge answer to prayer!
Our business office is applying this week with the UK Border Agency. We have to submit a letter from the company stating that we operate in the UK as International Board, as well as information about what we do, and lastly, proof of property ownership and payment of taxes. It seems pretty straight forward, but we need all the prayer support we can get.
The good news is, the UK Border Agency said we can apply for as many “Certificates of Sponsorship” as we need. We have two new team members meant to arrive in April who need visas. We are praying that God will grant our sponsorship by the end of the month.
Art in Acton
We are working towards hosting an art exhibit by and with teenagers at the end of May. This space will allow us to begin building appropriate relationships with local teens who are distant from the church. At the event, we will promote a photography club for teenagers. We are still developing the details of the club, but basically we will meet up each Saturday and go somewhere to take pictures together. We will set a schedule of themes (like landscapes, architecture, urban graffiti, sport, etc) for each week and the group will share ideas and knowledge. The point is to regularly be alongside of the same teenagers.
Ultimately, we desire to see teenagers recognise the life that they can have following Jesus. Everything that we do is about sifting through to find where the Holy Spirit is already working. We hope that through this club we will find a handful of teenagers that God begins to speak to and we can begin to disciple (not just do Bible studies with but truly disciple in life).
We are praying:
1) that we find a space for the art exhibit in May.
2) that the art teachers at Acton High School will be keen to partner with us.
3) that this will build a natural bridge into the community.
Visas
We have been informed by the UK Border Agency that our company can apply to be a sponsor of our own personnel in the UK since we pay taxes and own property here. This is a huge answer to prayer!
Our business office is applying this week with the UK Border Agency. We have to submit a letter from the company stating that we operate in the UK as International Board, as well as information about what we do, and lastly, proof of property ownership and payment of taxes. It seems pretty straight forward, but we need all the prayer support we can get.
The good news is, the UK Border Agency said we can apply for as many “Certificates of Sponsorship” as we need. We have two new team members meant to arrive in April who need visas. We are praying that God will grant our sponsorship by the end of the month.
Art in Acton
We are working towards hosting an art exhibit by and with teenagers at the end of May. This space will allow us to begin building appropriate relationships with local teens who are distant from the church. At the event, we will promote a photography club for teenagers. We are still developing the details of the club, but basically we will meet up each Saturday and go somewhere to take pictures together. We will set a schedule of themes (like landscapes, architecture, urban graffiti, sport, etc) for each week and the group will share ideas and knowledge. The point is to regularly be alongside of the same teenagers.
Ultimately, we desire to see teenagers recognise the life that they can have following Jesus. Everything that we do is about sifting through to find where the Holy Spirit is already working. We hope that through this club we will find a handful of teenagers that God begins to speak to and we can begin to disciple (not just do Bible studies with but truly disciple in life).
We are praying:
1) that we find a space for the art exhibit in May.
2) that the art teachers at Acton High School will be keen to partner with us.
3) that this will build a natural bridge into the community.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Have you ever actually seen the crystals of a snowflake with your naked eye?
Today we were blessed with a London blizzard! Eight inches of snow in 24 hours. It was gorgeous. The entire city ground to a halt and families came out to play together. We are so blessed by the friends that we have here and their constant example of humility before God. We spent the day with two families from our team and a friend who is praying about coming to work with us here. It is good to slow down and just be.
To follow up on our last note, we have been unsuccessful in our attempts for Nick and Shannan to enter the UK. On Friday afternoon we received word from the last possible sponsor, and informed Nick and Shannan on Saturday. We are disappointed to say the least, but we press on with them in faith that God does not cease to remain the creator and Lord simply because we cannot understand life.
Nick and Shannan (along with two other interns who were bound for Cardiff) should make a decision this week about their new home for the next 5 months. Please pray for them as they sort through God's direction in their life and make disciples of Jesus as they go. Pray that they will have opportunities to talk about the hope that they have and the courage and faith to share life with these people.
The grant application for the Hoodies youth centre was sent in today. Pray that this group will receive the proper funds to continue in the vision.
Angie and I will be working this week on our vision and goals for the next 6 months. God has begun to give shape to some of our passions. Pray for wisdom and guidance.
Landree has been with us for nearly a week now and will return to Texas on Wednesday. Please pray for her as she listens for God's voice in the midst of the chaos of this world. Right now we look forward to her joining us in the autumn, but we always want to leave room for God to change directions. For now we will begin a conversation about her fit within the vision that God is shaping in front of us.
Friday, 30 January 2009
When it all goes wrong...
I am amazed by the number of people that have told me recently that they are praying for what God is doing through and around us in London. Thank you for your love and encouragement.
I have meant to update this section for over a week now but have been bombarded with unexpected events. Some of you will know that our Hands On interns were meant to arrive this past Sunday. Well, unfortunately they have yet to put their feet on the ground in London. After a brilliant week of orientation in Paris, we headed for the train to journey across the channel. But it wasn't to happen. Border control had questions about their entry and in the end decided that they would not be allowed into the UK.
On 24 November the visa regulations for the UK drastically changed. However, a colleague had attended a seminar to learn about the changes and was assured that the volunteer sector would not be affected until later this year. On Sunday we found out the hard way that he had received bad information. After about a half hour of waiting for the border control's decision, Nick and Shannan were issued papers outlining their denial to enter the UK. Confused and taken off guard, we wandered back into Paris. They are still in Paris with colleagues while I work with our company here in the UK to sort this mess.
We have researched and are currently pursuing our options. Without going deep into the details, we must locate a sponsor willing to serve as an umbrella organisation in this instance. We have several contacts that are considering their involvement. All we can do now is pray fervently for God's glory. Please pray with us today that God would provide for Nick and Shannan (and two other interns meant to be in Cardiff, Wales) a sponsor to enter the UK. They have all followed God's direction in their life and prepared dilligently to be here. We are praying that God will receive glory in their obedience.
I have meant to update this section for over a week now but have been bombarded with unexpected events. Some of you will know that our Hands On interns were meant to arrive this past Sunday. Well, unfortunately they have yet to put their feet on the ground in London. After a brilliant week of orientation in Paris, we headed for the train to journey across the channel. But it wasn't to happen. Border control had questions about their entry and in the end decided that they would not be allowed into the UK.
On 24 November the visa regulations for the UK drastically changed. However, a colleague had attended a seminar to learn about the changes and was assured that the volunteer sector would not be affected until later this year. On Sunday we found out the hard way that he had received bad information. After about a half hour of waiting for the border control's decision, Nick and Shannan were issued papers outlining their denial to enter the UK. Confused and taken off guard, we wandered back into Paris. They are still in Paris with colleagues while I work with our company here in the UK to sort this mess.
We have researched and are currently pursuing our options. Without going deep into the details, we must locate a sponsor willing to serve as an umbrella organisation in this instance. We have several contacts that are considering their involvement. All we can do now is pray fervently for God's glory. Please pray with us today that God would provide for Nick and Shannan (and two other interns meant to be in Cardiff, Wales) a sponsor to enter the UK. They have all followed God's direction in their life and prepared dilligently to be here. We are praying that God will receive glory in their obedience.
Friday, 9 January 2009
There's probably no god...
_
...says an advertisement campaign on 800 buses across Britain. Some of you may have heard the news. On 6 January the ad campaign was officially introduced.
God is always at work around us if we will just take the time to look. Originally, the word "probably" was not included in the adverts. However, the organiser of the campaign said in October that the word "probably" was included to ensure the posters did not breach transit advertising regulations, which stipulate ads should not offend religious people. God at work.
The whole campaign is an AMAZING thing for us! Just yesterday I spoke with one of the teenagers that I hang out with about a conversation he had this week with one of his mates about the signs. They talked about God in a way that they never would have without the adverts.
If you pray for this, pray that Christians in London will not take offense, but will take every opportunity to share the love of Christ. Pray that conversations about God will arise where they otherwise would not have. Pray that people in London will begin to consider the place of God in their life.
Thanks for the prayers. Read the actual article at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5459138.ece
...says an advertisement campaign on 800 buses across Britain. Some of you may have heard the news. On 6 January the ad campaign was officially introduced.
God is always at work around us if we will just take the time to look. Originally, the word "probably" was not included in the adverts. However, the organiser of the campaign said in October that the word "probably" was included to ensure the posters did not breach transit advertising regulations, which stipulate ads should not offend religious people. God at work.
The whole campaign is an AMAZING thing for us! Just yesterday I spoke with one of the teenagers that I hang out with about a conversation he had this week with one of his mates about the signs. They talked about God in a way that they never would have without the adverts.
If you pray for this, pray that Christians in London will not take offense, but will take every opportunity to share the love of Christ. Pray that conversations about God will arise where they otherwise would not have. Pray that people in London will begin to consider the place of God in their life.
Thanks for the prayers. Read the actual article at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5459138.ece
- Chris will meet our interns in Paris on the 19th for Orientation. They are currently packing their house and attempting to sell both the house and a vehicle. Please pray fervantly for Nick and Shannan as they prepare to make this move.
- The Hoodies project continues to go well. Last night we had a great meeting that included discussion of ways to engage the teen community in South Acton (a town in the Borough of Ealing, West London)
- We have a meeting in the diary for next week to begin talking about hosting a Seminar for Parents of Teenagers this spring in Elthorne. Please pray that we will find a person of influence in the local high school who is supportive of our efforts.
Monday, 8 December 2008
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...
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...
Friday, 28 November 2008
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.
- 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.
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