Ok, my head is still spinning a bit! I just took 5 trains in 3 days to visit 3 different ministries in the north of England. Brilliant, as the English say :)
I thought that even if I do get lost, it won't be tragic as we all speak the same language. Thankfully, I didn't get lost as my sense of direction somehow improves in foreign countries. One time, I did get on the wrong train, but got off at the last minute before I would have headed to Scotland! Which is on my list of travel spots, so maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. And by the way, did you know there are different accents from the north and south of England? Much like it is in the north and south in America.
I had a wonderful time in each city. It's so fun to see the wide variety we have in the body of Christ. God has each uniquely gifted us with many personalities and talents to be used for His glory. Everyone was so welcoming and hospitable. I visited an American couple who puts together bible studies and leads prayer groups. I also spent time with a single woman who bas given her life to reaching out and visiting Muslim women to share the love of Jesus. I then visited another team that runs a womens center. This is truly an amazing place. The leaders reach out to the illiterate women and teach them english and meet basic needs as they come from a country that is of the poorest in the world. They also reach women who have been victims of human trafficking. They meet with them and help to be their advocates and be the hands and feet of Christ by showing great mercy and kindness in the healing process. If you don't know much about human trafficking, I encourage you as a follower of God to become educated about this worldwide problem. You may not be aware, but it is a huge problem in the United States as well. We as God's people need to be the voices of hope and justice for the oppressed. This is the heart of
God.
We as the church must not shield our eyes from the evil we see, but be salt and light and the very hands of Jesus to a lost and broken world. Remember John 1:5 "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Where is God using you to shine His light into dark places?
Back in southern England again. Right outside the London area. More to come. So appreciate your prayers!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Lovely London
Question: What do these words have in common? Lovely, splendid, brilliant, cheers, rubbish
Answer: They are all words that are suddenly in your vocabulary when you go to England!
No no I don't have the British accent to go with it...yet :)
I have another question for you. Did you know the nations of the world are in London? It is one of, if not the most, culturally diverse city in the world. And if we as Christians start to think of Gods kingdom, it is an amazing opportunity to reach out and serve all the people groups with the love of Jesus.
I was able to see a brief snapshot of this in my few days in London. I stayed with an incredible married couple who run a community center in the middle of a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in London. They have ministered there for several years and have built relationships with the Muslim people by teaching English classes, tutoring children, cooking meals, and hosting special activities. What I saw there were people being loved and cared for in such a way that they kept coming back because they were treated with such kindness and compassion.
One evening a Muslim family came over for dinner. The couple who runs the ministry center have been building a relationship with them for five years. They have three precious children. The Muslim couple have been going through very difficult times with serious illness and an injury on the job. But what I saw was that the ministry center had become a place of refuge for them in city that is so big that you can feel all alone.
Oh, what a great time we had that evening as we ate a meal together, laughed together, and shared life. What a great need there is to do this work in London.
I'm off to northern England now by train to stay for a few days to see more ministry areas. But London...I just don't think I can get you off my mind :)
Answer: They are all words that are suddenly in your vocabulary when you go to England!
No no I don't have the British accent to go with it...yet :)
I have another question for you. Did you know the nations of the world are in London? It is one of, if not the most, culturally diverse city in the world. And if we as Christians start to think of Gods kingdom, it is an amazing opportunity to reach out and serve all the people groups with the love of Jesus.
I was able to see a brief snapshot of this in my few days in London. I stayed with an incredible married couple who run a community center in the middle of a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in London. They have ministered there for several years and have built relationships with the Muslim people by teaching English classes, tutoring children, cooking meals, and hosting special activities. What I saw there were people being loved and cared for in such a way that they kept coming back because they were treated with such kindness and compassion.
One evening a Muslim family came over for dinner. The couple who runs the ministry center have been building a relationship with them for five years. They have three precious children. The Muslim couple have been going through very difficult times with serious illness and an injury on the job. But what I saw was that the ministry center had become a place of refuge for them in city that is so big that you can feel all alone.
Oh, what a great time we had that evening as we ate a meal together, laughed together, and shared life. What a great need there is to do this work in London.
I'm off to northern England now by train to stay for a few days to see more ministry areas. But London...I just don't think I can get you off my mind :)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Off I go!
The last time I boarded a plane to Europe, there was about 30 other people with me from my church. It was a wild adventure that included sightseeing, skiing, laughter, missions conference, and a cancelled flight from British Airways because of a lovely labor strike :)
It was an amazing time, and when I believed the Lord really started to confirm a call to serve in Europe as I heard different missionaries describe the urgent needs.
Today is another story! But an incredible one nonetheless. I board today's flight by myself, but not alone for our great and glorious Lord is with me. And He truly is sufficient I have learned. Not that I don't have those usual butterflies in the stomach and some of that anxiety that lurks that is so common to our humanity. But God has been teaching me that we can "know and rely on the love God has for us" 1 John 4:16
Not to mention the beauty of Psalm 139 that says there is no where we can be on this planet that God doesn't see us and is intimately acquainted with our hearts and lives and paths before us. Praise Jesus for this truth!
One more scripture I'll share with y'all that God gave me this morning. It's in the book of Job of all places.
Job 23:14 "For He will complete what He appoints for me,and many such things are in his mind"
WOW! Yes, He starts the work, and finishes it and to think we are on the very mind of God.
Ok..taking off here shortly to London! How I love that city.
It was an amazing time, and when I believed the Lord really started to confirm a call to serve in Europe as I heard different missionaries describe the urgent needs.
Today is another story! But an incredible one nonetheless. I board today's flight by myself, but not alone for our great and glorious Lord is with me. And He truly is sufficient I have learned. Not that I don't have those usual butterflies in the stomach and some of that anxiety that lurks that is so common to our humanity. But God has been teaching me that we can "know and rely on the love God has for us" 1 John 4:16
Not to mention the beauty of Psalm 139 that says there is no where we can be on this planet that God doesn't see us and is intimately acquainted with our hearts and lives and paths before us. Praise Jesus for this truth!
One more scripture I'll share with y'all that God gave me this morning. It's in the book of Job of all places.
Job 23:14 "For He will complete what He appoints for me,and many such things are in his mind"
WOW! Yes, He starts the work, and finishes it and to think we are on the very mind of God.
Ok..taking off here shortly to London! How I love that city.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Ok y'all
I have a confession: I'm totally not a blogger! Well, technically I am now :)
But, I just find that I would love for you to come on this journey of faith with me right now. It is less than 48 hours now that I leave for England.
I know that some of you know the details of this walk of faith, and some are just now coming along for the ride. What you need to know is this: We have a God who has an amazing plan going. It started long before you ever drew breath and will continue long after you cease to. But what I find astounding is that He invites you and me to join Him. God does not need our help. But like a loving Father, He delights to use His children to accomplish His purposes by His grace and strength.
More than a year ago, I sensed the Lord saying: Amy, let go of the lesser, and take hold of the greater.
OH friends and family, the Lord Jesus has a purpose for this generation. A plan to restore, and redeem. And the call I felt on my own life from my college days at Baylor to go unto the nations and be salt and light is taking a turn to go to Europe.
More details to come and will share as much as I can!
I have a confession: I'm totally not a blogger! Well, technically I am now :)
But, I just find that I would love for you to come on this journey of faith with me right now. It is less than 48 hours now that I leave for England.
I know that some of you know the details of this walk of faith, and some are just now coming along for the ride. What you need to know is this: We have a God who has an amazing plan going. It started long before you ever drew breath and will continue long after you cease to. But what I find astounding is that He invites you and me to join Him. God does not need our help. But like a loving Father, He delights to use His children to accomplish His purposes by His grace and strength.
More than a year ago, I sensed the Lord saying: Amy, let go of the lesser, and take hold of the greater.
OH friends and family, the Lord Jesus has a purpose for this generation. A plan to restore, and redeem. And the call I felt on my own life from my college days at Baylor to go unto the nations and be salt and light is taking a turn to go to Europe.
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