Today has been SO weird! So quiet and nothing much to do! Don't like it! It's odd, the comedown after the business, the fading buzz after the event, the plunge at the end of an exhilarating ride!
For the past week I have been leading a team of 7 people, plus various others, at Jour J Normandie; a conference run by the Pastor and his wife here in Lisieux! http://www.jour-j-normandie.fr/index_en.html The 7 people came from Nexus Music College in Coventry www.nexustrust.co.uk/index.asp and they were amazing! We had a drummer, 2 guitarists, a bass player, keys, vocalist and even our very own Sound Tech!!! :-)
They were joined by 3 WEC students and a WEC family www.wec-int.org.uk/cms/home,
then we were joined by another Missionary working for a year in Pairs,
then a family who are in my church but live 3 hours away,
then by 4 people camping in the garden..... All of these were living in a gite we had hired for the week http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/pont-l'eveque/32387 which only had 2 showers and which could mamange about 6 of these showers before the water went cold!!!
Anyway..... the pictures from the week are posted on the right and I will write some more about how the conference went and what we did in another post later: as most people can't read more than this amount before falling asleep.........
Monday, 30 July 2007
Friday, 20 July 2007
Day 73
I have spent the past 2 days working with the youth in the youth room at church. Our church is in an old wine cellar and the youth room is part of the old warehouse. needless to say it is not the prettiest part of the building or the cleanest. The youth have never really taken much interest or care of their room but my plan was to change that a bit. So we swept out, mopped out, painted, cleaned, polished, washed and personalised the room. They had started at the beginning of the year and gave up because it seemed like too big a job but now, after a couple of days of getting messy the youth have their enthusiasm back: as well as pink paint in their hair and green paint in their ears! Oh well, thats youth for you. :-)
Lord, I thank you so much for their energy, their lives and their relationships within the group. I pray that you bless each one of them and over the next few weeks with the number of conferences happening (Jour J, Detling, Soul Survivour, Chequer Tree Camp) that each of them can grow closer to you and understand you more. I thank you Lord for the plans you have for each one of them and the special people they are, and they are growing up to be.
Lord, I thank you so much for their energy, their lives and their relationships within the group. I pray that you bless each one of them and over the next few weeks with the number of conferences happening (Jour J, Detling, Soul Survivour, Chequer Tree Camp) that each of them can grow closer to you and understand you more. I thank you Lord for the plans you have for each one of them and the special people they are, and they are growing up to be.
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Day 71
DAY OFF!!!!!!
So I went exploring and dancing around in the greenery to my Ipod!
I was praising God at the top of my voice to the cows and the fields. I did stop though when I got to the towns! Thought people might stare.........
Only problem about exploring on your own is that pictures you take of yourself always look silly! Oh well, nothing different there then...! :-)
See photos on the right for what I got up to: the map is where I was!!!
So I went exploring and dancing around in the greenery to my Ipod!
I was praising God at the top of my voice to the cows and the fields. I did stop though when I got to the towns! Thought people might stare.........
Only problem about exploring on your own is that pictures you take of yourself always look silly! Oh well, nothing different there then...! :-)
See photos on the right for what I got up to: the map is where I was!!!
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Day 70
Last night I took the Youth group to a Gospel concert. New Gospel Family are a group of Christains from all across the world, mainly French speaking countries but others too, who voluntarily have given up their time to participate in a 35 date tour.
their website : http://www.newgospelfamily.com/
a TV report on the group : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIWtuTvxH4E
The kids all seemed to enjoy it, despite their only being 10 members of a 50 strong choir, a small stuffy church and us being the youngest there by about 20 years! I managed to embarasse them all by dancing and jumping up and down to the music; but sometimes praise music just makes you do that.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
their website : http://www.newgospelfamily.com/
a TV report on the group : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIWtuTvxH4E
The kids all seemed to enjoy it, despite their only being 10 members of a 50 strong choir, a small stuffy church and us being the youngest there by about 20 years! I managed to embarasse them all by dancing and jumping up and down to the music; but sometimes praise music just makes you do that.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
In need of some TLC
Well with not much to do for the next few days and my 'boss' away I am intending on getting down to some much needed R+R.
I am going to restart a bok I first started in January, which was meant to take only 60 days, and now nearly 150 days later is still only half finsihed; i commit to finishing it before I get back to the UK. "Search for Significance" by Robert McGee is an amazing book. It is a book and has a n accompanying 60 day journal. The book is even better than Purpose driven life, and is harder hitting, but it is amazing and life changing. I have found it invaluable for my growth in God and my view of myself. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Search-Significance-Robert-S-McGee/dp/0849944244/ref=sr_1_1/202-2791929-4543004?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183477224&sr=1-1
I am also going to finish a book I started a month ago; "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge, which is another challenging and changing book. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waking-Dead-John-Eldredge/dp/0785261656/ref=sr_1_1/202-2791929-4543004?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183477173&sr=1-1
Finally I might just get to finish the book on prayer I started when i first came here called "The power of Simple Prayer" by Joyce Meyer http://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Simple-Prayer-About-Everything/dp/0340943882/ref=sr_1_1/202-2791929-4543004?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183477027&sr=8-1
So actually I am going to be kept quite busy! As well as a bit of pampering and good food I might just survive the 2 long weeks with nothing to do: all I need now if you to pray for good weather, so that I can sit in the garden, in the sunshine and do all of this!!!!
I am going to restart a bok I first started in January, which was meant to take only 60 days, and now nearly 150 days later is still only half finsihed; i commit to finishing it before I get back to the UK. "Search for Significance" by Robert McGee is an amazing book. It is a book and has a n accompanying 60 day journal. The book is even better than Purpose driven life, and is harder hitting, but it is amazing and life changing. I have found it invaluable for my growth in God and my view of myself. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Search-Significance-Robert-S-McGee/dp/0849944244/ref=sr_1_1/202-2791929-4543004?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183477224&sr=1-1
I am also going to finish a book I started a month ago; "Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge, which is another challenging and changing book. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waking-Dead-John-Eldredge/dp/0785261656/ref=sr_1_1/202-2791929-4543004?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183477173&sr=1-1
Finally I might just get to finish the book on prayer I started when i first came here called "The power of Simple Prayer" by Joyce Meyer http://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Simple-Prayer-About-Everything/dp/0340943882/ref=sr_1_1/202-2791929-4543004?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183477027&sr=8-1
So actually I am going to be kept quite busy! As well as a bit of pampering and good food I might just survive the 2 long weeks with nothing to do: all I need now if you to pray for good weather, so that I can sit in the garden, in the sunshine and do all of this!!!!
Friday, 29 June 2007
Day 51
I’ve been helping the Rocke’s on a Wednesday mornings, to do anything that needs doing in the barn that they are converting. I haven’t done anything back breaking and wonderful yet but I have been painting and varnishing. My time with them is brilliant. I am welcomed into their family, I get to know all of them a little better and I get to look out over the beautiful views they have over the valley. I put the Ipod on with worship songs and thankfully the family go out shopping, working or to school and I can sing at the top of my very bad voice and praise the Lord!!
Please pray for the Rocke Family – Tim, Jane, Hannah, Will, Jamie, Johnnie and the baby bump (which is due at the end of July), please pray that the family can get ready for the imminent arrival of the baby (which they still don’t know is a boy or a girl), pray for the family to work well together and communicate well whilst different members of the Rocke family travel and work during the summer, pray for the whole family as they get used to the routine and stresses of welcoming guests into their guest house and finally please pray for the baby that it is delivered safely, is healthy, is welcomed into the family and is blessed by God from its first breath.
Friday, 22 June 2007
Day 45
My planning has been a little all over the place for the past 3 weeks because of the Prayer Walk “Overlord” which has been taking place in Normandy, run by John and Yvonne Pressdee. http://www.prayerexpeditions.org/?Walks:2007_Normandy_Beaches
I have managed to join in with 6 days of the 18 days that the team has walked, mainly on thursdays which are my days off. This isn’t as many as I would have like or had planned, but it was a privilege just to do the little I did. Prayer walking is something I had never really heard of and can’t really define. I would never have believed someone if they had explained it to me.
The days that I did…
Day 1 - Pegasus Bridge and Museum, Commissioning on old Pegasus Bridge with WW2 Veterans, Walk to Ranville Cemetery
Day 3 - Juno and Gold Beaches: Langrune sur Mer to Arromanche
Day 10 - St Jean de Daye to St Lô
Day 16 - Walk around Lisieux; home of La Source Church, Evening Celebration at La Source
Day 18 - Argentan to Mont Ormel, the Polish Memorial
Day 19 - Final morning celebration at Twelfth Century Church of Reconciliation in Coudehard, Finish at Museum, overlooking the Falaise Gap
Prayer walking isn’t anything amazing in terms of technique, length, qualifications, and spirituality: it is just a group of people getting together and walking as they pray.
The main principles around prayer walking are
*Prayer works and releases the power of the Holy Spirit
*God can change the effects that the past has on the present, through the power of the Cross of
Jesus
*Walking and praying can change situations and bring healing to the land
2 Chronicles 7 v 14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land
*Humility and apology disarm not only individuals and nations but principalities and powers too
As you walk through a country, or in an area we pray for its people and government, its history, its present and its future. We believe that as we walk and pray, we can ask God to bless and bring healing to that land. Prayer walking isn’t just about walking, or just about praying, or even the cumulative effect of the 2 put together: Prayer walking is personal, collective, powerful, joyful, renewing, painful, releasing, empowering, challenging, prophetic and spiritual warfare.
Please pray for John and Yvonne Pressdee, for their family and their church in Green Street Green (Bromley, Kent - www.gsgbaptist.org.uk), pray for all of the team; every person who has taken part in the walk weather for one day or the whole 3 weeks – that they will continue to walk with and battle for God, please pray for the future of Prayer Expeditions as John has threatened that this will be his last walk now he is 65!, please pray that the work that has been done during the last 3 weeks bears visible fruit as well as winning spiritual battles in the heavenlies, pray that the church in France rises up and within the next 5 years we see French churches doing the same walks fighting for their own church….
I have managed to join in with 6 days of the 18 days that the team has walked, mainly on thursdays which are my days off. This isn’t as many as I would have like or had planned, but it was a privilege just to do the little I did. Prayer walking is something I had never really heard of and can’t really define. I would never have believed someone if they had explained it to me.
The days that I did…
Day 1 - Pegasus Bridge and Museum, Commissioning on old Pegasus Bridge with WW2 Veterans, Walk to Ranville Cemetery
Day 3 - Juno and Gold Beaches: Langrune sur Mer to Arromanche
Day 10 - St Jean de Daye to St Lô
Day 16 - Walk around Lisieux; home of La Source Church, Evening Celebration at La Source
Day 18 - Argentan to Mont Ormel, the Polish Memorial
Day 19 - Final morning celebration at Twelfth Century Church of Reconciliation in Coudehard, Finish at Museum, overlooking the Falaise Gap
Prayer walking isn’t anything amazing in terms of technique, length, qualifications, and spirituality: it is just a group of people getting together and walking as they pray.
The main principles around prayer walking are
*Prayer works and releases the power of the Holy Spirit
*God can change the effects that the past has on the present, through the power of the Cross of
Jesus
*Walking and praying can change situations and bring healing to the land
2 Chronicles 7 v 14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land
*Humility and apology disarm not only individuals and nations but principalities and powers too
As you walk through a country, or in an area we pray for its people and government, its history, its present and its future. We believe that as we walk and pray, we can ask God to bless and bring healing to that land. Prayer walking isn’t just about walking, or just about praying, or even the cumulative effect of the 2 put together: Prayer walking is personal, collective, powerful, joyful, renewing, painful, releasing, empowering, challenging, prophetic and spiritual warfare.
Please pray for John and Yvonne Pressdee, for their family and their church in Green Street Green (Bromley, Kent - www.gsgbaptist.org.uk), pray for all of the team; every person who has taken part in the walk weather for one day or the whole 3 weeks – that they will continue to walk with and battle for God, please pray for the future of Prayer Expeditions as John has threatened that this will be his last walk now he is 65!, please pray that the work that has been done during the last 3 weeks bears visible fruit as well as winning spiritual battles in the heavenlies, pray that the church in France rises up and within the next 5 years we see French churches doing the same walks fighting for their own church….
Monday, 18 June 2007
Day 41
In my study recently I have been looking at study, simplicity + solitude and submission + service. The first 2 weeks if this were fine but the last week hit me really hard. You would be surprised perhaps that Richard Foster considers some of these, and others I have previously listed, to fall under the category of "disciplines". You think to yourself ‘But that's so easy! I love doing that! How can you call that a 'discipline' if it's not hard and painful?’ Except that what comes easy for some people comes hard for others. To me, solitude is like a refreshing drink when I'm dying of thirst. To some, spending even a short time alone is "a fate worse than death." Therefore, I have found some of the things which the author discusses very easy to do while others have been more of a challenge.
Next week I am going to go over the concept of Christian Service again: this is a chapter which has really challenged me and I think that especially considering the role that I have at the moment through mission placement that I need to examine this in my heart.
As a Bless student I signed an agreement which contained the following explanation:
The P.A.R.I.S. framework for service in mission
The PARIS framework has been developed as a simple and memorable training tool to emphasise that all effective mission needs to be based on an attitude of a servant heart. The framework forms the basis of all Year2Bless and Go2Bless programmes, and asks participants to reflect on five core values.
#5 SERVANTHOOD is the concept that brings all the rest together. It is an easy thing to talk about, but is hard to deliver when you are tired, homesick, stressed, nervous, hungry and well past the end of your tether. Servanthood is the belief that the success, comfort, personal fulfilment and spiritual development of others come before your own. Servanthood recognises that whilst a mission trip may do you good - in terms of experience, development, growth, enjoyment and satisfaction - its primary purpose is to do some good in the location to which you have travelled. There is mutual benefit in mission, but there is also a clear sense of priority. Servanthood captures the ‘kenosis’ or self-emptying of mission attributed to Jesus in Philippians Chapter 2.
Philippians 2:5-8
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.
This, and the chapter in the book, have really challenged me.
Please pray that as I approach this coming study day that I may have and open heart to what God wants to teach me, that I am able to see my faults and sins but also that God is gracious and helps me to see that His help and support is always available and His mercy will always help me to move forwards and change. Please pray that what I learn and hear from God goes into my heart and I have a true understanding of this that manifests itself in my daily life and attitude.
Sunday, 10 June 2007
Day 33
The church has a mystery photo of the week. Can you guess this week's?
http://eglisedelasource.fr/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,39/
http://eglisedelasource.fr/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,39/
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Day 26
Today was a Family service at church: theme was mothers as today is Mother's day in France!!
http://eglisedelasource.fr/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,39/
http://eglisedelasource.fr/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,39/
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
Day 21
After protests and complaints from my eager public I am again back at the computer trying to summarise and evaluate the past 10 days or so... which in a normal life may well be easy but God is doing a lot in this heart of mine and therefore it is hard to put into words sometimes.... However as the Heaven Group at All Saints Church, Orpington are following my every move I had better give them something interesting to read (not promising anything though guys!!!!)
Mondays I spend time with God, studying His word, writing down my thought, praying and reading my book (Celebration of Disipline by Richard Foster) There are 8 christain disciplines: the inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study; the outward disciplines of simplicity and submission; and the corporate or community disciplines of confession and worship. I have so far covered the first 3 and I have been challenged a lot, especially concerning Fasting and even though Jesus did not command us to did , it was naturally expected and He gave clear outlines as to how it should be done. Not for a physical benifit (loosing weight rapidly, looking good etc) but as an opportunity to focus on God and draw closer to Him; something which I think mst of us long to do, and this is why I have been challenged as to 'why after 10 years of faith I have never practiced this 'Discipline''?
Please pray that as I read more of this book I learn more about the love and joy of God. That I can impliment what I learn into my daily life and not just treat this book as a study guide. Please pray for a heart and a time to Fast whilst I'm in France too.
There are 2 major things that the church is involved with whilst I'm here, which are rapidly coming up. you can keep an eye on them and find out more on the internet.
The first is the Normandy Prayer walk which starts next tuesday (5th June) http://www.prayerexpeditions.org/?Walks:2007_Normandy_Beaches.
The second is the Jour J conference which is at the end of July http://www.jour-j-normandie.fr/index_en.html where I am going to help with the Youth, and lead a group from Nexus (christian music college http://www.nexustrust.co.uk/nexus/nexus_location.asp)
Please pray for these events; that they go smoothly, that the Lord meets with everyone involved, bring them new revelations of Him and that the hearts of all those involved are touched. Pray for new relationships and contacts through the walk. Pray the the Holy Spirit comes into Normandy and uses the church in Lisieux as a beacon in the dark; turning peoples eyes and hearts towards the miracles that are unfolding in the church.
I still feel like my language is rubbish, and I'm not getting anywhere. I need to have more time to study or concentrate in my french. I get tto listen, speak and read French but I need to look at the grammar and spend time doing translations.
Please pray for the time to study the french language properly, to take in the new things I learn, to find a teacher or person who can help me especially with grammar, and a brain and heart that is open to learning and unafraid to make mistakes.
My week is becoming quite routine and organised, which I quite like (see other blog), but it still has places for improvisation and flexibilty. I feel like I know where I am and what I am doing at he moment and I like it. I feel that I have settled into life here and made some friends. I have enough people that I can talk to at church so that I feel like part of the church and have little things that are mine to do. thank you to those of you that prayed for this. Please keep praying....
Youth on Friday was funny: we all had our faces painted to act out the story if Job who despite all of his afflictions, suffering and losses NEVER once complained and said it was God's fault - what an example, what a person to live up to - I know I definatley can't and don't do it - but with the power of the Holy Spirit I belive almost anything is possible!!!!!!!!!
On Saturday I was in charge of looking after children at the Alpha Weekend so that adults could help, participate and generally get on with adult things, however I couldn't make up my mind (still can't) as to weather I was an adult or a child so I ate the cake, drank the coffe and chatted like an adult, and ate the pankecakes, played cache cache (hide and seek - but in french just hide hide - no finding involved obviously!!!), and climbed the tree, played table tennis and drew pictures. I ate so much food over the weekend I thought i was going to explode!!!!
Sunday was the same thing: children, eating, drawing but no playing because it was WET, as usual in Normandy!! Then back to the church for the service, where I was helping out with the youth. I really felt over the weekend that the kids didn't really understand why almost all the church was together and they couldn't go into one particular room, so it was time to explain the purpose and meaning of Alpha http://uk.alpha.org/youth/welcome/default.html#1
Most of them got it but I was quite surprised and worried when none of the kids said that they have ever talked about Jesus, the bible, God or Church at school: I felt odd because at their age at school I was often talking about my faith and proudly wearning a cross pendant to school. I wonder if it is harder for youth today or if I was just unaware of the negitivity of others towards the church and christianity in general.
!!!!! I'd love some feed back on this actually..... How do and can you bring your faith and the big questions of life into daily conversation at school? Is it really that weird and freaky to be seen as a Chrisitian? Do youth groups and young adults need to give more advice and support to the youth to help then or do the youth have something to teach us (me) about being a christian in an increasingly secular world? !!!!!!!
Please pray for the people on the Alpha course, especially Bruno and Lydia, that they lay find a strong and loving Saviour in Jesus Christ our King, that thay are able to give Him all their hurst and history and to trust them with the rest of their lives. Pray that He breaks into their hearts and heals them from the past as well, showing them a bright and glorious future on earth as well as in heaven.
Mondays I spend time with God, studying His word, writing down my thought, praying and reading my book (Celebration of Disipline by Richard Foster) There are 8 christain disciplines: the inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study; the outward disciplines of simplicity and submission; and the corporate or community disciplines of confession and worship. I have so far covered the first 3 and I have been challenged a lot, especially concerning Fasting and even though Jesus did not command us to did , it was naturally expected and He gave clear outlines as to how it should be done. Not for a physical benifit (loosing weight rapidly, looking good etc) but as an opportunity to focus on God and draw closer to Him; something which I think mst of us long to do, and this is why I have been challenged as to 'why after 10 years of faith I have never practiced this 'Discipline''?
Please pray that as I read more of this book I learn more about the love and joy of God. That I can impliment what I learn into my daily life and not just treat this book as a study guide. Please pray for a heart and a time to Fast whilst I'm in France too.
There are 2 major things that the church is involved with whilst I'm here, which are rapidly coming up. you can keep an eye on them and find out more on the internet.
The first is the Normandy Prayer walk which starts next tuesday (5th June) http://www.prayerexpeditions.org/?Walks:2007_Normandy_Beaches.
The second is the Jour J conference which is at the end of July http://www.jour-j-normandie.fr/index_en.html where I am going to help with the Youth, and lead a group from Nexus (christian music college http://www.nexustrust.co.uk/nexus/nexus_location.asp)
Please pray for these events; that they go smoothly, that the Lord meets with everyone involved, bring them new revelations of Him and that the hearts of all those involved are touched. Pray for new relationships and contacts through the walk. Pray the the Holy Spirit comes into Normandy and uses the church in Lisieux as a beacon in the dark; turning peoples eyes and hearts towards the miracles that are unfolding in the church.
I still feel like my language is rubbish, and I'm not getting anywhere. I need to have more time to study or concentrate in my french. I get tto listen, speak and read French but I need to look at the grammar and spend time doing translations.
Please pray for the time to study the french language properly, to take in the new things I learn, to find a teacher or person who can help me especially with grammar, and a brain and heart that is open to learning and unafraid to make mistakes.
My week is becoming quite routine and organised, which I quite like (see other blog), but it still has places for improvisation and flexibilty. I feel like I know where I am and what I am doing at he moment and I like it. I feel that I have settled into life here and made some friends. I have enough people that I can talk to at church so that I feel like part of the church and have little things that are mine to do. thank you to those of you that prayed for this. Please keep praying....
Youth on Friday was funny: we all had our faces painted to act out the story if Job who despite all of his afflictions, suffering and losses NEVER once complained and said it was God's fault - what an example, what a person to live up to - I know I definatley can't and don't do it - but with the power of the Holy Spirit I belive almost anything is possible!!!!!!!!!
Please pray for Joel, Will, Luc, Jamie, Helen and Hannah, who are the 'Cellule des Jeunes' at Eglise de la Source: that they may grow in faith, strengthen their understanding of how amazing God is and learn to put God into their daily lives. Please pray that depsite the age range of the group (12-17) that they get on, work as a team and help each other.
On Saturday I was in charge of looking after children at the Alpha Weekend so that adults could help, participate and generally get on with adult things, however I couldn't make up my mind (still can't) as to weather I was an adult or a child so I ate the cake, drank the coffe and chatted like an adult, and ate the pankecakes, played cache cache (hide and seek - but in french just hide hide - no finding involved obviously!!!), and climbed the tree, played table tennis and drew pictures. I ate so much food over the weekend I thought i was going to explode!!!!
Sunday was the same thing: children, eating, drawing but no playing because it was WET, as usual in Normandy!! Then back to the church for the service, where I was helping out with the youth. I really felt over the weekend that the kids didn't really understand why almost all the church was together and they couldn't go into one particular room, so it was time to explain the purpose and meaning of Alpha http://uk.alpha.org/youth/welcome/default.html#1
Most of them got it but I was quite surprised and worried when none of the kids said that they have ever talked about Jesus, the bible, God or Church at school: I felt odd because at their age at school I was often talking about my faith and proudly wearning a cross pendant to school. I wonder if it is harder for youth today or if I was just unaware of the negitivity of others towards the church and christianity in general.
!!!!! I'd love some feed back on this actually..... How do and can you bring your faith and the big questions of life into daily conversation at school? Is it really that weird and freaky to be seen as a Chrisitian? Do youth groups and young adults need to give more advice and support to the youth to help then or do the youth have something to teach us (me) about being a christian in an increasingly secular world? !!!!!!!
Please pray for the people on the Alpha course, especially Bruno and Lydia, that they lay find a strong and loving Saviour in Jesus Christ our King, that thay are able to give Him all their hurst and history and to trust them with the rest of their lives. Pray that He breaks into their hearts and heals them from the past as well, showing them a bright and glorious future on earth as well as in heaven.
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Day 19
Today at the end of the Holy Spirit weekend some of the Alpha particpants gave their testimonies. As I was not in the room for these I heard them later, thanks to a recording! The most moving and personal to me was that of Lydia, Thelma's mum. She really is an amazing woman.
Please pray that she can find another job soon, please pray that she can find another house soon and build a new home, please pray that God touches her life and that of her daughter in an amazingly powerful way and they are both transformed
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Friday, 18 May 2007
Day 10
Well this is turning into more of a weekly update, which really is what I wanted with my prayer newsletter any way so it is kinda working!
If have been reading my other blog you will know that last Thursday I had a rather interesting encounter with a bat!! It has been the talking point for the last few days and has given me the excuse to stay somewherelse for the night and be fed by someone else as well! I was happy to stay put but Stella was insistant that I didn't stay in the flat and came to stay at her house for the night which was lovely!
Please pray that he bat has gone for good, that it was just a one off and that it has refound it's family and doesn't want to come and visit me any more!!!
Last Thursday and Friday were Bank Holidays in France (Ascension) and therefore none of the kids had school. They also have this clever thing in France of when the bank holiday falls on a Thursday or a Monday they make a "bridge" to the weekend so effectifly getting a 4 day weekend! They are not as silly as they all look...... So I had Thelma (the 9 year old that I look after) for both days whilst her mum, who must have been one of the only people in the town, went to work.
Thursday we played monopoly (the new one with credit cards) most of the morning, then went shopping for extra bit for my flat; like a dustbin, drying rack, draining rack and chopping borad - all VERY extiting!! Got to spend more time with Stella though which was lovely. I get a lot of time on my own, especially in the evenings and I do get quite lonely! Most of the people at church are in couples of families and I don't want to disturb them or invite myself round. I am getting used to the time on my own but it is still really weird.
Please pray for people to make contact with me and invite me round for dinner. To take time getting to know me and help me. please pray for someone to pray for me; no one has yet prayed for me or over me here.
Friday I went to look after Thelma and Kirya, the pastor's daughter, and I took them to McDonald's. We played on the trampoline most of the afternoon and played Uno indoors when it started to rain. Diane, the pastor's wife said a very observant thing to me on Friday. As you may know I have almost always wanted to be a teacher, but I have always imagined myself as a Primary school teacher, until last summer when God very bluntly told me I was looking in the wrong place and that my fear of teenagers was unfounded and that I should gof or it! I was a little disapointed thinking that I ahve a lifetime of arguing, fighting and disiplining ahead of me.... but as Diane said, having kids little kids around, children rather than teens, makes you realise whether you are cut out for it or not. Small children/Primary is definatley not the easy option or the soft option in teaching - and I now thank God for what He said last summer, becasue I would never have stood the constant screaching, running around, attention seeking, mess and temper tantrums (although this is ounding remarkably like Bullers Wood Girls!!!!)
Friday night I helped out with the Youth Group. We played games, talked about the significance and value of putting our hands up as a christain - in suplication, repentance, sacrifice. I learnt loads! the word was brough by Helen, a member of the youth, but as a missionary kid and 17 years old she is one of the most mature of the group. Her insight was brilliant and the rest of the group listened really well... Bless you Helen.
Wide is Your love and grace
You were, You are
If have been reading my other blog you will know that last Thursday I had a rather interesting encounter with a bat!! It has been the talking point for the last few days and has given me the excuse to stay somewherelse for the night and be fed by someone else as well! I was happy to stay put but Stella was insistant that I didn't stay in the flat and came to stay at her house for the night which was lovely!
Please pray that he bat has gone for good, that it was just a one off and that it has refound it's family and doesn't want to come and visit me any more!!!
Last Thursday and Friday were Bank Holidays in France (Ascension) and therefore none of the kids had school. They also have this clever thing in France of when the bank holiday falls on a Thursday or a Monday they make a "bridge" to the weekend so effectifly getting a 4 day weekend! They are not as silly as they all look...... So I had Thelma (the 9 year old that I look after) for both days whilst her mum, who must have been one of the only people in the town, went to work.
Thursday we played monopoly (the new one with credit cards) most of the morning, then went shopping for extra bit for my flat; like a dustbin, drying rack, draining rack and chopping borad - all VERY extiting!! Got to spend more time with Stella though which was lovely. I get a lot of time on my own, especially in the evenings and I do get quite lonely! Most of the people at church are in couples of families and I don't want to disturb them or invite myself round. I am getting used to the time on my own but it is still really weird.
Please pray for people to make contact with me and invite me round for dinner. To take time getting to know me and help me. please pray for someone to pray for me; no one has yet prayed for me or over me here.
Friday I went to look after Thelma and Kirya, the pastor's daughter, and I took them to McDonald's. We played on the trampoline most of the afternoon and played Uno indoors when it started to rain. Diane, the pastor's wife said a very observant thing to me on Friday. As you may know I have almost always wanted to be a teacher, but I have always imagined myself as a Primary school teacher, until last summer when God very bluntly told me I was looking in the wrong place and that my fear of teenagers was unfounded and that I should gof or it! I was a little disapointed thinking that I ahve a lifetime of arguing, fighting and disiplining ahead of me.... but as Diane said, having kids little kids around, children rather than teens, makes you realise whether you are cut out for it or not. Small children/Primary is definatley not the easy option or the soft option in teaching - and I now thank God for what He said last summer, becasue I would never have stood the constant screaching, running around, attention seeking, mess and temper tantrums (although this is ounding remarkably like Bullers Wood Girls!!!!)
Friday night I helped out with the Youth Group. We played games, talked about the significance and value of putting our hands up as a christain - in suplication, repentance, sacrifice. I learnt loads! the word was brough by Helen, a member of the youth, but as a missionary kid and 17 years old she is one of the most mature of the group. Her insight was brilliant and the rest of the group listened really well... Bless you Helen.
Psalms 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
Lamentations 3:4
Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven
Chris Tomlin
"Unchanging"
Great is Your faithfulness
Great is Your faithfulness
You never change
You never fail, O God
True are Your promises
True are Your promises
You never change
You never fail, O God
So we raise up holy hands
To praise the Holy One
Who was and is and is to come
Wide is Your love and grace
Wide is Your love and grace
You never change
You never fail, O God
You were, You are
You will always be
Saturday - I looked after Thelma again: you can see the pictures of our visit to Saint Pierre Sur Dives on the right http://www.mairie-saint-pierre-sur-dives.fr/pageLibre00010009.html I decided however that as I haven't had a day off this week, that I was going to take the afternoon off and drop Thelma at her Dad's. Her mum and Dad are divorced and have a strained relationship. I learnt yeasterday that poor Thelma spent the whole of Saturday afernoon and evening, until 22.30 in a smoky bar with her dad!!!
Please pray for Thelma - for changes in her relationship with her dad, for God to powerfully breakthough in, Lydia, her mum's life, for the establishment of solid rules and boundaries that she has not had for years, for God to protect and encourage her.
I spent Saturday reading, calling my little sister (who finally has a phone) and watching random stuff on youtube, becasue I didn't want to go out in the rain!!!
Sunday is always the highlight of the week when you work at a church!!! I had lunch with the new members group, and all the kids, then I watched them on the bouncy castle and taught them how to make paper airpanes!!! We had 2 visiting preachers this sunday Derick Savage and Jonathan Jankowski, from Maidstone, but unfortunatley I didn't get to listen to them as I helped instead with the youth (see other blog for photos of our "Bridge Challenge")
I then helped the Dognons again but "babysitting" their 4 kids so that they could take the pastors out for dinner and relax. The evening went well and I enjoyed myself!!
Can you please pray for me that Francis, or anyone else in the church, can find other things for me to do; especially with adults and the french section of the church. Maybe leading a cell group, or running something in the church.... I leave that up to God!!
P.S. Only my Nana has now joined the lists of people who have sent me post!!! It's looking like an easy competition so far!! Although I'd much rather have a fair few names to pick out of the hat!!
P.P.S I've also decided that your name will go in the hat the same number of times that you write to me! If Prague was anything to go by my Nana is going to be heading up the list!!!!!
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Day 7
Yeah, Yeah! I know I'm rubbish... day 7?! What kind of blog do you call that but hey...! I've been busy...! Not really doning much of amazing interest but I think I reliased today how much I really am blessing specific people in the church and that despite my stupid big head and ideas above my station that everything that I do is being noted and appreciated, even if not in words....
Let me explain....
Last Wednesday - got up early, didn't do anything all morning, went for lunch with the Dognons (surname of the Pastor+his family), came back to the office, made an excel document of my expenses and created my Prayer blog, bought sim card and stationery in town, went from 5-11 to look after Thelma, a 9 year old girl. Lydia, Thelma's mum, is doing the Alpha course, and has oly just found a job after 5 years of unemployment....!!!!!! the church is trying it's best to help and support her.
Thursday - meant to be my study day but got up late! discussed with God the best use of my day and He decided that I needed to get my barrings and ifnd out what was at the end of my road!! finished reading an amazing book called "Prayer life: how your personality affests the way you pray" by Pablo Martinez (that Kate gave me and has blessed me so luch and helped me understand myself so much better - Thanks hon!!!), wandered around town trying to get my barrings and reading lots of French, came home and spent the evening alone reading, replying to emails and writing my prayer journal (house group was cancelled - don't know why!!!)
Friday - typed up some of the pastors notes on baptism, did the ironing and cleaning at the pastors house because Diane, Francis' (the Pastor) wife, had to go to Paris for the day, came back to the office and finished typing up, break for a bit, helped the youth, looked after 2 kids whilst their parents had a meeting, watched CLICK with the youth who turned up at the pastors house where I was.
Saturday - got up late, mooched around, went shopping in the big supermarket, came home for lunch, went to the tourist office to find the local scout group/stuff to do, wandered around town praying and trying to get my barrings, came home and watched a DVD in french "Je vais bien, ne t'en fais pas" http://www.marsdistribution.com/xml/flash.html?cfilm=51829. It had a great song that is really haunting but the words are quite good http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdm65_uturn-aaron
Sunday - was meant to be at the pastors house by 10 (he didn't tell me, or I just forgot, so I turned up at 11 after his wife called me!!) looked after 2 kids whilst they had a meeting, then looked after 7 kids whilst they had a new members group, church 3-6pm (very odd times, will take a bit of getting used to, but it's still God's time...!!!), then was invited back to someones house for dinner which was great because I got to drive down windy French country lanes and eat yummy food, left at 10, came back and made a long telephone call.
Monday - spent all day at home on my own. monday is jour de conges here (day off!!!) and so I got up late (as usual) and then sepnt the WHOLE day reading my stduy book from Bless for this mission "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster: heavy going but full of amazing insights and spirit filled truths.
So as you can see everything is trundling along fine but nothing interesting to report. I do feel like I am being used a little bit as a babysitter and that instead of being included in the church and the church life I am being left a bit on the side lines and used as an au pair, which is what I did when I was 19. I have, however, discussed with a number of mums, helping a mum out has more than the effect of practically reliving them of their child, and also I need to have a servant heart and do EVERYTHING in His name and with joy in my heart!!
Also hit me very hard when I read the front page of the Bless network website, where there was the following peom posted
Lord I am willing... Please pray that I can truely say this with 100% of my heart and that I can serve all who have need int he church, no matter if that means doing the washing up for an hour, cooking, looking after children, doing the shopping or other seamingly meanilal tasks; the Lord is in them and today I have really seen that at work. Also pray for Lydia and Thelma, for their flat, her work, her illness (she was in hosital 2 weeks ago due to something with her eyes), and her faith - Lord open the heavens above her; let her see and understand your grace and Lord bring her into your kindgom.
Let me explain....
Last Wednesday - got up early, didn't do anything all morning, went for lunch with the Dognons (surname of the Pastor+his family), came back to the office, made an excel document of my expenses and created my Prayer blog, bought sim card and stationery in town, went from 5-11 to look after Thelma, a 9 year old girl. Lydia, Thelma's mum, is doing the Alpha course, and has oly just found a job after 5 years of unemployment....!!!!!! the church is trying it's best to help and support her.
Thursday - meant to be my study day but got up late! discussed with God the best use of my day and He decided that I needed to get my barrings and ifnd out what was at the end of my road!! finished reading an amazing book called "Prayer life: how your personality affests the way you pray" by Pablo Martinez (that Kate gave me and has blessed me so luch and helped me understand myself so much better - Thanks hon!!!), wandered around town trying to get my barrings and reading lots of French, came home and spent the evening alone reading, replying to emails and writing my prayer journal (house group was cancelled - don't know why!!!)
Friday - typed up some of the pastors notes on baptism, did the ironing and cleaning at the pastors house because Diane, Francis' (the Pastor) wife, had to go to Paris for the day, came back to the office and finished typing up, break for a bit, helped the youth, looked after 2 kids whilst their parents had a meeting, watched CLICK with the youth who turned up at the pastors house where I was.
Saturday - got up late, mooched around, went shopping in the big supermarket, came home for lunch, went to the tourist office to find the local scout group/stuff to do, wandered around town praying and trying to get my barrings, came home and watched a DVD in french "Je vais bien, ne t'en fais pas" http://www.marsdistribution.com/xml/flash.html?cfilm=51829. It had a great song that is really haunting but the words are quite good http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdm65_uturn-aaron
Sunday - was meant to be at the pastors house by 10 (he didn't tell me, or I just forgot, so I turned up at 11 after his wife called me!!) looked after 2 kids whilst they had a meeting, then looked after 7 kids whilst they had a new members group, church 3-6pm (very odd times, will take a bit of getting used to, but it's still God's time...!!!), then was invited back to someones house for dinner which was great because I got to drive down windy French country lanes and eat yummy food, left at 10, came back and made a long telephone call.
Monday - spent all day at home on my own. monday is jour de conges here (day off!!!) and so I got up late (as usual) and then sepnt the WHOLE day reading my stduy book from Bless for this mission "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster: heavy going but full of amazing insights and spirit filled truths.
So as you can see everything is trundling along fine but nothing interesting to report. I do feel like I am being used a little bit as a babysitter and that instead of being included in the church and the church life I am being left a bit on the side lines and used as an au pair, which is what I did when I was 19. I have, however, discussed with a number of mums, helping a mum out has more than the effect of practically reliving them of their child, and also I need to have a servant heart and do EVERYTHING in His name and with joy in my heart!!
Also hit me very hard when I read the front page of the Bless network website, where there was the following peom posted
When you call
I am willing
When you push the boundaries
I am willing
When you set the pace
I am willing
When you encourage
I am willing
When you set the challenge
I am willing
When you blow my mind
I am willing
When you reach out your hand
I am willing
When you apply the brakes
I am willing
When you change the course
I am willing
When you turn the tide
I am willing
When you pull the plug
I am willing
When you call another
I am willing
When you call
I am willing
Lord I am willing... Please pray that I can truely say this with 100% of my heart and that I can serve all who have need int he church, no matter if that means doing the washing up for an hour, cooking, looking after children, doing the shopping or other seamingly meanilal tasks; the Lord is in them and today I have really seen that at work. Also pray for Lydia and Thelma, for their flat, her work, her illness (she was in hosital 2 weeks ago due to something with her eyes), and her faith - Lord open the heavens above her; let her see and understand your grace and Lord bring her into your kindgom.
PS. As most of you know I prefer real snail mail post to emails any day, and I have made the decision that anyone who writes to me will not only get a response by the same method but that they will be entered into a lucky dip draw for a meal out with me when I get back, all expenses paid, so far there is no one in the hat apart from my friend Alasdair who is getting married in July, and his post was my wedding invitation!!!
PPS. please excuse the spelling mistakes in this: the spell checker on the blog doesn't work neither does the spell checker on Word!! what did we ever do before computers...? learn to spell probably......
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
Day 1
Well this is definatley going to be an interesting time! How do I know this well God has already told me that I am going to learn a lot through this placement and also I can't work the darn laptop!!! All of the keys are in a different place, so instead if tapping away happily at a rate of knots this blogging business is going to take 3 times as long!!
Well I got here in one piece, the journey was easy but the wind was blowing me and my little car around so much I kept being pushed into the next lane on the motorway! But we made it! Stella was here to meet me (one of the English ladies who works in the office) and I was well fed! I came home to unpack the millions of things I had spent 5 hours on Monday packing, and went to sleep at 2am. I woke up late, on my first day: not the best of first impressions!! Oops.... !
Francis, the pastor, has talked me through the plan for my stay and it includes helping with the Alpha course, the Normandy prayer walk and the Jour J (D day) Conference in July, helping with the Youth and helping with the House group. I am going to be helping a single mum with her little girl when she goes to work.
Life is going to be simple, but that is fine by me! I am probably going to have Monday off, Thursday as my study day and maybe Saturday as a slower/quieter day too.
I can see that I am going to be dong a lot of little jobs here and there, running places with my car and helping people with little tasks, which although it will keep me busy and means I can bless the church in many ways, it is not what I am used to or what I had envisaged!
My french is awful!!!! after 3 weeks in Germany it has hidden itself away in the corner of my very small brain and is refusing to come out again.... frustrating but true.
So the first point of prayer is for my French to return so that I can communicate with the Pastor and the french little girl I am going to be looking after this evening!
Well I got here in one piece, the journey was easy but the wind was blowing me and my little car around so much I kept being pushed into the next lane on the motorway! But we made it! Stella was here to meet me (one of the English ladies who works in the office) and I was well fed! I came home to unpack the millions of things I had spent 5 hours on Monday packing, and went to sleep at 2am. I woke up late, on my first day: not the best of first impressions!! Oops.... !
Francis, the pastor, has talked me through the plan for my stay and it includes helping with the Alpha course, the Normandy prayer walk and the Jour J (D day) Conference in July, helping with the Youth and helping with the House group. I am going to be helping a single mum with her little girl when she goes to work.
Life is going to be simple, but that is fine by me! I am probably going to have Monday off, Thursday as my study day and maybe Saturday as a slower/quieter day too.
I can see that I am going to be dong a lot of little jobs here and there, running places with my car and helping people with little tasks, which although it will keep me busy and means I can bless the church in many ways, it is not what I am used to or what I had envisaged!
My french is awful!!!! after 3 weeks in Germany it has hidden itself away in the corner of my very small brain and is refusing to come out again.... frustrating but true.
So the first point of prayer is for my French to return so that I can communicate with the Pastor and the french little girl I am going to be looking after this evening!
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