Kingsley

Red Nose Day (Comic Relief)

     Let me introduce you to the newest edition to our youth work here in Nunthorpe. Kingsley is 9 years old and lives in Ghana. The youth group recently started sponsoring him through Compassion International. In our middle school aged group we've started a small group of students who are interested in social justice and who want to learn more about Africa and Kingsley. Last week this group came over for dinner and we talked about ways we could fundraise and support Kingsley. It was wonderful just to chat with them and get to know the younger kids outside of our youth group. Hopefully we can build on these relationships with this groups as they could become the next generation of young leaders here in Nunthorpe. It's wonderful to see how excited they are to learn about another place in the world; they are even asking about when they can go meet Kingsley! 

     Tuesday mornings are quickly become one of my favorite parts of the week. Over the past few weeks, during Lent, we host a Lent Bible Study for the church community in Nunthorpe. People from different churches and denominations gather to discuss controversial issues and look at what the Scriptures have to say about it. It's been very interesting talking with them as we have very different views on, well, basically everything. Last week we had a good discussion about Universalism and Pluralism, as we talked about the importance of sharing the Gospel with others. But obviously if they don't believe that what the Bible says is true, and that it carries hope for every human being, why would they feel the urgency to tell others? I'm not sure they understand why I'm even here. One man admitted that he found it ridiculous that some Christians claim to be "saved." He said that he can hope that on judgement day he will be saved, but he wondered why people thought they could know now that they will be saved. So I shared some verses with him (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 8) that testify to the confidence we can have now for eternal life. Most of them weren't sure if they agreed with that claim, since they aren't even sure they can trust the Bible. 
     Please pray for the ministry in this group; although they all claim to be believers, most of them lack a growing, daily relationship with Jesus Christ. These are people who seem to be the most outspoken about their faith and recognize that there needs to be a change in Nunthorpe, and I think they have great potential for spiritual growth. After Lent, we're hoping to continue the group and study the book, Just Walk Across the Room, by Bill Hybels. I'm excited about the conversations we could have with them in the future!

Watching One Direction, supporting Comic Relief

     God has certainly humbled and encouraged me lately as I talk with people back in America. It's becoming increasingly clear how little I need to be involved in others' spiritual journeys. Sure, we are created for community and building each other up, but I've been amazed at what the Holy Spirit is doing in my family and friends' lives back home! Of course I knew this, but it's always a wonderful reminder that God doesn't need me. He can reveal things to people without me needing to be involved or giving advice or support. He's so much bigger and sovereign than I often give Him credit. And thank you God for that; He's in control and He has a much bigger perspective than I do!

     God has also been compelling me to talk to him more. I'm more than comfortable with praying for others and especially for the ministry here, but I've realized that I rarely ask God for his help and presence in the little things. So recently I've been trying to stop and pray for the small things that I often think I can handle on my own. And as His Word promises, He has done immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I've been praying about my asthma and have noticed a difference in being able to breathe more easily. I've been able to go on a few short runs and I can still breathe through the cold! 
     Another thing I've been praying about is based on Luke 10. Jesus sends out the disciples to each town in pairs. He says that the need is great but that the help is few, so Jesus asks His disciples to pray for God to send out laborers to the mission field. He is sending us out as sheep among wolves. It's gonna be cray-cray. So that's what I'm praying for. I'm praying that God will call people out of their comfort zones, that He will persistently knock at the door of their hearts, and that they will answer the call and go to the need. We'll see how this one goes :)

A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." -Isaiah 40:3

     These past few weeks have been tough; there's a leader in the church who's being extremely difficult in allowing our ministry to move forward. It's intense spiritual warfare. But God can do amazing things when we're up against a brick wall. So please pray for a break-through as we work with others. Although it's very discouraging at times, God works best when we are fully reliant on Him and realize there is nothing we can do. I look forward with hope and confidence that His truth will prevail! He has overcome.