It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well we are closing into Christmas!!! This week has been a great week of resting in God's grace.  I have struggled this week with a pulled back muscle, and asthma problems, but it's not as worse as it could be - praise the Lord!!!! This past week was all about Christmas wrapping in the office again!!! I wrapped about 30-50 presents over two days, and we set up Christmas hampers. These Christmas hampers were put together by all of our lifegroups full of presents and food for CAP clients.

We started delivering them on Wednesday and Friday, and it was unbelievable to see their faces light up when we blessed them!! It was such a great way to show the love of God practically especially this close to Christmas.  Many of the clients told us that they were even wondering how they were going to get food in the cupboards this week - praise the Lord for the gift of CAP!!!!

On an even better note: one of our clients finally got off the fence, and decided to make a commitment for Christ!!!! Please continue to pray for Joyce, and that God would strengthen her faith, and suppress any attacks from the enemy. 

This week I have been very blessed and reminded that you never know the type of impact you have on people.  I recieved a card from a client thanking me for always being joyful, and smiling. I also recieved note off Anne from a client I have seen three times, but who said thank you that someone who is beautiful on the outside and on the inside doesn't judge him.  How humbling, and beautiful it is to sometimes see the impact you might have for the kingdom so unexpectedly.  Praise you Father!!!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT Christmas, enjoying a time celebrating the birth of our Savior surrounded by family and friends.

I'll Stand...

I'll stand. With arms high and heart abandoned. In awe of the one who paid it all. I'll stand, my soul Lord, to You surrender - ALL I have is Yours!!

How heavy is that lyric? We sang it in church this morning, and I couldn't help but lift my hands. It's moving - it requires a response.  I have to stand. I have to run in abandon toward my Savior, I have to surrender. None of these things define what is easy - they define what is necessary to truly live with purpose.  In giving everything that I am, every desire I have, every talent I have been given, I stand firm in the fact that my life will be used to impact my surroundings for His glory: to make His name known.

Update:

Tuesday was decorating the office day for CAP free Christmas wrapping! We also went to see Mick for a final visit, and God is really piecing his finances and his marriage back together. Praise the Lord!  I also had choir practice for the carol service coming up on Sunday!!!

Wednesday we had the northeast leaders meeting at TVCC. It was a great time to pray, worship, and discuss what God is doing regionally in the Northeast. One thing that stuck out in the talk was that we need to be a Joshua generation - one who knows the Lord, and knows there is more land to take for the kingdom.

Thursday was another wrapping day in the CAP office!!! Then I met up with Shaina for our weekly American time which I always love.  Anne and myself took out some great ladies for a meal at starters (actually good nachos!!)

Things to pray for:

Carol service on December 19th

Christmas wrapping this week in the CAP office!

Health

Entrusting my future in the hands of my Savior

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!

Hello snow!!! The snow is still here, and it's in the negative's (Celsius). First off, to all who have been praying for my health - your prayers have made a world of difference.  If you have had a conversation with me for even two seconds, my health probably come up. The main worry I had was that cold air is really difficult for me to breath - and that is the current weather at the moment.  BUT God is more powerful than my lungs, than my condition - and I have only had to take one treatment since August - this is a modern day miracle!!!! Praise God for His protection!!!
Now on to my update:
The saturday after the CAP awards, I met up with Jane, Hazel, LeaAnn and her son Rhys for lunch, and then had young girls cluster.  It was a great afternoon discussing how God speaks, and the necessity of studying the word. Thank you to Sue Omerod for coming and sharing her story with us!! Sunday, the 28th, was a joint celebration with TVCC at the Oakwood center - it was great to join with them in worship! We had lunch after with 18-30s, and got to spend the afternoon having coffee with some friends: brilliant :) At prayer meeting that night, they prayed over me, unexpectedly, and what a blessing it was!!! Due to the snow, Archibald was closed on monday through thursday so that meant no RE and no Blast. CAP this week has consisted of getting loads of food for our clients, wrapping paper for our free Christmas wrap this week, and writing loads of christmas cards!! Lifegroup on wednesday was about evangelism, and we watched Louis Giglio's video: fruitcake and ice cream (amazing story about Ashley coming to know Christ).  God really taught me a lot this week about grace, and letting your life be a living testimony of the grace God has for everyone.

This weekend Hannah, Jacob, and myself went to London to visit Dan and my friend Cassie who had a layover in route back to the states.  We got to hang out with Dan on Friday, and Cass had a delayed flight so we just went to practically every starbucks on Saturday, and then me and Jacob went to see Jersey Boys on the night. Sunday was a day with Cassie just walking around, eating lunch, talking about church, and Jesus' revelations in our lives, and encouraging each other to continue following His plans. I am so thankful and priveleged to have a best friend who is so encouraging, and  I know God has great plans for her life. She is going to do great things!!!!

Things to pray for:
~Blast: we have cancelled it until the new year, please pray for the kids who have been coming, and for Helen as she continues to lead it in the new year.
~Cassie: she starts her MA in Screenwriting in April at the University of London.
~MCC Elders
~The girls who attend young girls cluster
~CAP as we prepare to give hampers of food and gifts to various clients.

"May God be gracious to us and bless us. and make his face shine upon us. So that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among ALL nations. May the peoples praise You, God; May ALL the peoples praise You. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the people praise You, God; May ALL the peoples praise You." Psalm 67

Thanksgiving hits Middlesbrough!!!

This week all led up to THANKSGIVING!!!!! including the snow!!!!!

 

On Monday, at Archibald, my RE lesson was on Jesus' Death and Resurrection, assembly was on thankfulness and telling the truth, and Blast was on thankfulness, as well.  In Blast, I showed three things I was thankful for: 1- a card with a Texas flag and the word home 2- a picture of me and Austin at midnight march - thankful for one of my best friends 3- an MCC flyer representing the church family I am privileged to serve.  We then all sat around in a circle, 22 kids, and said what we are thankful for: most of them on their second turn said that they were thankful for this club, Kimberly, and Ms. Clark - how precious!!!! That was a great end to my school day.

Then God reminded me in lifegroup that my significance is found in Him, no one else.  Tuesday I met a lady who also struggles with asthma (still amazes me that God uses that part of my life - Praise Him!!) and had buried her head in the sand regarding her debts - God has got her in his reach, she just needs to turn to him - can't wait!!!! Then Wednesday was toddlers which is always a blast, and getting some time to hang out with Hannah. Lifegroup on wednesday was about discipleship, which was really good!!!

Then.... thursday....THANKSGIVING!!!!!! We started cooking at 12pm and ate at 7pm - brilliant!!

I'll just show some pictures because words can't describe how good it was! Then Friday was the CAP fundraising awards dinner where Freda won the "nevertheless" award for her bravery and courage.







The cooks of the evening



Loved having Shaina over!!!



Freda with her award!!!!



Humbled....

This blog is very difficult for me to write. Not because I have had a tough week, but because I am struggling to find the words to describe what God is doing in my life.  I have hit the most humble position I have ever been to in my life - and i'm abolutely in love with the God I serve.

This week we went to Istanbul.... and by went to Istanbul, I mean we were in a Ramada hotel for a week working 14 hour days with incredible kids. I was surrounded by families who have sacrificed everything to be Jesus to people who are far from him, in dangerous circumstances, and with their brilliant families. We split up into "tribes" and I was on orange with ages 7-11. We did numerous games, challenges, team building, and frienship building, trying to win "treasure" which was cards with words from Psalm 23 on it.  These kids blow me away.  They have forever impacted my life, and ministered to me far more than I think we ministered to them.  Praise the Lord for giving a fire to families to share Jesus to the lost. 

In thinking about the sacrifices these families make daily, I am immediately humbled.  I am humbled by the fact that God gave me a passion for the people of Middlesbrough.  I'm humbled that he gave me a family who is so supportive of me following a call from God.  I am humbled that the entire deacon body at my home church prayed for my sinus problems this week - and i was healed from them. I am humbled by the team from MCC that i was with this week.  I'm humbled by the perspective that my life is all about serving and making His name known to the world.  I'm humbled that he opened the door for me to serve with some great people this last week.  I'm humbled that the adults who are risking their lives were coming to us to tell us how amazing we were.... They are the ones who are amazing!!!

Thank you Jesus for giving me power in your Spirit to be your witness in "Jerusalem, Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth."  I'm truly humbled by your majesty.

That's all the words I can come up with - still processing what God is teaching me from this last week, and very excited about the week ahead!!!!

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you are serving the Lord, not men." Ephesians 6:7

Winter is here!!!

Hello everyone!!! It is finally winter here - absolutely windy and freezing!!

Thanks to everyone who was praying for Archibald because Monday was fantastic!!! We had 27 kids at BLAST and RE went really well.  I got a message after school that the year 6 teachers are changing their timetable so they can allow more time for RE lessons - praise the Lord!!!
Tuesday we did a second visit with Sally and Dave, which was one of the best visits so far because they were so open and willing to accepting the budget we gave them. Then the CU meeting was good, we discussed sin and the weight of it.

Toddlers on Wednesday and I was the main speaker at our lifegroup on Monday - discussing singleness and being set apart. I have pretty good experience with the single bit, and my testimony has a lot to do with getting to the point of finding my worth in the Lord after various other human relationships. I love it when God uses my past/testimony to impact and encourage others!

Thursday was a second visit with Robert, and first visit with Stephen - both went really well. Highlight of my week was meeting up with Shaina and Kimberly (both american) and discussing our week and praying for our respective ministries!! It was also the last Youth Alpha, which went well.

Please pray for the team of people from MCC as we travel to Istanbul, Turkey this week.  We will be helping out at a conference, and it will be absolutely exhausting - i can't wait!!!

Not to us, but to Your name, be the glory!!

In awe of my creator...

Wow this week was crazy - i feel like it just flew by!!!

Update: Monday was RE (good), Assembly (object lesson on honesty), and BLAST!!! We only had twenty kids because it was the first day back after half term, but it was really fun!!! We played Gorrilla, Man, Net and talked about the parable of the Rich Fool - how we need to share what we have.  I went to the new Acklam lifegroup that night, and we talked about Creation. We specifically discussed creation of earth and how we are made in God's image.  On Tuesday, we went on a first visit with CAP - this husband and wife win the most organized award!! They are so ready to be debt free so they can have that weight lifted and healing can come to their marriage.  Tuesday night at the CU meeting we talked about.... ready for this.... CREATION! Specifically the creation of the earth, and how we are made in God's image - see a common theme?? Wednesady included toddlers, and lifegroup. We discussed heavenly hope, and actually touched on how we are created in Gods image... the theme continues... Thursday was a first visit with Richard, a single guy who became the sole carer of his brother when he was 21, and is Roman Catholic.  He needs the joy Jesus brings!!! Saturday was American day: Shaina, and Kimberly (from Baylor working with TVCC) came over to watch some movies and discuss home: SO needed.
Today was Acklam sunday - and we had 9 kids in the kids work, which is a lot for that church plant, and it was loads of Fun!! One of the kids even said it was the most fun ever because of the games, and the texan - how precious!!!

God has reminded me this week that we are created in His image, and with that comes loads of responsibility.  We are to be His messengers, period. end of story. We have eternal instincts and drives that should motivate us to preach the word wherever we go - people seek eternity - they have eternity in their hearts. Jesus brings eternal life. As his ambassadors - we carry the responsibility to take that message to the world - praise the Lord for that awesome privilege!!!!

Please pray for:
~BLAST as the numbers will climb tomorrow
~Turkey: i will be there from the 13th to the 20th. Pray for safe travels, and a great time with our team.
~Richard, Sally, Davey, Eddy, and Audrey: the CAP clients we met with this week - God would draw them closer to Himself.
~God to speak new joys into my life, and reveal more of who He is!!

You're the God of this City!

You're the God of this city... THIS city. We sang this song this morning at MCC and it always moves me.  I think today I finally realized why. It's my calling as a Christian - it's our purpose. It's moving past the mundane and the norm to really embracing the place God has allowed you to live in.  I was told a few weeks ago, that God wanted to use this time in my life to launch me back into ministry at home. My response - but I love Middlesbrough! I'm tired of the Bible belt.... but no - God is to be proclaimed to people at home as well. He IS real, He requires wholly surrender, He gives purpose and burdens for a reason - He IS the God of this city. Just as "greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done" in Middlesbrough, the same great things are still to come in Texas - a revival is necessary to change the hearts of those that love Jesus from a to-do list, to passionate service of our Savior. It's time - time for a revival, time to proclaim that God, my Jesus, my Savior, my Redeemer, is the God of THIS city!!!!!

So after my paragraph on what God taught me this morning, here is a quick look at my week:
I went to York on Monday for a day away, which was great! Tuesday was a CAP visit with a lady named Anu, a university student - funniest visit ever!!  On Wednesday i got to spend some time with Shaina, my friend from UMHB who is working in Nunthorpe with Youth For Christ - SO great to hear an American voice! Lifegroup was brilliant as always. Thursday was amazing because God yet again used my asthma and health problems to relate to a CAP client - Edward and Audrey. It is just a matter of time before God pulls them back to himself. I was also the main speaker again at youth alpha on How and why we read the Bible, and adult alpha was just amazing!! Saturday was our Youth Alpha day away where we talked about the Holy Spirit, and then youth club was great as well - we had a bounce house in the main hall!!!!

God is showing me daily that my life is to be a living representation of the hope Jesus can give. Wholly surrender. Please continue to pray for my health and asthma, the Istanbul trip coming up, and the CAP clients!

"Missions is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there." Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell.

"²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸'For in him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:26-28

Let's take a tour...

Hello all!!! Just thought I would give a quick tour of where I spend most of my time: Middlesbrough Community Church - St. Aiden's Centre.  The video is an update until this past Thursday.  Youth Alpha went really really well. Our topic was how can we pray: I got to pray over the four girls in my group which was brilliant!! Then we had our Beloved debrief - next year is going to be even better!!! We worked through loads, and these ladies are set to start planning next years!!! (p.s. i hope they fly in a really cool Texan to attend... aka- ME!!!) Then, tonight was ignite - it was pretty hectic, but I'm getting to know the kids a lot better so that was a plus!!

Alright - here's the video - please excuse the noise from the microphone messing up. Enjoy!!!

Be High and Lifted Up

Here is my update in video form!!! I forgot to mention the Inspire CAP conference for support workers that I attended on Saturday afternoon. We heard from founder John Kirby telling us his story of how he started CAP 14 years ago. Heard a seminar about being a giver - and another from Anne about going into peoples homes and changing lives. It was a great afternoon!!!

I am my Beloved's and He is mine!!!

This week has been an amazing week of growth for me!!

Quick update: Archibald has been great - I will be finishing RE tomorrow, but in hopes that they let me stay on and teach past half term. CAP this week was loads of office work, but all with a purpose which is exciting!! Our second birthday celebration was this sunday - quite a few cap clients came to say thank you to MCC - it was mint!!! Wednesday was toddlers, journeys set up, and lifegroup - all going strong!! Youth Alpha was pretty good this last week, although all three on my table were Christians but it's always a good refresher!! Adult alpha was good - there was a lady that got upset, and walked out b/c she didn't understand how God let poor people die.... He wants things to be made right - and one day it will be!!!

Now.... Beloved.  Beloved was the womens conference for MCC that i was on the planning team for. I was in charge of hospitality and welcoming. It was so great to be with a team of ladies that just wanted to bless women in amazing ways. Loads of people were impacted, and three women chose to start their life with Christ that day!!! We had a speaker named Chlo Glassbrow, who is unbelievably prophetic, and on fire for Jesus!!! She talked about the Father heart of God, and accepting the Holy Spirit's movement.  It was a great day of just thanking God for where He had placed me.  I was totally in a place of rest, and not knowing my future is absolutely freeing!!!! It was such a great day!!!

Please continue to pray for the Beloved team as we continue to debrief and look to next year! Also please pray for my opportunities at Archibald, that they will let me continue to teach RE.

"Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!!!" Provers 31:30

New Address!!!!

I am moving into the Clark's house tomorrow!! I lived with them in 2007, and i'm going to be staying here until I go back to Texas in January.

Here is my new address, so you can send me letters and mail - which i would LOVE!!

Kimberly Jones
care of: Chris and Helen Clark
41 Devonshire Rd.
Linthorpe
Middlesbrough
TS5 6DL

Will update again soon!!!

Long Obedience

This week has flown by!!! I can't believe it's already October! It's getting so cold here, and it rained all day today - oh the British weather!!

Quick update:
This past week We had 44 kids in BLAST this week!! It was a really difficult day, but teaching RE and the assembly were great!! I went on two first visits with CAP. One to a single mom of three trying to cope without knowing how to run finances - she had already heard loads about CAP from a new Christian at her work - it's definately only a matter of time before she comes to know Christ! The second was a husband and wife who used to own a pub - they seemed really reluctant towards the end, but she broke down in tears after we prayed for her.  I am now starting to go to the Christian Union meetings at Teeside University, just to bring MCC to the University - so we'll see where that takes us! My talk at youth alpha went really well - thank you for your prayers!! Adult alpha is going great: there is a new lady named Molly who is just searching for her own faith, and found the alpha course - God is so wooing her to himself. What an amazing thing to watch!!

Please continue to pray for the CAP clients and the Alpha courses!!

I'm also doing Marc Driscoll's sermon series on Nehemiah. It's about building a city (church) within an actual city to essentially bring people to Christ.  It's huge on leadership, and tonight i watched one on Nehemiah 5:14-19: Humility and Hospitatlity.  The main thing he talked about was "long obedience in the same direction." Now that's confusing for some, but it simply means putting your all into something and not changing directions about it - a great leadership principle.  It's essentially the story of my life: I've wanted to be a teacher since I was 7 and in Children's ministry since I was 13, and have put 100% of myself into reaching that end.  Long obedience: i'm currently resting in the call God has placed on my life, and i couldn't be more content.  Yes, it's hard, and i miss Texas and my family and friends, but serving God is my life's call - wherever that may lead.

"The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord." Psalms 25: 14-15a

Surrender

This past week, God has really hit me with the word Surrender.

Last Sunday, the 19th, was Connected for Worship and Prayer. This is a time for Tees Valley Community Church and MCC to come together once a month for some worship and time to focus on God.  It is very free, and the mic is always open for people to come up and share what God has on their heart - most messages was about surrending everything to God.  I thought that I had - i mean i left the comfort to follow His calling to do ministry in England, and i've surrendered my plan for His plan, but there was still something i was holding on to.  God showed me that he doesn't just want me to follow, but to daily surrender the things that I don't understand, circumstances that aren't in my control, and surrender my timetable.

Surrender.

Quick update:
We had 46 kids at BLAST on Monday!!! Teaching religious education has been a great confirmation of what I want to be.  CAP has been great this week - i so enjoy meeting with the clients and praying for them regularly.  Journeys, an intro to the meaning of life course, is every wednesday night, and I help set up for that.  It's going really well so i've heard!  Thursday was the start of Youth Alpha (YA). YA is an intro to Christianity course, answering the question of who Jesus is and what he did for us, how we can have faith, etc... We had about 15 kids, and some were from our youth club!! THEN i went to the adult alpha - it was just the first night which was an intro to the course, and a lady gave her life to Christ!!!! How great is our God!!!  On Friday, I led young girls cluster which is a once a month bible study for girls in years 7-9 (about 8th-10th grade i think) We talked about God being our Father, and it went really well!!! A lot of these girls are quiet, but in such a great age to really come forth as leaders among the youth!  Ignite went really well again on Saturday!

Sorry that was long, but a lot happened this past week! Please continue to pray for:
~BLAST, and Year 6's RE class
~CAP clients
~Journeys and Alpha courses
~I'm speaking this next thursday at youth alpha on Who Jesus Is
~The girls that attend Young Girls Cluster
~Ignite kids - a lot come from tough situations

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Matthew 16: 24-25

Closer

This past thursday I went to a CAP conference called Closer with Anne.  It's just a time where all of the center managers and execs of north or of the south respectively come to get encouraged and energized.  It was amazing to see how many people have a heart to help people and inspire them to know Jesus. AND three of my favorite people came with us to share their story: Barry, Trish, and Freda. 


This is Jon Kirby: Founder of CAP

This is Barry. He came from a hard life of drugs, negativity, and prison. With CAP light was brought into his life, and he is now a believer!!! His rough demeanor has now been changed to someone who wants to show the world how Jesus changed his life: unbelievable will power this man has!





This is Trish. CAP has completely changed the innerworkings of her household.  Her husband, and daughters are now coming to church and on their way to become sold out believers in Jesus!!! She found out about us on the TV and has been coming to MCC ever since!!



This is Freda. She has one of the most incredible stories I have ever heard. Her bravery and compassion inspire me! She is a mom to five daughters and currently looks after her grandson. After some medical issues with one of her daughters, she now has custody of her grandson, Steven.  I first met her in May, and you could tell that she had no idea she could lay all of those burdens on the Lord.  At a discovery break with CAP she made a commitment to Christ, and is now walking with Him in her struggles.  She is an amazing testimony of bravery.

Cap is amazing. Please continue to pray for this organization, and how its spreading to places like: Norway, New Zealand, and Australia.  Praise the Lord!!!

Nehemiah and God's power

Hello all.
My apologies for the length of the time between the posts.  Life has gotten a lot busier these last few days, but I'm loving it!!! Here is a quick update! Tomorrow I begin at Archibald.  This is such an amazing opportunity, and God has really humbled me, and already shown His power - we have 56 kids signed up for BLAST (after school club).

I am also doing Mark Driscoll's sermon series on Nehemiah: Building a City within a City.  I've been truly inspired by Nehemiah's courage, and true burden for His city.  I desire the same burden for my city.  I'm burdened for Middlesbrough, definately, but I think it's such a challenge for everyone.  Do you pray expecting big things from God? Are you burdened for your city? Or are you blinded by the normalcy that is our broken society? I'm still working through answering these questions.

These past few days have been pretty incredible as far as God speaking straight to my heart.  I know that I need more of God, I want to go where He wants me to go, and I desire to see His name known throughout the nations.  Please continue to pray that His purpose is made evident in my life, and in these next few weeks as my schedule will continue to get busier!!!

I will be updating soon, please continue to pray for Archibald and all the kids we will get to teach!

"I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living; Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalms 27:13-14

Greater things have yet to come...

God is truly amazing!!

Along with the ministries listed in my last post, I will be going back to Archibald Primary School every monday to help with Religious Education classes on Christianity, and do assemblies.  I'm very excited about this opportunity, but need to definately soak it in prayer.  This last May was amazing there, and I really want to connect to the non-Christian teachers and reconnect with the kids.

CAP update: please continue to pray for June.  She is still very burdened, but is so close to giving it all to Jesus.  She is reading a book, "what on earth am I here for," so please pray that God is revealed to her through this book.  Also met with James and Joyce.  Our guys from May cleaned up their garden, and they started coming to church.  James doesn't really like the idea of church, but with Americans there he said he would come.  They went on a CAP holiday and met some amazing friends, which I think was a complete God thing.  Please continue to pray that they will come to church, and connect with the family of MCC.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

The Lord is my portion

The Lord is my portion... I have sort of struggled with this term for a while, but I recently read Lamentations in my quiet time, and God just spoke straight to my heart.  In the midst of trials, confusion, and finding purpose, the writers focus is the Lords love. That is what gives hope.

I have loved every minute that I have been here, and God is constantly affirming my decision to surrender to the call of the uncomfortable.  I'm finding challenges every day that point me closer to the Father.  I have had to come to terms with the fact that I'm no longer at UMHB, but I'm serving God with everything I have - He is my portion.

Newest updates: God has opened the door for me to go to Istanbul, Turkey for a week with some families from our church to do some kids rallies at a conference.  It is a divine appointment, that I'm completely thrilled about!!! It is the week of November 14th!!! Also, at CAP this past Thursday we visited three families and one guy became a Christian while filling out a form - PRAISE GOD!!!

I thought it would be a good idea to just list the things I'll be doing and give a brief description of them so you can be praying for them each day!
~MCC and Acklam Kids every other Sunday respectively
~Christians Against Poverty: debt counseling with Christ at the center Tuesdays-Thursdays
~Ignite: Youth Club every Saturday night
~Lifegroups: Mondays and Wednesday nights- great time of Bible Study and Fellowship
~Toddlers: Wednesday mornings. Great time to connect with moms around the community
~Girls Cluster: Youth girls bible study once a month (can't wait to start teaching and feeding into these girls!)
~Youth Alpha: Thursday nights, basics of Christianity course essentially
~Whinneybanks: this can include possible kids club and any help with the Roseberry Pub
~Archibald Primary School: hopefully I'll be able to do some assemblies or sessions with the kids at this school
~Beloved: Women's Conference in October. Helping plan and prepare for this event!
~Visiting and encouraging MCC families - very excited about this opportunity to share my story!!!

Thank you for your continued prayers - God is affirming my heart for this place, and for His ministry!

"I remember my affliction and my wandering... Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."" Lamentations 3:19-24

First Day of CAP

CAP: Christians Against Poverty... aka: you're in debt, we'll help you, and lead you to Jesus. Brilliant right?

Well, two days a week I will be working with my pastor's wife Anne who is the center manager for CAP in Middlesbrough.  I've worked with CAP before, and have seen it change peoples lives tremendously.  Today I went on two visits - one a first-timer and one to see an already established client. 
   I love going on first time visits because you can be so bold with them about why Christians Against Poverty is not the regular debt collecter, but someone who cares about your heart and wants to show the love of God.  This was a dad, mom, and son who is seven.  They have had loads of debt and were almost paying the same amount on TV/internet that they were on food... it was crazy - they were at the end of their rope.  It was so brilliant to see the dad especially be so skeptical because of his "rip offs" he has had at first, and then by the end of the visit was absolutely raving about CAP.  You could see the weight just lift off of them, and they knew that soon they would be able to provide a better life for their son.  None of them are Christians, have never been to church, and I have total confidence the Holy Spirit is already working on their hearts. 
   Visit #2 was with a lady who I had met in May, and many of you at FSBC who heard my talk during the summer heard her testimony. She was carrying the weight of her family, her families decisions/consequences, and raising her grandson all on her own - and this last week at a holiday for CAP she made Jesus the Lord of her life!!!!! I want to jump up and down right now because it's so exciting to see someone who truly knows the freedom we have in Christ.

Ended the day with a prayer meeting and worship time with my friends - brilliant!

PRAISE GOD!!!!

I've decided to sort of write out some prayer requests at the end of my blogs and a verse God has laid on my heart:
-For CAP and my service to them and Anne these next few months
-Family we met today that are not Christians
-The Roseberry Pub in Whineybanks
-the Youth of MCC that they will catch the passion of the 18-30's and really engage in it

"Because your love is better than life. My lips will glorify You" Psalms 63:3

Pigeons and breathtaking views

So I have finally settled in.  Still adjusting to the fact that I'm not at UMHB, or studying right now.  I've got most of my stuff lined up for what I'll be doing, and I will fill you all in next week.

I just wanted to show you a few things I have been up to.  The picture above is a closed down pub in Winneybanks, called Roseberry, and the church is looking into buying.  They had a viewing on Thursday and we went in and the first thing you see is loads of dead pigeons, and you can barely breath because of the smell!!! I walked around, trying not to step on the pigeons while watching out for the loads of live ones flying about. (Chris, Jacob, Dan, and myself had two close encounters with these live pigeons even... funniest two minutes ever!)  We then went around the estate asking people what they thought about it opening up again as something positive for the community and they were SO supportive!!! What a great opportunity to impact a community that doesn't have much for kids or families to do.  We shall see what the outcome is soon. First step, getting all of the pigeons out!!!

Now on to the breathtaking views: today Chris and Beth took me and Helen to Lord's stones which I went to in 2008.  Amazes me that God's creation is this beautiful!!

Hello Middlesbrough!!

I'm finally here... Almost a year of praying about this and i'm here.  God provided everything I needed (even the finances the day i left) and I'm blown away by the amount of support, prayers, and encouragement i have had.  I'm so blessed to have so many great people in my life that are excited about what God is going to do!!

I am thoroughly exhuasted, but wanted to share one quick story before I head to bed (for a while).  When I left my family, got through security, and found my gate, I decided I needed to eat because me and airplane food do not mix.  I was already praying that God would open doors for me to converse with people in the airport, and he answered that prayer within 30 minutes of arriving.  I sat next to a man named Rick, didn't know his story, but felt like i needed to talk to him.  We talked about the chinese food we were eating, and when he asked what i was doing going to the UK - i began to tell him about God and His leadership in my life.  It was amazing!!! His daughter works with troubled youth in south carolina, and although he didn't say he was a Christian - i know that that was a divine appointment today. 

God is already showing off and I can't wait to see what He will do!! I'm so ready to serve him wholeheartedly! More updates to come...

Colossians 1:28-29

Jehovah Jireh

Jehovah Jireh... The God who Provides.  I have come to a new appreciation for those words.  My last post explained how excited I was for the opportunity to speak at my home church about England.  My talk was SO great - I was very bold in telling them why God has called me there. ... but my expectations were not what God wanted to show me at that time.  I expected to get all the money I would need for these next five months, and that did not happen.  I got about 700 dollars from talking to about 500 people.  This was very disappointing to me, and I have spent the last two weeks trying to figure out God's will in all of this. 

What i have realized is what God was telling me all along - He is my provider. He will provide what I need when I need it. Whether it's finances, the person God has for me, or being prepared to go and serve M'Boro - He will provide it.... that is the promise I am currently resting in.

I am reading the book "Forgotten God," by Francis Chan. And as I was reading these words jumped out at me.  "I think a lot of us need to forget about 'Gods will for my life'.  God cares more about our response to His Spirit's leading today, in this moment, than about what we intend to do next year.  The decisions we make next year will be profoundly affected by the degree to which we submit to the Spirit right now."  It's time to live day by day - truly relying on the Holy Spirit leading us. 

Live day by day. He will provide. 

Waiting for an awesome miracle of His provision in my life!!! We serve an amazing God.

One Month...

So I am exactly one month away to getting on a plane headed to Middlesbrough!  This summer has flown by, and I feel like I'm not as prepared as I should be mentally to not be returning to UMHB.  I still have such a peace about where God has me right now, and even though finances are still not in place - I know he will provide everything I need.  I'm speaking at my church tomorrow just to give them a glimpse of the experiences I have had these last four years, and it is my prayer that God breaks their hearts.  Breaks their hearts for these people, for this place I'll call home for five months, and for His word to be shared.  If you ask my closest friends, especially those that have gone to England, I am not one to worry about finances coming in.  My God is SO much greater than money.  In this time of need, I bow before my Savior with arms opened, ready to recieve what He has for me.  He will provide in His perfect timing.  I'm finally at a point where I am so ready, so willing, to go where He leads.  I can't wait to see what He will do in the lives of people at FSBC tomorrow morning! He has had His hand through this whole process, and I know he will provide.  "I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom i trust." Ps. 91

First of many...

This blog is mainly to update everyone on what God is doing during my time in Middlesbrough.

But first, I feel like it's necessary to explain how I got to this point - this calling to go and serve.

It all started after my freshman year at UMHB. My college minister, Trey, told us that there was an opportunity to go to England on a mission trip after the end of the spring semester. For those that know me really well each year I have done some sort of mission trip and this just fell right into place. I never thought it would change my life, and my heart would stay in Middlesbrough. I would never consider myself a "missionary," but those two weeks I was there in the spring of 2007 - my heart was burdened for this area and for these people. This burden is what allowed me to continue to pursue this trip for the next three years - and honestly never worrying that finances would be anissue. After my trip in 2009, I worked as the children's interim minister at my home church (Field Street) and although I had a blast ministering to loads of kids, my heart was very restless to return to England. I could not for the life of me get Middlesbrough off of my mind. In praying about it and talking with the pastor at my church - Middlesbrough Community Church- I knew God was calling me to stay there for an extended time and do life and ministry with my friends I have grown to love.
    So, as a college graduate with my degree and teaching certificate on my wall, I am following the leadership of the Holy Spirit and moving from the comfortable Belton, Texas, to the uncomfortable England (uncomfortable being new, and exciting - not meant in a bad way!!) God is constantly affirming my decision to set aside the "job" and pursue this idea of making His name known to the community of Middlesbrough.

I'm SO excited for the opportunity to work with Middlesbrough Community Church doing children's ministry with the Aklam church plant, help with children's ministry at MCC, do assemblies and after schools clubs at Archibald Primary School, and helping Anne (my pastor's wife) with Christians Against Poverty. I can't wait to pour my everything into the ministry and lives of the people at MCC. Their passion for making Christ known to their community is unbelievable!!!!  I leave August 17th and will be there until the middle of January.

It is my prayer that as you read this blog, your heart is broken for the lost in the Middlesbrough area, and you will be encouraged to come alongside me in praying for Him to work through me to impact this community.

"Greater things have yet to come. Greater things are still to be done in this city"