Our time has officially come to an end here in England. Today we get to spend one more morning at Twynholm Baptist Church, with the amazing people who have been loving and serving us for the past month, before catching our plane back to Calgary.
Last night we were able to spend the day as a team enjoying this beautiful city. We visited the Covent Gardens, and walked along the Thames River which was lit up by the lights of the city. It was the perfect ending to an incredible journey.
We have been so blessed by the generosity of the people we have met and it will be a difficult day of saying goodbye to those we have grown so close to. Thank you to everyone back home who has been praying for us an encouraging us!
Jen
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hello Beautiful People!!
Hello all, hope your all doing well and enjoying your summer!
This morning we went down to South Bankend where the London eye is, on the corner of the street there's street performers set up everywhere so we decided to join in :). We danced on the street corner for about an hour, then headed down to a skate park near by and set up there, which also was positioned in a very busy tourist area. The skate park was sweet, there was graffitti everywhere and it was absolutely amazing. We set up and started dancing but then half way through the first dance the car battery that we run our power through died, leaving us with no music. Luckily Adrian had some good improv ideas, he got everyone in the crowd to clap to a beat and that beat is exactly what we danced to, it was a really cool experience.
In the afternoon Roxanne, a woman in the church who is a chaplain for all the broadway actors and actresses' in London took us to go and explore the city with her. She took us to a London Missions coffee shop in downtown London, she showed us around there and told us a little bit about what they do. Its a really cool mission spot where they just serve people, build relationships with the locals and tell people about Jesus and do out reach. It was really neat to see a unique shop like that. She also took us down a street called "SOHO," SOHO is a very interesting street, its very worldy, there are sex shops, gay shops, and clubs absolutely everwhere. It was really intersting being down there, a really good eye opener to whats going on in our world, and the people we need to be ministering to. As christians its our responsibility to love all these people, no matter what they believe or do, our job is to love them and tell them about Jesus. We should never take for granted all that God has done for us by not sharing the special gifts that the Lord has given us with others. Gods really just been teaching me to love people and be brave, people need the Lord. Something he is really been asking me and challenging me with is, " Why do you only tell people about me, when your in another country and are on a missions trip?" I've been thinking about that alot. Why is it that when I feel passionate to preach the good news I have to be on a missions trip? I'm really just working hard to live a consisent life with the Lord, and to preach his good news; whether here in London or at home just in my normal life.
Now I'm going to talk a little bit about our day yesterday. It was our day off just to chill after finishing up the kids camp (which by the way went incredible), I strongly believe seeds were planted and God's work is being done within all the kids we met. Anyways, Adrian told our team we were going to be going on a photo shoot around London so we would have pictures for the highlight video for when we get home, all of us got dressed up and hopped on the bus to go into the city. When we arrived in Central London it began to pour rain like mad, we were kinda bummed and a little discouraged because we were not able to go anywhere outside to take pictures like we had planned. But then Adrian whips out tickets for " THE LION KING!" In the end him and Winston suprised us and we all went and watched The Lion King on broadway, it was absolutely incredible! I'm certain everyone on the team would agree it was a marvelous time and we were all blown away by the talent, it was a wonderful night.
Everyone is doing well and is healthy, for now we are enjoying the rest of our trip in London and are continuing to pray for God's work to be at hand, and are finding refuge in his undying faithfulness.
Thats all for now folks, blessings on you all!
Love: Shar :)
This morning we went down to South Bankend where the London eye is, on the corner of the street there's street performers set up everywhere so we decided to join in :). We danced on the street corner for about an hour, then headed down to a skate park near by and set up there, which also was positioned in a very busy tourist area. The skate park was sweet, there was graffitti everywhere and it was absolutely amazing. We set up and started dancing but then half way through the first dance the car battery that we run our power through died, leaving us with no music. Luckily Adrian had some good improv ideas, he got everyone in the crowd to clap to a beat and that beat is exactly what we danced to, it was a really cool experience.
In the afternoon Roxanne, a woman in the church who is a chaplain for all the broadway actors and actresses' in London took us to go and explore the city with her. She took us to a London Missions coffee shop in downtown London, she showed us around there and told us a little bit about what they do. Its a really cool mission spot where they just serve people, build relationships with the locals and tell people about Jesus and do out reach. It was really neat to see a unique shop like that. She also took us down a street called "SOHO," SOHO is a very interesting street, its very worldy, there are sex shops, gay shops, and clubs absolutely everwhere. It was really intersting being down there, a really good eye opener to whats going on in our world, and the people we need to be ministering to. As christians its our responsibility to love all these people, no matter what they believe or do, our job is to love them and tell them about Jesus. We should never take for granted all that God has done for us by not sharing the special gifts that the Lord has given us with others. Gods really just been teaching me to love people and be brave, people need the Lord. Something he is really been asking me and challenging me with is, " Why do you only tell people about me, when your in another country and are on a missions trip?" I've been thinking about that alot. Why is it that when I feel passionate to preach the good news I have to be on a missions trip? I'm really just working hard to live a consisent life with the Lord, and to preach his good news; whether here in London or at home just in my normal life.
Now I'm going to talk a little bit about our day yesterday. It was our day off just to chill after finishing up the kids camp (which by the way went incredible), I strongly believe seeds were planted and God's work is being done within all the kids we met. Anyways, Adrian told our team we were going to be going on a photo shoot around London so we would have pictures for the highlight video for when we get home, all of us got dressed up and hopped on the bus to go into the city. When we arrived in Central London it began to pour rain like mad, we were kinda bummed and a little discouraged because we were not able to go anywhere outside to take pictures like we had planned. But then Adrian whips out tickets for " THE LION KING!" In the end him and Winston suprised us and we all went and watched The Lion King on broadway, it was absolutely incredible! I'm certain everyone on the team would agree it was a marvelous time and we were all blown away by the talent, it was a wonderful night.
Everyone is doing well and is healthy, for now we are enjoying the rest of our trip in London and are continuing to pray for God's work to be at hand, and are finding refuge in his undying faithfulness.
Thats all for now folks, blessings on you all!
Love: Shar :)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lovely Jubbly!
Hi friends and family! It's Kevin, here!
Well, with mere days left of this incredible time, I find myself thinking about the incredible blessing that it has been to make such awesome friends here. My host for the first 2 weeks of my stay just sent me a lovely book and souvenir, Marcus the cagefighter has been such an uplifting presence to me, and I spent a night with the family I'm staying with now eating pizza and playing with them on the ps3. These people have invested so much into the team... I find myself eager to host others when I get home so that I can follow after the radical discipleship I have witnessed here; I have learned so much about hospitality.
I'm also learning more about sharing my testimony. Again, I saw two girls laughing as I shared about my life and made a point of asking them to quiet down... But they later came to a dance camp and I found it difficult to connect... Quite the lesson in humility. In the future I hope to speak with more confidence and focus so that in the event I encounter an audience who doesn't know how to respond respectfully I am able to press on, preserving my chance of making a connection with them later. This is a new stage for me, and making mistakes along the way is all part of the journey, and I'm so thankful for the experience. Sometimes I would prefer to just crawl into a small dark hole afterwards, feeling like a total failure, but a friend's words often resonate in my heart when I feel this way, that I shouldn't 'beat myself up about it, because the Lord has already taken the beating for me.' Constantly being reminded of my old identity, it can be a challenge to remember who I am now in Jesus, but I know that he who has begun a good work in me will carry it out to completion.
A prayer request for me in these last few days would be that the rest of my financial support will come in. I was so blessed to hear that while I have been gone, 1000 dollars have come in.
Thank you for your faithful support to our team, we are greatly blessed by it.
Love Kevin
Well, with mere days left of this incredible time, I find myself thinking about the incredible blessing that it has been to make such awesome friends here. My host for the first 2 weeks of my stay just sent me a lovely book and souvenir, Marcus the cagefighter has been such an uplifting presence to me, and I spent a night with the family I'm staying with now eating pizza and playing with them on the ps3. These people have invested so much into the team... I find myself eager to host others when I get home so that I can follow after the radical discipleship I have witnessed here; I have learned so much about hospitality.
I'm also learning more about sharing my testimony. Again, I saw two girls laughing as I shared about my life and made a point of asking them to quiet down... But they later came to a dance camp and I found it difficult to connect... Quite the lesson in humility. In the future I hope to speak with more confidence and focus so that in the event I encounter an audience who doesn't know how to respond respectfully I am able to press on, preserving my chance of making a connection with them later. This is a new stage for me, and making mistakes along the way is all part of the journey, and I'm so thankful for the experience. Sometimes I would prefer to just crawl into a small dark hole afterwards, feeling like a total failure, but a friend's words often resonate in my heart when I feel this way, that I shouldn't 'beat myself up about it, because the Lord has already taken the beating for me.' Constantly being reminded of my old identity, it can be a challenge to remember who I am now in Jesus, but I know that he who has begun a good work in me will carry it out to completion.
A prayer request for me in these last few days would be that the rest of my financial support will come in. I was so blessed to hear that while I have been gone, 1000 dollars have come in.
Thank you for your faithful support to our team, we are greatly blessed by it.
Love Kevin
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Let the Little Children Come to Me...
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverb 16:9) As you probably already know, our plans to lead a dance camp last week had to be post-poned. It was a little hard for some of us to understand, because some of the kids who were supposed to attend were not able to come the following week. Well.. it is now that following week, and here are a few stories of what has been going on:
Sunday afternoon, we went to a park next to the church to dance and invite some more kids to the dance camp that was now starting Monday. We met a boy and his sister. They ended up going to the evening service at the church, and came to the dance camp with their cousin. They seem to really be enjoying the camp, and the sister, who is in my small group, seems to be especially attentive during the devotional part (we are going through the book of John). If the camp would have been last week, they would not have come.
Another girl has been very skeptical of the gospel, not believing that the Bible is truth. But she has connected very well with a couple of the girls on team and is loving the conversations she gets with them, as well as the dance workshops.
Monday morning, two of the girls told me they could only come the first day, because their family had planned a camping trip. This morning, they showed up again. Their parents delayed their trip by two days so that their daughters wouldn't have to miss the rest of the dance camp!
This morning as we were praying before the kids arrived, I asked that God would reveal Himself to them, even though they are only children. When I turned the page in my Bible, I read these verses: "O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you." Psalm 8:1-2
With just less than a week left, we're looking forward to seeing how God's plans will unfold. :) Thank you to those of you who are praying for us!
Caralee
Sunday afternoon, we went to a park next to the church to dance and invite some more kids to the dance camp that was now starting Monday. We met a boy and his sister. They ended up going to the evening service at the church, and came to the dance camp with their cousin. They seem to really be enjoying the camp, and the sister, who is in my small group, seems to be especially attentive during the devotional part (we are going through the book of John). If the camp would have been last week, they would not have come.
Another girl has been very skeptical of the gospel, not believing that the Bible is truth. But she has connected very well with a couple of the girls on team and is loving the conversations she gets with them, as well as the dance workshops.
Monday morning, two of the girls told me they could only come the first day, because their family had planned a camping trip. This morning, they showed up again. Their parents delayed their trip by two days so that their daughters wouldn't have to miss the rest of the dance camp!
This morning as we were praying before the kids arrived, I asked that God would reveal Himself to them, even though they are only children. When I turned the page in my Bible, I read these verses: "O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you." Psalm 8:1-2
With just less than a week left, we're looking forward to seeing how God's plans will unfold. :) Thank you to those of you who are praying for us!
Caralee
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Not an accent.. but Jesus.
oh if I could have a dime for every person who asks me where I am from, upon uttering a few words...
It takes no time at all for people to recognize that I am not from here. Nothing about me would suggest that I am from the UK. I am a stranger to the people I pass in the streets.. and yet, they are willing to talk to me.
I apologize if this post seems a bit incoherent.. you are getting a play by play of the thoughts that have been passing through my head for the past few days.. unconcluded.
Our team is here, humbly seeking to obey the call that God has placed on our lives for this summer.. and we are asking for intentionality in all that we do. After all; we have not been brought here to achieve our own ambitions, but for His glory!
As I am continuing to encounter people, I am realizing more and more that many people want to stop and talk just because I am not from here.
I am thankful that people want to talk to me... It is exciting that all I have to do is say one word, and it gives me an opening for conversation. I stand out.
This is a good thing, right? I want opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ - and I am getting them! But.. is this really living right? People want to know where I am from, which leads to what has brought me here... but what about when I am in Canada? Do I live with intentionality? Do I seek out opportunities to talk to the people I pass in the streets to share Christ with them? Nine times out of ten, the answer is no.
I don't want people to stop me in the streets because of my accent; but because of Jesus. I want to break out of the routine, and allow my life to SCREAM that Jesus is alive! I have hope! I have been redeemed! I am in love with the King of Kings, and He calls me his own! That is the truth... so how can I pass people on the streets who don't know this, and not tell them? I want to stand out wherever I am, because of the love of God! Not because of my accent. I want people to stop me in the streets and ask me what is different about me.. here, in Canada, and anywhere that the Lord calls me to go.
I am thankful for the opportunities that God is continuing to provide for a team of broken people. I am thankful that God is merciful and allows me to be a part of this team. This trip has been and continues to be a huge blessing. We are encountering people and have such sweet chances to talk, connect and encourage... but I can't help but be challenged to think of how this time will impact the ministry of my daily life when I return to Canada. We have a week left in England - and I am SO excited.. My prayer is that God will continue to teach me how to love him, and let that be enough.
I don't want my life to reflect that I am a foreigner of this nation, rather that I am a foreigner of this world. I don't want to stand out because of an accent, I want to stand out because of Jesus. I have life, in a dead world and I want people to notice that. I want to live a Galatians 2:20 life... "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
If you feel led, please pray that I will continue to seek transparency, and that God will continue to break my heart and place a sense of urgency in my heart for those who do not know him. Be blessed today!
- Robin
It takes no time at all for people to recognize that I am not from here. Nothing about me would suggest that I am from the UK. I am a stranger to the people I pass in the streets.. and yet, they are willing to talk to me.
I apologize if this post seems a bit incoherent.. you are getting a play by play of the thoughts that have been passing through my head for the past few days.. unconcluded.
Our team is here, humbly seeking to obey the call that God has placed on our lives for this summer.. and we are asking for intentionality in all that we do. After all; we have not been brought here to achieve our own ambitions, but for His glory!
As I am continuing to encounter people, I am realizing more and more that many people want to stop and talk just because I am not from here.
I am thankful that people want to talk to me... It is exciting that all I have to do is say one word, and it gives me an opening for conversation. I stand out.
This is a good thing, right? I want opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ - and I am getting them! But.. is this really living right? People want to know where I am from, which leads to what has brought me here... but what about when I am in Canada? Do I live with intentionality? Do I seek out opportunities to talk to the people I pass in the streets to share Christ with them? Nine times out of ten, the answer is no.
I don't want people to stop me in the streets because of my accent; but because of Jesus. I want to break out of the routine, and allow my life to SCREAM that Jesus is alive! I have hope! I have been redeemed! I am in love with the King of Kings, and He calls me his own! That is the truth... so how can I pass people on the streets who don't know this, and not tell them? I want to stand out wherever I am, because of the love of God! Not because of my accent. I want people to stop me in the streets and ask me what is different about me.. here, in Canada, and anywhere that the Lord calls me to go.
I am thankful for the opportunities that God is continuing to provide for a team of broken people. I am thankful that God is merciful and allows me to be a part of this team. This trip has been and continues to be a huge blessing. We are encountering people and have such sweet chances to talk, connect and encourage... but I can't help but be challenged to think of how this time will impact the ministry of my daily life when I return to Canada. We have a week left in England - and I am SO excited.. My prayer is that God will continue to teach me how to love him, and let that be enough.
I don't want my life to reflect that I am a foreigner of this nation, rather that I am a foreigner of this world. I don't want to stand out because of an accent, I want to stand out because of Jesus. I have life, in a dead world and I want people to notice that. I want to live a Galatians 2:20 life... "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
If you feel led, please pray that I will continue to seek transparency, and that God will continue to break my heart and place a sense of urgency in my heart for those who do not know him. Be blessed today!
- Robin
Thursday, July 30, 2009
SUPPLIES, SUPPLIES, and more SUPPLIES' aka SURPRISE!!!!
Hello my dearest friends, senors & senorita's,
Greetings & Salutations...so here we are in London on our third week of the missions trip and its been definitely exciting, challenging, stretching, and already, we've had a handful of surprises. I would just like to look at some definitions from an online dictionary... Surprises:
1. To encounter suddenly or unexpectedly
2. To be without warning
3. To cause to feel wonder, astonishment, or amazement, as at something unanticipated.
Well, we have most definitely encountered and experienced different twists to what we first expected on this missions trip. There has been many different unexpected events, and many times not the way we would have wanted it to happen or turn out but as we continued to follow through with events, over and over again we have been amazed, left in awe and wonder in how God worked and is working.
So I'm not really sure if someone's already written on it, but i'll tell it anyway cause it's pretty exciting. We went to Greenwich and met up with Darrin (a youth pastor and buddy's with Dean Dryden, our host here in London), who we also met up with last time we were here in London. The plan was to have an event and do open air preaching in the park, but it was raining like mad that afternoon, and it was also another opportunity to invite them out for the event that evening at the church. So that didn't go down. We ended up going to the church which the event was advertised for, finished setting up, and was excited for sure, and four teens showed up. So we talked about it, and decided to pack up, and move outdoors close to the river. We quickly set up the backdrop, cranked up the music, and that evening we were able to share the Good News to approx 100 people and more. It was really exciting cause even though we finished our program people kept on coming, and were wondering what was going down, and continued to have opportunities to share with people.
The team last Saturday had the opportunity to go to a church where the person who invited us was a principal from Phoenix High School. It was a high school that 800 kids got to hear of God's love, and after having talked to the teachers, and principal, they were really surprised that they listened and stayed attentive. So at the church, we performed and Adrian explained to them how it's been a really crazy two weeks, and to pray that the ipod would be able to go through all the way to the end of our show. Also, Jacee replaced Robin as the narrator as she was feeling super ill. Crazy that as we just finished the show, and walked out, the ipod died. So thankful... and the church was really blessed and encouraged.
Here we are in the third week, and a few of the members on the team are sick so we were unable to do the dance camp that was planned and advertised for this week. The first few days of this week the members have been resting for this coming weekend, and for next week. Praise God that the team members are feeling much much better. We are not really sure why it ended up being this way, but we're most definintely excited for what God has in store. Till next time,
Blessings,
Winston
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Londonified! LOOOOOVE it!
Hello all! Jacee here! Well, its been some time, in fact my last bloggifyingness was the day that we left for England. And as you all know from these past-WE'RE HERE!!!! And it has been AMAZING!!! There have been ups and not-so-ups but it has been quite a wonderful time of God's work. He has been constantly performing small miracles in each of our lives, and the people that we have all met have been blessings to us in different ways. I have met and been able to talk with several different people both Christian and totally not, and have been so blessed by their stories and their open ears.
OK, so one small little update-as it may have been mentioned, we were supposed to be doing 2 different dance camps this week at the church-for both primary and secondary ages. I say 'we were supposed to' because that would imply a small change. Due to some sickness within the team, we have had to cancel the camps for the sake of the kids and their health. There have been some minor colds and such, but a couple people that have been taking a bit more of a beating healthwise. Therefore we have decided to, until health improves, cancel the camps as I said, and we have also rearranged living spaces strategically so that the few people who are somewhat sick will have less chance of getting the rest of us sick. We were seperate groups for yesterday, all of us having the chance to relax which was actually quite beautiful. Those of us who are still healthy had to explain the last minute decision of cancelling the camps to all of the walk in registrants which was rather depressing, but the day was actually quite the blessing. I got to spend a ton of time in the Word, and I also managed to get a little further into an amazing book I have been trying to get done-Falling in Love With Jesus by Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccolli. I was able to do alot of my reading in a local park, and this is where my story of the day will come from: While spending my time on a comfortable bench in the park, reading and enjoying the light rays of sun on my face, this interesting older man came and sat in the bench across from me. He was rather grungy looking and basically just sat there drinking beer for an hour, enjoying watching the families in the park. After finishing my reading for the day, I decided to go over and talk to him-Joseph is his name. I had quite a difficult time understanding him, but it was a good conversation from what I could tell. I was able to share the Gospel with him, and it was in a way that I have never shared it before, but the Lord was a fire in my heart and I really enjoyed at least trying to understand his responses. He claimed that he believed the Gospel, already knew and had accepted Jesus' forgiveness, and that he tried to live for Christ, so I wasn't sure what to think because he seemed like such a sad man. I gave him a Bible though, and asked him to try to read it whenever he could. I think he was very touched. But not as touched as I was when I walked away from the park with a smile like I haven't had the whole trip. Praise God for He is wonderful! Today was also a good and relaxing day, and a few of us got to go and see St. Paul's Cathedral which was quite amazing! Then we had a picnic as a whole, and that was also nice, but cold :)
Keep us in your prayers as we wait on the Lord for His healing within the team, and hope that the rest of us won't get sick! He is still priveleging us with serving Him and spreading His truth, giving us the boldness we need to do it!
God Bless all!
<3 Jacee
ps-check these out! These are a couple vids of us doing some street stuff at Kingston-the best day of the trip for me so far!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bjSEEwy5wQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx89TY7qCqs
OK, so one small little update-as it may have been mentioned, we were supposed to be doing 2 different dance camps this week at the church-for both primary and secondary ages. I say 'we were supposed to' because that would imply a small change. Due to some sickness within the team, we have had to cancel the camps for the sake of the kids and their health. There have been some minor colds and such, but a couple people that have been taking a bit more of a beating healthwise. Therefore we have decided to, until health improves, cancel the camps as I said, and we have also rearranged living spaces strategically so that the few people who are somewhat sick will have less chance of getting the rest of us sick. We were seperate groups for yesterday, all of us having the chance to relax which was actually quite beautiful. Those of us who are still healthy had to explain the last minute decision of cancelling the camps to all of the walk in registrants which was rather depressing, but the day was actually quite the blessing. I got to spend a ton of time in the Word, and I also managed to get a little further into an amazing book I have been trying to get done-Falling in Love With Jesus by Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccolli. I was able to do alot of my reading in a local park, and this is where my story of the day will come from: While spending my time on a comfortable bench in the park, reading and enjoying the light rays of sun on my face, this interesting older man came and sat in the bench across from me. He was rather grungy looking and basically just sat there drinking beer for an hour, enjoying watching the families in the park. After finishing my reading for the day, I decided to go over and talk to him-Joseph is his name. I had quite a difficult time understanding him, but it was a good conversation from what I could tell. I was able to share the Gospel with him, and it was in a way that I have never shared it before, but the Lord was a fire in my heart and I really enjoyed at least trying to understand his responses. He claimed that he believed the Gospel, already knew and had accepted Jesus' forgiveness, and that he tried to live for Christ, so I wasn't sure what to think because he seemed like such a sad man. I gave him a Bible though, and asked him to try to read it whenever he could. I think he was very touched. But not as touched as I was when I walked away from the park with a smile like I haven't had the whole trip. Praise God for He is wonderful! Today was also a good and relaxing day, and a few of us got to go and see St. Paul's Cathedral which was quite amazing! Then we had a picnic as a whole, and that was also nice, but cold :)
Keep us in your prayers as we wait on the Lord for His healing within the team, and hope that the rest of us won't get sick! He is still priveleging us with serving Him and spreading His truth, giving us the boldness we need to do it!
God Bless all!
<3 Jacee
ps-check these out! These are a couple vids of us doing some street stuff at Kingston-the best day of the trip for me so far!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bjSEEwy5wQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx89TY7qCqs
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