I wanted to start by telling everyone I really appreciate your support! It's great to know there are people praying for me on a regular basis. I have realized even more the importance of having people praying for me. God has been so faithful! God has provided an awesome team for me to be a part of and I have been learning so much. I have been pushed way out of my comfort zone in several ways and each time God has been there to give me the courage and grace required for each situation.
The major thing that has challenged me and put me in a place where I have been forced to step out and be more out going is at the African Community Center(
http://www.africancommunitycentre.org.uk/) where I volunteer every Friday. It is one of my favorite parts of the training program. Each week there are at least 13 women who come that are from 6 or more different countries. They all come from very difficult situations. Each Friday they come to the center and participate in a class. My main job is to help set up and then clean up afterwards. The part I enjoy the most though is talking with the women. I get to learn about the different cultures they come from and hear about their families who they are many times separated from. It gives me the chance to show the love of Jesus to them, which many of them have never experienced. Sometimes hearing their stories and how they ended up here can be overwhelming but I am so thankful for the opportunity it presents for me to pray for them.
The other thing I do on Fridays is go out on the streets with some people from my church. Each Friday night we go walk around town and talk to people. There is a big problem here with drugs and alcohol. The unemployment rate is very high as well which does not help. People are lost and hurting and trying to find satisfaction in things that only bring them death. The exciting part is that we can go out and share with them that there is HOPE! There is a way out of the miserable life they are living!
A few weeks ago we met a guy while we were out. He is a christian but about a year ago he was having some problems and started drinking. Since that time he has continued to drink. I have met several people with very similar stories but this particular person has really been on my heart. It's so hard to watch someone make the same mistake over and over and know that their choices will only lead to death. I am thankful though that I have met him, so now I can pray for him. I would love it if you could also pray for him. Going out on Friday nights has really stretched me. As many of you know I used to be so shy that I would not talk out in public so for me to be going out and talking to people who I do not know especially people who have been drinking and things is a big step for me. I still chicken out at times but God has really been helping me and meeting people like the man I shared about has helped me to remember its not about me but its about LOVING GOD and LOVING PEOPLE! Once again I am reminded of
Acts 20:24 which says,"But none of these things move me nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
This last week in our class the teacher was talking about prayer. We all know prayer is essential and it changes things. However this week I was reminded of some of the people God has put in my life to pray for me, such as my grandma, my mom, the midwife who delivered me, and my youth pastors. God has used these people to help get me where I am today. So this has really encouraged me to pray more earnestly for individuals that I have met here and people in other nations who are not believers or have turned away from God.
I have one last thing I would like to mention. As I shared with many of you before I left, towards the end of this year I will be required to move out in the community. At this point I do not know where I will be living or how much it will cost. I currently do not have enough monthly support to cover these cost.
So I have a few prayer request: 1) please pray for my parents(they are having some health issues and also for provision for them as my mom will need to take some time off work) 2) if you could pray that I will be able to find an affordable place to live that is within walking distance of the center where I will continue to have my classes. 3) That I will have the required support to cover rent,bills, food, phone, and misc things
I am trusting God and I am completely at peace. I know that God is faithful. I know that He did not bring me this far to leave me now. He has called me and I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I want to encourage you that even when things may seem impossible just remember that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!!!
Matthew 19:26
And Jesus looking upon them said to them, with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
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