Rising to the occasion

 

 

 

Joshua 24:13-14

"I gave you land you had not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build-the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly."

 

As Bob and I came across this portion of scripture, there was such thanksgiving in our hearts for this land that God gave us; yet we knew God was about to open doors of ministry as we faithfully served Him, and opened doors He did...

We have been praying for opportunities in letting our light shine, but also to meet other churches in town asking the Lord to give us those "Divine appointments". Well after church one Sunday, Bob and I had an appointment to look at a used footstool we found for sale on an internet site similar to Craigslist. Upon arriving at this home, we were met by a man who happened to be the assistant pastor to a large church in town. It was great fellowship over a cuppa tea, being able to share what brought us to Exeter. After exchanging numbers, we sensed upon leaving there would be some great doors opening for further ministry.

 

 

We have also been praying about specific ways to bring forth sound teaching from the Word throughout the UK. Well, Bob was asked to consider taking his teachings throughout the UK by the internet. As they have no local Christian radio here, this is the next best thing! He will be teaching 5 times a week with two time slots a day beginning May 1st. Wow, this is huge to be able to offer this service throughout this land! Oh, how these people need to hear God's Word with sound teaching, so we are excited. And may I add, his teachings are also available in the United States airing 11:30 pm and 1:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. The UK time slots are 7:30 am and 9:00 pm (8 hrs. difference).

 

 

The ladies' Bible study is now meeting on Saturday mornings. With a sweet spirit abiding, we are studying 1 Samuel. I see hearts being touched as we pray and share what God has been teaching us throughout the week on each lesson.

 

 

 

After being gone for a month of break, the University students are beginning to arrive back to Exeter. Being only 3 streets away from the University, we began a ministry to the students called "Solomon's Porch." We have been praying on how we could minister to them and God has seemed to open up these doors. On Friday evenings, twice a month, we open our house with food, fellowship and a friendly discussion time of Bob answering their questions about the Bible. I am sure it won't be like "the Bible answer man ", but yet it may!  It seems not only are the young Christians hungry to hear God's Word here in Exeter, but also the non-Christians as well.

 

 

 

So it's a bit exciting to see God's plan unfold as our hearts are here to serve in whatever opportunity comes our way. But friends, no matter where we live as Christians, whether it's here or across the pond, I have found when our eyes are open, and our heart is saying "Lord, pick me, pick me," it's amazing how I see God move! We all must be ready to serve when He says go - whenever, wherever for His glory letting our lights shine.

 

Ephesians 4:20 " Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish more than we could ask or think."

Prayer Requests:

*God bringing together a ministry team for effective outreach in various areas.

*Bible college extension campus and/or Ministry Training Center developed

*School of Worship developed

*Wisdom and discernment on ministry to University students

*Continual opening of doors to preach sound doctrine to this land

*In Poimen ministry, effective ministering in upcoming events in May

 

Hurrying up to Wait ....

 

It seems like God's abundant blessings continually bring forth a beauty all to itself here in Devon, but there also are times of being in "God's waiting room" that too bring forth a beauty to our souls. We have experienced both in these last few weeks.

We were set to move in April 2. As we traveled down to get the keys with the tubs and all our belongings in the back of our 7 passenger people carrier (van), little did we know that the bed frame and mattress we had ordered would not be delivered for 5 more days! So, our belongings got moved in but not us. We continued for the next week commuting back and forth (30 minutes) to the house we originally were staying at. Having a great attitude though, we were thankful for a place to sleep. It was like a "free bed and breakfast " with a great bed to sleep in to rest our weary souls from the days of working and unpacking in our new home in Exeter. Sometimes God's timing is not our timing, but within the next few days furniture started arriving. A bed frame one day, a mattress another day, but within a week we had the necessities of moving in - And moving in we did!

 

 

Things here in Britain are not necessarily wrong, just different, as we are learning to adjust to the mindset. We find over here, delivery companies only deliver certain things, never the whole package all at once. So thru this God was teaching us more patience. Our house was built in the 1920's, and very sound with brick and mortar, as I soon learned. The walls don't receive just any nail. To put a picture up you need special nails, so off to the store we went looking. Another lesson in patience and waiting on God's timing.  And then there was putting in the lines for internet into the house to be able to have a church phone number and broadband.  Finally after all day of waiting and watching as they pulled those cords through the walls it was done. And to our surprise that evening, we got our first phone call inquiring about church services!  How exciting to see Gods blessing as we waited on Him for His timing.

 

But how often, as women, we want to get our "nests" settled quickly; yet so many times God has us wait. As I see that this house will take time to build into a home, I must have patience and learn my lessons well. I am so often reminded that God is doing a work in our lives as well, and we also must have patience for Him to do the work - He is building forth His beautiful character inside our hearts. It takes time, God's time, and we must be patient for him to do this glorious work . In my devotions today I read that when we are shaken out of our comfortable routines, no matter what it may be, and find our selves completely waiting on God's timing for this or that, we need to take His hand and look for growth opportunities. Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort or your plans, accept the challenge of something new. The Lord tells us that He leads us on from glory to glory, making us fit for His kingdom. 

James 1:4 says, " But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." So through this process of waiting on the Lord these past few weeks, I am learning to say yes to the ways He wants to work in my life, trusting His timing for every detail. With that, my heart is content to say, "It is well with my soul"!

 

Prayer Requests:

*God bringing together a ministry team for effective outreach in various areas.

*Development of a leadership ministry team

*Wisdom and discernment on ministry to University students

*In Poimen ministry, effective ministering in Upcoming Wales and Scotland events.

Springtime in England- a celebration of new things

It seems like over the past few weeks, so many things have happened with many good changes coming our way. The celebration of Easter in Exeter was so exciting this year. Calvary Chapel Exeter was invited to join with all the other churches in town on Good Friday to do a "Walk of Witness" through the main streets of Exeter. Nearly 500 people were gathered to testify the Lord's procession to the cross. There were 3 stations in which actors portrayed Jesus' arrest, the trial, and the crucifixion. Very moving and blessed to be able to be involved and hearing hearts sing those beautiful old hymns such as "The Old Rugged Cross."

Easter Sunday was truly a day of celebration also, as we gathered together rejoicing in the beautiful resurrection of our Lord.

 

Also, our prayers have been answered, in finding a house that seems to be perfect in every way. With our prayer list in hand,we petitioned daily the things we specifically were looking for such as- a garage, a garden(yard), a big kitchen with a large lounge(living room) to accommodate people yet needing to be close to the University. Psalm 37:23 says, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."

 

So as we kept the faith and patiently prayed, God graciously answered every single request. We were now set to move in. The furnishings within the home even came in through various ways! Some brethren gave us furniture, some we bought on a listing called "gumtree" (Craig's list). As we drove from here to there, through every quaint village possible along the sheep fields collecting these few purchases, we were not only able to see the beauty of the land, but also shared our faith with some lovely people we came across. This alone was a blessing indeed! The Lord reminded me of a scripture He gave me as comfort when I was about to sell all my furnishings back in the States to come abroad. He gently said in Genesis 45: 20 "Don't worry about your personal belongings, for the best of all the land is yours".  As McGee a well known commentator puts it, " You won't need to bring anything extra, we'll furnish everything you need". In other words have faith and believe God will provide, and truly He has abundant fold!

 

We want to thank you all for praying, as words can't express how God truly has provided.

So with the kettle always on and the biscuits on the table, our home is now opened to be used for His Glory. With this we give Him all praise!

 

Prayer Requests:

*God bringing together a ministry team for effective outreach in various areas.

*Development of a leadership ministry team

*Wisdom and discernment on ministry to University students

*In Poimen ministry, effective ministering in upcoming Wales and Scotland events.

Praise Reports:

*Furnishings for house

*Smooth transition into Devon, the large 'county' in Southwestern England
 

                                          Old Roman wall in Exeter