As we are gearing up to those windy days and cold, brisk nights of Autumn, our hearts are warmed by all God is doing among us right now.
As the Uni students have come and now are settling in quite well. We had a weekend outreach of "church search", reaching new students in the area. We set up free teas, coffee and biscuits on the street corner of near our church, shared about Jesus and the opportunity to welcome them into our church service, passing out flyers. I had a divine appointment in particular I wanted to share....a new fresher (first year student) came up to the table. As I shared about our church, she said, "I don't care about the teas and coffees, but tell me more. Are you a church that teaches the Bible?" When I said yes, she looked at me and said, "When I came to Exeter I prayed God would help me find a church close to go to. I will be there for sure!"
The lesson learned for us all that day was to take risks, not being afraid, and God will be there to not only teach us His valuable truths, but also to be glorified!
Solomon's Porch University Fellowship has started once again, and it simply amazes me how the love of Jesus is spread within this group. Lots of new kids, lots of chatter, as the seasoned students intermingled with the new students creating such a blessed fellowship that will be there all year long. As I served my annual lasagna dinner, and showed off Emma our basset, the night was extra special with a wonderful prayer time at the end.
The ladies Bible study has begun, teaching on "The Women of the Old Testament." That too has been a special blessing for me, as these ladies are continuing to come, excited to study God's word and pray together. I can see each week that friendships are becoming deeper as we share about the lives of these women in the Old Testament.
Bob also has started a Hebrew language class, learning to read it and recognize the words in the first chapters of Genesis. Although it's quite challenging, it's exciting to see our fellowship embrace this. We had a full class with lots of excitement as our minds were trying to memorize the Hebrew aleph-bet and the vowel markings.
Our Yeovil fellowship (which is over an 1 hour away) has now turned into a Calvary Chapel. Matthew and Rachael Fisher, who are British, were prayed over and it's been so exciting for Bob and I to see our prayers and labor of love bearing some fruit in this land. That has been our prayer since entering this land, that God would raise up British leadership to spread His Word, disciple and teach these Brits the word of God.
We have received a few new families with children over the last few months. Consequently we now have a Crèche to meet our babies needs. We also have set up a fellowship nite for the married couples once every two months, having a bring and share as well as that sweet fellowship as we go from house to house.
And last but not least, Bob and I recently got to do a family retreat in Nice, France. 🇫🇷 What a blessed week coming along side Pierre and Nancy Petrignani as we ministered to this body of believers in such special ways through prayer, worship and baptism. These French people will always hold a special place in our hearts❤️.
Thank you once again for you love and especially your prayers in the work that God has called us to do here in Exeter and beyond. There is a quote by Oswald Chambers that I am often reminded of which states - "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work". Indeed we are so blessed as we all bow our hearts in anticipation to the work He wants to do in and through our lives.
Psalm 92:4 "For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands."
Prayer Requests:
Church ministry helpers
Sunday school teachers/helpers
Discipleship
Ladies bible study
In His ❤️
