As I sit down to write in the sound booth of the church we're at, I'm not too sure what to write. However, I know that we're half way there... OH. livin' on a prayer.. ( If you dont understand, It's and American song)
Today was quite fun after the pain of having to get myself out of my sleeping bag!
This morning Christine spoke, and gave the question again ''Do you know Jesus?'' and along with that tied in a message of desperation. Which, I must say was wonderful. -Hero prevails.
After the message and some hanging out we decided to go back to Hiliary's and Marueen's house for showers and some food! As soon as we got in the car, it started to rain and we we're thankful that we were safe from it!
I got to talk to my Mum for a bit and some of my sisters too, which is always just lovely. And when we got back to camp, I branched out and talked to a lot more people. So, I have been quite the social butterfly today! While frolicking through the wide open field that we're camping in the many yellow flowers have colored my shoes a shade of yellow, it's quite the sight to see. However, that wont keep me indoors.
Just now we finished the evening message. Christine, Clare and myself lead worship and then Clare spoke.
I am now listening to many side conversations as I overlook the church in said sound booth.
I believe God will continue to work mightily. But please, please be in prayer for open eyes, receptive hearts and a desire for Jesus amongst this/my generation.
I'll leave on a short note and just say that we're enjoying camping and that we love you.
We're setting the church chairs back up for the church service tomorrow morning, so I have to go!
But be blessed, much love.
-Alyssa
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Priorities
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)
Whilst the eyes of a few million people have been watching the events in London today - though being in England on this historic day definitely stirred some desire to watch the royal wedding - it was not our priority and our focus has had to be on things above. And still does have to be - especially as we are now camping in a field in a rural valley along with 36 or so 11-18 year olds.
There is plenty of potential for distractions and our eyes being on the things of the earth, so we would appreciate your prayers for this, particularly over the weekend.
It is exciting to be here. This morning we spent time in worship and prayer, preparing for the youth camp we are now at, and then headed to the church early afternoon to set up our tent, pray round the grounds and meet with the team. Even though most of us had not met each other before, it was wonderful to pray together and are believing God to knit us together as a team and unite us for His purposes for this weekend.
It has continued to be sunny today...black clouds have gathered at times and threatened...but our God is mighty to even push back the clouds and cause the sun to shine. I have to just let those of you who are not in the UK know, that since we have been here, I think it has only rained on one day... which is phenomenally unusual for April - it has been like summer and we have been delighting in it. I think the Lord is being especially gracious and favourable towards our young Floridian missionary!!
We love you and thank you for your prayers and support and comments and love.
Bless you!
Clare
Whilst the eyes of a few million people have been watching the events in London today - though being in England on this historic day definitely stirred some desire to watch the royal wedding - it was not our priority and our focus has had to be on things above. And still does have to be - especially as we are now camping in a field in a rural valley along with 36 or so 11-18 year olds.
There is plenty of potential for distractions and our eyes being on the things of the earth, so we would appreciate your prayers for this, particularly over the weekend.
It is exciting to be here. This morning we spent time in worship and prayer, preparing for the youth camp we are now at, and then headed to the church early afternoon to set up our tent, pray round the grounds and meet with the team. Even though most of us had not met each other before, it was wonderful to pray together and are believing God to knit us together as a team and unite us for His purposes for this weekend.
It has continued to be sunny today...black clouds have gathered at times and threatened...but our God is mighty to even push back the clouds and cause the sun to shine. I have to just let those of you who are not in the UK know, that since we have been here, I think it has only rained on one day... which is phenomenally unusual for April - it has been like summer and we have been delighting in it. I think the Lord is being especially gracious and favourable towards our young Floridian missionary!!
We love you and thank you for your prayers and support and comments and love.
Bless you!
Clare
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Aesthetically Pleased.
Today was a travel day. We loaded up the car in Hastings and drove to Liskeard, and yours truly did most of the driving! We got here safely after a couple honks and lots of laughter! The biggest difference was I kept hitting the door when I'd go to shift, forgetting I had to do that with my left hand, not the usual right hand. So funny!
The drive was classic. Rolling green hills covered with springtime flowers. Sunshine. Sheep. I was definitely aesthetically pleased during the entire drive.
We stopped off and had a stimulating conversation over coffee (which if you remember from our intros, Alyssa loves!)
Moving forward, tomorrow will start the youth camp that we will be attending/assisting with in the area. We are VERY excited about this! The pastors putting on the camp are so open to the Holy Spirit directing it, and so are we, so here we go!
Pray for:
- The youth to have open, humble hearts with the capacity to hold what the Lord wants to pour in
- All to be sensitive to the Spirit on how to serve, especially Alyssa as she pours out to her generation
- For me as I lead worship (no hand cramps)
- Breakthrough and Fruitfulness
I pray the Lord is very near to you today. And in all things, your heart is full of praise. Bless you, family. We love you.
yours.His.
Christine
The drive was classic. Rolling green hills covered with springtime flowers. Sunshine. Sheep. I was definitely aesthetically pleased during the entire drive.
We stopped off and had a stimulating conversation over coffee (which if you remember from our intros, Alyssa loves!)
Moving forward, tomorrow will start the youth camp that we will be attending/assisting with in the area. We are VERY excited about this! The pastors putting on the camp are so open to the Holy Spirit directing it, and so are we, so here we go!
Pray for:
- The youth to have open, humble hearts with the capacity to hold what the Lord wants to pour in
- All to be sensitive to the Spirit on how to serve, especially Alyssa as she pours out to her generation
- For me as I lead worship (no hand cramps)
- Breakthrough and Fruitfulness
I pray the Lord is very near to you today. And in all things, your heart is full of praise. Bless you, family. We love you.
yours.His.
Christine
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Answered prayers and tested patience
THANK YOU to every one of you who prayed for my visa appointment today - I am thankful and give praise to the Lord that I have been granted a 1-year visa, so look forward to being back in the USA in May. I felt your prayers and was able to stand in a place of trust, rest and faith that whatever the outcome, it would be perfectly the will of God.
What I had thought would be a quick appointment though - I left Christine & Alyssa in the downstairs basement of Starbucks having said I would probably be back around 11am - ended up being, yes a quick appointment (about 5-10 minute interview), but with 4.5 hours of waiting prior to it! I was not allowed to take my phone or anything to the appointment, so I had no way of getting in touch with them to let them know what was happening. Neither could I let Ann know, who I had arranged to meet with around 11.15am. It was certainly an experience of cultivating and growing patience in us! At first I was a little frustrated that I had not brought some work with me (I could have taken some of the papers I need to read), but was grateful that God is not confined and that there was a good long stretch of time to pray and just be with Him in the waiting. Christine and Alyssa too were able to read and work on school work; and dear Ann wandered around the area, left a few messages on my phone, and was about to go home when I got back at 3pm - so we were delighted to be able to meet up and have 'cream tea' with her.
Our first attempt to get on the train to Hastings saw us rushing and getting on the wrong train, so we got off at the first stop, sought to praise the Lord as we went into training in running with heavy bags, and got a train back again. We then took some time to visit Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden before trying again...this time with success. So we are now in Hastings, on the south coast, tired and a little weary from the day (we were seeing a little today of how being in the city, in the shops, around the advertising, etc. begins to pull our attention and gaze away from the Lord and how the darkness subtly presses in), yet thankful for God's hand on us and His favour towards us.
May the Lord bless and refresh each of you saints!
With love,
Clare
What I had thought would be a quick appointment though - I left Christine & Alyssa in the downstairs basement of Starbucks having said I would probably be back around 11am - ended up being, yes a quick appointment (about 5-10 minute interview), but with 4.5 hours of waiting prior to it! I was not allowed to take my phone or anything to the appointment, so I had no way of getting in touch with them to let them know what was happening. Neither could I let Ann know, who I had arranged to meet with around 11.15am. It was certainly an experience of cultivating and growing patience in us! At first I was a little frustrated that I had not brought some work with me (I could have taken some of the papers I need to read), but was grateful that God is not confined and that there was a good long stretch of time to pray and just be with Him in the waiting. Christine and Alyssa too were able to read and work on school work; and dear Ann wandered around the area, left a few messages on my phone, and was about to go home when I got back at 3pm - so we were delighted to be able to meet up and have 'cream tea' with her.
Our first attempt to get on the train to Hastings saw us rushing and getting on the wrong train, so we got off at the first stop, sought to praise the Lord as we went into training in running with heavy bags, and got a train back again. We then took some time to visit Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden before trying again...this time with success. So we are now in Hastings, on the south coast, tired and a little weary from the day (we were seeing a little today of how being in the city, in the shops, around the advertising, etc. begins to pull our attention and gaze away from the Lord and how the darkness subtly presses in), yet thankful for God's hand on us and His favour towards us.
May the Lord bless and refresh each of you saints!
With love,
Clare
A few more photo's...
UK Team sharing a meal
Harry (especially for Christine's housemates)
The three of us, and Jean, at Sheena's do
Church in the shopping centre on Easter Sunday
Christine & Alyssa taking evangelism to the extreme
Monday, April 25, 2011
Prayer and Crumpets
Yesterday we received the sweet gift of connecting with family from home. Alyssa was able to Skype with her mom and sisters in Orlando, and I was able to connect with my brother and housemates in Cleveland. As we make our home in the Lord, homesickness isn't really an issue, BUT it was very special to hear the voices of those who love us so well.
Tonight is our last night here in the Cambridge area. Tomorrow we will leave for London, where at 10am (5am EST) Clare will have her VISA interview at the US Embassy. Please join us in prayer for this time. This opportunity would let Clare be free to serve the Lord in Orlando throughout the year. Thank you for your intercession.
It is sad to leave our time here with Paul and Kath, but we are excited to step into other parts of the mission. Clare, Paul, and Alyssa are meeting with Pastor Joey and his wife, Tiffany one more time tonight. I am preparing some practical things here at the farm house, and Kath is busy being Proverbs 31 somewhere! It's been an absolute delight living as this little family and prayerfully courting the Presence of God to this region of England! A very special time indeed.
So, here we go again! Please pray for travel mercies, smooth transitions, a sealing on the work in the Cambridge area, openings where we are going, and of course, Clare's VISA interview tomorrow at 10am (5am EST!)
Bless you all.
Teens
PS. Today we had tea and crumpets!!! My mother and I would often have tea parties at her little bistro. We'd fill up the tea pot up with coffee and have shortbread cookies, call em crumpets, and speak in British accents. It was a treat to have an actual crumpet today, a definite highlight!
Tonight is our last night here in the Cambridge area. Tomorrow we will leave for London, where at 10am (5am EST) Clare will have her VISA interview at the US Embassy. Please join us in prayer for this time. This opportunity would let Clare be free to serve the Lord in Orlando throughout the year. Thank you for your intercession.
It is sad to leave our time here with Paul and Kath, but we are excited to step into other parts of the mission. Clare, Paul, and Alyssa are meeting with Pastor Joey and his wife, Tiffany one more time tonight. I am preparing some practical things here at the farm house, and Kath is busy being Proverbs 31 somewhere! It's been an absolute delight living as this little family and prayerfully courting the Presence of God to this region of England! A very special time indeed.
So, here we go again! Please pray for travel mercies, smooth transitions, a sealing on the work in the Cambridge area, openings where we are going, and of course, Clare's VISA interview tomorrow at 10am (5am EST!)
Bless you all.
Teens
PS. Today we had tea and crumpets!!! My mother and I would often have tea parties at her little bistro. We'd fill up the tea pot up with coffee and have shortbread cookies, call em crumpets, and speak in British accents. It was a treat to have an actual crumpet today, a definite highlight!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
[byoo-tuh-fuh l]
"He is risen!"and then the response of "He is risen indeed"is a phrase that I have been acquainted with and have thoroughly enjoyed. And Amen, He is risen! What a beautiful Easter day!
Even though we were up really late, and up really early, it is still such a joy to celebrate.
This morning we went to a church service that was cleverly named the "Sonrise" service, which was held in a mall. Then after we stayed for another service especially for Calvary Chapel Cambridge, the church that we have gone to a few times since we've been here in Cambridgeshire.
During Pastor Joey's wrap up of the second service he began to proclaim who Jesus is.
There is this song that I heard a little while ago at some ihop conference I went to and the lyrics are as follows:
And we know that Your eyes are like flames of fire and we know that Your head is as white as wool.
We know that Your voice, it sounds like waters. Jesus You're beautiful.
I've always had a liking for that song, although I don't know why... because I have never understood it. In my blindness I never understood how the things described were beautiful. Even after I came to terms with the fact that I just won't understand it fully, I came to the point were I'd just thank God for being the beautiful mystery that He is. But today, as the names of Jesus were being spoken out and proclaimed I heard my self whisper out "Jesus you are beautiful."
He is the creator of universe, and the redeemer of the world. The bright and morning star. The one who was, and is and is to come. The only one who can soften the hardest of hearts. Hope to the hopeless. A Healer for the broken. He comforts and brings peace like no other.
The lover of my soul, a Father to the fatherless, and more than I could ever imagine.
He is beautiful.
_____________________________________________
Oh, and pretty funny too!
Naturally, the more I know a person the more comfortable and thus outgoing I will be around them. The less I know people, the more reserved I am. As Christine and I stood while the chairs were being packed up she said to me "I just don't feel lead to go talk to anyone right now." She suggested that I go make conversation but, I replied with "I didn't really want to" She then corrected and challenged me by saying that "I shouldn't just go with my flesh" I then began to say that "I wasn't, if opportunity presents itsel-" And really, before I could finish my sentence I had a hand in mine and was then saying my name to introduce myself to a person who had just walked up.
Maybe you've noticed; or maybe you haven't.. But for the most part, while I write the blog we all laugh that I make Christine sound like a hero. However as she was sitting in front of me for the first service, I noticed flowers on the back of her dress which I recognized from the front of her dress. Puzzled, I scooped my finger on the inside of her dress and felt for the tag. When it was no where to be found I leaned over once more and told her that it was on backwards. She then left to go fix it.
the hero put her cape on backwards.
I pray right now that each and everyone of you come to the reality of the love that Christ has for you. That you all come under the full blessing that the Lord wants to lavish on you. And that you are truly blessed on this day.
Even though we were up really late, and up really early, it is still such a joy to celebrate.
This morning we went to a church service that was cleverly named the "Sonrise" service, which was held in a mall. Then after we stayed for another service especially for Calvary Chapel Cambridge, the church that we have gone to a few times since we've been here in Cambridgeshire.
During Pastor Joey's wrap up of the second service he began to proclaim who Jesus is.
There is this song that I heard a little while ago at some ihop conference I went to and the lyrics are as follows:
And we know that Your eyes are like flames of fire and we know that Your head is as white as wool.
We know that Your voice, it sounds like waters. Jesus You're beautiful.
I've always had a liking for that song, although I don't know why... because I have never understood it. In my blindness I never understood how the things described were beautiful. Even after I came to terms with the fact that I just won't understand it fully, I came to the point were I'd just thank God for being the beautiful mystery that He is. But today, as the names of Jesus were being spoken out and proclaimed I heard my self whisper out "Jesus you are beautiful."
He is the creator of universe, and the redeemer of the world. The bright and morning star. The one who was, and is and is to come. The only one who can soften the hardest of hearts. Hope to the hopeless. A Healer for the broken. He comforts and brings peace like no other.
The lover of my soul, a Father to the fatherless, and more than I could ever imagine.
He is beautiful.
_____________________________________________
Oh, and pretty funny too!
Naturally, the more I know a person the more comfortable and thus outgoing I will be around them. The less I know people, the more reserved I am. As Christine and I stood while the chairs were being packed up she said to me "I just don't feel lead to go talk to anyone right now." She suggested that I go make conversation but, I replied with "I didn't really want to" She then corrected and challenged me by saying that "I shouldn't just go with my flesh" I then began to say that "I wasn't, if opportunity presents itsel-" And really, before I could finish my sentence I had a hand in mine and was then saying my name to introduce myself to a person who had just walked up.
Maybe you've noticed; or maybe you haven't.. But for the most part, while I write the blog we all laugh that I make Christine sound like a hero. However as she was sitting in front of me for the first service, I noticed flowers on the back of her dress which I recognized from the front of her dress. Puzzled, I scooped my finger on the inside of her dress and felt for the tag. When it was no where to be found I leaned over once more and told her that it was on backwards. She then left to go fix it.
the hero put her cape on backwards.
I pray right now that each and everyone of you come to the reality of the love that Christ has for you. That you all come under the full blessing that the Lord wants to lavish on you. And that you are truly blessed on this day.
Happy Resurrection day,
Alyssa.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
God of the Details
A couple of days ago I was pondering the practicalities of us getting through rush-hour to central London by 9:30am on Tuesday morning with guitar and all our luggage… and feeling a little anxious at the thought of arriving sweaty and slightly frazzled to my visa interview. My Father knows even the thoughts of my heart, and He answered my prayer without it even being uttered from my lips – He arranged a time and place where we would meet with Keith & Alison, the couple we will be staying with in Hastings, and there we could pass on our luggage and it go ahead of us to Hastings.
That meeting was this evening…so today has been a day of laundry and packing, finishing up things here at Paul & Kath’s, a quick trip to the supermarket and then all of Kath’s family descending on the house for a meal, before our swift exit to drive to London. The occasion was the Easter Vigil Mass at a Catholic Church in an area called East Molesey, and we had the privilege of standing with our friend Sheena, as she stepped out with bold faith and radical obedience to the Lord to be received into the Catholic Church. It was Alyssa’s first experience of a Catholic Mass and she was rather startled by the 'attack from behind' sprinkling of water part!
It is now almost 3am and we are not long home – the car journeys were filled with songs of praise and worship (Christine has a phenomenal gift of always having a song in her mind), memorising scriptures (Alyssa shone as a great encourager in this) and sharing our ‘two minute introductions to the ministry of World Trumpet Mission’…we came back tired but joyful, and praying for the Lord to multiply our sleep, because we leave for the Cambridge city-wide Easter ‘Sonrise Service’ in little over 3 hours time!
It is with a deeper reality, love, hope and expectation than ever before that this Easter, along with multitudes throughout the earth – whether persecuted or free, known or unknown, near or far – I can proclaim to the heavens and the earth: HE IS RISEN!! And I hear the echo in my heart, from brothers and sisters worldwide: HE IS RISEN INDEED! HALLELUJAH!
Glory, glory, glory to our RISEN Saviour!
And may you each have a blessed Easter.
Much love,
Clare
Friday, April 22, 2011
Training
The first time I tried cycling- I was miserable.
The first mile I ran- I was miserable.
The first day I fasted- I was miserable.
Today was a my first day in practicing the spiritual discipline of silence. And guess what, I was miserable.
As a child, on Good Friday, my mother insisted on silence and chores in the house from 3pm-6pm, in reverence to the 3hrs of darkness covered the earth as Christ hung on the cross. Today, I felt a call to silence and stillness from 3pm-6pm. This would be a time not even to pray or worship, but simply to be. I have never practiced this discipline before, and it proved to be difficult. I sat in the grass, bit every nail, swatted every fly, and hoped the time would supernaturally pass.
I was almost discouraged at my unmet expectations of that time until on my walk home the Lord reminded me of my training experiences. It's not often that the first time you try something it's easy and successful. It takes practice and discipline. So, I won't reject this discipline, but hope to practice some more, and find it to be fruitful in the future.
I do pray today and the coming days would provide you with a deep intimacy with Christ as we remember His death, and His ultimate resurrection that brings us hope and new life today. Amen.
only by His grace.
christine
The first mile I ran- I was miserable.
The first day I fasted- I was miserable.
Today was a my first day in practicing the spiritual discipline of silence. And guess what, I was miserable.
As a child, on Good Friday, my mother insisted on silence and chores in the house from 3pm-6pm, in reverence to the 3hrs of darkness covered the earth as Christ hung on the cross. Today, I felt a call to silence and stillness from 3pm-6pm. This would be a time not even to pray or worship, but simply to be. I have never practiced this discipline before, and it proved to be difficult. I sat in the grass, bit every nail, swatted every fly, and hoped the time would supernaturally pass.
I was almost discouraged at my unmet expectations of that time until on my walk home the Lord reminded me of my training experiences. It's not often that the first time you try something it's easy and successful. It takes practice and discipline. So, I won't reject this discipline, but hope to practice some more, and find it to be fruitful in the future.
I do pray today and the coming days would provide you with a deep intimacy with Christ as we remember His death, and His ultimate resurrection that brings us hope and new life today. Amen.
only by His grace.
christine
Thursday, April 21, 2011
(insert witty title here)
Dearest blog followers and those who are too afraid to actually follow;
Today was pretty good! Last night I had youth and waited up until 2am to join in. But as I joined in, the closing prayer was being said. Which was just a tad disappointing.. But that's ok. :) Even though I went to bed really late I still woke up at 6:30 for prayer.
Which, even though it is a bit of a struggle to get myself out of bed I do find that morning prayer is one of my favorite times!
At around 1 Paul, Kath, and Christine went to Norwich for a meeting with the team that will be hosting the awakening summit.
Clare and I stayed and held down the fort. We prayed for a bit together at 4, which was the time of the meeting and we just prayed for the meeting to go well. From what I was told, our prayers worked.
After we prayed, we went into the kitchen and cooked dinner! We made hamburgers, which I have never done before. My family normally gets the patties that are already made and then we just put an already mixed seasoning on top. But I mixed a bunch of seasonings( pretty much whatever Clare suggested) and they all turned out awesome!
I feel like you as the readers of our blog may get tired from the long essays each of us write, so I'll cut it a little shorter tonight.
Have a blessed week, and an even more blessed Easter.
with all my love,
Alyssa.
Today was pretty good! Last night I had youth and waited up until 2am to join in. But as I joined in, the closing prayer was being said. Which was just a tad disappointing.. But that's ok. :) Even though I went to bed really late I still woke up at 6:30 for prayer.
Which, even though it is a bit of a struggle to get myself out of bed I do find that morning prayer is one of my favorite times!
At around 1 Paul, Kath, and Christine went to Norwich for a meeting with the team that will be hosting the awakening summit.
Clare and I stayed and held down the fort. We prayed for a bit together at 4, which was the time of the meeting and we just prayed for the meeting to go well. From what I was told, our prayers worked.
After we prayed, we went into the kitchen and cooked dinner! We made hamburgers, which I have never done before. My family normally gets the patties that are already made and then we just put an already mixed seasoning on top. But I mixed a bunch of seasonings( pretty much whatever Clare suggested) and they all turned out awesome!
I feel like you as the readers of our blog may get tired from the long essays each of us write, so I'll cut it a little shorter tonight.
Have a blessed week, and an even more blessed Easter.
with all my love,
Alyssa.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The way is narrow, the standard: high
Complacency. Slumber. Self-satisfaction… They crept up - without us realising. Even in the midst of pressing in to seek God and follow Him. How subtle are the ways of the enemy… how gracious the ways of the Lord! He woke me with a sense of urgency this morning and a call to be ready and to go deeper. I love that the Lord will not relent and is raising the bar to a higher level – and we are challenged by it! As we give our lives to Him, He will take us and shape us, but also shake us where we become settled. Pray that this continues so that we come into the fullness of all that the Lord wants to grow and mature and fulfil in us.
We have been praying that God will truly change us and that we will go out in the power of the Holy Spirit, not in our own strength or efforts. There is dissatisfaction - because the disciples went out and turned cities upside-down - and this is what we are called to, the standard that the Bible lays out. There is a grappling with expecting the Lord to move, yet surrendering and laying down our expectations of what the Lord moving will look like – we are realising it is all too easy to put a picture or imagination to something the Lord says, or a sense He gives, only to realise that then we are limiting Him, missing what He is really doing or are trying to make the picture happen rather than trust God to do what we cannot! The way is narrow, and deep is calling to deep that we will learn His ways.
Yesterday we were reading Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, and a verse (16:9) leapt out at me – “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries”. This morning the Holy Spirit brought that verse again in prayer, and though at first I didn’t really understand what the Lord was saying – whether it was to be prayed in, or whether it already has been opened – as we sought the Lord it became clearer that an effective door has been opened here in Cambridge. Please urgently pray that the Lord makes a way for the fullness of our mission to be completed here: for a time in the next few days to meet with the pastor whom the Lord is sending us to. There are many adversaries! And the fact that it is Easter weekend – already an incredibly busy time for this pastor with events in the city – means all the more the need for prayer and for God to make a way where there seems to be no way. Thank you that we can count on you!
Bless you!
Love to all!
Clare
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Side Assignments and Sneezes
One word: Intercessor.
That is the title of the book that has been given to me as a side assignment. This is a biography of Rees Howells, the story of a life lived for God. I read through these pages and on one hand I am encouraged by the depth of intimacy that this man had with the Lord, and on the other hand I'm wildly challenged by his radical obedience. I'm still completing this assignment, so I can't speak too much into what I'm discovering, but there are a few things the Lord exposes in Rees Howells through tangible things, and I find God using things like that over here in England for me as well.
For Rees Howells it was a hat, for me it's a guitar.
In the early 1900s in England men DID NOT go out without a hat on. But the Lord spoke to Rees Howells to be in constant prayer, which meant an uncovered head! As he wrestled with obedience, the Lord exposed that Mr. Howells was greatly afraid of the influence of the world, and that is exactly why God called him to this extremity of set apartness.
For me, in a small way, my guitar has become my hat today. Several times now as we are out the door to attend different prayer meetings in Cambridge, Clare instructed me to get my guitar. And 2 times when she said this my heart seized up! What?!? Why? It's too big to lug into a meeting that I have NO IDEA the protocol! What if they don't even have worship? Isn't it presumptuous of me to assume anyone would want me to play? It's as if I didn't believe that the same God who leads our meetings in America is the same one who would lead a meeting in the UK! BUT HE IS!!! And I'm a worshipper. I worship. And often, He gives me a song...to play...ON THE GUITAR! I have to come prepared. I have to be ready to be used in the way that He has chosen on this trip. I have to overcome these insecurities and trust Him. I believe that there has been victory over this today. Amen. And I'm sure there is more exposing to come as He sets us apart for His use!
The sniffles have pretty much jumped ship from Alyssa, but just to the next ship over in me. I'm pretty much in "cold" status, sneezes, foggy head, aches, and sniffles. Pray for focus and healing, and that this cold ends here! In fact, pray against all diversionary battles. This is not the only distraction trying to divert our attention from the mission. We need discernment and focus.
We love you. And we pray for you too. May the Lord be honored by your commitment to prayer for us. And may your prayers be powerful and effective as you take on Christ's righteousness! Amen and amen!
yours.His.
Teens
ps. love you Daisy!
That is the title of the book that has been given to me as a side assignment. This is a biography of Rees Howells, the story of a life lived for God. I read through these pages and on one hand I am encouraged by the depth of intimacy that this man had with the Lord, and on the other hand I'm wildly challenged by his radical obedience. I'm still completing this assignment, so I can't speak too much into what I'm discovering, but there are a few things the Lord exposes in Rees Howells through tangible things, and I find God using things like that over here in England for me as well.
For Rees Howells it was a hat, for me it's a guitar.
In the early 1900s in England men DID NOT go out without a hat on. But the Lord spoke to Rees Howells to be in constant prayer, which meant an uncovered head! As he wrestled with obedience, the Lord exposed that Mr. Howells was greatly afraid of the influence of the world, and that is exactly why God called him to this extremity of set apartness.
For me, in a small way, my guitar has become my hat today. Several times now as we are out the door to attend different prayer meetings in Cambridge, Clare instructed me to get my guitar. And 2 times when she said this my heart seized up! What?!? Why? It's too big to lug into a meeting that I have NO IDEA the protocol! What if they don't even have worship? Isn't it presumptuous of me to assume anyone would want me to play? It's as if I didn't believe that the same God who leads our meetings in America is the same one who would lead a meeting in the UK! BUT HE IS!!! And I'm a worshipper. I worship. And often, He gives me a song...to play...ON THE GUITAR! I have to come prepared. I have to be ready to be used in the way that He has chosen on this trip. I have to overcome these insecurities and trust Him. I believe that there has been victory over this today. Amen. And I'm sure there is more exposing to come as He sets us apart for His use!
The sniffles have pretty much jumped ship from Alyssa, but just to the next ship over in me. I'm pretty much in "cold" status, sneezes, foggy head, aches, and sniffles. Pray for focus and healing, and that this cold ends here! In fact, pray against all diversionary battles. This is not the only distraction trying to divert our attention from the mission. We need discernment and focus.
We love you. And we pray for you too. May the Lord be honored by your commitment to prayer for us. And may your prayers be powerful and effective as you take on Christ's righteousness! Amen and amen!
yours.His.
Teens
ps. love you Daisy!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Get up, take your mat, and go home.
Woke up to birds singing at 6:45,
Gathered: Worshiped and prayed.
Christine and I went for a lie down.
Woke up to Clare's smiling face.
Gathered: Worshiped and prayed.
Went down stairs and read the book of John.
Worshiped and prayed.
Did some work: Christine made phone calls to people in the Norwich area who were previously on the database for WTM. Clare did some WTM work emails and other "stuff" and I did some school work for my Bible class. I had to read chapters 7-10 of the Epistle to the Hebrews, make 10 comparisons of the priesthood of Aaron with the priesthood of Christ, stating how Christ was superior to Aaron's. ( I dare you to do the same. :) ) Then, I finally conquered the section from my English work dealing with clauses and then I managed to do some geometry on top of that.
After a bit of work was completed we gathered for a final time and worshiped and prayed.
During our second time of gathering,Christine felt God lead her to the 2nd chapter in Mark.
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
The Spirit lead Christine to explain to us that the 4 of us (Christine, Clare, myself and Paul&Kath) are the 4 friends of the paralytic man.
However, the paralytic 'man' happens to be the church in this nation. And that as his friends, being either natives of this land or even just people with a heart for it; we are to do whatever it takes to make sure that this paralyzed church receives the full healing and restoration that we know our God can deliver.
Not only was that described to us as something we need to accomplish, but as a rebuke because we were facing temptation to shrink back. Christine then posed us with the
question number 3: Do you know my Jesus?
With our God, all things are possible. And with that we need to walk in confidence and boldness and faith.
We have no reason to fear tearing the roof apart, we need to be the ones with the tenacity to march up to the house, and even if there is no opening through the front door, or windows, we need to have enough faith to know that it is more than worth the strain and hardships to see full healing come.
So with that, we all ask for you to continue to lift us up in your prayers for our faith and trust to flourish like a mighty weed.
Thank you, Bless you, Peace out girl scout,
-Alyssa
Gathered: Worshiped and prayed.
Christine and I went for a lie down.
Woke up to Clare's smiling face.
Gathered: Worshiped and prayed.
Went down stairs and read the book of John.
Worshiped and prayed.
Did some work: Christine made phone calls to people in the Norwich area who were previously on the database for WTM. Clare did some WTM work emails and other "stuff" and I did some school work for my Bible class. I had to read chapters 7-10 of the Epistle to the Hebrews, make 10 comparisons of the priesthood of Aaron with the priesthood of Christ, stating how Christ was superior to Aaron's. ( I dare you to do the same. :) ) Then, I finally conquered the section from my English work dealing with clauses and then I managed to do some geometry on top of that.
After a bit of work was completed we gathered for a final time and worshiped and prayed.
During our second time of gathering,Christine felt God lead her to the 2nd chapter in Mark.
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
The Spirit lead Christine to explain to us that the 4 of us (Christine, Clare, myself and Paul&Kath) are the 4 friends of the paralytic man.
However, the paralytic 'man' happens to be the church in this nation. And that as his friends, being either natives of this land or even just people with a heart for it; we are to do whatever it takes to make sure that this paralyzed church receives the full healing and restoration that we know our God can deliver.
Not only was that described to us as something we need to accomplish, but as a rebuke because we were facing temptation to shrink back. Christine then posed us with the
question number 3: Do you know my Jesus?
With our God, all things are possible. And with that we need to walk in confidence and boldness and faith.
We have no reason to fear tearing the roof apart, we need to be the ones with the tenacity to march up to the house, and even if there is no opening through the front door, or windows, we need to have enough faith to know that it is more than worth the strain and hardships to see full healing come.
So with that, we all ask for you to continue to lift us up in your prayers for our faith and trust to flourish like a mighty weed.
Thank you, Bless you, Peace out girl scout,
-Alyssa
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Puffy eyed but grateful...
An alternative title to this post has been suggested to be 'whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa' (expressed as a kind of crying wail) and Christine & Alyssa are both glad that it isn't their day to write! We praise the Lord in all things and I am glad that we get to share all of our journey with you...not just the happy days. I say 'happy' rather than good, because today was good - painful and raw on my part - but good in the scheme of what the Lord is doing. His ways are always good.
The day has not been what we maybe expected. On the one hand, wonderfully, where Christine & Alyssa are gathered there is frequently laughter - so there has been amusement in the midst of everything - but on the other hand there is a heavy soberness in my heart and a reverence for God as He answers prayer and deals with His children.
Today it felt a little like I was singled out by the Lord to be dealt with, but in His economy it is never just the individual - we are so connected with the Body that the Lord dealing with one cannot help but affect others. Many of us have been praying & crying out as we have been surrendering our lives to God, 'Lord, cleanse me, purify me, strip me of everything that hinders Your work, let me, my self-nature, die so that You - who are the Hope of the Nations - might live and move in me'...and indeed, this has been my cry, especially as we came on this mission and into a new place of dependency and faith for what God is going to do here in this time. Our God is faithful to answer, yet the answer doesn't often look like what we want it to look like.
The warfare was intense as we came to worship this morning and I felt a desperate need to push back darkness by exalting and proclaiming the name of Jesus. As a slight aside from the point, one passage of scripture that has been speaking so deeply to me these last weeks is Ephesians 3:8-12
"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."
What especially struck me, which the Holy Spirit has been teaching me about, is that the intent of the church is that it should make known the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. I won't go into all that now, suffice to say, this morning there was great need to make God's power, wisdom, truth & name known to the powers of darkness in the heavenly realms!
Paul (of Paul & Kath fame, as oppose to Paul the apostle) said during the morning that 'we can be our own worst enemy'. Sometimes that seems to be so. If there is darkness dwelling in you, darkness in the heavenly realms doesn't seem to act so quick to flee, because even as the name of Jesus is being lifted up, a part of you harbouring darkness is attracting darkness rather than the Light. Our God is faithful to answer and to shine His light on His children who, blinded at times, He promised to set free and deliver and save to the uttermost.
I praise God for the gift of repentance, for the gift of Jesus Christ who died, taking my sin on Himself and making a way for me to be reconciled to the Father, and for the forgiveness He grants as we confess our sin. The exposure is painful. It is humbling. It reminds me of God's grace and mercy. It encourages me that the Lord will not relent until He has all of me. I am blessed to have brothers and sisters who forgive me and release me from debt, and by God's power to restore and heal everything that the enemy has intended for evil and worked in our relationships. Our God is always faithful and never fails.
"For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
A note of encouragement - Christine and Alyssa are doing just wonderfully. Christine wanted me to tell you that she is perfect, but she knew that many of you knew her... Still, she's definitely heading that direction!!! As is Alyssa. They are a joy to be around.
A note for prayer - back home in Cleveland, the Christine's garage was broken into yesterday and a number of bikes belonging to her and her housemates were stolen. Please pray against the distraction tactics of the enemy!
A note of thanks - to you, our faithful friends, intercessors, supporters and senders-of-love - we love you and pray God's blessing on you as you bless us with your prayers & love.
A note of hope - weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Please pray for the fullness of repentance, rooting out, tearing down of strongholds and restoration - and the expectation of joy in the morning.
Goodnight all!
Clare
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A Little Team Dynamics
Much to my surprise, a handful of times before we are introduced, we have been asked if we are sisters. Our response is, "in the Lord!" And then I get to share that I didn't even know these ladies one month ago! But what a joy it is to journey with these sisters! And what a joy to be in the middle!
In my natural family dynamics, I am the last born, but have often taken responsibility as the first born. So what a change to be in the middle! I LOVE IT!
I have this beautiful older (just slightly) sister, Clare, who encourages me and leads me to act on things that I may be dragging my feet on. Her no nonsense attitude towards this makes her the classic older sister! She's quite the caretaker as well and we often refer to her as "Proverbs 31!"
And then I have this beautiful little sister, Alyssa, who when I spend time with her, my heart is just happy! When I hear her talk about the things of the Lord with the people we meet, and encouraging believers much her senior how God desires to breakthrough in this nation, I am just filled with a sense of sisterly pride, and I want to shout "that's my girl!"
I love them.
As we rest today, please pray that God would recharge us and pour into our hearts as we seek Him. Pray for our hearts to be filled with praise, team unity to be preserved, and of course, direction!
And we bless you, the rest of our sweet family, with the knowledge of God's unending and unfailing love that He freely gives you in abundance. May you encounter God in a new way today! To God be all the glory!
peace.
Teens
In my natural family dynamics, I am the last born, but have often taken responsibility as the first born. So what a change to be in the middle! I LOVE IT!
I have this beautiful older (just slightly) sister, Clare, who encourages me and leads me to act on things that I may be dragging my feet on. Her no nonsense attitude towards this makes her the classic older sister! She's quite the caretaker as well and we often refer to her as "Proverbs 31!"
And then I have this beautiful little sister, Alyssa, who when I spend time with her, my heart is just happy! When I hear her talk about the things of the Lord with the people we meet, and encouraging believers much her senior how God desires to breakthrough in this nation, I am just filled with a sense of sisterly pride, and I want to shout "that's my girl!"
I love them.
As we rest today, please pray that God would recharge us and pour into our hearts as we seek Him. Pray for our hearts to be filled with praise, team unity to be preserved, and of course, direction!
And we bless you, the rest of our sweet family, with the knowledge of God's unending and unfailing love that He freely gives you in abundance. May you encounter God in a new way today! To God be all the glory!
peace.
Teens
Friday, April 15, 2011
Too tired to make up a cute title
As all the mornings we've been here, we started off our day with worship and prayer. And as we did so, we felt lead to go to a prayer meeting that we were invited to.
We arrived at the flat a bit early, so we just sat in the car and prayed. Thereupon, we were being watched from the inside by the host of the prayer meeting.
We had lunch there, and got to talk to a few people before prayer started. Prayer was good, and it was nice to meet many more new faces! We chatted for a bit after prayer, and stayed even longer to talk and enjoy a cup of tea. We left their home soon after and just went to the car and prayed. Except this time we drove a bit before stopping. Because it would be just funny knowing that we were being watched again, Talk about feeling like a fish!
Meanwhile, praying in the car.. which I have to say is a brand new setting for me! We have felt lead to go to Pastor Joey's house for the Bible study that is held in his home.
Much later tonight, I will be joining my youth via skype for a leadership meeting!
And, I am pleased to announce that tomorrow will be just a day of rest.
Praise Him. :)
All in all, Good day.
Hope yours was just a splendid.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxooxooxoxoxoxoxxoxoox,
Alyssa. :)
OH! and PLEASE. Be in prayer.
As Ms Clare was driving home, she forgot which side of the road was the correct side of the road in this country.
Poor English woman has forgotten her roots. :)
OH! and PLEASE. Be in prayer.
As Ms Clare was driving home, she forgot which side of the road was the correct side of the road in this country.
Poor English woman has forgotten her roots. :)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
I have decided, I have resolved, to wait upon You, Lord...
I didn't know the song that begins with those words, but I am learning it, and today we blasted it as Christine fearlessly led us in worship out in the middle of a somewhat chilly park, next to the River Cam, in the middle of Cambridge. I have never been one who has had the confidence or boldness to stand in a park in England and declare the praises of Jesus, but today everything changed. In obedience to the Lord's command we went to 'establish an altar', seeking to draw His presence, and trusting Him to do the rest. I felt such grace to be able to fully focus and abandon myself to God... and to give ourselves in worship as passionately and fully as we have been over the last week hidden away in the lounge of a farmhouse - yet this time outside in a public park in a city steeped in academia. It was glorious!!
The Lord arranged a meeting with three guys who work with different ministries/churches in the city - YWAM, 24-7 Prayer and the Methodist church. We were encouraged and brought encouragement - in England it is highly unusual in this day & age to find 3 young ladies with a guitar worshipping Jesus in a park - to God be all the glory! In our conversations the Lord was stirring faith to believe for the work He is going to do in this city. Tomorrow afternoon we are joining some leaders and intercessors for prayer in the city - please pray that the Lord bring about the connections and conversations and purposes He desires, to see awakening in the churches across the city.
Before we left Orlando, as we were commissioned and anointed and sent out, Pr Mark's advice and wisdom to us was 'do not try'. Wise words from a wonderful, anointed and wise leader - we have been praying this in over the last week, and many times, in the midst of conversations, I would be reminded of this by the Spirit of God, and it has been such a blessing to just turn to the Lord in those moments and renew trust, surrender effort and simply look to Him to do what we cannot do. It is liberating and sweet. We continue to be encouraged and strengthened in faith, even though our bodies feel physically very tired!
The faith of my faithful comrades in this mission has spurred me on to faith - last night the pressure felt great and faith so much contended for - as I wavered, Christine & Alyssa's prayers drew my eyes back to being fixed on the Lord. As I went to bed I happened across a little book and opened it to read: "I will trust You, O my Father; I'll believe and will not waver, till my faith is hard as steel". Amen.
Day by day we are thankful for your prayers and love. Yesterday we were seeing as we read the scriptures that there is no room for turning or shrinking back - and this evening were seeing that the mission we are on now, is not just a mission for our time in the UK, but it is to be how we live forever... the dependance and faith and trust that is building now is the beginning. Life will never be the same.
The Lord arranged a meeting with three guys who work with different ministries/churches in the city - YWAM, 24-7 Prayer and the Methodist church. We were encouraged and brought encouragement - in England it is highly unusual in this day & age to find 3 young ladies with a guitar worshipping Jesus in a park - to God be all the glory! In our conversations the Lord was stirring faith to believe for the work He is going to do in this city. Tomorrow afternoon we are joining some leaders and intercessors for prayer in the city - please pray that the Lord bring about the connections and conversations and purposes He desires, to see awakening in the churches across the city.
Before we left Orlando, as we were commissioned and anointed and sent out, Pr Mark's advice and wisdom to us was 'do not try'. Wise words from a wonderful, anointed and wise leader - we have been praying this in over the last week, and many times, in the midst of conversations, I would be reminded of this by the Spirit of God, and it has been such a blessing to just turn to the Lord in those moments and renew trust, surrender effort and simply look to Him to do what we cannot do. It is liberating and sweet. We continue to be encouraged and strengthened in faith, even though our bodies feel physically very tired!
The faith of my faithful comrades in this mission has spurred me on to faith - last night the pressure felt great and faith so much contended for - as I wavered, Christine & Alyssa's prayers drew my eyes back to being fixed on the Lord. As I went to bed I happened across a little book and opened it to read: "I will trust You, O my Father; I'll believe and will not waver, till my faith is hard as steel". Amen.
Day by day we are thankful for your prayers and love. Yesterday we were seeing as we read the scriptures that there is no room for turning or shrinking back - and this evening were seeing that the mission we are on now, is not just a mission for our time in the UK, but it is to be how we live forever... the dependance and faith and trust that is building now is the beginning. Life will never be the same.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Top 10 Things I Think You, the Reader, Would Like to Know
10. Dinner is called "tea", and all desserts are "pudding"
9. We made ice cream today, and I enjoy chopping Snickers significantly better than onions.
8. Many British people add an "er" to words that end with an "a"
7. Alysser has an unwelcomed guest of the sniffles. Please pray for the fullness of health for her, and our whole team.
6. In other health related news, my allergies are gone!
5. Read the book of Hebrews. If you don't have a Bible, you can find it here at www.biblegateway.com
4. Paul and Kath Brown are phenomenal people. Their hospitality and love towards us is just lovely!
3. Two are better than one, but 3 are AWESOME! It's been so neat to see how the Lord uses us to encourage one another in faith. If one's faith is low, it seems another's faith is strong enough for two! And dozens/hundreds are SUPER AWESOME- so as you join your faith with ours, I pray that you can be encouraged, as well as not grow weary in holding us up in prayer! And in case it isn't inferred, yes, we need prayer for faith.
2. We are following the Lord East tomorrow! We'll be driving into Cambridge and setting up where the Holy Spirit leads. We'll keep with our mission to simply draw the Presence of God through worship and prayer. We're not sure where we will end up at the end of the day- but the Lord knows!
And most importantly!
1. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
9. We made ice cream today, and I enjoy chopping Snickers significantly better than onions.
8. Many British people add an "er" to words that end with an "a"
7. Alysser has an unwelcomed guest of the sniffles. Please pray for the fullness of health for her, and our whole team.
6. In other health related news, my allergies are gone!
5. Read the book of Hebrews. If you don't have a Bible, you can find it here at www.biblegateway.com
4. Paul and Kath Brown are phenomenal people. Their hospitality and love towards us is just lovely!
3. Two are better than one, but 3 are AWESOME! It's been so neat to see how the Lord uses us to encourage one another in faith. If one's faith is low, it seems another's faith is strong enough for two! And dozens/hundreds are SUPER AWESOME- so as you join your faith with ours, I pray that you can be encouraged, as well as not grow weary in holding us up in prayer! And in case it isn't inferred, yes, we need prayer for faith.
2. We are following the Lord East tomorrow! We'll be driving into Cambridge and setting up where the Holy Spirit leads. We'll keep with our mission to simply draw the Presence of God through worship and prayer. We're not sure where we will end up at the end of the day- but the Lord knows!
And most importantly!
1. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
We praise Him in all things, in all things I wear jeans.
During our UK team meeting today, we worshipped, prayed and gathered around the living word.
Today we read the book of Daniel. I'm not sure how many of you have felt like this, but often the things of God, especially in the Bible have been brought down to a "story book" kind of level. Maybe it's the disbelief of our nations. Or that the things of God are just 'too miraculous' for those types of things to actually be true.
But the thing is, today while reading I realized that "Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever" really isn't a just spiritual phrase. That He is the same God as he was in the Bible and that He can do whatever He wants with whatever willing vessel He finds.
Daniel amazes me with the amount of faith that he has. And what blows my mind even more is that, that is the kind of faith that the Lord is going to have to raise up in all three members of the trio team.
(ahem, be in prayer)
Christine and I have decided that our favorite part in the book of Daniel is the 3rd chapter.
"They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair on their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them" I can say nothing other than, the God that we serve is faithful.
I only pray that when we are standing in front of any 'furnace' that God places before us that we can be confident to know that we can trust in Him. And even if we are thrown in, God does all things for His glory. 17 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will save us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up."
Amen.
After our glorious prayer time and a bit of fellowship we moved the group into the dining room and continued the fellowship around the table.
We had tacos, for the second time this week. When my Mom and I introduced it last time we were here, I had no idea that it would catch on like it did! In the middle of this blog, we each got down on the floor and did some 'leg throws'. You have the privilege of getting to see me in action:
I want send a special 'shout-out' for those who have been praying and even fasting for the team. You have been such an incredible blessing, and I don't think any of us can thank you enough!
with all my love,
Alyssa
Today we read the book of Daniel. I'm not sure how many of you have felt like this, but often the things of God, especially in the Bible have been brought down to a "story book" kind of level. Maybe it's the disbelief of our nations. Or that the things of God are just 'too miraculous' for those types of things to actually be true.
But the thing is, today while reading I realized that "Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever" really isn't a just spiritual phrase. That He is the same God as he was in the Bible and that He can do whatever He wants with whatever willing vessel He finds.
Daniel amazes me with the amount of faith that he has. And what blows my mind even more is that, that is the kind of faith that the Lord is going to have to raise up in all three members of the trio team.
(ahem, be in prayer)
Christine and I have decided that our favorite part in the book of Daniel is the 3rd chapter.
"They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair on their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them" I can say nothing other than, the God that we serve is faithful.
I only pray that when we are standing in front of any 'furnace' that God places before us that we can be confident to know that we can trust in Him. And even if we are thrown in, God does all things for His glory. 17 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will save us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up."
Amen.
After our glorious prayer time and a bit of fellowship we moved the group into the dining room and continued the fellowship around the table.
We had tacos, for the second time this week. When my Mom and I introduced it last time we were here, I had no idea that it would catch on like it did! In the middle of this blog, we each got down on the floor and did some 'leg throws'. You have the privilege of getting to see me in action:
I want send a special 'shout-out' for those who have been praying and even fasting for the team. You have been such an incredible blessing, and I don't think any of us can thank you enough!
with all my love,
Alyssa
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Fight for Faith
Joshua wholly followed the Lord. He took heed to the instruction the Lord spoke to him over and over: 'Be strong and of good courage.' God promised to be with him wherever he went as he obeyed His commandments and directions. As we read the book of Joshua today and shared around the scriptures, we saw that Joshua came to the end of his life knowing the absolute faithfulness of God - that 'not one word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.'
God's word is truth, and He is the same God today as He was in the days of Joshua. He is the One who back then determined who the land belonged to, how the land was to be taken, how each battle was to be fought. He is the One who provided for every need, who gave specific and clear instructions to His people, who went before them and did great miracles. He took just a normal man, who surrendered his life for God to use, obeying every instruction he was given, and used him to lead a nation to take hold of and possess the Promised Land.
The God we serve is the same God Joshua served. He is continuing to impress on us that 'if we only believe, we will see the glory of God'; that as we humble ourselves before Him and seek His face, He will lead and direct us.
Faith is contended for though. We have to fight to believe that we will hear Him. To believe that He will show us exactly where we are to be, how we are to fight the battles, how we are to 'posses the land' and reclaim it from the enemy. We have to fight to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and not on the physical things that we see, the impossibilities that lie before us. Nothing is impossible for God. Nothing. The enemy, who is the father of lies, doesn't want us to believe that, and the world, which is groaning under the weight of unbelief, certainly doesn't make faith easy! However, our God is greater and stronger than any other thing - in heaven or on earth - and we are guaranteed victory if we walk abiding in Him and trusting in His faith, His power, His ability to do the work, not our own. So, we expect victory. We are expecting to hear the Shepherd speak to His trio of sheep in this team. We are fighting to keep the faith and believe God to do what is impossible for us - not knowing what that looks like or entails yet - but expecting that He be glorified as we believe.
Please join us in praying for our faith to ever increase, and to stand against the weight of unbelief which is like a blanket over this land. We continue to be encouraged by the sweet fellowship we had yesterday, and look forward to meeting with the UK team tomorrow. Please pray too that we know how to balance time seeking the Lord and pressing into His Presence and purposes, with the practical work we each need to do.
Thank you for your continued love, support and intercession for us!
We send you all love!
Clare
God's word is truth, and He is the same God today as He was in the days of Joshua. He is the One who back then determined who the land belonged to, how the land was to be taken, how each battle was to be fought. He is the One who provided for every need, who gave specific and clear instructions to His people, who went before them and did great miracles. He took just a normal man, who surrendered his life for God to use, obeying every instruction he was given, and used him to lead a nation to take hold of and possess the Promised Land.
The God we serve is the same God Joshua served. He is continuing to impress on us that 'if we only believe, we will see the glory of God'; that as we humble ourselves before Him and seek His face, He will lead and direct us.
Faith is contended for though. We have to fight to believe that we will hear Him. To believe that He will show us exactly where we are to be, how we are to fight the battles, how we are to 'posses the land' and reclaim it from the enemy. We have to fight to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and not on the physical things that we see, the impossibilities that lie before us. Nothing is impossible for God. Nothing. The enemy, who is the father of lies, doesn't want us to believe that, and the world, which is groaning under the weight of unbelief, certainly doesn't make faith easy! However, our God is greater and stronger than any other thing - in heaven or on earth - and we are guaranteed victory if we walk abiding in Him and trusting in His faith, His power, His ability to do the work, not our own. So, we expect victory. We are expecting to hear the Shepherd speak to His trio of sheep in this team. We are fighting to keep the faith and believe God to do what is impossible for us - not knowing what that looks like or entails yet - but expecting that He be glorified as we believe.
Please join us in praying for our faith to ever increase, and to stand against the weight of unbelief which is like a blanket over this land. We continue to be encouraged by the sweet fellowship we had yesterday, and look forward to meeting with the UK team tomorrow. Please pray too that we know how to balance time seeking the Lord and pressing into His Presence and purposes, with the practical work we each need to do.
Thank you for your continued love, support and intercession for us!
We send you all love!
Clare
A Few Photos....
The three of us out on an afternoon walk
Our current rural location!
Alyssa in culinary class, preparing potatoes
Sunday afternoon walk with Pr Joey & his family
Fellowship in the lounge
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tea and Tacos
"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each others faith." Romans 1:11-12
Just over 4 years ago, the Lord called Pastor Joey, whose enthusiasm is unmatched, and his family to the UK from the USA to serve Him. And just 3 years ago they started Calvary Chapel in Cambridge. If you're familiar with Cambridge, than you know that it is steeped in intellectualism and scholars, but God is being faithful to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. The ministry is finding quite favor here in Cambridge.
It was a joy to join our hearts together with this diverse Body as we worshipped the King together with the family of believers we found at Calvary Chapel Cambridge. We were further blessed when Pastor Joey, his wife (Tiffany), their 3 children (Madeline, Josiah, and Jordan), as well as their visiting mother (Pam), joined us for "tea".
We shared testimonies, Scriptures, dreams and hopes for the UK and the Church in general, as well as tea and tacos. I can say with confidence we were mutually encouraged. God is surely pursuing the UK, and we pray for more of these connections to be made! Praise the Lord!
Another highlight of this day was watching Clare aggressively lead us in the memorization of Scripture. I enjoyed her passion towards the Word. It was contagious, and we memorized Romans 12:9-16 together.
As far as direction for prayer, that is exactly it! Direction! Many things concerning direction will be cleared on Tuesday, and so we'd love your prayers in the next 2 days that we would hear clearly about where and how to invest our time. Pray for open ears and willing hearts!
Also, as an encouragement to you, wherever you may be, we have a really true sense of the intercessions helping to carry us! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Please feel free to share anything that the Lord is sharing in your times of intercession, and we will take it to the Lord as well. We are a team, and you are an invaluable part of this team. Amen.
Bless you. Love you. Praise Jesus for you.
Christine
Just over 4 years ago, the Lord called Pastor Joey, whose enthusiasm is unmatched, and his family to the UK from the USA to serve Him. And just 3 years ago they started Calvary Chapel in Cambridge. If you're familiar with Cambridge, than you know that it is steeped in intellectualism and scholars, but God is being faithful to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. The ministry is finding quite favor here in Cambridge.
It was a joy to join our hearts together with this diverse Body as we worshipped the King together with the family of believers we found at Calvary Chapel Cambridge. We were further blessed when Pastor Joey, his wife (Tiffany), their 3 children (Madeline, Josiah, and Jordan), as well as their visiting mother (Pam), joined us for "tea".
We shared testimonies, Scriptures, dreams and hopes for the UK and the Church in general, as well as tea and tacos. I can say with confidence we were mutually encouraged. God is surely pursuing the UK, and we pray for more of these connections to be made! Praise the Lord!
Another highlight of this day was watching Clare aggressively lead us in the memorization of Scripture. I enjoyed her passion towards the Word. It was contagious, and we memorized Romans 12:9-16 together.
As far as direction for prayer, that is exactly it! Direction! Many things concerning direction will be cleared on Tuesday, and so we'd love your prayers in the next 2 days that we would hear clearly about where and how to invest our time. Pray for open ears and willing hearts!
Also, as an encouragement to you, wherever you may be, we have a really true sense of the intercessions helping to carry us! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Please feel free to share anything that the Lord is sharing in your times of intercession, and we will take it to the Lord as well. We are a team, and you are an invaluable part of this team. Amen.
Bless you. Love you. Praise Jesus for you.
Christine
Saturday, April 9, 2011
"You American's are just, so cute!"
Hello all; As I sit down after a brisk walk with Clare and Christine, I am letting my hands warm up from the cold.
Today the Lord has been good to us, as all the days before and as I am confident that he will continue to be.
We gathered in the morning after some breakfast, we all worshipped and prayed. Then we gathered around the word and read the book of Ephesians.
Afterwards we talked about it, and Christine shared that the Lord had been speaking to her about The Armor of God.
I knew a while back that the Lord had said that I daily need to be praying into that, even as I am getting dressed it needs to be spirtually just as much as physically. Reading and even hearing Christine's heart about it really re-stirred within me the importance of doing it.
After that time Clare had to finish the newsletter, and I had to get some school done. So, all that are concerned about the well-being of my education, have no fear. It is getting done! As well as my English, Bible, History and Math, I am also taking Culinary, thanks to Ms. Clare. I peeled some potatos, went to the garden and picked some rhubarb, then I chopped them, and the rest of the time I mainly stirred things. But I am determined to learn how to cook well. And one day I shall become a Proverbs 31 woman. :)
After eating a lovely lamb dinner, we then went on our walk. And now, as our day is winding down all three of us are on our computers intently doing tasks.
Tommorow is Sunday and I am rather excited to go to the new church that Paul and Kath have been attending. He is an American Pastor who came as a missionary to England to put the word of God back into the lives of British Christians. I find that Christine and I are in the same boat as he is which is encouraging! Tomorrow we are going to meet him and then we are coming back to the Brown's home for a lunch. So be in prayer that everything goes swimmingly.
I will write again in another 3 days, Keep on praying!
With all my love,
Alyssa
Today the Lord has been good to us, as all the days before and as I am confident that he will continue to be.
We gathered in the morning after some breakfast, we all worshipped and prayed. Then we gathered around the word and read the book of Ephesians.
Afterwards we talked about it, and Christine shared that the Lord had been speaking to her about The Armor of God.
I knew a while back that the Lord had said that I daily need to be praying into that, even as I am getting dressed it needs to be spirtually just as much as physically. Reading and even hearing Christine's heart about it really re-stirred within me the importance of doing it.
After that time Clare had to finish the newsletter, and I had to get some school done. So, all that are concerned about the well-being of my education, have no fear. It is getting done! As well as my English, Bible, History and Math, I am also taking Culinary, thanks to Ms. Clare. I peeled some potatos, went to the garden and picked some rhubarb, then I chopped them, and the rest of the time I mainly stirred things. But I am determined to learn how to cook well. And one day I shall become a Proverbs 31 woman. :)
After eating a lovely lamb dinner, we then went on our walk. And now, as our day is winding down all three of us are on our computers intently doing tasks.
Tommorow is Sunday and I am rather excited to go to the new church that Paul and Kath have been attending. He is an American Pastor who came as a missionary to England to put the word of God back into the lives of British Christians. I find that Christine and I are in the same boat as he is which is encouraging! Tomorrow we are going to meet him and then we are coming back to the Brown's home for a lunch. So be in prayer that everything goes swimmingly.
I will write again in another 3 days, Keep on praying!
With all my love,
Alyssa
Friday, April 8, 2011
Day 2: From Ducks to Doves
"Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests?" (Isaiah 60:8)
Today has been a sweet day in the presence of the Lord. A day of preparation, a day of seeking, a day of praise and worship. It has been a privilege to be together. And it's not over yet (it's just past 6pm as I begin to write)! Each one of us has felt and known your prayers and love...Alyssa commented on how extraordinarily good and rested she was feeling this morning (as were each of us), and as the day has gone on the Lord has been reminding us and encouraging us that we are just a little part of this mission. We are three going 'out there' but each one of you, whether in the US, in Uganda or the UK, are as much a part of the mission in prayer and seeking after God's kingdom and purposes. It is humbling and greatly encouraging. One of Christine's friends emailed what she was sensing the Lord saying to us, and Paul had been praying & hearing the Lord as he mowed the lawn at work today - it has excited & strengthened us to see God working through the body of Christ.
After a restful night and personal time to pray and read the Word, we met together, along with Kath, to 'court the presence of the Lord' (seeking to draw near to Him, knowing that He promised then to draw near to us - James 4:8). As we worshipped and prayed, lifting up the name of Jesus, the Spirit of God was drawing us and stirring faith. I love the way the Lord stirs and speaks through songs and the prayers and cries of one another - that as we hallow His name and declare who He is, He is magnified in our sight... the vision of who He is expands and increases and brings both humility and praise. One of the songs we sang was 'We speak to nations' sung by Israel Houghton... these are some of the words:
Today has been a sweet day in the presence of the Lord. A day of preparation, a day of seeking, a day of praise and worship. It has been a privilege to be together. And it's not over yet (it's just past 6pm as I begin to write)! Each one of us has felt and known your prayers and love...Alyssa commented on how extraordinarily good and rested she was feeling this morning (as were each of us), and as the day has gone on the Lord has been reminding us and encouraging us that we are just a little part of this mission. We are three going 'out there' but each one of you, whether in the US, in Uganda or the UK, are as much a part of the mission in prayer and seeking after God's kingdom and purposes. It is humbling and greatly encouraging. One of Christine's friends emailed what she was sensing the Lord saying to us, and Paul had been praying & hearing the Lord as he mowed the lawn at work today - it has excited & strengthened us to see God working through the body of Christ.
After a restful night and personal time to pray and read the Word, we met together, along with Kath, to 'court the presence of the Lord' (seeking to draw near to Him, knowing that He promised then to draw near to us - James 4:8). As we worshipped and prayed, lifting up the name of Jesus, the Spirit of God was drawing us and stirring faith. I love the way the Lord stirs and speaks through songs and the prayers and cries of one another - that as we hallow His name and declare who He is, He is magnified in our sight... the vision of who He is expands and increases and brings both humility and praise. One of the songs we sang was 'We speak to nations' sung by Israel Houghton... these are some of the words:
"Hear the sound, the sound of the nations worshipping.
Hear the sound of sons and daughters singing,
'We will go for you. We will shout to the corners of the earth that Christ is King.
We speak to nations: be opened
We speak to nations: fall on your knees
We speak to nations: the Kingdom is coming near to you
We speak to strongholds: be broken
Powers of darkness: you have to flee
We speak to nations: the Kingdom is coming near to you
We speak to you: be free.'"
The Spirit was stirring faith and the reality of the authority that we have as we stand in covenant with Christ - that as we abide in Him, depending and trusting in His power, His faith, His life, we can speak to the nation, to the cities, towns, churches we are going to, and see them opened, humbled, brought to repentance, and the Kingdom of God established. Over the past weeks of preparation God over and again impressed in my heart that our primary mission is to 'court His presence and exalt His name' - and as we declare who He is to the heavens and the earth, the demons will bow to the name of Jesus, and darkness will pushed back.
We spent time reading the book of Romans together and then sharing what God was speaking to us through it. The Word truly is living and active - as we took time to fellowship around different verses that had stirred and been highlighted to each of us, the Lord wove a tapestry of wisdom, direction, encouragement and faith in our hearts. The main points emphasised to us were:
- Humility - the need for it; to pray it in; to fight against pride; to return ALL glory to God ALL the time; to go out knowing we are no better than anyone else... and a reminder of one of the WTM mandate instructions: 'Do not despise or underrate My people because of faults or errors you notice among them. If it were not for such thing, your ministry would have been unnecessary'.
- Faith - especially Romans 4:17, believing in the 'God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did'. (Kath had earlier been reading John and the account of Jesus calling Lazarus from the grave, and His words to Martha: "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"). "Everything that does not come from faith is sin." (14:23)
- Praise - in all circumstances, knowing that God will work all things for good and use trials & tribulations to produce perseverance in us, and character, and hope...
- Purity - the necessity of not allowing even a hint of evil to be in or come near us; and that even subtle things can cause the Spirit to draw back from us (the Lord was speaking to us regarding talking about food - that He is requiring a high standard and raising the bar, and whilst on the one hand talking about food is not wrong, if we exalt food or talk about it above or more than the things of God, it is an idol (14:17&20).
Please join us in praying in and fighting for these things. We are deeply encouraged and our faith is rising for what God is going to do. It is not all easy - there are some distractions we are having to fight through, and a deeper level of learning to pray together to come into - but we are grateful for your continued prayers and for the kindness of God to draw near to us and lead us forth, and are blessed to be here together at such a time as this!
Being British, I have inherited a tendency to talk to about the weather, and today it was BEAUTIFUL... the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing in the right direction (we are staying next to a maggot farm!), the blossoms were blossoming, the bluebells were flourishing and our late afternoon walk over the fields and round the woods, was glorious (we could even have worn shorts and t-shirts - it was that warm!). The Lord is knitting our hearts together and it is wonderful to be growing together, to be increasingly vulnerable and real with one another, and to see God glorified.
He is worthy.
He can be trusted.
God bless you!
We love you!
Clare
P.S. Please pray physical protection over us as a team - particularly backs and arms. Thank you!
P.S. Please pray physical protection over us as a team - particularly backs and arms. Thank you!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day 1: It's So Natural To Be Here
Thousands of miles travelled across the "pond", beautiful hearts of God's children being knit together, tea, hospitality as if we are angels being entertained by Paul and Kath, tea, a beautiful walk in the countryside, strawberries and cream, tea, and lifting high the Name if Jesus and joining together in prayer. A fabulous first day.
Tomorrow we hope to dive into our daily rhythm of seeking the Lord after resting. Please pray that we all adjust well and quickly to the time change.
We've had 2 questions set before us to encourage us in this journey, and we pose them to you as well:
Is He worthy?
Can we trust Him?
yours.His.
Christine
Tomorrow we hope to dive into our daily rhythm of seeking the Lord after resting. Please pray that we all adjust well and quickly to the time change.
We've had 2 questions set before us to encourage us in this journey, and we pose them to you as well:
Is He worthy?
Can we trust Him?
yours.His.
Christine
Meet Alyssa
Well hello there. My name is Alyssa, I enjoy intellectually stimulating conversations and long walks on the beach.
On a more serious note..
I wanted to share a little bit of who I am and what I bring to the "trio england team"
Just this year, As I was scheduling my classes and getting my books for the new school year my Mom came to me and asked me to pray about withdrawing from school. At this point in my walk I was pretty hard, and not really interested in what my Mom had to say or the things of God. And to be honest, I can't even tell you the transition that happend, it's my life and you'd think that I'd know.
But really.. I was just an unaware subject in God's plan.
As the story goes: I withdrew from Freedom-High school.
Three months later, my Mom and I were on our way to England on my first mission trip.
And while I was there, the Lord really gave me a heart for England and more specifically, my generation.
And that is why I am leaving my native homeland; nice, sunny, hot, Florida to go and be salt and a light to all of England.
With all my love, Alyssa.
On a more serious note..
I wanted to share a little bit of who I am and what I bring to the "trio england team"
Just this year, As I was scheduling my classes and getting my books for the new school year my Mom came to me and asked me to pray about withdrawing from school. At this point in my walk I was pretty hard, and not really interested in what my Mom had to say or the things of God. And to be honest, I can't even tell you the transition that happend, it's my life and you'd think that I'd know.
But really.. I was just an unaware subject in God's plan.
As the story goes: I withdrew from Freedom-High school.
Three months later, my Mom and I were on our way to England on my first mission trip.
And while I was there, the Lord really gave me a heart for England and more specifically, my generation.
And that is why I am leaving my native homeland; nice, sunny, hot, Florida to go and be salt and a light to all of England.
With all my love, Alyssa.
Meet Clare
Hi everyone!
It is a great blessing to be another 1/3 of the trio team in the UK and to be able to share the journey of this coming mission with you all (and I am grateful for all your encouragement, love and prayers so far - thank you!).
I love the Lord's ways and how He brought this mission into being... He had already ordained it long ago, but it has been a joy to see Him reveal it to His children and to say yes to what He is wanting to do in this time. Being a native of England (though also feeling like I belong in both the US and Uganda!) I am hungering to see my homeland awoken and brought back to the Lord...and I long and pray and cry out that I would decrease and He increase in me, so as to see the reality His purposes fulfilled in the UK.
The Lord radically changed and transformed me around 5 and a 1/2 years ago and since then has been setting me apart and drawing me deeper unto Him, teaching me, training me, graciously restoring me and leading me where I never imagined I would go...and I believe that what has been is nothing compared to what will be. I shall only be satisfied when I awake in His likeness (Ps 17:15 - NKJV).
Last month at the WTM training we had near Orlando (where I first met Christine), God brought me to a deeper place of abandonment, surrender and trust, raising my faith and stirring a new boldness to go. So it is with a greater sense of focus, mission and the authority found in Christ that I am here. I am expectant that as we remain abiding in Christ and seeking to court His Presence, He will do more than we can even ask or imagine. All glory belongs to our God.
Christine says this entry must be read with a British accent (after I commented that I can't stop thinking in an American accent!)...
Blessings & love Clare
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Meet Christine
Hey all! This is Christine and I'm excited to introduce myself as 1/3 of the Trio England Team! The Lord is good to me, and for as long as I have walked with the Lord I have had a heart to see the Nations, specifically western Europe come into the fullness of their redemption through Christ and walk in the purposes of God. I remember while friends prayed for China, the Middle East, and Africa, my heart was drawn to cry out for the sleeping church in western Europe and America.
I am encouraged to see how faithful God has been to even have been preparing me for this journey for at least 6 years as I have been living and serving Him in the wonderful city that I call home, Cleveland, Ohio. I am leaving with GREAT expectation of the Lord to do much, in our lives and in the UK while we trust Him for everything! I am excited to partner with these beautiful young ladies of faith, and have been daily encouraged by their surrender and trust in the Lord already!
I've come to see that there is no greater adventure than following Jesus around the world. Here we go!
Thanks for checking in! Bless you!
- Christine, Trio England Team
I am encouraged to see how faithful God has been to even have been preparing me for this journey for at least 6 years as I have been living and serving Him in the wonderful city that I call home, Cleveland, Ohio. I am leaving with GREAT expectation of the Lord to do much, in our lives and in the UK while we trust Him for everything! I am excited to partner with these beautiful young ladies of faith, and have been daily encouraged by their surrender and trust in the Lord already!
I've come to see that there is no greater adventure than following Jesus around the world. Here we go!
Thanks for checking in! Bless you!
- Christine, Trio England Team
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The ducks are getting ready to fly!
Tomorrow is the day that we all embark on our 6 week adventure!
This past week has really just been a preperation week for all of us. We've been waking up and starting our mornings off with worship and praying.
We have also just spent time in the word and have even just gotten to know eachother a bit more through some fellowship. I know that Ms.Clare has been doing quite a bit of work behind the scenes, as well as Christine to get everything else prepared.
I've had a bit of time to say some final goodbyes before leaving for a month and a half. And with everything being finsihed I can say that I know that we are all throughly excited for our trip and what the Lord is going to do during it.
-Alyssa, from the trio england team.
This past week has really just been a preperation week for all of us. We've been waking up and starting our mornings off with worship and praying.
We have also just spent time in the word and have even just gotten to know eachother a bit more through some fellowship. I know that Ms.Clare has been doing quite a bit of work behind the scenes, as well as Christine to get everything else prepared.
I've had a bit of time to say some final goodbyes before leaving for a month and a half. And with everything being finsihed I can say that I know that we are all throughly excited for our trip and what the Lord is going to do during it.
-Alyssa, from the trio england team.
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