A very warm start in a very cold climate

Well, we have been here in England for about a week and a half now and we are growing more and more in love with the place and more and more confident that this was the right move for us at this stage.

We have been so welcomed by all we have met. The church has been so hospitable with gifts, furniture, food and friendship. We have almost a full house of furniture and the only thing we have bought ins a mattress!! We have had gifts of lounge chairs, full dinner suites, bookcases, fridge/freezer, breakfast table and chairs, crockery, cutlery and a long list of other blessings. It reminds me of the church in the book of Acts where it says that they all gave as others had need (Acts 2:44-45). It reminds me more of what the church is meant to be about – not judging people and pointing out their lack, but blessing people and looking after each other – God help me to understand this better.

The church building is beautiful. The church was birthed out the Welsh Revival at the turn of last century and was started as a ‘tin shack’ but it grew so large and so quickly that they had to erect a permanent structure only a few years in. It is the ‘old’ style’ stone church that would imagine. It has beautiful stained glass windows; beautiful stone carved pillars and an amazing atmosphere. We received a book about the history of the church. It is amazing to read.

Last Saturday, the 31st of January, we went to Gloucester for a drive – about one hour away. Once again, another great town with incredible history. We went there to have lunch at Robert Raikes’ House. Robert Raikes is the man credited with being the ‘Father of Sunday School’. It was during the 1700’s that he got concerned that so many children were just running around the streets and not getting educated. So he started Sunday School to not only educate them but teach them the Word of God’. It was great to sit in his house which is now a restaurant. A great day before we started as the Children’s Pastors of St. Paul’s.

The first day of work (Monday) started with a prayer meeting at 7:15am. It was a great start to my first posting as a full time kid’s pastor. There was also a prayer meeting at night where the church came together to pray for us again.

Yesterday (Sunday the 7th of February) was our commissioning services. The service where they officially pray for us, where we pledge our commitment to the post and they present us with ‘signs of the ministry’. It was a very moving service. We are so quick to turn away from ‘tradition’ or ‘ceremony’ but at the same time; sometimes it is a very powerful thing. The ‘Signs of the ministry’ included a Gourde of water (baptism), Bible (Word of God), Cup and Plate (communion symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus) and a cruet of oil (Holy Spirit). We now start planning our first Champness run kids’ church services for this Sunday (14th of February).

We are really enjoying being here in England. We are meeting great people and are quickly making friends. We are loving the weather (even the cold). This really is a great country. We are even more convinced that this is where we should be at this stage. We miss of family and Aussie friends, but this feels ‘right’ for this stage of our lives.

We miss you all and really enjoy receiving your emails. We still don’t have internet at home, so we have limited access through the church or McDonald’s. But as soon as we have internet we will get Skype happening and communicate more.

Bless ya!
b.