I didn't realize it has been so long since I have posted in this blog!
To update on Steven, he has healed up very well and is now at Ft. Lewis in Washington where they will do a medical retirement for him. He still sees doctors and has therapy for swallowing and to gain more mobility in his neck. He will most likely be there 5 or 6 months and then will be out of the military. He is very happy to be out of Texas and so much closer to home and his friends and kids. It has been quite a journey, but we know the Lord has reasons for all of it and has Steven in His hands. Thanks to all of you for your support and love and prayers during those months.
Since we returned to England in March, we have been busy getting reaquainted with people and trying to pick up where we left off in November. Being away for 5 months brought about changes in some of the things we had been doing....people's lives went on, schedules and things changed in those 5 months. It took some time to get our heads back into our life here. But it wasn't long before we were busy again.
Steve takes the bus to Exeter once a week to disciple 3 young men and also to do work around the church building. He has been painting and doing repairs whenever he gets the time. He has had several opportunities to share his faith while waiting for the bus, on the bus or just meeting people on the street. Having an American accent gets attention and opens doors for conversation. People want to know why we are here. When they find out we aren't on 'holiday', they want to know why we would leave home and come here to live. So we tell them!
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| Catching bus to Exeter |
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| Talking to street musician in Exeter |
Steve volunteered again this summer at Creation Fest UK. He worked security in the mornings and then washed pots and pans in the kitchen in the evenings. He was privileged to lead a young man to the Lord who was in England 2 weeks before returning to Turkey. He came from a Muslim family and knew nothing about Jesus or the Bible. He came to Creation Fest because he was looking for the truth. That was quite a joy for Steve to share with him and help him understand God's love and redemption! When he returned home after that week, he slept for 2 days! LOL!
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| Security crew at Creation Fest |
We are involved in helping with the midweek studies in Ivybridge, Plymouth, and Torquay. Steve usually brings his guitar so we can have a time of worship before the study. We go up to the Exeter church most weeks on Sunday mornings and then to Wotter on Sunday evenings where we lead worship and I help in Sunday school.
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| Ivybridge study |
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| Outdoor study in Torquay |
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| Sunday night service in Wotter |
One thing Steve loves to do is lend a helping hand to people who need work done at their homes. He has joined the Ivybridge Caring group that volunteers to help older people who need gardening, cleaning, repairs around the house or who just want someone to go to coffee or take them for a walk. Sometimes I am able to go along with him.
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| Cleaning up and elderly lady's overgrown garden and patio |
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| Work day at Exeter Calvary Chapel |
I have started up the women's study in Ivybridge again. We are studying the book of Genesis...verse by verse...and the ladies are loving it. They comment that they never knew you could actually read the Bible and learn so much from it! It is a joy to be able to help open the scriptures to them and see them learning to apply it to their own lives. I also have been discipling several women...older and young. Some live in different towns and I take the bus. Those days can get long since the bus travel sometimes takes and hour and a half one way. But it is very much worth it as I am seeing them growing and changing and learning to trust the Lord more and more.
So many seem to have numerous needs that at times it seems almost overwhelming. We don't have the answers to their problems, but we can point them to the One Who does. Discipling takes on many forms. Sometimes it is sitting down and studying the Word with them. Sometimes it is just listening and praying. Many times it is taking them with us and hanging out...walking, shopping, eating, etc. Sometimes it is gathering in a group to fellowship and share the Word. For some, it involves having our home and our lives open and available for them, for a meal or tea or just being there. It is in these times that we can speak the truth into their lives and they can see how we live out our faith on a daily basis.
Hope this updates you a little on what we have been doing these past months. So much more can be shared, but it can wait for another time :-)
As always, we are so very thankful for all of you who encourage, support and pray for us. This is not OUR ministry....it is the Lord's ministry and we are all a part of it in different ways...no part more important than the other.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ. Phil. 1:2-5
