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July 27, 2007

Hello from London

Today is our day off in London. While the rest of the team is out I decided to stay
"close to home" at theLondon School of Theology to get some time alone to read, jounal, and reflect. I've had a lovely day enjoying a few resturants, coffee shops, and stores down the street from we are staying. Thankfully, most of the day I did a pretty good job of remembering to look right first when crossing the street- only one time would a car have hit me had he not stopped- I get confused where vehicles are turning.

The two devotional I brought where "Someone Who Beckons" and Your Father Loves You. Today they were both on evangelism (big shock). One spoke of Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well and how he related her situation to what was happening in her life- she needed water- physically and spiritually. The other spoke of Jesus' parable about
the good Samaritan and how no evangelism tract was handed to the man taken to the inn. There is no disconnect with the spirit and the body yet I often disconnect justice and evangelism. This conference is encouraging me in the need to speak of Jesus to others and my church shows me how to do justice. God knows I need these connected in my mind....seems like that is what he is up to. :)

It is an honor to see some of the ways Jesus is at work in London. I have met some amazing believers who have given up so much to follow Jesus but now have found true joy and peace. Last night a man, who was a former imam at a mosque, spoke to us about his conversion from Islam to Christiainity and now reaches out to the South Asian Muslim population here. It was a powerful testimony of God's power to reach into, what human speaking would be, impossible situations and draw someone to Himself. There are many testimonies of that here and it a blessing to meet these wonderful brothers and sisters.

We have participated in door-to-door evangelism, book tables, and prayer walks. These have been exciting and humbling experiences.
-During the door-to-door evangelsim we asked people to take surveys so the individuals of the churches, in our case New Life Masih Ghar, would know how to serve the people of Southall and share Jesus with them. We spoke to a few people, took a few surveys, and prayed with a fellow believer we met that was having back problems.
-We did a prayer walk at a mall in another part of London while another half of our group set up a book table to hand out free reading material in a variety of languages about Jesus. As we prayed with our eyes open, literally or we would have walked into a wall or another person, it was good for my heart to struggle with the ways my heart clings to externals for comfort- if I only looked this way, had this item, etc. Instead of going to God for my longings I go to choice idols and lay myself before them. (God root this out! You really are the ONLY one that brings my heart true peace- help me run to you!)

So there is my long update. If you'd like to read another here is Kirk's update.

Alrighty then, cheerio!

Posted by Miss Mark at 3:07 PM

July 19, 2007

Jambo

So I've been a poor blogger lately. I lot has changed in my life since my past blog.

I move out of my former apartment with Amanda and into my new apartment with Linda and Drea.

I just returned from Nairboi Kenya with other members of New City Fellowship St. Louis. We visited ministries of one of our sister churches, New City Fellowship Nairobi: Overcomers by Grace and St. Lazarus School. God is powerfully at work in Nairobi- amidst the immense poverty of the Kibera slums and the oppressive Hindu and Muslim religions, Jesus is there with our brothers and sisters, working powerfully to show his love. I was so honored to meet the some of the Christians that work and live there- they have so much joy! The children were wonderful- despite living in filthy, unsanitary, conditions, they have joy in the Lord.

I leave Sunday for London to participate in and help lead worship L.E.A.P. Conference and to hopefully spend some quality time with the Hatch family.

I will write more later. I have five minutes on my computer and I need to go make a dessert.

Posted by Miss Mark at 12:27 PM