Super, Extra-Large, Special Edition

Wowsers, the last part of October and the month of November have been forces to reckon with. Forces for good. I can't believe it's taken this long to get back with my blog audience, but when you read what's been happening, perhaps some grace will be extended.

(Derbyshire sunrise)

First, some VERY good news! I passed...my driving test. There was such grace and peace and the favour of the Lord on my second test. And my lovely pink driving licence has arrived stating that I was born in the United Kingdom. A little snafu that I'm in the process of fixing. Thanks for all of your prayers!! I totally felt a difference between this test and the previous one and can even say that I'm a better driver for my failure. I needed to be reminded that it's okay to fail and even a natural part of our walk on this planet.


(Bonfire Night fun)

A little less natural, but still beautiful part of the English walk is Bonfire Night. The 5th of November is a night where all of Britain comes together to celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes, a man who organised a plot to blow up Parliament. So they make giant fires, burn effigies of the man, and shoot off fireworks. Honestly, I think most people have forgotten what it's originally about and just come out to satisfy a little pyromania. The Students and Young Professionals met on Bole Hill and then had cocoa at Stephen's house. It was an opportunity to share with Stephen's neighbours and build community. I definitely recommend!

(Beautiful Koh Samui)

A little less physically fiery but not unfiery spiritually was the AMI Women's Retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand. Sixty missionary women from around the world came together to worship and minister to each other while being refreshed in the Lord. It was an amazing time of restoring and rebuilding faith and maybe having a little fun on the beach. But probably the most exciting part of the trip was the welcoming of a new Thai brother into the Kingdom. The man who served us tea and coffee gave his life to Jesus! WoooooHooooo!! His words were, "I asked the God to come into my heart and I changed!" and "When you sing, the hair on my arms stands up." Thank You Jesus for our new brother in Christ!


(Our Thai friend)

Ironically, whilst in Thailand, I celebrated my one year anniversary in Sheffield. It has been a fabulous year, and I'm amazed at what God has done in me and in Sheffield. Praise the Lord for He has done great things for me and I am filled with joy! I can't wait to see what He'll do in this next year. I've experienced Treasure Hunting and learning a new job and loving on people of a whole new culture and finally feeling like I'm starting to get it. I'm also starting to get a little tired of my own words. But I want to tell you in pictures about our annual weekend away, called Re:fresh. It was my second time at the retreat and the kids enjoyed learning about the Kingdom. Here are a few of the highlights.

Coming back right off the back of the retreat, I made a whirlwind trip down to London to visit Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford. When I got back, some of our uni students had organised a day on campus called, "Love Your Uni." We got to give out free hugs, pray for healing, and Treasure Hunt. Two people got healed and we prayed for countless others. God is so good, there are not enough words to say how good. I'll tell you more about it next month. Happy Thanksgiving all!!
J-


(Where's Janette?)

The Good, The Bad, and The Holy

Leaves are blazing with hues from golden to purple, and overcoats are coming out festooned with scarves in every shade of the rainbow. That's how you know it's autumn in Sheffield. I'm headed out to the Peaks for a short personal retreat this week, so I'm exciting to see the splashes of colour on the landscape. I think everyone should take a day or two once a quarter to get refreshed in God. I've noticed that it's been increasingly difficult to get myself out of bed on time and I've felt a little tired in general. But I feel energised when thinking about spending a day with Jesus, resting, getting fresh vision, and enjoying what it means to be a child of God.

The last part of September and first part of October have been a tug-of-war between the good, the bad, and the holy. Let's get the bad news out of the way first. Then we can focus on the the good and the holy. Thanks for everyone who prayed for my first driving test. Yes, my first is indicative that there will be a second. According to the examiner, "I'm afraid you have not been successful this time." Raise your hand if you like failing? I don't, so it's been a test of my character to fail and have to do it again. Test number two is scheduled for 28th October. I'm considering fasting in addition to prayer.


(The car I hired and drove the day before the test)

My brother was in town visiting the week before the test, and we had a great time driving out in the Peaks from the cliffs above Calver to the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest. He also joined me for the first of my djembe classes. Drumming is fun, hard on the arms, and another place of humility. Sometimes the hands just don't work the way you want them to; such is life. It is okay to not be skilled at everything. How else do we learn?

(Sherwood Forest with my bro)

Let's see, other good things: I'm officially volunteering with the adult head and neck cancer/voice therapy section of the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. I start 2nd November. It's mostly paperwork, but twice a month on Monday mornings I get to keep up my speech and language therapy skills or at least be close to speech and language therapy. I also look at it as an opportunity to meet more people and share the gospel. And, I got to go to my first English wedding. Fewer attendants, the bride and groom sit during the sermon, and the fudge cake literally has fudge in it. Mr. and Mrs. Hazell couldn't have asked for lovelier weather. Jesus likes weddings! Oh, and fun, Jesus likes fun. For our monthly staff fun day, we played a little Wii, and enjoyed each other's company in a lovingly competitive manner. Nadia took to sword fighting quickly:).

(Sitting during the wedding)

In the world of Treasure Hunting there's good, bad, and holy. This past Saturday we took a few of the Synergy students out for the first time. Synergy is an organisation on the University of Sheffield that brings Christian students together. They do an Alpha Course, Agape - an outreach to clubbers, and other events. So another member of staff, Todd, and I did a short training and then took the students out to hunt in the City Centre. The idea is to start Treasure Hunting on campus. I think it's holy to want to see more every time we go out!

(Maddie & Stephen :))
In the holy category, I've been working on an Identity series of curriculum with our older kiddos. I'm loving watching them learn who they are in Christ. To date we've covered I am loved and valuable, I am a friend of God, and I am chosen. I've also been working on a Training Manual and a Child Protection Policy for our second children's volunteer interest meeting this coming Sunday. I feel like I'm finally, after nearly a year in Sheffield, starting to figure out this Children's Pastor gig. That's exciting, because I feel like it will be a jumping off place for new things like outreach and more creativity and volunteer involvement. God is building His church and it's a joy to be a part in the good and the bad, but especially, the Holy.

(Student's Ultimate Spoons)

Faith, Hope, and Love

Usually I find something in my week or past few weeks that inspires me. That becomes the impetus for my title and away we go. But sometimes, you just gotta keep people updated on what's been happening. So that's what this month is about. Not that I'm not inspired about what's been happening in Sheffield. That's good news. Great things have been happening here.

(Russia Team)

I think I wrote last about our team that we sent to Russia. A team of eight university students and one church staffer went to Irkutsk, Siberia. They ran a week long sports camp in the absence of running water, ministered to children in an orphanage, and spent some time reaching out to the people on the street. The students shared their testimonies, and 20 kids decided to give their lives to Jesus! Sheffield, Russia, and the ends of the Earth...


(Nadia stealing the show)

Didn't go quite that far to celebrate my 27th. Yes, I'm comfortable saying I'm 27. Not much you can do about the progression of time, eh? But to celebrate, I, and about twenty friends and families from the staff went out to the Peaks. Specifically we ate at a pub in High Bradfield with spectacular view of the valleys and hills. It was good fun, and Julie even invited some new friends from the Middle East. Not bad for my first birthday in Britain. Nadia was the star of the show though. What a cutie!


(27th in the Peaks)

Twenty-seven promises to be a year of, well, great promise. I met a woman at the conversation club from Cuba, and now I have someone to practise Spanish with. Keeps my skills from getting rusty. I'm also starting an African drumming class as a new way to meet people. So thanks for praying for new outlets into the community! And thanks for your prayers about the driving test. T minus four days and counting (25 September 2009 11:21am GMT). Everywhere I walk, I keep declaring in faith that I will park without hitting the kerb, I will check my mirrors the appropriate amount of times, and I will know the different between my left and right.

(Getting my driving on...)

I guess it's suitable that a girl who confuses left and right in a pinch is in children's ministry. I'm much more suited to working with children than say a job in the army, left, left, left, right, left. And what's new with the children you ask? We've just wrapped up our series called "Back to the Basics" and this Sunday we'll start our Autumn and Winter series called "Identity." I'm super excited to be teaching the kids who Jesus says they are. Also on the horizon is starting a toddler group and family Alpha Groups. Should be an exciting Autumn. Maybe we'll even have 15 children again this week. I'm hopeful. Bring them on!

(Goodbye McElroys-You're Missed!)

We did say goodbye to two children this week. Our team members the McElroys, who have been here since the beginning, are taking a year in the States to pray about their next church plant. Stephen, Cheri, Jonathan, Timothy, Michaela, and Destiny will be missed! As the McElroys move on, two English staffers are coming on full time. Sarah, my housemate and on of the Uni pastors, and Kate, the youth pastor. Ah, people come and go; that's one reason Heaven will be so great. No more goodbyes. On that note, I will sign-off. Not goodbye, simply, see you later. Love you all! Faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.

A Whirlwind Of Activity

(Tower Bridge)

I have decided this year that instead of proceeding with the addition of years on my birthday, I will embrace subtraction. Twenty-five here I come ;). Just kidding, 27 should be a great year. I only wish that I had been able to savour this past month, the last month of 26, a little more. Busy is not bad, but running past the roses without smelling them concerns me.

(Mel & I at Mr. Darcy's a.k.a Chatsworth)

Don't get me wrong. It has been a great month! My friend Melaney came to visit, I saw London in greater depth than ever before, and my older sister dragged my mother and I on a whirlwind, crazy, four day excursion to Crete, Greece. Late July and August are a time of holidays, so everyone feels more relaxed in their work. It makes sense to me, because I've been working in the school system. But it takes some getting used to, taking a holiday when your co-workers continue to work. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

(Mom & Kim shivering because Sheffield is SO cold :))

I hope I never get used to seeing God move. What I mean is, I want to be excited every time. This month has been chock-a-block full of opportunities to encounter God in large groups. We had a ministry called Ministering to Jesus come for a weekend. The woman's name is Jenny Mayhew and her heart is a call back to worship, the kind of worship that is without agenda, simply loving on Jesus. We spent three days focusing on different attributes of God and scriptures, all without saying a single word. There's music, but the opportunity to respond is in your heart. It takes a little while to get comfortable, but in the end it was really cool. God delights in being worshipped. And we are changed by Him. But you know that.

(Re:create Sunday)

The next opportunity was Re:create. Kate, our youth pastor, organised the youth of our church to be a force of change in our city. Friday night was worship and prayer, Saturday homeless outreach, treasure hunting, and clean-up, and Sunday fun in the park. We had our first salvation on the street, and I watched this sweet Jamaican lady who sings on the streets round up eight teenagers to tell them about the love of Jesus. It was great!

(Crete at sunset)

We also sent teams to Irkutsk, Russia and Soul Survivor. I can't wait to hear the testimonies, but I'll share one with you already. Dustin, the young professionals/intercession guy on staff went to help oversee the boys, and in the big tent meeting had his knee miraculously healed! I don't have all the details, but he'd been injured in an Ultimate Frisbee game a few years ago and hadn't been able to run. A visit to a physio-therapist here revealed that the injury had caused Dustin to walk in a way that had affected his muscles. He felt his muscles shaking and his trainers caused him to get a blister because his walking stance has changed. AMAZING!

Somewhat less amazing, but still good, is I've passed the written portion of the driving exam. The 45 minute practical looms, but I can do all things through Christ, right! Things like reaching out to international women who are asylum-seekers and refugees and doing volunteer speech and language therapy with the National Health Service. As the children come back to school for the Autumn term, we'll be starting to teach the children about their identity in Christ.

I'm grateful for the chance to re-examine the past month with you all. It's good to look back and remember what God has done when you're looking forward to the work that needs to be done. Thank you for all your prayers and support!! I keep all of you in my heart even though I'm far away. Heaven is forever.

J-

The Un-Fourth of July

(Faith, Hope & Love)

It is my hope that my readers will not become weary of hearing about my year of firsts.  It's not that they don't have a fourth of July in Britain; it's just that they don't have a Fourth of July.  It would be a little interesting to celebrate the day that one of your colonies declared independence from your tyranny.  Needless to say, July 4th was a day much like any other.  In hindsight, it would have been an excellent day to host a barbecue as an outreach.  There's always next year.  But it remains to be said to all of you, "Happy Fourth of July!"

(One of my kids playing an Oompah Loompah)

While we haven't been having fireworks and barbecues with potato salad and the works, we did host an American-themed party for a group of international students.  Julie, one of my teammates, is finishing her Master's at Sheffield Uni, and she attended a no alcohol, end of term party where she met several Pakistani and Indian women.  Ira, another teammate decided to throw a similar party with an American theme.  It was an amazing time of loving on these ladies through friendship and a little Dance, Dance Revolution.  We even learned a new card game, but the most amazing part was testimony time.  Ira got to share her life story with the girls, and we gave each of them a Bible.  Julie is reading through the Bible with one of the girls, and another told Ira that she had always wanted a Bible.  I get goosebumps and watery eyes just thinking about it.  

God is so good, and He is moving in the international community in Sheffield.  Julie, Ira, and I have started attending an English club run through an organisation that assists asylum seekers and refugees.  It is a great way to connect with the nations that are in Sheffield and ask God to show us those who are hungry.  I even had a two-hour conversation with one man about the existence of God!  This occurred after the leader told us that the participants might not want to discuss religion or politics.  I was floored and am praying for the man that I spoke with to find Jesus.  

I'm also praying for my driving instructor.  I don't know if he knows Jesus, but I'm hoping for an opportunity to discuss something besides my inadequate turns-in-the-road.  If anyone is feeling like the Lord is wanting to teach them about humility, I recommend taking driving lessons in the UK.  There are so many things to think about, so I just pray during the whole session.  Never fear, I'm having fun facing the challenge.  Hopefully that will be my attitude during the 40 minute driving exam!  It's good to not take yourself too seriously:).

(Pyramids in the Peace Gardens)

This summer has brought some opportunities for fun as well as work.  Summer is a slower time for children's ministry as many of our families have holidays planned.  Praise the Lord, I still have people offering to volunteer to be in the Launch Pad, our Sunday children's ministry time.  This is a blessing as many of the students that volunteer throughout the year are home for the summer or are leaving for a 2 week mission trip to Russia. Please be lifting up the nine students who will be in Siberia from 31 July to 16 August.  

(I love my team!)

I'll leave you with some photos of our recent Staff Fun Day and strawberry picking time from last Sunday.  We did a photo scavenger hunt throughout the city, and I had a great time creating the list of silly things for us to do.  Strawberry picking was a more spontaneous, after-the-Gathering, quality time with the students and youth of the church time.  Just watch out for the stinging nettle, but enjoy the hunt for treasure if you ever go.  I'm looking forward to my first visitors and the outcome of the meetings that we have been having in order to evaluate what we are doing as a church.  Thank you all for your prayers and covering.  I couldn't do it without you all; You're Champs. 

Hugs, 

J-

(Strawberry tast..er picking)

When Did It Get to be June?

It's been a whirlwind of a time here in Sheffield over the past couple of weeks.  When I think about it, it's hard not to ask myself where the time has gone.  I enjoy being busy, but hate feeling like I'm not living life to the fullest in all the busyness. Thanks to everyone for your prayers as I'm sure they've helped in times when I just wanted to bury my head in the sand.  The whole experience of Mission Sheffield has been a blessing.  We've done everything in the city from worshipping God at the top of our lungs in a club to picking up rubbish to praying half the night to standing in rivers of water whilst Treasure Hunting.  

It all started out with a half night of prayer to prepare the ground and our hearts for what God was wanting to do.  Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head were part of the show as we used them to pray for the full armour of God and protection.  The group that we sent to reach out in the club and bar scene saw some amazing testimonies of God's love.  My housemate Fliss works in a university bar and after praying through the place, two of her staff members said they wanted to come to church or talk more about Jesus.  It didn't stop there because two of the girls riding home in a taxi got to pray for the driver.  It's a much better story than I am able to relate in the space I have here!

Every day of the week we were able to spend focused time in prayer and then we either went out for Treasure Hunting or served the area around our church building by picking up rubbish.  Our intention was to knock on doors and ask if there was any work to do, but no one took us up on the offer.  We did get to meet an older Christian couple and their friend who had just accepted Jesus.  So that was a great connect.  This couple gets together with seven other churches in the area to pray.  How encouraging!  

Nearly as encouraging as Wednesday treasure hunting.  We'd prayed for good weather all week, and up until Wednesday and thereafter, it didn't rain.  However, in our last few minutes of Wednesday Treasure Hunting, the sky opened up and it began to POUR!!  One of the girls in our group asked, "How much do we want it?"  So we went chasing after a white and red stripey umbrella down the main walking street.  It's a popular place for charities to catch people and try to stir up money.  So, one such fundraiser asked if we wanted to hear about orangutans and he said he would hear about God.  We spent 20 minutes in the rain, standing in water covering our shoes, praying for this gentleman who had studied Bible at the University of Sheffield.  It was so cool and totally worth it.  Four umbrellas clustered together, praying in the streets!!

I don't know how many people we prayed for or chatted with, over 50 I'm sure.  And on Sunday we had one person give their life to Jesus!  We also learned some good lessons about what doesn't work in Sheffield.  Like a barbecue in the car park asking people on the streets.  We had fun, but few takers.  Now it's a matter of figuring out how to maintain consistency of outreach.  In fact, as a church we're praying through everything that we do and asking for wisdom.  What to continue, what to stop, what to change, and what to start...  We've even done a survey.  Lord, give us wisdom.  

Enough of what's happening at work, now a little bit about what's new with me.  I've yet to meet the princes, but I do have a new housemate moving in soon.  It was sad to see Kate go, but God provided a great Christian girl to take her room.  Sarah's actually on staff with the church.  And, one of our staff families is headed back to the States as their four year commitment is up.  Change, change, change - gotta love it.  

(Housemates Sarah & Fliss)   

Like driving on the opposite side of the street.  That's right.  Drivers of Britain beware, Janette Stanberry is taking her first driving lesson this Wednesday.  Last night I even had a dream that I forgot which side of the road to drive on in which country.  I think it will be fine and exciting.  I'll let you know if you need to feel sorry for my driving instructor.   I'm also going to volunteer for the National Health Service.  It will be a chance to do volunteer speech and language therapy whilst I'm here.  Hmm, last but not least, my first visitors are coming!  My friends Melaney and Priya and my mom and older sister will visit Sheffield in the next month.  I'm excited to see them and wanting prayer to cover the visits.  I don't want anything to interfere with what God is doing, so it should be interesting.  

July and August are quieter months in Sheffield.  Our Uni students are home for summer break and the children finish school.  Come rain or shine, God is on my side.  Someone asked me the other day if I was thriving and encouraged.  I'm getting close to thriving and almost always encouraged.  Life isn't always coming up roses, but God is with us through it all.  I pray you find Him close and His love fresh today.  A great big hug!

Six Months Out

Sometimes it seems as if time has passed of which you're not really aware. Or maybe I just really don't know what six months 'feels' like. But I reached that milestone last week. Six months in England. I look back and consider them to be good months. These six months have been months that leave me longing for God to do more both in me and through me. Some days I don't even feel like my job is work and others, well, we all have those days. I can joyously report more of the first than the second!

The weather around here has been a bit nutty lately; it reminds me a bit of the spring weather in Texas. Whereas generally the rain falls like a mist or drizzle, we've even had thunder. There's a lot of rain in England, but not much thunder. So, it was an exciting occurrence. Of course it happened to rain on the day we had planned an appreciation barbecue for the Lifegroup Leaders, so we ended up grilling in the rain. Daniel, the head pastor, grilled chicken with a spatula in one hand and an umbrella in the other. It was a good time of blessing those who have poured their lives and prayers into the small groups at church.

The weekend before, all the ladies of the church gathered for a Women's Day out in Killamarsh, a sort of suburb of Sheffield. We met at a house called Westthorpe Hall, and it was amazing. The garage was tidied and decorated and everyone ministered to. Several of the youth girls and two of the younger girls came and we praised and learned about being daughters of the King and made jewelry and cards to hand out to the prostitutes that two of the ladies in the church are reaching out to here in Sheffield. Good food and good fellowship and excellent pinnies, as they call aprons.

Remember, I asked if everyone would be praying for the crazy season. Thank you for your prayers. It's halfway over and there is much grace from God. Sometimes it's just remembering to rest in Him. Hard thing to do. I'm grateful for reminders that He is the King of the World. We completed our scheduled prayer gatherings (church services where we focused on worship and prayer) with a Nation's Night. I got to paint flags on the children's faces; it's really hard to remember how all those flags look. More than one child had Romania instead of France or the like. The church with the older children included lifted up the persecuted church, war torn countries, nations that we felt called to pray for, and rejoiced in what God is doing. The persecuted church portion met in the stairwell and whispered and hummed their prayers. My favourite was probably the rejoicing station. First we would read out what is happening in different places in the world and then choose a way to thank God. Everyone else got a good start when we thanked God with a ROAR!

And the children, well they loved it. They're loving learning about salvation and baptism and communion this week. I call it Back to the Basics. The younger children are learning all about the things and people that God made. We have three children who want to be baptised and in June we have about 10 days of focused outreach to the city. It's called Mission Sheffield, taking a mission trip to your own city. We're praying for great connects as we prayer walk the city, treasure hunt, serve the community surrounding the church building, and have service in the park. Pray for sunshine!!! God is moving, can you feel it? Six months out and six months into God's work. More God, I ask for more!

And I haven't forgotten the story of repentance. Most of us know that it seems really hard to get up in front of a room of people and repent, but that's exactly what Daniel did. The team here has had a bit of a rocky history, and Daniel felt like God was saying that repentance would bring many things to the church including revival. So, he stood in front of the whole church and explained what had been happening and repented for his shortcomings in it all. We as a staff repented for a lack of unity, and the whole church prayed. It was powerful stuff. If repentance will bring the life and renewal of God, let's start doing it more often! What if we were known as a people of repentance? What then? God knows I've got a ways to go. You are all in my heart! Be blessed this spring :).

When Last I Wrote...

       

Happy Monday to all.  I hope you all enjoyed a small glimpse into English daily life.  The flowers here are in full bloom, and I think we received enough rain today to spruce our garden back into greenness of life.  A season of new beginnings, that's Spring for you.  Since last I wrote, Easter has come and gone, but Jesus is still risen!

Many of the university students return home for Easter holidays, so it's been a quiet couple of weeks.  For my Easter holidays I spent a day hiking with two of the families from the church, a day brunching and Easter egg hunting, and a very American evening of tacos.  It was great to get to know some of my kiddos better on the hike.  One of the families trains hunting dogs, and I got to watch the wonder of well trained puppies. 

Brunch was a church affair.  A mismash of everyone who didn't have Easter plans or didn't go home for the holidays.  It's was great to get to watch little Nadia's first Easter egg hunt.  She was distinctly less interested in finding the eggs than in the joy of walking.  For taco night, we played games and enjoyed guacamole and all the fixings.  Minus the queso mind you.  They haven't mastered the art of Fuzzy's queso here yet. 

After Easter it was back to business as usual.  As usual as we get here.  We learned about salvation on Easter and then proceeded back into our Worship theme.  So far we've learned what worship is and why and how we do it.  This past week there were 14 kids in Launch Pad.  It was as if we suddenly bloomed.  Like Spring came in the children's ministry.  As long as God promises to be with me and give me wisdom, I think we can keep blooming and blooming. 

Two of the girls have been coming with a gentleman who walked into church off the street four weeks ago.  He had been drinking, but came in to check out the service.  One of the guys in the church got to talking with the man and prayed for him.  Turns out he used to be a pastor and fell into alcoholism.  But you wouldn't even know he's the same man from four months ago.  That's the power of Jesus Christ.  Sometimes I need to remember how powerful the gospel is, even though I'm submersed in it everyday.  New beginnings, new beginnings. 

I nearly forgot to mention our trip to Our Cow Molly.  It's a farm in Dungworth that makes ice cream.  It was great fun playing with the animals, swinging on rope swings, shepherding sheep, and, of course, consuming ice cream.  This week, I'm heading down to Cheltenhem in the Cotswolds for a short trip/personal retreat.  I'm excited to see a new part of this country that is slowly becoming my new home.  It will also be a good chance to spend a whole day with God, being refreshed by His presence. 

God is doing great things in the UK.  Next time I'll share a cool story of repentance, but I'd better sign off for now.  I pray this finds you experiencing new beginnings even amidst the turning up and replanting of new ground.