To Infinity and Beyond

I recently watched the Muppet film at the cinema, and the short before the film was a Toy Story short.  Prehaps that is why 'to infinity and beyond' came to mind for the title of this blog.  Or maybe it would be more aptly titled, "To India and Beyond" as the School of Transformation students and staff are doing our outreach in India this Easter and have been busy planning and fundraising for the trip, which will cost each student £900.  Last night we hosted a Bollywood themed night with costumes, curry, and dance lessons.  It was a blast; we even made the paper.  (Check out the article Here)  While there, the students, staff and I will get a chance to minister to orphans and to participate in other ministry to the poor.  There'll be some information at the bottom of the blog if you'd like to give to myself or any other students. 

The 'ladies' on the Re:fresh hike

But enough of India, let's go back a bit.  I promised to tell you about some other exciting Sheffield events.  Like Re:fresh.  Re:fresh is always a great time building community with people's hearts more open to God.  Because we'd spent so much on our building, we decided to stay in Sheffield and enjoy it.  Joe Ewen from Scotland spoke, and Saturday night we experienced the presence of the Lord especially powerfully.  The kids joined us for part of the ministry time where we prayed over each other; they loved it.  And, I loved sharing the experience with the kids because ultimately, I want them to know that God is real, powerful and wants to speak to them and know them.

Kid's Theme at Re:fresh

Many exciting things have happened in the Children's Ministry this season.  Bex Ellis, one of our volunteers has joined us as an intern.  She is a blessing because she helps keep me organised and reminds me when I've forgotten different tasks I'm meant to do.  Please keep her in your prayers as she grows in this role and in July as we have another Launch Pad volunteer who wants to join the team and work with the kids and families.  I have been praying for this for 3 years!!!  Also, 15 kids have visited the church the past two months along with a puppy friend.  The puppy came to visit to help socialise him for work with other really ill children.  Watching children with a puppy, I challenge you not to smile.

There has been a lot of smiling this winter.  Our LifeGroup watched 'A Christmas Carol'  for our Christmas party, inviting friends and bringing snacks.  Singing along was optional, and one of our members has a cinema in the basement of their building.  I knew a lot of the lyrics to the songs.  I also had a bunch of ladies over to make Christmas goodies, something I haven't done since I was 12 or so.  It was fun to share American Christmas goodies with the British and vice-versa.  It also meant I had some snacks to bring to our annual team Christmas party complete with "Mr. Bean's Christmas" and white elephant gifts including brussel sprouts.  Only at a British Christmas.

ATS at Wesley Hall

Boxing Day with the Bundocks

I spent Christmas with my friend Lara and her family in Skipton, north of Sheffield in the Yorkshire Dales.  They welcomed me as one of their own, and I felt truly blessed.  Lara even took me to the train station at half six for my flight back to Alabama for my older sister Kimberly's wedding.  It was a New Year's Eve event.  The Mullek family, Kim's new surname, are great fun.  During my time there, I won the 5K fun run, caught the bouquet, and met a young couple doing mission work in South Africa.  It was great fun, but good to get back to Sheffield as well.

 Our YoPro LifeGroup has successfully multiplied into 2 groups, we had 116 people at our Gathering last night, we're planning a World Mandate Europe for the last week of March with guest speakers Kevin Johnson and Jimmy Seibert, and I'm looking forward to a children's ministry conference in March.  God is working in Sheffield.  As always, thank you so much for your prayers and your support!  I truly loved being back with you this summer and am thankful I got to see my uncle Ray as he passed away last week.  But he knew Jesus even in the midst of health trials.  Please keep my father, aunt, cousin, and grandmother in your prayers. 

Sister, sister

**As promised, if you would like to give to myself or one of the other students for the trip to India,  you can send money into SLNI, 5023 Trail Lake Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76133.  If you put in a note with my name and India on it, it will get to the right place.  Let me know if there is anyway I can be praying for you.  Big hugs!