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.