May 2011 Update

I haven’t written much so far in 2011, but it’s not for a lack of activity.  We have a busy work and church schedule and my kids are growing up and starting to spread their own wings.

It’s hard to believe this summer will be 5 years since God brought us to the UK.  I’ve documented a few of the stories, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg with regards to what God has done.  As John wrote at the very end of his ancient manuscript, ‘If everything Jesus did was documented in books, the world could not contain all the books that would have been written.’  Suffice to say we are exactly where God wants us to be.  Life isn’t without it’s challenges, but we know we are in the right place at the right time.

We are preparing to apply for our Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK visa.  This is not citizenship, but means we can stay in the UK without having to apply for another visa.  Part of the process requires taking a Life in the UK test, which we hope to take in July.  My wife and I and our oldest daughter (everyone in the family over 18) have to take this exam and we cannot apply for the visa until we’ve passed.  As our youngest is 13, this will give us stability until they are all out on their own.  Then we’ll see where God takes them. 

I think my wife and I will eventually apply for UK citizenship and retain our American citizenship.  There are quite a few advantages to this, but we need at least another year in the country before we even qualify.

In the meantime, I’m also studying German.  After a business trip in March, and 3 years of business and leisure trips to Germany, I was really burdened to know the language better.  I have to wonder what this means for the future as burden’s like this are often from the Lord.  I remember one of the early visions when preparing for England was of God visiting England, then reaching into Europe.  Whether that means we’ll one day move to a German speaking country, or still base in England and just travel frequently to German speaking countries, I have no idea.  And there is too much happening in the here and now to worry about it.

I’m coming to the end of my first year as chairman of Churches Together in Leatherhead.  One of our achievements this year is the creation of a new website.  More than a website, we are building unity across denominations and with the town, and doors are opening for us to participate in town activities like never before.

In a recent meeting with town officials, shortly after our (area churches) participation in our first town event, the town officials were thrilled to discuss other ways the church can be involved. 

My heart is as Christians, we are to carry the light of God into the darkness, which means getting out of our church buildings and into the places where people meet, people that need to know the love of God, and we demonstrate the love of God in word and deed.

During the last town event which was a celebration of the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton, our dancers performed a wedding dance, our musicians played, our treasure hunters found lots of treasure and prayed for many, and those trained in Ruach cards were able to bless and pray for nearly 30 people.  The Ruach cards had a non-stop line (queue) for the full 5 hours they were in opeation.

There truly is an open heaven right now of the likes I’ve never seen before!  I hope we can take advantage of it without missing out or losing our way.  Yes, it’s God’s blessing, it’s also a result of unity, and of attitude.  We are not going in with an us vs. them mentality.  We are going in with the attitude that we are God’s hands, feet and voice, with the purpose of blessing and helping rather than condemning.

We are going to do things that some may find controversial, like participating in the town Halloween festival.  My family doesn’t celebrate Halloween, but why we should we hide?  There is a lot of darkness out there and people that need a touch from God.  Rather than protesting, let’s be a part of it, and find ways to shine the light into the darkness, without compromising the light or who we are nor condemning others.  Jesus Himself said, ‘I come not to condemn the world but to save it.’

So normally, come the Autumn, I’d start like for a successor to the chairmanship of Churches Together, but the pastors are so pleased with what’s happening, they’ve already agreed for me to stay on for a second 2 year term to allow us to continue the work.

Now we are looking at street pastors to work with the police late nights on weekends around the pubs and clubs, creating a Churches Together community engagement group to proactively support the many charities struggling on their own, and fill in the gaps, and increase the church presence in North Leatherhead where there currently are none other than a few Christian charities.

If you remember the dream I had of the ark, it is certainly coming to pass.  We haven’t seen a physical typhoon in the Pacific (though Queensland Australia was hit by one) or a tsunami in the Atlantic (though Japan was hit by one that even killed people in the USA), there has certainly been disaster all around leading right up to our town in England, from natural disasters to war in Africa and Middle East, to economic as many governments teeter on bankruptcy including the US and the UK.  We carry the good news, the message of hope to world awash in hopelessness.  There is security, a refuge, an ark, in only one place, and that is Jesus.  Though our security is in the ark we have to put ourselves in places where we can tell others rather than hiding in the ark.

Personally, I’ve had opportunities for long term mentoring as well as helping others with words in due season.  I just returned from my first business trip to the US for the year, and was privileged to see old friends and make new ones, to see what God is doing in the little town where I grew up and encourage some in their walk.

I’ve been a Christian for 21 years now.  This journey is more amazing and wonderful than anything I ever could have imagined.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything!