Amazing Grace

I just feel quite over whelmed by a sense of God's grace and love at the moment. Partly I'm tired and emotional anyway. But the Lord has blessed me with a real overwhelming sense of his love and his care. I've been reading through Galatians this week and chapter 2 verse 20 really hit me between the eyes again: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
I look at my heart and see the reality of the thoughts and desire that come out of it. I know I am good at keeping the bad ones at bay most of the time - but God sees my heart and I know I cannot stand before him. Except for the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. To know that I am that loved, that valued, that precious is wonderful. To know that it is not earnt, but simply received by faith is far more wonderful.

We had 8-10 children on Sunday again, which is a great blessing. That brings attendant mothers with them! But in a gathering of 30 or so, we only had four men, and one of those is back to Australia now! If you could pray for more men, that would be appreciated! Pray that the husbands of the ladies who come, would come too, and that whole families would love to join together in celebrating the of God in Jesus with us.

Reuben is growing six teeth at the moment. For the first time in a long time he slept through the night last night. Hurrah! Helen and Josh are well. Helen has been a little under the weather over the last week, but she seems better again today. Our Aussie lodger, Erin, is 24 on Monday, so we are trying to think up something for her birthday. That reminds me I've missed a couple of birthdays this week. I had better go and sort them out.
Get in touch. We want to hear from you.
God bless,
Chris

Harvest Thanksgiving Service

Last Sunday was our Harvest Thanksgiving service. We tried to do it as a family service, so the children stayed in all the way through. We weren't however expecting 14 children! It was a great blessing to have close to 40 people with us, including the children. We must have had virtually a 50/50 split between regulars and visitors. My prayer is that the gospel would have been clear to all and the Lord would have made it plain to their hearts.
We even had 30 or more stay for lunch! Good job we had plenty of food. If we continue to get this many children we will need to do some serious thinking about how to move on from here. Still much to give God thanks for over this weekend.
Chris

And so we move ahead

It was a blessing to have two sets of visiting Americans with us last Sunday. There was a gentleman on his own who certainly seem to appreciate the ministry. He (and his wife when she arrives) will be in the country for 2 years. There was also a family, Mark (I think), Deborah, Jordan, Madison and Jessica (I think)! I try hard at names but they rarely stick well. They will be here for a year. It would be wonderful if they did stay with us, but they may seek a church with more children for the sake of friends for their children. They will be home schooling them.

This week I went up to London Theological Seminary for their student placement meeting. A gentleman called Claudio Amaral has been placed with us. We are lookng forward to meeting him and his getting involved in the work here as a part of his training. I also went to Oak Hill Theological College for their student placement meeting. It is possible a couple of friends of ours who are just starting will come down to us, but it is a bit of a treck without a car. Still it was good to go and meet some new faces.

Our harvest service will be a week on Sunday so I am desperately trying to get everything sorted out for that. Still have lots to do. Please keep praying for us and don't hesitate to get in touch. God bless,
Chris