Update

Three weeks since the last post and an update is necessary.

The past three weeks have been eventful!
October the 25th- we had an Offensive Roadshow where Dai Hankey spoke on the gospel and evangelism. It was a really good day where the Uni Students, Life groups, and folks from outside of Christchurch came together for the day and reminded afresh of the effect of the gospel and the sacrifice of our Savior.
...That night I completely lost my voice for the whole weekend and into the next week! The first time I have ever lost my voice for more than a couple hours. Its God's mercy that this was the sickest I have been since being here. It could have been so much worse! The exciting part of getting sick was trying to find medicine or remedies in a different culture to try and get better. Some of the things I tried where:

• Tea with Honey and Lemon juice
• Lemsip, a kind of medicine you put in hot water and drink (really tasty and soothing for the throat)
• lots of different "welsh" throat lozengers
  
• Taige's Birthday whiskey (this actually worked well)

Thankfully the rest of the week was half term break so we weren't in the schools like usual but did projects around the church building and planning for future assemblies.

October 30th- We had our first Students (uni) Coffee House in Junction 26 (ChristChurch's bar and lounge). It was a small turn out, but we had so much fun with the group and I think it really blessed them that we would do free coffee and set up the place for them. We are hoping to do a whole lot more of these in the future!

October 31st- We crashed the senior teens meeting with Gav and Emma. It was a great evening of hearing how the group is stepping out in their schools to share the gospel with their peers. Considering it was Halloween appropriately I thought we should dress up. I was going to dress up as Cleopatra, but the rest of the team where a bunch of lamos and didn't want to dress up so it didn't happen. :(

November 2nd- There was a student lunch Sunday that we went to gearing up for Out Post Cardiff. It was another great time to get to know them better and just chill.

November 4th- Which was Tuesday is our "Doctrine Day." We have been going through Wayne Greudms Bible Doctrine and any other articles that they give us to go over. Instead of doing Bible Doctrine, Bob McCan took us to the Three Black Birds my favorite pub we have been to where he treated us to Drinks, desserts, and a good dose of teaching on the doctrine of sin. Such a rich time of reviewing our desperation, inadequacy, and dependence then looking back to the cross where we find all joy, comfort, and hope!

That night we went to Alan and Heather Woods to get some catchup time. Heather fixed amazing lasagna. We spent the evening talking about grandkids, traveling Europe, challenges and how God is using the church, current circumstances and his word to reveal himself to us and grow us. They have been so encouraging and such a means of grace to build us up as we are here in Wales!

November 5th- Guy Folks Day:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I can think of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

David Toms and I went to watch fireworks with our homegroup at a rugby club. The Welsh celebrate Buy Fawkes day all week so we also went to caerphilly castle to watch fireworks, and celebrated at VJ with a big bonfire and MORE fireworks.

November 6th- is Bettws High day. This was the first day we did an assembly in the school. Janelle shared her testimony and then we announced VJ for the first time. We spent time praying before hand that the kids could ask us questions about Janelle's testimony and that the kids would be able to come to VJ.

November 7th- After the announcement of VJ at Bettws we were hoping to see some of them there. God was so faithful to answer our prayer and about 20-25 kids ended up coming! Praise the Lord!

November 9th- First Out Post Cardiff Sunday at Koko Gorillas! The venue was perfect Bar, band, and the whole nine yards! Pete spoke on the centrality of the gospel. Not very many guests came, but there was such a huge support group from church! Lord willing more and more people will come to here God's word preached!

November 11th- Hang out time at Juno lounge with the crew!

November 12th- Christmas market at church! So much fun! Tons of different vendors came to sell their wares. My first Christmas event for this year!

November 13th- Nicky's surprise going away party at China-China! She was shocked!

November 14th- Had 1031 in the evening with parents. Dave Taylor gave a great message called "Don't Die Young." It was on reading God's word, meditating on scripture, and then applying it to our lives, so we can grow in our Christian walk. He gave a great analogy from the Bourne Ultimatum on Simon Ross, the journalist who Jason B tries to contact to get info from. In the end they get in a bit of a tangle with hit men chasing them and as Jason B is giving Ross directions to escape Ross makes the statement : "I think I can make it" and as he steps out of the lines and directions Jason B is giving him gets a fatal shot to the head. It was sobering to think that God's word is so crucial to follow so we don't die young from wandering away from our savior.

Today! - Katherine and I had a great time in Cardiff getting with Hannah, Carolyn, and Sarah. We got to skim the Cardiff museum for the 1st time and do a bit of preChristmas browsing through the stores. We then Headed back home with David and Reese to watch Lemmony Snickets (one of my favorites!) with Peter, Ben, Jack S., Jack P., Taylor, Sarah and Mike.

Tomorrow is our 2nd OutPost! In Merthyr Tydfil there will also be a Baby dedication- Baptism-wedding vowel renewal going on. A gal in my life group will be getting baptized along with others! So exciting to see where God is at work!

*Please pray that there would be more people coming and that lives would be changed through the teaching and our interactions with them!

*Also, my camera has temporarily gone missing. I believe it is either around the house or at church somewhere. If you could be praying that I find it would be wonderful!

Thanks so much for caring for me enough to read my rambling!
Love you all!