Dear friends and co-laborers, we are finally back in England after our 6-month stateside assignment in the US. The last five weeks were the most intense as we spoke in 9 churches, and we are pleased to have established a few new partnerships.
Yesterday completed one full week of work here, and over the course of that time we visited 16 co-workers, had 5 coaching sessions via Skype or Facetime, and initiated spiritual conversations with several people. We are greatly encouraged to hear some wonderful things that have taken place while we’ve been gone, both here in the UK and in other places like Sweden, Australia, Fiji, and the US. I’ll be heading to Dublin, Ireland next week to train some national partners, grateful for the opportunity to visit that country for a second time.
Our work has not come without serious challenges, however, and we find ourselves facing spiritual warfare. Our time in the States was marked by conflict, the most serious of which came from two relatives just days before our return to Europe. Last Friday as I set out to embark on our first day at work, my back gave out and left me with intense pain that I’ve had to endure all week. Yesterday we were involved in a small accident where a motorcycle struck us as he carelessly passed a bus. On top of all this has been the loss of many dear colleagues who are opting for an early retirement, and the effect is not unlike a soldier hearing of fallen comrades (just to put your mind at ease, we are not retiring).
With all these things pressing hard against us, I know this is nothing coincidental. A dear and trusted friend of ours assured us that the enemy is waging war against us because we are a threat to the darkness. I ask that you pray for us during these difficult times.
Pray for us:
- resolution of conflict with relatives back home
- training weekend in Ireland with national partners
- meetings this month that will help determine our future direction
- open doors for the gospel in England and throughout Europe
We are grateful for your love and support. Let’s keep our focus on the mission of Jesus and continue moving forward!
