In the Spirit of Honesty

In case any of you are imagining London as a sparkling city - its harsh edges softened by the falling of gentle white snow in the crisp moonlight, its serenity broken only by the sounds of the Salvation Army choir in the far distance and the revelries of children playing the exuberant games of youth in the powder of the snow - I thought I should mention that London is too far in the south of England to ever get a decent snowfall.

Christmas cards and Charles Dickens have a lot to answer for.

The view out my window this afternoon

Christmas

Hello All! A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you. :)

Several months before leaving, I decided not to come home for Christmas. Thankfully, a friend at work invited me to join her family for the holiday, and I had a wonderful time with them in London, Suffolk, and Cambridge. I can now confirm that mince pies, mulled wine, and Christmas pudding are all delicious, and that nothing beats feeling welcomed in - especially at a time of year that is otherwise so associated with loneliness. When I spend Christmas with my immediate family, I expect their love. I expect them to be kind, generous, and fun. That alone is a gift, but one of the many blessings of this Christmas was that I knew I had no right to expect any of those things. I found myself praying on Christmas morning for a way to respond because I hadn't done anything to deserve such kindness and generosity, and I was suddenly reminded that that's the point.

We cannot deserve Christ. There is nothing I can do to make myself more worthy of His sacrifice. That didn't stop Him from loving us anyway, and giving to us far more than any of us could have asked or imagined.

In the spirit of Christmas in London,
"God bless us, every one!"

This week

I'm aware I don't post stories on here very frequently, if at all. This is for a variety of reasons, chief among them a desire to respect the privacy of everyone I have the opportunity to interact with. Today, however, I have permission to share a very recent experience of a fellow LCM worker which I hope will be of encouragement to you.

X was walking her dogs down the street on her day off. She had a leash in one hand and a spray bottle full of water in the other, in case the dogs became too mischievous. It was another normal London day. As she walked down the street, a man approached her.

"How are you getting on with the dogs?"

X stopped. This was a rough area of the city, and London isn't generally known for its pedestrian chitchat. (Let that be your understatement for the day.) She made cautious conversation, telling him a bit about the water bottle she was carrying. The conversation eventually moved to his health and how he believed he had healed himself of a debilitating disease. X was curious.

"But you're better now?"

The man paused for a moment. It was evident something was still wrong. X gave him time to find words to describe his current condition, and at last he told her about the demonic oppression he was struggling under. He said he was dealing with it in his own way, but X told him she had the true answer to his problem. As soon as she mentioned the name of Jesus, the man began to smirk. X became nervous. It was an unsettling situation. What was she doing here, on her day off, trying to tell a man on the street about Jesus?

Suddenly, an enormous man approached from behind X. This gentleman was "suited and booted" as the saying goes - wearing an outfit that appeared to be incredibly expensive. He was an African man and had a handsome face with what X later described as "a permanent smile". As this new stranger walked up, he looked at X and said, "Lead him to the cross."

X and the oppressed man both turned to look at him. The stranger repeated himself, "Lead him to the cross." and continued walking. Before he walked out of sight, he turned around and called out,

"It's only through the cross!"

Then he was gone.

This gave X the courage she knew she needed. She was able to continue her conversation with the man she had just met, challenging him about his unwillingness to believe in Christ when he was so ready to accept the existence of spiritual forces. She tried to get him into contact with a nearby Christian mission. As it turns out, that ministry was already aware of this particular man, and they are now taking steps to reestablish contact with him. Please be in prayer for wisdom for the missionaries reaching out to this person, and pray for Christ's healing and redemptive work in his life.

"How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: And "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
- Romans 10:14

X shared this message with our training class this morning, and it struck me that this was the second such story I've heard this week. I received her permission to share her story online, and now I would like to tell you briefly about another.

I have the opportunity where I'm serving to meet regularly with a woman named H. H speaks Bulgarian and Greek, but virtually no English. Thankfully Yordan, one of the missionaries at Ridley, speaks Bulgarian as his first language. This is a tremendous blessing as it's not a very common language in the sea of cultures that make up Forest Gate, meaning H often has a great deal of difficulty communicating.

On Tuesday, during the meeting with H, an interesting question arose. I had heard previously about the day she first arrived at Ridley. Sammy, our Centre leader, had been trying to learn where she was from and if she knew any English when Yordan entered the room. It became immediately evident that they (quite literally) spoke the same language. As it happened, she had a flat very near the Centre and had decided to visit. That was all I knew about how she became associated with the ministry to begin with.

The question that came up this Tuesday was how she had decided to visit in the first place. H told Yordan she had been in England a very short time and was walking down the street when a Bulgarian woman came up to her and told her to go to Ridley Christian Centre. 'There is a man there who will speak to you in Bulgarian.'

H hasn't seen or heard from this woman since. They spent some time trying to decide who it could be, but Yordan doesn't believe he has ever heard of this woman or met her at all.

Please let this be an encouragement to you. So often we can fall under the burden of not knowing who to speak or reach out to. So often we can become frustrated when we come up against a barrier - whether it's fear, language difficulty, or any of our myriad limitations. Please be reminded that God is faithful and very actively involved. I know it's encouraged me.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 
 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
                     - Isaiah 55:8-9 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
                     - 2 Corinthians 12:9a

Grace Notes (Abridged)

I haven't updated this blog since I first began working at Ridley.

Believe me when I tell you that is no coincidence.

I'm not sure which of you receive the Grace Notes from church and which don't, so here's an 

abridged copy of what I sent in this week: 

The last two months in London (Yes, two months already! Time flies.) have been so full of opportunities to learn, share, and serve that it’s difficult to know where to begin. I’ve completed training, found a church and a library, learned how to navigate public transport, begun work in the East End, and even made a few friends.

Some of you are aware that initially I was going to be the only female worker at Ridley Christian Centre. Thankfully, I am now one of three women working at the Centre. London City Mission has hired a full-time female missionary for Ridley who is passionate about reaching out to mums and tots in the neighborhood. They’ve also placed another gap-year intern who I live with at the hostel there. This is a tremendous blessing, as it means I don’t have to walk around London alone, I have a friend to share work experiences with, and the three of us have a lot more opportunities to do women’s outreach without becoming overwhelmed.

Forest Gate, where Ridley is located, is an incredibly diverse area of east London, and we have a diverse team to match. There are four English people from various backgrounds, a Bulgarian man, a Pakistani man, and an American. (Yours truly.) In addition to youth clubs, community drop-ins, door-to-door outreach, and serving the local congregation, we’re working on starting a mothers group, girls Bible study, and food bank. All of this while the church that meets at Ridley finds a new pastor. It’s an incredibly exciting time to be involved, but there’s definitely potential for exhaustion. Please pray for the people of the neighborhood to have open hearts and homes. Pray for endurance and encouragement for Sammy, Yordan, Ilyas, and Ali especially, as they have very full plates. Pray also for Eli (pronounced “Ellie”), Philippa, and myself, that we would have wisdom in reaching the women in this area and maintaining relationships with them that are based on genuine friendship and a desire to share the Gospel.

Love,
 Corrie

Ridley

Ridley Hall. Destroyed by bombs 1940 - Rebuilt to the glory of God 1951

Today, walking past the local bookstore on my way home from a meeting, I saw a card with this inscription on it:

“One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.”

- A. A. Milne

I loved the sentiment expressed on this card. Of course, one of the disadvantages of being disorganized is forgetting to have your money on you, so I didn't purchase it this time round. 

Without being totally and completely disorganized, I have still managed to make a few surprising discoveries - the efficiency of the Royal Mail, the wonders of an available public transport system, and the tastiness of mayonnaise on chips being among them. I've also learned some valuable lessons - what the Qur'an says about Jesus, how gentrification is affecting neighborhoods here, the importance of unity in sharing the Gospel.

The past few weeks have mostly been invested in training, settling in, and getting to know the people I'll be living, studying, and working with - English, American, Pakistani, Bulgarian - we're a diverse crowd, which is a great blessing in such a diverse city. The LCM hostel I'm living in is comprised of people from various parts of England and the States (Perhaps too many from the States, as some of our English brothers and sisters would tell you.)

This Monday I saw Ridley Christian Centre – originally Ridley Mission Hall – for the first time. Sammy, the leader at that location, showed us around the Mission and the neighborhood. This Tuesday we were accepted at a local Christian school to do a short lesson on Job with the year six students. Primary schools here run through year six, basically covering preschool through sixth grade. Secondary school runs from the age of thirteen until the age of sixteen – combining part of what we would think of as middle-school with the freshman and sophomore years of high school. At sixteen, students are no longer required to attend school. (Did you hear that, Juniors?) They may choose to join the military or pursue another course of further education, such as an apprenticeship, until they are eighteen. If they choose to continue in school, it would be called college. College is not the same thing as University, which is higher education where they may receive a three-year Bachelor’s degree.

*Whew* That was a lot of information to run you through. Trust me, it had to be said to avoid confusion. After the lesson, we walked back to Ridley to host an after-school club. There were a lot of new students there, mostly year sevens adjusting to their new gender-exclusive secondary schools. Our girls’ club is starting Monday and the boys’ club meets on Fridays right after a community outreach. Tuesday evening we finished with a local Bible study that has been running for quite a while.

Today I had a meeting with some representatives of my sending organisation (I’ll give you the non-North American spelling just to liven up your day a bit) to ensure I was settling in well. Wednesdays will generally be more relaxed than the rest of the week as they’re set aside for connecting with individuals in the community and preparing for Thursday’s lessons.

There you have it. Thank you so much for your prayers, and please feel free to email me. I'm always happy to hear how things are going. I have a church that I’ve researched and intend to visit this Sunday with the hope that it will be a good fit for me as a regular attender. Please pray for discernment there. Also be praying that I would manage money well; that everyone would continue to get along well in the Hostel, classes, and work; that friendships would continue to develop; and that we would be bold and respectful witnesses for the Gospel.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

– Hebrews 10 : 23 - 25 (ESV)

Oh, and I almost forgot, click here for a video testimony from LCM.

A Quiet Moment by Tower Bridge

 

Crisis Averted

Hello Everyone,

My laptop cord arrived today. I should have a full post up over this weekend. First, I would like to ask my housemates and coworkers for permission to mention them on this blog.

Thank you for your prayers and patience,
Corrie

A Technological Malfunction

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to thank you again for your prayers. I'm currently typing this very rapidly on a dying laptop. The power chord I brought with me was old and apparently in bad repair. I say apparently because it fizzed, showed sparks, and was severed in two about half an hour ago. My new charger should be here within the week, but in the meantime, please pray that I ordered the correct one. (Otherwise my next post will be written from a phone.)

That's all for now. I'll be sure to update you on events as soon as I can. God bless!

Love,
Corrie

Training Week

Hello Everyone,

Today was the first day of training. Before I get into that, however, you're probably wondering what I've been up to these past few days. (Apart from tea with the Queen and all the usual things visitors from the States are expected to attend, of course.)

Mostly, I've been getting to know the people I'll be working with this year and walking around the city. I'm trying to get comfortable and be wise in these new surroundings. There's a lot to learn, and I would rather not look every inch a tourist for the entire year. One example - I've got to get used to looking right, then left, then right before crossing the street. However, I can't always remember which way to start looking. As a compromise, I end up whipping my head back and forth about five times before crossing at all.

There's also the language barrier. Who out there actually knew a gherkin and a pickle were more or less the same things? I had one very confusing exchange operating on the assumption a gherkin was a kind of fish.

Alright, back to my original point. Today was the first day of training. We began with singing, then Graham Miller, the CEO of LCM, opened the meeting in prayer. In his introduction, these words stuck out to me,

"We have been brought together today for an overwhelming task..."

An overwhelming task.

Including tourists and people who may not show up on a census, there are an estimated 9 million people living in the City of London. It is known worldwide as a "Super-diversity" due to the incredible mix of cultures found here. In short, to quote Douglas Addams on space, London is "big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is." 

The task is too large for us. However, as Duncan Cuthill, one of the Ministries Directors, reminded us, "Many a mickle makes a muckle." Or, "Many little things make a large thing." We are many little parts, and weak on our own. Together, however, with God's grace and help, it's a different story.

Arrived.

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to let you know I successfully arrived yesterday at 11:30 a.m. local time. (Don't ask me the Mountain Standard time, as I'm trying to ignore it completely in hopes of getting over Jetlag faster.) On my arrival Jonathan, the Ministries Support Manager and Hostel Warden, picked me up and helped me negotiate two large bags and a guitar to the other end of London. I unpacked everything into a lovely room that I don't even have to share at the moment, got cleaned up from the flight, and got to know some of the people I will be working with.

For anyone who's curious about the flight, I got on the plane, watched Chariots of Fire, and pretty much slept until Heathrow.

Today, another intern is arriving. I think she's the last one before LCM training kicks off. There's a meeting tomorrow, but the bulk of the training should be the 5th - 9th. My plan is to run errands - I need to stop by the post office to get my biometric residence permit and then run by the market to buy groceries.

Finally, a word about the hostel, copied straight from the Hostel Manual in the downstairs room,

"Visitors often ask about the Hostel building, so here is a brief history...

The house was built in 1734, in the reign of George II (1727 - 1760), as the parsonage to St John's Church, Horsleydown, which was one of the last works of the Commission for Building Fifty New Churches. This body, which in fact only managed 15 churches, was set up in Queen Anne's reign by the Tories who were anxious to rescue the suburbs from the clutches of nonconformity. By 1734 the Whigs had been long in power, money was short, and for St John's church the commissioners ordered a cut-price job from their two surveyors - Nicholas Hawksmoor and John James. The parsonage was designed by Hawksmoor in 1733.

Land for Horsleydown church and parsonage was bought from St Olave's school as early as 1718, but it  was only in June 1727 that the two surveyors who had been trailing their separate designs were ordered to "jointly prepare a model of the Church by the next meeting that may be built as cheap as possible". The church was built, a rector, Philip Ayscough, appointed, and in July 1733 he applied to the commissioners, stating that as much of a sum of £1,100 "as your Lordships shall judge convenient" should be set aside for building him his parsonage. The vestry minutes preserved in Lambeth Palace Library record on 12 July 1733 that £700 should go to "building a Parson's House". Two of the vestrymen who signed the minutes, John Arnott and William Coates (a mason and carpenter respectively), also signed the detailed contract for building the parsonage on 13 August.

One brick on the east side, just above head height and readable from the pavement of Tower Bridge Road, still has John Arnott's scratched record of the completion date.

Finally, in case you are curious, the Latin inscription on the plaque outside means:

"To give is to receive"
(DARE QUAM ACCIPERE)

You can click here for an image of the house. It's the one on the right with a green door. Feel free to look around the neighborhood. I don't know where anything is yet, so tell me when you find the grocery store. Man does not live on toffee and digestive biscuits alone.

Grace and Peace,
Corrie

Week Five, Saturday

"We want to invite God to heal, bring wholeness to families, and reverse the poverty trends. People live so close together, we need to pray into neighbour conflict. Pray against crime, open drug dealing, domestic violence. But also pray we'll bring out the 'God-colours' on estates, the good things that are already happening." - Rev Mark Bishop, Pioneer of Missional Communities, Diocese of London

Week Five, Friday

"Open your heart to God, and invite him to stir up a passion for mission in your own community. What small kindnesses would make a difference to people around you? Pray too that Christians on London's estates would be inspired to demonstrate the love of Jesus."

Week Five, Thursday

"London City Mission has teams on estates from the Isle of Dogs to Battersea, Becontree to Tottenham. We knock on doors, run kids' clubs, organise Bible studies and love people in the name of Jesus. Pray we can create strong, inclusive, intergenerational communities with Christ at the centre."

Week Five, Wednesday

"Estate residents live cheek by jowl, but so many feel isolated and lonely, hemmed in by their own fears and distrust of those around them. Pray that Christians would be lynchpins in communities, linking neighbours together and sharing God's love openly."

Please also be praying for my family as we run around on a bit of a vacation before I finish preparing to leave. Pray for safety for all of us, and for us to be emotionally ready when the time comes.

Week Five, Tuesday

"Call on the Lord to break cycles of violence and abuse within families, particularly where children are affected. Pray for restoration of relationships, and for children living on estates to know love, protection and care. Ask God to give wisdom to our missionaries caring for broken families."

Week Five, Monday

"More than 20 people, aged 19 to 90, come to a Bible study before the weekly community lunch at London City Mission's Centre in Becontree, North East London. The team are currently reading through John's gospel and can see people are starting to take it seriously. Please pray they would make Christ known through everything they do."

Week Five, Sunday

"Lift up to God the many individuals and organisations involved in urban and estate ministry; as well as our missionaries, think of the Eden Network, Evangelical Alliance and the Church of England. Ask God to bless and deepen our partnerships with churches on estates."

Praise - We made it home safely yesterday.

No, you have not hit a weird time warp.

Yes, prayers for Wednesday through Saturday are up.

In case anyone was worried they had caught a bad case of the Rip Van Winkles, it is still Wednesday here in Colorado for at least a few minutes. (Or was before this edit.)

I'm posting early because I'm going to be out of state (Just the one, not all fifty) for the next few days. Some friends of mine are moving from Texas and could use a hand. I'll be driving down with a few others tomorrow, working Friday, and driving back Saturday.

It has been quite the week. Samuel and Peter, the two oldest of my younger brothers, are off for second-helpings of helping at Camp Barnabas (Hi guys!). Meanwhile, the rest of us have been having a grand old time. Highlights include:

- Watching the Olympics

- Grandma and Grandpa visiting

- Rescuing a lost kitten

- Continuously planning to skirt the alpaca fiber

- Me getting cocky about my rope-swinging abilities and falling in a creek

- A nice hike to the library

In addition to this, today was my last day at work. The time is rushing by. Please pray that my eyes would be fixed on Christ and that there would be enough time to invest with dear friends and family. I hate goodbyes.

"Nuair a chruthaigh Dia an t-am, chruthaigh raidhse"
"When God made time, he made plenty of it."

Week Four, Saturday

A prayer from Rev Delroy Powell, National Presiding Bishop of the New Testament Assembly: "Lord, we sense your stirring and renewed call to share the life, love and message of Christ to the diverse people of London. Equip us with courage, care and sensitivity as we seek to deepen our level of engagement. Enable us through the power of the Holy Spirit to negotiate the prevailing climate of religious tension, uncertainty and fear and lead many from darkness to light in Jesus' name."

Week Four, Friday

"Connecting with Muslim men has been hard," said LCM's Tom Carpenter, who works on the Isle of Dogs. "But we've made inroads through a football ministry. Pray for Karim who has opened up about his faith and recently offered us a Qur'an. Pray this might lead to deeper conversations about Christianity and Islam."

Week Four, Thursday

"Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us in good, gospel conversations," says LCM Missionary Harish Patel, who sets up a bookstall in Southall and ministers to Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims. "We want to see the message of Jesus spread, and to see people respond to his love and call."

Week Four, Wednesday

"Thank God for opportunities to share the gospel with visitors, who might never hear the good news in their home countries. There are strict blasphemy laws in the Islamic state of Pakistan, for example, but more than 150,000 Pakistanis live in London - and our missionaries are reaching them."

Week Four, Tuesday

"Sharing the gospel is not easy among the Turkish community of north London. Many can't shake off Islamic teaching, and struggle to accept God's grace. LCM Missionary Tim Spring says, "It requires a great deal of patient listening and relationship building - all in Turkish!" Pray for perseverance.

Week Four, Monday

"Pray urgently against the spread of extremism fuelled by ill-formed ideologies, and urge God to protect those struggling to find a sense of identity. Pray people would desire to seek truth, that bridges of trust would be built, and that people would be united in their desire to build cohesive and respectful communities."

Week Four, Sunday

"Give thanks that diversity is accepted and celebrated in London, that 8.5 million people from all over the world can call this single city home. Ask God to give London City Missionaries creativity, energy and boldness as they engage in the vast mission field on our doorstep."

Week Three, Saturday

"Where good people do good things in leadership, society flourishes and the least do well. When people in leadership act corruptly, everybody suffers. We love this city of London, and want it to flourish. The more we can pray for our leaders, the better off everyone is. Many people care for orphans and widows, but only people of faith pray. It's the unique gift we, the Church, can give to our city." - David Stroud, Senior Pastor at Christ Church London, one church in four locations

Week Three, Friday

"Ask God to raise up more Christian leaders in London. Pray that young Christians will see engagement in politics as both missional and possible. Pray for leaders of faith and integrity in our communities and estates."

Please pray this one for Christians throughout the world.

Week Three, Thursday

"There's a growing sense of unity among London's church leaders," says LCM Church Development Director Roy Hutchinson. "Pray now for unity in mission to reach the least reached; that through our actions, people will see Jesus."

On a personal note: I completed my summer class today. The final went far better than I ever expected. We also had exactly enough meals for the wrap-up of the summer feeding program at my site. Thank the Lord!

Please pray for me to have clarity and focus on Jesus as things move forward.

Week Three, Wednesday

"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the country's longest reigning monarch, celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this year. Pray for her, and give thanks for her service to London and its people."

I just read about a knife attack in Central London. Please pray for those affected and the police officers investigating.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36972126

Week Three, Tuesday

"Pray for the leaders elected during the London mayoral election and London Assembly elections this year. Lift them up before God, and ask that they would act justly, love kindness and walk humbly before the Lord. Pray they would use their influence and power wisely and for the good of many."

On a personal note:
I just completed my final lesson/quiz for the semester. Now, I need to study and prepare for the final on Thursday. Please pray that I remember all I've learned and that the summer feeding program ends on a good note. After this week, I'll start working on packing and getting the last few details ironed out.

Week Three, Monday

"In 2013, London City Missionary Matt Lofthouse teamed up with Lewisham councillor Janet Daby to establish the Food+ Project, which aims to alleviate poverty and build community. Matt said, 'It doesn't matter who's in leadership over us, we need to support them.' Pray for stronger partnerships between churches and local government."

Week Three, Sunday

I'm including the notes and verse on the side of the prayer pamphlet for this week. It's a good reminder during times of leadership change on both sides of the pond.

"Why should we pray for our leaders? Because their decisions - about healthcare, education, justice, social care - affect us all. Because we need wise, visionary, servant-hearted people in these toughest of jobs. Because we're commanded in the Bible, to play our part in society by remembering our leaders before God."

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all in authority." - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Sunday - Give thanks for the 31,000 police officers and 2,600 community support officers who help keep London's streets safe. Pray they'll carry out their duties with wisdom, care and compassion. Pray for God's protection over them in their work.

Week Two, Saturday

"Unloved and unwanted, Shane knocked on the youth worker's flat door. 'Can I come in? My stepdad has kicked me out.' Shane, 17, has never known unconditional love. To him, love was a dirty word...until he was told about Jesus by the youth worker and shown love in actions and words. Pray for lads like Shane, lonely and searching, that they would find wholeness in Christ."
- Richard Shaw, Scripture Union Regional Team Leader
(Pray for London 2016)

Week Two, Friday

"Twelve-year-old Milek is Polish, which is uncommon at his school, and he often seems like the odd one out. But he feels accepted at our Forest Gate youth group. He's shown an interest in coming to Bible study, but hasn't been along yet. Ask God to prepare Milek's heart to receive the good news."

Thanks.

On a personal note, the upcoming week will be my last week at my current job, as well as my last week of college. There's a lot to get done, and I would appreciate prayers that I would be focused and finish strong.

Week Two, Thursday

"At 3:30 p.m., the street outside London City Mission's Forest Gate centre in East London is awash with teenagers from three local secondary schools. So when Missionary Sammy Gunnell started a weekly youth group here, it was a big hit. Pray for Sammy, who says, 'We're trying to think of activities where we can also talk at a deeper level.'"

Week Two, Wednesday

"'The first time two foster kids came to our art workshop, they hid under the tables and screwed up their work,' recalls Missionary Andrew Kwapong, based in Hale Village, Tottenham, North London. 'But in a year, we saw their transformation before our eyes. The constant love, care and belonging meant God worked amazingly. Please keep praying for them!'"

Week Two, Tuesday

"Fifteen teenage boys were knifed to death on London's streets in 2015, and a street in Haringey, North London has been named the city's stabbing hot spot. Pray against violence, hatred and fear in the lives of young people, and urge God to break into their darkness."

Week Two, Monday and a Personal Note

"Jack is a proper Eastender, an ex-Ford factory worker in his 70s. He has four kids but rarely sees them. Recently Jack was in hospital. His brother, who he'd not spoken to for 15 years, was in the next ward, dying of cancer. Even then, Jack refused to see him. Damage from broken families runs deep in Dagenham, says LCM Missionary Brandon Thesee, and many elderly people are isolated. Pray for healing and forgiveness for Jack." - from Pray for London

This weekend I've been praying for confidence in God's love and greater trust in him. Today, a woman that I work with unexpectedly gave me a copy of The Bible Promise Book for Women and said she'd been thinking about me being so far away from home. It was an incredibly sweet gesture, especially since we hadn't talked much about our faith at work and she couldn't have known for sure how I would respond.

A verse I've been reflecting on recently:
^"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21 (The whole chapter is worth a good reading over.) 

The Bible recognizes we will face evil, and it doesn't tell us to fight fire with fire. We can't overcome evil by our hatred, our bitterness, our cynicism, our apathy, or our ignorance.

^"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Week Two, Sunday

Loneliness. This crushing sadness and sense of isolation affects people right across London. Almost one in five older people have contact with others less than once a week. Pray our missionaries would reach the most vulnerable elderly people as they go door to door, and pray for strong, inclusive communities.

Week One, Saturday

"We're in touch with people who aim to get lost on the streets on a Friday night. Only recently, we had a call about a rough sleeper, a man in his 30s, who died from the cold. My prayer is that the Church - us - would recognise the importance of acts of love and kindness in communicating the gospel. Next time you see someone in need, before they ask you, help them." - Eustace Constance, Operations Director with Street Pastors

Week One, Friday

"Be open to God's prompting about how you can show love to someone on the margins of society. Who are the forgotten people in your community? Is there a homeless person you could reach out to? Ask God to help you step out in faith to share his love." - From Pray for London

 

Week One, Thursday

"On Thursdays, the LCM team runs a Bible study at our day centre for homeless people, Webber Street in Waterloo, South London. Pray for open hearts among our guests; that they'll hear God's Word, grapple with it, and consider what it really means for them.

Week One, Wednesday

"John turned up at the The Bridge church in Battersea asking for help to understand the Bible. But he's schizophrenic, and his mind wanders. There are things he doesn't want to reveal about himself. We've thoughtfully shared the gospel with him, many times. Pray now that God will break into his heart." - From Pray for London

Week One, Tuesday

(I meant to post this earlier today, but school kind of ran away with me.)

From Pray For London: Missionary Martin Street ministers to those with mental health issues in Battersea, South London. He said, "If someone is vulnerable, they could easily be manipulated. I don't want to do that, but I need to be intentional and persuasive - because this is good  news. Pray I'll strike that balance."

Pray for London - Week One, Monday

Give thanks for Street Pastors, who have teams in all but two of London's boroughs. Praise God for night shelters and foodbanks across the city, and the vital support they offer to people facing desperate times. Pray too for churches active in their communities.

Pray for London - Week One, Sunday

On their website, www.lcm.org.uk, London City Mission has a five week prayer guide available. I invite you to join in praying for the City of London as I go through this prayer guide.

Week One, Sunday
Pray against anything which prevents women involved in prostitution from coming to our weekly Bible study in King's Cross, North London. "We focus on Jesus' stories of people on the margins," said LCM worker Laura Heffernan. "These women, they are so responsive to the gospel. They carry so much shame, but they really understand God's love."

The last update you'll have to read on my visa situation, honest.

This is indeed the last update on my visa you'll have.

Why is that? Because my application was successful.

I'm ecstatic, but there's a lot of work to get done before heading out. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some schoolwork I should definitely look at.

God bless!

An Update on My Most Recent Update for the Purpose of Keeping You Updated

I mailed in my visa today. I will let you know as soon as I know that it has gone through. Prayers are greatly appreciated. 

Another Visa Update

Hello friends,

I'm typing this fairly early, or late, depending on your perception. The screen is a bit too bright, however, so I'll keep it brief.

I've gathered all necessary documentation for my visa, and it will be sent to New York for approval as soon as I finish work today.

Please pray that it would be accepted and everything would go smoothly. Pray also that I would simply trust the Lord and quit losing sleep over things like work and school.

God bless!
Corrie

Visa Process

Hello friends,

It's time for an update. I've just completed and paid for my visa application, I have an appointment in Denver on the 24th to get my information formally approved, and my ticket has already been purchased. (I leave DIA the evening of August 30th.) Things are moving forward!

Currently, I'm working with the City of Longmont on the summer feeding program. I'm enjoying the work, and would be happy to share more information if anyone is curious.

Please pray for things to continue to go well with the visa application process, as paperwork is not a natural gift of mine. I could also use prayers for peace. I occasionally deal with anxiety and nightmares, particularly leading up to mission work.

Thank you all again for your prayers and support. As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me at CorrieRGreenidge@gmail.com or 303-587-5292.

God bless!

It never rains but it pours.

Don't worry, while the title of this post may sound discouraging, I happen to enjoy rain. I'll probably get sick of it eventually, but growing up in a perpetual drought has taught many Coloradans to cheer when the days are cold, dark, and dreary.

I've just had my address confirmed and started the visa application process. My last final of the semester was on Thursday, tomorrow is Mother's Day, and next Sunday is a busy fundraiser at Grace church. In addition to all of this, I just accepted a summer job working with youth through the City of Longmont. It runs from the end of May through the beginning of August and will not only allow me time to catch up with friends and tie up loose ends, but also give me more experience that could prove helpful in London.

This is exciting. It's also a little nerve-wracking and exhilarating, frightening and wonderful. I hope to keep you updated throughout the summer and catch up with many of you.

I ask for prayer that I would walk closely with the Lord, follow His will, and have peace as I do.

"For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." - Heb. 4:8-10

Oh, and I almost forgot! I promised to attach that weekly itinerary. Here it is:

Monday
Weekly team briefing and prayer
Door-to-door inviting people to activities at the centre
Boy's after-school club

Tuesday
Lunchtime club in a local Christian school
Visits
Youth club (4-5:30)
Bible Study in the evening

Wednesday/Thursday
Training will occur on one of these days
The other day will be set aside for preparation for leading Bible study

Friday
Community drop-in
Girl's after-school club

A brief note on Sundays - Interns are given a few weeks to decide on a local church. Once I've found one, I'm strongly encouraged to stay with it for the remainder of my time in London. This is a wonderful idea, and I may already have a lead on one.

An Update

This is a brief note to say that I am fully funded!

I didn't see this coming so soon, and cannot tell you how excited I am.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I crave continued prayer against anxiety and for humble trust in the Lord.

An Update

Hello Everyone!

I'm sorry for taking so long to get back to you on the Skype call referenced in the last post. It ended up being rescheduled for this past Wednesday, and it went well. Suffice to say, my visa registration number will be in the mail shortly. (This is like LCM's letter of recommendation. I need it for permission to stay in the UK for a year.) I was given a weekly itinerary, and I'll be sure to post it soon so you all have an idea of what things will be looking like while I'm in London. Right now I just wanted to take the opportunity to again thank you all for your prayers and support. I've been blown away by your generosity and faithfulness.

Pretty soon here I have a book arriving from Amazon called Streets Paved with Gold. It's the story of London City Mission throughout the years, and I'm eager to read it. If it's approved, it will be added to the Grace Church mission display for anyone who wants more information on this ministry. The first two chapters are available for free here:

https://www.lcm.org.uk/blog/2015/05/05/the-founding-of-london-city-mission

God bless!
- Corrie

Next Week's Skype Call

It has been decided - I'm going to work with Ridley Christian Centre in their youth outreach program. This is something I thought and prayed about a great deal last year. After hearing about what has changed and what has stayed the same since then, I remain extremely excited about the work that they're doing. Now, it's almost time to meet the team.

Next Wednesday at 9 MDT, if our schedules match, (It turns out daylight savings is the gift that keeps on giving.) I'll have an interview with the team at Ridley. This isn't really a formal pass-or-fail interview, but I would love prayers against nervousness all the same. Soon after that, if all goes well, I'll be sent a letter of acceptance containing my VISA sponsorship number.

You wanted dates? I have dates. I'll be working with LCM from September 2 - July 25, and I'll be with GEM in the weeks before and after that time.

Happy Easter, Everyone!

Exodus 14:14
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
 (That's the NIV. The ESV says "silent". Either way, it's a struggle.)

An Update

My apologizes for the time gap between my last post and this one. Things have finally settled into a routine again with work and school, and I have a bit of time to write. I am currently just under 70% funded with six months to go before leaving, and I would like to express my gratitude. Your prayers and support, your words of encouragement and conviction, and your reminders to me of God's faithfulness have been a great blessing.

At the moment, I am back at my old job making smoothies and setting aside money. This break has given me more time to assist in youth group, and I am extremely grateful for that. It has also allowed me to get some reading in. I'm working through Baffled to Fight Better by Oswald Chambers and The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I'm also looking for a copy of Honest Evangelism by Rico Tice. If you ever want to hear some great thoughts on sharing the Gospel, particularly with regard to English culture, I highly recommend looking up a few of his sermons on Truthforlife.org.

That's it for now. If any of you are trying to get in touch with me, I must warn you my phone has decided to die. While I'm looking for another one, I'll be checking my email fairly regularly at CorrieRGreenidge@gmail.com.

(Please note there is only one "R" in "Greenidge". I ended up having to reschedule a test recently because the testing center wrote "Greenridge" and that indicated to the College Board it was a different student. Now I lie awake in bed at night wondering what else has fallen through the cracks and exists in the alternate reality of Corrie Greenridge.)

Thanks!
Corrie