London...Day 6

Today, for me, was the most exciting day! I got to do a lot of different things! I visited a homeless shelter with a friend I met here in London, talked to a few teenagers in the square after school, went to the park and watched the guys play American football, and then threw around the ball some ourselves. For dinner we went to the house of some "M" friends of Chris who made us enchiladas and brownies, and I sang some songs with a few from the group! And, we ended with a lot of laughs. Overall an amazing day!!

-katrina

Unfortunately, me and Denton did not run into Alan these past two days, but today was still pretty great. Andrew and I got to talk to a fellow believer and learned a lot of interesting things we had never thought about before. Then, we all went and played American football with some kids of our age. It was really fun, and they really enjoyed the sport. We hope to see them again tomorrow after our tour day.

-coby

Really enjoyed today. Kristi, Emily, and I talked with Georgina and got her email address to keep in touch with her via Facebook. Kelly was sick. :( Pray that she is better tomorrow so that we can have one last visit. The student had a great day and we all are looking forward to our trip into central London tomorrow.

-laurie

We got to interact with tons of teenagers today after their school let out. We showed a group of kids how to play football which was interesting. I got into a long conversation with a kid from Afghanistan. He was about 15 and had lived in Afghanistan until he was about 10 yrs. and had been around while the U.S. soldiers were there. He had very strong views about the war. He explained to me how before the Taliban had taken over the country, there was no order, and the people had no security. He believed the Taliban had established that order. He claimed that the Americans tried to force "freedom" into their nation when the country needed strict order. He made a few good points, and I explained to him that we believe a government should not oppress people into doing what is right by religion, in this case Islam. Although we had our differences, he was very open and polite in our conversation.

-chris

Today was by far the best day. I woke up with a bad attitude about it because I wanted to go to Central London, but I met a big group of teens and talked for a really long time and got into spiritual conversations. Then we went to the park, and the guys played football and had an awesome time!

-lauren

I'm TIRED! But, praise God He is our rest. I have so felt this throughout the long, exhausting days...that in my weakness He is my strength. Today was by far the best overall day we have experienced--simply meaning we saw and participated in God working in incredible ways more than any other day. Let's not discredit what has happened before today at all, but today it was clear. Our students and adults were engaging in meaningful and even spiritual conversations left and right. Jesus was talked about countless times. I got to share the Gospel with a girl named Roweyna from Djbouti (Northern Samalia) who is 15 years old. What a sweet girl! As the Spirit led we talked for 45 minutes or so about the Gospel and she was asking loads of questions. I believe she is good soil that the Gospel has landed on. PLEASE pray for a harvest in her life and those she could affect with Christ living in her. Please continue to pray for Moses as well.

-philip

PLEASE PRAY FOR SALVATION

-Moses, Andrew, Helen, Alan, Kelly, Rory, Anesa, and Roweyna, and the guys who we played foothball with who are coming to hang out tomorrow night (not all are coming tomorrow, but pray that God will strongly stir some to come...the ones He wants and already knows)

-God is at work in Acton in in unbelievable, supernatural ways....PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

London...Day 5

Today, was another amazing day! I could feel the Holy Spirit talking to me as I was speaking to a guy named Patrick. It was amazing because it was the first time that I have ever had an experience like that. I’m proud of myself and the others because we are all really getting out of our comfort zone and getting better at listening to the Holy Spirit. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue talking to people about God’s Word.

-karina

Today, I was sort of depressed because I had been rejected by many people over the past few days. Philip and I walked around and talked just about God and stuff. So, then Chris and I went to talk to a group of teenagers which lasted for like 20 minutes, and I got their Facebook to talk to them more.

-andrew

Today, I really felt the Holy Spirit leading to specific places. He confirmed this as I ran into people that we had met earlier this week. Pray for the cashier at one of the local coffee shops who I made plans to meet with tomorrow. Also, continue to pray for Kelly—we will meet her for coffee tomorrow. God, is at work in Acton! So happy and humbled to be a part of what He’s doing!

-kristi

Everyday we’re here God continues to amaze me! I had more conversations than the other days, but one of them was absolutely the Holy Spirit. I got into an amazing conversation with a 16 year old girl named Sasha. She doesn’t really believe in any religion, and I had the opportunity to share my story and the Gospel!! Please pray for her and her struggle with faith. I’m a little homesick, but we’re not done here yet. I love you guys!

-jesseca

Today, we visited a Hindu Temple (pretty crazy). Then we went to a Sikh Gurdwara. That was really cool. On the way home on the bus, I got into a good convo with a Muslim guy. He had grief towards us because of 9-11. But. Then at the end of the day everything got better. I had a good day.

-denton

Today was another wonderful day in London. While the weather is cold, the team has enjoyed the warm cocoa shops and the fascinating Londoners. I pray for my new, beautiful friends…Lorenzo, Sopia, Clair, and Nicole. I pray they seek the truth of Jesus Christ! I feel the Holy Spirit working through as I engage with them. Continue to pray for my meeting tomorrow with two beautiful ladies, Clair and Nicole.

-emily

London...Day 4

Today, Emily, Karina, and I were walking through Acton Park looking for people to talk to. Well, we came across these two ladies in their early 20s and ended up talking to them for over an hour! We did get into some spiritual conversation as well, and we are planning on meeting for coffee tomorrow and want to invite them to dinner tomorrow evening! God is really moving here in London! I can feel him! Please keep all of us in your prayers!

-katrina

Today was another interesting day. Me and Denton ran into Alan in the streets again. I really feel that God has placed him in our lives for a reason. We would appreciate if you would pray that we could run into him in the streets again tomorrow. Also, please pray for another boy named Moses. We have been trying to get through to him this week, and your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

-coby

Today was a beautiful day in London. I spoke to a young man who could not understand why our young people did not party or sleep together. A very lost young man who needs Jesus. Maybe he will think about our conversation, and I will have another opportunity to share tomorrow. God answered prayer by sending Emily to cross paths with a woman we spoke to yesterday named Helen. I will continue to pray in faith that we will see her yet again before we leave. Pray Wednesday that Kelly will want to meet us for coffee to continue our conversations. We need one more opportunity to be able to share Christ with her.

-laurie

Andrew and I spoke with an Islamic man today. He shared many of his beliefs with us and listened to some of ours. The man was from Africa and was in London studying carpentry. We hope to speak with him again and go deeper into conversation. He seemed to respect the fact that although we were Christians, we were willing to hear his beliefs.

-chris

Today was good. Talked to a lot of people, and I miss everyone at home.

-lauren

Day 4 on the ground...I have to say I get so much joy watching our team striving desperately to share Jesus with people by "starting where they're at and listening to the Holy Spirit." That's the phrase for the day, but it should be our whole lives as we realize our sole purpose as followers of Jesus and as the church is to communicate the Gospel to the lost--EVERYTHING else is a means to fulfill this one goal. I have been spending most of my time traveling (by foot...this is not Texas...lol) to our different groups, as we go out in 2s and 3s, encouraging them to continue living out this missional life. Please pray for me in this that I too will listen to the Spirit. Please pray for Moses to choose Jesus...I don't want this to be selfish, but pray that he will delay this decision no longer...that he will give his life to Christ this week. And, pray that God will guard the unity of our team. That all will know we are his disciples by our love for one another.

-philip

TOMORROW WILL BE AN INTERESTING DAY FULL OF OPPORTUNITY. WE WILL GO VISIT A HINDU TEMPLE AND A SIKH GURDWARA IN THE MORNING, AND AFTER GOING INTO THE CITY FOR SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS WE BE GATHERING FOR PIZZA WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHOM WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS...please pray they will accept our invitation! It will be another great opportunity to simply be around them and get into meaningful, spiritual conversations.

I will end with this as a continual challenge to all followers of Jesus. As we experience God at work through us, in us, and around us as we talk to people about Jesus, we can't help but worship Him! We all, as followers of Jesus, are equipped to be missionaries right where we are. HOW ENCOURAGING IS THAT?!?!!! Worship truly does come as a result of seeing the supernatural happen when sharing Jesus with the lost. Thanks so much for your continued prayer!

London...Day 3

What the day looked like for us...

-breakfast (and Philip didn't destroy it...yay!)

-in a local coffee shop reading and talking about Scripture (you can read 2 Timothy with us if you like)

-Training with Chris L. ("What does it mean to hear from the Holy Spirit") @ Oak Tree Community Church's building

-Prayer Walking in Acton

-Lunch

-2pm-6pm-->spiritual conversations in Acton (on the streets and in parks)

-dinner @ Gourmet Burger Kitchen

Today was great! I had conversations with 4 people. Please pray for the team and me to be able to have many spiritual conversations each day. To do so, we must get out of our comfort zone and be willing to listen to the Holy Spirit. I'm looking forward to what God has in store for me tomorrow.

-karina

Today we walked around the parks with a football (American) hoping for the Holy Spirit to lead us to talk to someone. We talked to a couple at the park with their dogs, and they invited us to a pub at 10p tonight which we couldn't go to. So, I called them to plan a meeting for tomorrow to talk about their faith. We had other conversations which weren't very benefitting.

-andrew

Emily, Laurie, and I met Kelly (a woman we met yesterday) for coffee today. She is from Australia and just moved here. She is so nice and teaches school. We are praying that by the end of the week we will be able to share the Gospel with her...The people in Acton are so busy and don't seem to have time to talk, but as we get into conversations, we learn that they are longing for interaction and know that part of that need for connection is their need for Christ.

-kristi

I'm still pretty exhausted. Acton reminds me of every major city I've been to. I feel the Spirit more, maybe because I'm actually trying to listen. He continues to let me see how powerful He is by opening doors I thought would never be opened.

-jess

Well today...at first, my day started off really slow. I was extremely tired, and I noticed I am starting to catch on with the accent here (I like it). When we were walking around, me and Coby ran into the older guy, Alan, who we had seen yesterday. We will be having coffee with him tomorrow. I also got to have a really good talk with a teen named Rory. Our dinner was good, and now, we are playing pool. It's pretty awesome here.

-denton

What a brilliant, gorgeous day here in London! Praise the Lord! Helen, Kelly, and Andrew are a few of the lovely Londoners we met today...each one with a unique path. We thank God for our heart felt encounters. We pray for His guidance and our eagerness to continue to spread the Gospel in the days to come.

-emily

Please be in prayer for those mentioned in the comments above. The Kingdom of God is here, and we want them to experience it! Please be in prayer for the following:

-Oak Tree Community Church (they are truly seeking to live as a missional church in the heart of Acton always engaging with and in the community)

-Acton Baptist Church (what a loving, caring church who has been so gracious to us...they also are actively involved in this community sharing Jesus)

-Amanda-->a woman who is a follower of Jesus; she is connected with both the above mentioned churches as God called her to move into Acton to begin living with these people 2 years ago solely for the purpose of sharing Jesus with them in doing life together. What an incredible lady who is seeking Christ's mission to "seek and to save the lost." Join me in praying for financial support for her...God is sustaining her, but it would take roughly

$85-100/week to support her in a way to continue doing local missions as her primary job.)

-Pray for salvation--> Moses, Andrew, Helen, Alan, Kelly, and Rory

Much love for all of you...we covet your prayers. Feel free to comment back to these posts, and they will be read to the team.

London...Day 2

DAY 1 was just 12 exhausted people wondering aimlessly thru the streets of London as Chris kept us awake all day long. We were so tired we can't even really remember what happened during the day. We crashed hard!

DAY 2--A good day that began wonderfully as we got to worship with Acton Baptist Church (praise the Lord for believers here that experience the Father's presence and actively engage in telling this community about Jesus). It was a day full of continuing to get adjusted to the time here and get over jet lag; however, it was a day of our team getting out into the community to meet people, and God did some awesome things. We got out of our comfort zones (everyone)--thanking God that He has already pushed us to that point; some even got to share the Gospel; and, others have already lined up second contacts with people they met today. GOD IS AT WORK! Please continue to pray fervently that we will clearly hear the Holy Spirit and that He will guide us into spiritual conversations. Please pray for the people of Acton, where we will be all week (west London). I am going to bed tonight so proud of our team and absolutely pumped to see what God does tomorrow (our 1st really intense day)!

-philip

READ ON TO SEE THE TEAM'S COMMENTS (half of the team each day)...

Today, for me, was still a day of getting to know the area. We walked up and down the streets of Acton and really got used to our surroundings. Since today was Sunday, a lot of shops were only open 11a-5p, and not many people were out. I have noticed that here a lot of things are opposite to what we do in the States, like the driving. They drive crazy! And apparently we don't really have an accent, but I HAVE found myself already slipping into a British accent! The verses I read today that really stood out to me were Romans 3:21-24.

-katrina

Today we were hanging out with our new friend Moses at a local coffee shop, and we got into a conversation with this man who had started singing REAL loud out of nowhere. We plan to meet with him for the rest of the week. Please pray for Alan that God would open his heart and ears to what we have to say.

-coby

Today was very successful. The church service this morning was very eye-opening. The people who were there were very welcoming and not afraid of what others thought of them while they were worshiping. Later, we walked around and started talking to people. Jesseca and I got to have a nice conversation with a man named Winston at an indoor swimming bath (pool). Hopefully, we get to the chance to meet him tomorrow.

-lauren

Today while walking around Acton, we had a chance to familiarize ourselves with the area. I invited a man named Alan to sit with us at Poco Loco, a coffee shop. The man rejected the offer, but we did get into conversation with him for about 20 minutes. Alan was very nice and talked a lot about music. The culture here is very different from ours, and I think today's experience helped us to become familiar with it.

-chris

God opened doors to some good potential, long-term conversations. He also taught me that I need to be more patient in these dialogues a...patient for His lead.

-laurie

CHEERS!