Money!

To be honest Alison and I aren't keen on talking about money publicly!! ( our British reserve and that fact that money is one of things people think the church only talks about!!)

However we must just fill you in on our finances. As you will know we came to Harold Hill with only a house. When we accepted the post there is no funding as this is how Urban expression work and we fully understood that and are supportive of the logic behind it.

Since June God has done something amazing, we now have three streams of income, people who are personally supporting us, I've got twelve hours a week youth work and we have a money support group to whom some churches have made gifts and last week we hard that the Baptist Union is going to support with a half stipend grant. All this means when added up that we are going to be getting around the normal baptist ministers income, which is amazing and we are thankful to those who have supported and prayed for us. A God for being so so faithful.

Please continue to pray for the teams money and for us the house is wonderful, but the bills aren't small!

Do you have decaf'?

On reflection a rather stupid question, as i could see that there was just coffee and tea. Working in Harold Hill is going to mean asking what is important for us to keep being and what is important for us to change. I've started drinking on the local pub and once a week having breakfast in the cafe where i asked the above question. Our time and priority is to understand what living on Harold hill means, including no Decaf when out and about. Now this might be a small thing but it made me stand out like a sore thumb and we not here to stand up because of the coffee we drink! In the last week we have continued to fit in and are commitmented to spending the time to observing and understanding what people and life is like on the Hill, so we can ensure what ever shape the church is it fits those God has called us too.

"To the Jews i became a Jew and to those who don't drink decaf, well i stopping asking for it!" St Paul ( well mostly).

Please pray for us, and that we start to build up friendship which are firstly good friendships and secondly friendship which Jesus teaches about mission on Harold Hill.

R

changing the way you work!

It's one thing to have big ideas about church planting and meeting people when you're in a busy church and attending loads of meetings, it's another to put it into place when you start!!
the last couple of weeks has been about teaching me to have a different routine.

We trying to spend time reading the bible and praying together and Just asking God, where can we met people and learn about Harold hill, this week it's been say hi to some neighbours, people at the school gate and local church leaders.

pray for us, because we need grace to change the working habits of the last nine years, even if the desire is there to change, what is that proverb about a dog and new tricks!! ( not that I'm old!)

I guess this is what picking up your cross and carring it feels like when trying to get to know a new community and seeking that will of Jesus.

R.

we've started

We’ve started!!

Which after all the anticipation is a strange feeling.

Our first task is listening, we been reading our bible together lots and praying. It’s been a real challenge to praying you will be done, without then making human plans on how God’s will should be done. We’ve been trying to get to know the area, the usual things, visiting shops, library, leisure centre , other local churches and pubs, ( yes having a pint is mission, having 6 is err not!)

It’s also been ‘everything has broken two weeks! It amazing how much you take for granted how much you need things and then you find out you can get by without a car for month!! Anyway not having a car has meant we’ve been walking at getting to know area more.

Getting Jessica a place at a preschool has not been easy. There were only places off Harold Hill, but as we very much believe we’re called to live and work in this community, it just didn’t feel right to leave the hill for her preschool. Now we had been told it would be a years wait until a place would be available, however on Friday we got a call that our most local one has a place and she starts Monday.

Love and Prayer

R.

New home!

Hi all, move went really well, very tiring, but was smooth. Romford Baptist did a great job on getting the house ready.

We're using Aug as a time of rest and family time and settling into the new area.

May prayer needs at mo are:

Caleb's school place

Team members ( we having people who are interested, but it's a case interviews and working out what God's plans are)

Family rest and time together

In Sept we'll start to use this more and write some longer reflections on our journey.

Ordination and leaving do!

We couldn't have asked for a better day, the service was great and the evening party was really good day. We were so Humbled by the love support and generosity of people. I'm sure that in the years to come yesterday will be one of those days which God uses to remind me of His love and the love of others!!

Still it does feel a little strange this morning to not be heading down for an early morning prayer meeting, so i think i'll go for a bike ride and then have a big fry up!

R.

Nine years over

After Nine full and enriching years our time at shoebury comes to an end, we're sad, but very excited about what is to come.
Please pray for a good rest over Aug.

R.