[picture: L --> R, Crystal, Abbey, Ashley and me]
hello friends [title inspired by paul mccartney... if you don't have the song-look it up!]
well, its another season of blooming here in vancouver, but not the physical kind. as we're transitioning into a fall/autumn it seems the spirit of God is increasing in people's hearts and our ministries are on fire!
as mentioned before, our church had the word revival come to us. now i'm not necessarily saying that its quite upon us yet but we are continually seeing an increase of people, a fresh opening of people's hearts to be volunteering and getting involved, relationships booming, students growing and changing and a feeling of excitement growing.
myself, and charles [a 75 yr old pro. photographer from my church] had the first lesson in our local high school today. we're taking a photography class once a week with the students at the school, as a way for us to be connected to the school. we also had someone from our church lead an environmental class, and had around 35 students [year 7] come across for 1hr to our youth basement for a games/social skills class. this favor from the school can only be God's spirit. the fantastic meeting we had with the new principle of that school is also another sign of His hand upon us here.
the students in our youth group are also continuing to grow spiritually in small ways-now, for us here, this is fantastic. after last year, seeing kids in a less enthusiastic position, i really felt that this could be a hard slog as a job. but God has heard us asking for him to move, and did it! small changes are happening with certain students, small steps are being made, and its beautiful.
our new junior ministry is in its 2nd week and its just great. the kids are great, they want to know more and love being together. its so refreshing to be with some younger students- to play the same game over and over because they love it, and their young prayers being offered up to God. they're a lovely bunch with whom God will do great things, i'm sure.
the pais ministry is just fabulous too. our intern, robin, is in his 2nd year with us now and i'm seeing so much growth in him too. it seems that the summer saw a huge change in his character- going from strength to strength- increasing in passion and wisdom, love for God and prayer and our students. he's my right hand man, and i cannot express how blessed i am to have support and encouragement. we came back after the summer as a stronger team and even better friends.
in personal life news, bas is moving here in just a few days. we're so blessed by God to finally have this time to be together in the same neighbourhood, after 16 months of being apart. it's been a real challenge at times, and we could have easily have given up on everything. but honestly? something also seems to be moving in the both of us- it feels as though we're being constantly prepared for something.
in all things, the future looks exciting, but i cannot be constantly looking too far ahead, i certainly don't want to miss what is happening right now.
it seems as if we're all on the brink of something.... thats the only way i can really describe it. God's spirit is changing us, moving us, exciting us, challenging and growing us.
so, i hope you're all well. you're in my thoughts and i miss you all.
i will be sure to keep in touch r.e all the above! please keep me in your prayers- if this is the beginning of something big, then i for sure need God's continual protection.
much love......
amy x
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