Summer Update

GraceLife London's Newsletter Summer 2016

Summer marked GraceLife London's first official short term mission trip to Romania. The team, comprising of four of our members (Salesi, Shaun, Elizabeth, and Laetitia), helped with a Romanian church with their outreach program where they taught English and helped put on a Vacation Bible School. One of the STM members described their time as "the Lord truly blessed our time there. Pray that the Bible teaching the kids received will remain with them, pray the Lord will work in their hearts and bring them to repentance." Kindred STM An STM group from Kindred Community Church, led by Kevin Mohr, came out to spread the Gospel to London. The group engaged people around tube stops in Central London using "TheLondonGap.com" website and tracts which provide video tracts with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Compass STM Compass Bible Church picked up where the Kindred team left off, continuing to spread the Gospel to thousands of people throughout London. Led by Rob Thompson, fifteen men and women spent nine days interacting with Londoners concerning forgiveness through faith and repentance in Christ. For anyone who has been to GraceLife London our church pews have become legendary. Legendary for their uncomfortableness. Sojourners Fellowship Group at Grace Community Church has kindly answered this problem by donating comfortable pew cushions which has already been a great blessing to our church family as well all who attended the Summer Institute. Keep your eye open for the next issue of the GraceLife London newsletter with all the information on our Summer Institute including links to all of the seminars. Praise and Prayer Praise for the fruit of the Summer Institute. This year was the largest Summer Institute to date, seeing people coming from as far as Cyprus and Ireland to attend. Praise for the STM teams who have so greatly served and blessed the ministry at GraceLife London. Praise for the faithfulness of the servant leadership and their hearts for those they are shepherding. Pray for Tom and Adam as they finish up their degrees in the midst of a busy ministry schedule (Tom - D.Min. and Adam - Th.M.). Pray for Britain's leaders as they negotiate Brexit. Pray also that in this time of uncertainty that we would be bold with the Gospel and the people of England will see there is no confidence or security apart from in the Lord. Pray for the Pastors of GLL as they prepare every week to bring the Word of God to the people as well as ongoing health issues. Pray for the continued support raising for the Wallers and the upkeep of their visas.

The Drions The Drions have had a busy summer... a packed ministry schedule sweetened with lots of wonderful fellowship. We even got a climb a Welsh mountain with Jack and Lisa Hughes! Tom's health has been better and he is continuing to preach through 1 Corinthians, and Donna and Carys are homeschooling again after a summer break.   The Orgills The Orgills had a wonderful end of the school year with Sammy finishing year 10 and Alicia finishing year 7. The summer included a much needed holiday in Greece where the family was able to spend some great time together in the warmth of the sun. Ross' health is still fragile but he has been mostly able to work, and continues to pastor part time. The Wallers The summer was a time of seeing our friends come over from the Sates as well as spending some time with new friends from the church. Dana was able to go to Maine to celebrate her Grandma Jeanne's 90th birthday and spend some wonderful time with her family.  Adam spoke at the Men's Conference during the Summer Institute and continues his Wednesday night Bible study in Matthew.

Thanksgiving- London Style

Thanksgiving is an timeless tradition that dates back to the founding of our country. We all know the story that the Indians (Native Americans) and Pilgrims joined together to give thanks to God for a plentiful harvest He had given. Thanksgiving, being a mostly American holiday, looks a bit different in London.

To start with, normally we go to the local market pick up a can of cream corn and make a corn pudding. Well what we learned, after going to six markets, is that London does not have cream corn on hand. Adam pointed out that England did not have the Indians to show them how to make maze. :) 

Adam ended up making creamed corn out of double cream, milk and a can of corn to bring a Southern style dish to our British Thanksgiving.

Normally we hop in our cars and drive to grandma's house, well not in London. We hopped on the tube (several bags of food and all) and as you can tell it is not a holiday as the train car is quite full from the rush hour crowd. 

Here is our fellow American friend, Anita, with the turkey she wonderfully prepared. Adam received the honor of carving the turkey. 

Though we are miles away from our family and traditions, one thing is true. Thanksgiving was still filled with giving thanks to God for what he has provided surrounded by friends and family (in Christ).