Sunday, July 3, 2011

As school has let out for the summer, our plans have changed a little bit. Instead of see the kids everyday at school and even after school we are having to go out and find them, which is somewhat of an adventure. This past Friday our team along with Mark went out and did "Street Work." We walked around the streets of Calderwood searching for kids hanging about on the streets. While we were out searching, Marks family was back at his flat in prayer. There was so much comfort knowing that we were looking for kids to share the love of Jesus with that there was a family sitting at home praying over us and the "Street Work" operation. This is a rather new form of outreach for Mark, and Calderwood, but it is definitely something that they are passionate about and feeling a calling to pursue. So please be in prayer for the team as the continue to walk to streets looking and praying for any opportunity to share the love of Christ with those who don't know him. Also be in prayer for their safety and that they would be bold and confident in the fact the God is in control.

We also got the opportunity this week to go and visit The Faith Mission in Edinburgh. The Faith Mission has many different centers all over Great Britain and Ireland. This mission is financed on the "faith principle" and has no guarantee from churches or other means. Its motto is, "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Faith Mission is also a bible college that has equipping men and women in different areas of Christian ministries for over 110 years and have graduated students serving in places all over Britain and Ireland. Faith Mission also puts on four different conferences each year in different cities. It is for ages 14 and up. The day would begin in the morning with a scripture reading and then have different seminars throughout the day and end with a worship service at night. This was such a great opportunity for us to be rejuvenated and to be just filled with the Holy Spirit as we heard from some very passionate speakers. It was so refreshing after weeks of pouring out to kids of the community to just be fed in this way. During this weekend we got to set in with John as he taught lessons to a group of about 25-30 youth aged kids teaching the book of Hebrews. Just pray for this organization that they would continue to grow and that there financial needs would continue to be provided as they are educating people to spread the word of God throughout.

I am aware that this week the church family has been praying for this team and I am so thankful, because your prayers could not have came at a better time. There are battles that are being fought amongst us daily, and I have found the only way to win is to be disciplined in prayer and to lean on the truth of the word. It seems to me that the devil is well aware of what is going on here in Scotland and the harvest that is being planted and he is fearful. He knows that God is going to prevail and that His name is going to be glorified in the end and church the devil does not want us here doing the Lords work. So thank you for your prayers and be joyful in the fact that it is evident that we are here making a difference and being used as tools in Gods work. I also must say that you church have been on my heart this week as well. I have found that since I am over here I am beginning to view the cross in a very different light. I have grown up knowing that the when Jesus was crucified on the cross that it was my sins that were forgiven. However, not only was it my sins that were forgiven that day but it was also my sins that drove the nails into the hands of feet into my Savior. I think that we so often look the cross as a point of rescue, which it very much is, but the cross is also somewhat of a murder site as it was Christ who took the blame in our place.It was His blood that bought us and it was also His blood that bought the cross. Once we have made a commitment to follow Christ everyday of our life we have also joined a different church. The Church of Jesus Christ. As I am studying more and more of the cross I have also developed an even deeper feeling of mourning of those who have not experienced the rescue side of the cross. However, my heart is not only mourning for those here who do not know him, but for those sitting at home knowing who Christ is and do nothing about it. For those who sit in the pews of the church being perfectly comfortable in the life that they live, but the thing is dear friends we are not called to be comfortable because this is a foreign land that we live in. So my heart mourns also for those who sit and proclaim to know Christ and are doing nothing about it. Who choose to remain in the comfort of their own homes where nothing can touch them and their faith cannot be tested. Where is our sense of urgency brothers and sisters and our eagerness to return home. We are not a perfect people, which means that we do not make up a perfect church but the beauty is that in Christ alone we reach perfection. In Christ alone we make up a perfect church. So church as you continue your day please don't forget that you have been placed here for a propose and when the day comes that you stand before our Lord, I pray that your life will not be considered a safe life, but a life in which you have taking risk and hung on by faith to our Savior who is in ultimate control. Don't go on wasting your life. Please pray for those amongst you who do not know Christ because the fact of the matter is that there are plenty of people sitting beside you in church, school, and work that don't know Him. Be on mission every day for Christ and pray to be made uncomfortable.

God Bless,
   Alex Jane

A Wee Update...

Here is a wee update for the interns:
AJ, Rosie and Taylor have been busy over the last three weeks working in Calderglen High and the Friday Night youth club at Calderwood Community Centre. They have been with the kids at breaks, lunch and in many of their classes including PE, Study Skills and RMPS. One of the ways in which they have been a real benefit to RMPS is through taking two classes called 'Who is Jesus'. This looked at who Jesus was within history and examined what he claimed to say about himself. This has been really helpful in giving the kids a more accurate picture of who Jesus is as many have a caricatured understanding of Jesus. In particular the second class gave the kids an open time to respond to what was discussed in the first class, and the three interns found this to be a really helpful space to engage with the kids. We also had the opportunity to take 2nd 3rd and 4th year assemblies. This again was another great opportunity to share their faith and why they have came to Scotland.

On Friday nights they have been working in Nu-Fri the youth club at Calderwood Community Centre. Last week we had a competition night called Nu-Ulympics, depsite the cheesy name it went really well, we had six different competitions, including Table Tennis, Pool, Wii, PS3 and Table Football. Karen gave a clear gospel message at the end, tying in to the fact that we are all in a race and whatever we are running for will determine what we will get at the end of our lives. Please pray that this message will impact the kids as we break for summer.

Next week 2nd -9th July AJ Rosie and Taylor will be involved in the Tent Mission at the Heritage Loch. Another great opportunity to reach out to the community with the Good News of the Gospel. Pray that the whole team is empowered to reach out to the community in both word and deed.