Prayer Letter Winter 08/09

Below is a copy of my latest newsletter. If you'd like to receive these letters by email/post then let me know!

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a good time over Christmas! I had a couple of weeks off and spent it in Shropshire with family and friends, which was lovely.

Getting back to Londona nd back into work was a bit of a shock to the system! The last few days have been spent thinking through and planning the term ahead - a potentially overwhelming task, but I was encouraged over the weekend with Jesus' words in Revelation ch1v17-18. IT's great to know that no matter what uncertainties lay ahead this term, 2009 holds no surprises for Jesus, the First and the Last. And remembering the certainy of the hope we have through his death and resurrection brings all of these unknowns into perspective.

It has also been really encouraging to look back over the past term and see how God has answered prayer and how he is growing gospel fruit in schools in NW London. I have written below the following prayer points in more detail about the schools that I have been working in, but the things that I would really value your prayers for are...

Thanks for:

• Pupils hearing about the good news of Jesus.

• Christian pupils who have been growing in their love for God and for each other.

• gaining official status as an outside volunteer working in Parliament Hill - this is a great reference for when I approach other schools.

• Finding four Camden churches who are really committed to developing their young peoples' ministry through schools-work, and would like us to help them do that.

• The pupils at a school who are meeting once a week to pray, and standing firm despite facing opposition.

• Anna - a local church worker who will be helping me in Parliament Hill

Pray for:

• Parliament Hill School

- the pupils to be bold in inviting their non-Christian friends to the Monday meeting on "If you could ask God one question..."
- an opportunity to talk with senior staff about teaching some lessons and taking some assemblies.

• Camden School for Girls

- The Christian pupils, that they would continue to respond to opposition in a God glorifying way.
- God to open a door into this school.
- patience!
- wisdom as I begin to plan an offsite CU meeting.

• William Ellis Boy's School

- a meeting with parents and pupils from a local church, especially for wisdom and clear thinking as we decide on how to approach the school.
- the pupils to be living distinctively for Jesus.
- God to provide a male helper.

• Haverstock School

- that I would meet and begin to build relationships with key people who would be open to future CrossTeach work in this school

• finances

- that God would provide the money we need to continue through this academic year at least.
- that the upcoming fundraising event - a dinner and jazz evening - would be successful in raising our profile and bringing in some of the necessary funds.
- for more financial supporters.

• me, that I would

- always be prayerful and spending time in God's word.
- trust in God and His sovereign plan for this work.
- trust in Him and His strength each day.


This is to give you a bit more information about what I've been doing where...

As well as developing links with churches and schools in Camden, a lot of this term has been about me learing how to do schools-work. Because of this, I have spent quite a bit of time outside Camden, helping Naomi and Aly in Islington and Westminster:

Islington
Highbury Fields School
After half term Naomi and I started helping at a new lunch club for Year 9 students in a local church centre. This has been set up with the aim of building relationships with the pupils - this is often quite difficult as we have had anything from 15-45 girls attend over one lunch period!

City of London Academy
After originally being told i n September that we wouldn't be allowed to do anything in this school for the forseeable future, we finished last term (and start this term!) running 2 lunch clubs - one lower school and one upper school - on the Beatitudes.

Camden
Parliament Hill
There is a CU of about 12 upper school students who are very committed and really enjoy coming. In the Tursday session last half term I led a series based around the 2 Ways To Live material, looking at the basics of the gospel message. The girls are also keen to do community action, and last term organised a cake and hot chocolate sale to raise money for Tearfund.

Camden School for Girls
Unfortunately we haven't been able to start up a club officially on site. However, there are a couple of students who meet once a week in a free classroom to pray together. I am also meeting One2One with a 6th form student to read and apply Colossians together.


Westminster
Francis Holland School
We studied Ephesians with the CU - a great group of upper school girls who are keen to apply God's word to their lives and want to be distinctive in their school.

St Marylebone School
I helped Aly as she led lessons on the resurrection during their 6th form RE day. This was great, and provided opportunity to deal with misconceptions and answer searching questions. We ran a necklace-making evangelistic event in the run up to Christmas where I spoke on Romans 6v23 and the greatest gift in the world!