PLODDING – Now that we are newly returned to Canada, every day brings new little setup projects to work through. Some are quick, some call for plodding. For example, I am teaching myself how to install handrails on the twisty staircase leading up to our second-floor living place. In the coming days, I will learn the art of stump removal so we can create a new off-road parking spot on our property before the onset of winter (perish the thought!). 

PLAYING – We’re enjoying getting reacquainted with our children and grandkids. We are grateful they can now be a more regular part of our lives. It has also been good to take a break away from the continuously busy schedule we kept right up until we left our work in England. It’s been therapeutic to relax and play.

PLANNING – In the fall, we will begin reporting to our supporting churches. We are currently planning for ministry in 2024 and beyond. We are hopeful that in our next update we will have something concrete to share with you all. Thank you so much for praying and being patient with us as we seek the Lord’s face.

George and Karen King

Just now we stepped back into the house here in Birmingham after saying goodbye to our next door neighbour. Yesterday we said goodbye to our car. Every day involves goodbyes — goodbyes to people, possessions, and a way of life we’ve gotten used to over these 15 years in the UK. Recently we reflected on the fact that this is the longest we have lived in one place in our married lives together! 

But starting this Tuesday, July 25th, we will begin saying hello once again and begin a new life! We will say hello to children and grandchildren, to friends and extended family, and to many of you! We will say hello to renewed drivers licenses, restored government health insurance, and cars up for sale. We’ll say hello to new conversations about where we will live longterm, how we will make things work financially, and what kind of ministry opportunities we will have in future.

Please pray for us as navigate our goodbyes and hellos! 

George and Karen King
Birmingham, England

• Here in the UK the news is out about us leaving permanently on July 25th after 15 years of doing life together. Interactions and meetings are tinged with a slight sadness as the time approaches.
• Every Tuesday and Thursday Karen meets and teaches her English students, longing for God’s salvation to visit them.
• Whether in the church or in the community, George continues to prepare people for the day he will no longer be there to preach, teach, lead or serve.
• The Easter baptism service provided a special testimony of a young lady who decided to follow Christ in the wake of her mother’s grace-filled response through many difficult months of cancer treatments.
• The Coronation of King Charles gave us the opportunity to have a special “Coronation Sunday” exploring the Bible to answer questions of where the right to rule comes from. The church property got a facelift with union jack bunting and fresh mown grass. A very British Coronation lunch included a range of sandwiches, trifle, and jam scones with clotted cream! To top it all off, we had our own royal throne as an object lesson and photo-op. 

Forward Views

• Most of our personal possessions have been donated to local Christian charities to benefit their fundraising. We are looking to compress 15 years of life into the suitcases we are permitted to take on the plane back to Canada.
• George has to conduct a funeral later this month for a Christian lady we’ve known since we came. We saw her husband receive Christ as his Saviour several years ago before he passed away. He will no doubt be tickled to see her again!
• Our minds are starting to turn to goodbyes. Planning has begun for 5 of our area Baptist churches to come together for a special goodbye Sunday service for the Kings next month. Some have asked when will there be an open day for people from all backgrounds in the community to be able to drop in and wish us well. We hoped to be able to slip out quietly with nobody noticing, but that might be a vain hope and a little selfish on our part.
• We have booked a number of meetings in the autumn with Canadian and American churches, but there is still room for more. Contact us for a list of dates, even into the new year, as we work through future new ministry plans with ABWE in the will of the Lord.

We appreciate your input into our lives,

George and Karen King
Birmingham, England

English Class News

Karen continues to meet new Afghani ladies who come to class mainly through the invitation of a long term student also from Afghanistan. Please pray for the safe return of this lady’s husband and adult son who went to Afghanistan recently so the son could get married and that permission can quickly be sorted to bring his new wife to England. And pray for the salvation of all these ladies and their extended families. Please pray for wisdom and patience for Karen in her interactions with them, especially with the ladies who are illiterate and know very little English. 

Baptism Class Begins

Three church young people have asked to be baptized, and so our weekly Sunday afternoon Bible class will temporarily turn into a baptism/church membership class starting this Sunday and running through the month of March. Ask the Lord to bless the students as they prepare for the big day! 

UK Ministry Ending

We have concluded that the right time is coming for us to end our ministry time in the UK. We have begun decluttering and the process of ridding ourselves of 15 years worth of accumulated possessions. We are also gradually turning over various jobs and responsibilities to minimize disruption. On July 25th we plan to return to Canada and begin a final phase of ‘home assignment’ reporting to churches taking us up to the end of the year. Contact us if you would like to have us come during that time.

We appreciate your years of faithful prayers and support,

George and Karen King
Birmingham, England