“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”  – Psalm 127:1

Psalm 127 is said to be written by Solomon. This is the same King Solomon who ordered the construction of the magnificent House of worship in Jerusalem, which history calls “Solomon’s Temple”. Solomon understood that no matter how much wealth or wisdom a man may have, “unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.” These days, I also find myself thinking about building. We’ve been told we will need a new church. Land is available–for now. Money is scarce–yet funders are out there. Our congregation has chosen to trust God, and so with the money it has, we have hired an architect as well as business / fundraising consultants. We believe that God wants to build a house as a blessing to His people, to the community, and to His glorious name.

Praise

• Two people attending church for the last few months have requested baptism. 
• Karen has had good gospel chats with a few of her ladies in recent weeks.
• The Foodbank crisis we mentioned is coming to a gradual resolution.

Prayer

• Pray for the two baptismal candidates as they grown in the Lord.
• Several serious personal situations in our church fellowship require prayer. Satan is trying to bring discouragement and discord.
• Pray for the architect and consultants mentioned above. May God use them to be a blessing to the future of this ministry.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

George and Karen

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace
among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)

“Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)

The angels announced peace on that first Christmas morn, and to this day, people yearn for peace – world peace, personal peace. One day perhaps soon, Jesus will return and bring world peace, but while we wait, Jesus promised that we can enjoy his personal peace. Our prayer is for that peace to be yours. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thess 3:16).

Praise

• God answered your prayers for the Nov 10 consultation beset with planning difficulties. The day went very well and produced many useful insights for future special conferences.
• The foodbank ministry received record donations of groceries and money in December, preparing us well for the increasing numbers of people drawing on the foodbank’s services during this time of economic difficulty in the UK.

Prayer

• The crisis regarding the future of the foodbank ministry we mentioned in the last update continues. Please pray for God’s best for its future.
• Continue to pray for our efforts to obtain a former leisure centre as a new church and community centre. It would be ideally located with room to grow. 

Thank you for your prayers and support,

George and Karen

PRAISE

• Two of the new ladies in Karen’s English class are very near neighbours. One lives on the opposite side of the street from our house. The other lives in the house right next to us!
• A recent Muslim outreach conference organized by a special committee on which George sits was a huge encouragement to participants! Keynote speaker Patrick Johnstone (Operation World) inspired the guests with his enlightening insights.
• Daughter Alisa is a new mother with a beautiful baby girl, Emery, born on September 9th. Baby and parents are all doing well!

PRAYER

• George is part of another special committee planning a consultation for believers from a Muslim background and Christian workers interested in this ministry. It is planned for November 10th and has been beset with difficulties thus far.
• Our church’s foodbank ministry serves many needy people from the community every week. Karen serves as a volunteer and George leads the steering group and trustees. But the foodbank is currently going through a crisis that could affect its future.
• Explorations are underway into obtaining a former leisure centre on a main route as a possible future church building. Many hurdles are to be overcome but if God is in it, they will be.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

George and Karen

PRAISE – We are currently spending a short time away from the UK.

1. We’ve had good visits with family and friends in Canada.
2. We are having some time to wind down and recharge for a full ministry in the fall.
3. In the UK, Edna has done very well despite her terminal cancer.

PRAYER

1. Our daughter Alisa is expecting her first baby at the end of August.
2. Pray for spiritual refreshment and refocusing as we return to the UK in mid-Sept.
3. Continue to pray for Edna’s outlook and physical wellbeing. May she finish her course well.

 

The Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) is the most important holy day for Muslims everywhere. It commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son and his devotion to God. It begins on August 21. To learn more, click here.

 

Thank you for your prayers!

George and Karen