April 2010
Hello,
As you read this I am in Kenya visiting a couple of orphanages, a rubbish dump feeding programme, Nairobi Bible School, seeing Peter and Jenny Kay and speaking at a leadership conference in a fantastic church in the city etc. Please pray for Adam Simmonds and I that we will be a blessing and that we will know which projects and people we are to connect with as we journey forward with our mission’s vision at TLC. Brian is also away for a week in Romania changing the world with our interns – so please pray for them.
“For whatever you did for the least of these you did it for me”
I was reminded again recently that small things are important to God. At our Tuesday night compassion meal I met a young man who through conversation told me he was 21 on the following Sunday. I had only met him once before when he was having a very bad experience after taking drugs and we were able to help him. After our chat I told him if he came to Moat on Sunday morning I would give him a present. The evening passed and Susan and I were away for a couple of days but I knew that honouring my promise was very important. I sourced a nice present, wrote a card, wrapped it up (Susan wrapped it really!) and then when Sunday came I took it with me and left it on my seat.
At 10.05 I turned around and my friend was standing there for his present. I called the choir together and we sang happy birthday, gave him the gifts, told him a bit about TLC and then he left. I have the feeling that what happened in those 3 minutes was very important to God. Would I keep my word, would I value this young man and would I remember that the poor are close to His heart?
On the front page of the Leicester Mercury on Wednesday 17th March there was a full page picture of
an asylum seeker sleeping on the street with the harrowing tale of lives allowed to suffer whilst a bureaucratic system kicks in. I was comforted that although it doesn’t solve his bigger challenges, the night before he was in our compassion meal where he received food, acceptance and a short message of hope.
“…for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…. Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine you did for me” Mt 25:35-40
Easter
It is easy to rush through the Easter week to get to the shout of Easter morning. However, the Bible record seems to slow down in the days leading to the cross and devotes more space to the journey of Jesus in these days than any other. In Easter week why not take some time to stop and reflect on God’s amazing grace to you at the cross – stop and read the account of the last days of Jesus life and tell someone there is still hope because Jesus is alive. Try and join us as a family as we remember and share communion together at TLC 6.30pm on Good Friday
Easter Sunday
If you are in Leicester on Easter Sunday join us at Moat for our Easter service at 10.30 am. Friends are often ready to come to church at Easter, so why not invite someone to come with you – walk across the room and make a difference.
Open Hands Furniture
As Open Hands Furniture grows we need more furniture to give away – please help us if you can. We are able to pick up any items you have to donate if you need a van. I have enclosed a leaflet
Please pray
- For all our new babies at TLC – 6 since December – baby Bandi, baby Fewster, baby Akuma, baby Cabrera, baby Brown, baby Zimba
- For all our pregnant mums for safe and joyful pregnancies
- For all our young people and students revising and preparing for exams
- For all the TLC ministries to be blessed and Jesus focussed
- For all our life groups to be growing in community, love and people
- For all the fantastic seniors who are part of TLC
Coming soon
- Newcomers Evening – Saturday 17th April
- Political Night – 18th April – 6.15pm– a joint event between, TLC, Holy Trinity and Knighton free Evangelical Church
- Guest service – May 23rd – “Why does God allow suffering?”
God is good – we are grateful for all his blessings today and we believe the best is ahead!
Thank you for the privilege of serving you
David