Hi Everyone,

Birmingham has the highest unemployment rate in the country. 10.6% are out of work. This means that 285,000 people are unemployed and many of these are looking for work. (To give you some frame of reference - the firm where Beckie works recently advertised for a receptionist and had over 300 applicants.) A lot of people are hurting and unable to pay their mortgages and other debts. Bill stopped by the Job Centre yesterday, not to sign on to the unemployment list, but to let them know that the Yardley Speakers Club is ready to help. Those seeking jobs are hoping to be invited to a job interview. They are often frightened by the prospect of having to speak up for themselves in that stressful situation. Often they are on a short list of 6 to 10 others. Representing the Speakers Club, Bill offered to give free help to those who need to practice standing before others and speaking. The Club is now in its 10th season and well positioned to help. Please pray that the Lord would bring many newcomers as the season begins in September.

We’ve heard parts of the US have had an unseasonably cool summer. We had a few hot days the end of June but apart from that it’s been pretty cool and rainy. However, yesterday was absolutely beautiful – about 75 degrees and lovely sunshine. This was the date we’d chosen for a summer barbeque for the Speakers Club! Bill is quite adept at grilling in the rain with an umbrella, but that wasn’t necessary. We had a lovely evening and pray that God will draw some of these dear friends to himself in the coming year.

Many of those who are coming to the ‘Speaking Allowed’ club in Ladywood are also seeking work. Their English is not good enough to give prospective employers confidence to employ them over someone who has better English. Please pray with us that this valuable help will display the love of Christ and that the Lord will use these difficult times to draw many to himself.

Adult education courses are likely to be swamped this year. As the new term gets started in September Bill will be helping out again in Northfield. This will put him in regular contact with both new pupils and those coming back from last term.

John Piper’s definition of wisdom has helped to focus our attention on what we can do to reach the lost in the Birmingham area.

'Wisdom is the ability of the soul to perceive God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, gospel-fashioned, people helping ways to live, with the knowledge God gives us.' (Colossians 3:16; James 3:13-18)

May the Lord give you and us wisdom and strength to do what we can, to use all that we are and all that we have to share the good news of Christ and his sacrificial love for us during these uncertain days.

Recently at Film Club Brenda said we were good advertisements for religion. Thanks for praying that the ensuing conversation with Brenda about our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion will have a lasting impact in her life.

Beckie has been looking for a new secretarial position for some time and thankfully the Lord has provided one. She’ll be working for the local Council at a training centre for education consultants. She finishes her current job on the 2^nd of September. We are looking forward to a visit from Beckie’s twin sister and her husband for a week and then Beckie starts the new job on 14^th September. Thank you for your prayers for her continuing testimony to those she’s leaving behind and those people she’ll be working with soon.

The challenging economic climate (Laura has tried to explain quantitative easing but with limited success as far as her mother is concerned) causes us to once again be humbled by your giving to allow us to minister through you here. May God continue to supply your needs.

Latest England Epistle

England Epistle: April 2009

 

Grace Church:

 

            Things done over Easter:

 

·       Good Friday Witness Walk

·       Saturday Children’s outreach combined with Shirley Churches Together

·       Quiz Night: lead by Andy & Cathy Pollard, over 80 in attendance we shared the Quiz and Fish & Chips.

·       Sunday we enjoyed rejoicing in the Lord’s resurrection along with you

·       Tom & Joyce Baker’s 60^th wedding anniversary: They are still serving the Lord and the rest of us at Grace Church coffee & Tea each Sunday

 

            Things coming up to pray for:

·       Gareth Davies will lead a Children’s event at the Layca Centre called ‘Explosion.’  Please pray that the Lord will begin a good on going work among children from the area around Lighthall School where Grace Church meets.

·       Elders training days with Tom Barlow 15^th – 17^th May:  This could be a great weekend with the leaders of our two churches in Birmingham.

·       Visit with Paul Klawitter & Fenton (GBIM board member) and Judy

Mc Donald 29^th – 31^st May:  We are looking forward to the encouragement that they will surely bring.

 

 

 

 

Speaking Allowed: Ladywood:  We have had a good start!  Currently we have 4 from Iran, one from Tunisia, one from Iraq and one from Afghanistan along with one crazy American.  Please pray for us in our first full month together.  We are getting to know one another quite quickly

 

 

Adult Education: Northfield:  This Class that Bill helps with has just learned that the have Exams to take the first week in July.  Please pray that we teachers will be able to help them all to pass.  This is a major obstacle for some!