The Last Weekend of the Placement

It's hard to believe that the placement has gone so quickly - it officially finishes on Tuesday, so after this there will be just one more Blog comment, in which we will both offer some reflections on the month. However, after that it is our intention to continue with a new Blog together to comment on life as it happens to us. Watch this space.....

God has been good to us over the weekend in that he has given us the enabling that we have needed. On Saturday afternoon it was our privilege to be at the Senior Fellowship to enjoy a lovely tea, and to share with them. We took as our theme the blessings of God. Annmarie shared testimony as to how God has blessed our lives even in the times when it didn't look like it, when things weren't going well for us. I then spoke from the first chapter of 1 Peter about how God has blessed us, despite the fact that we have to go through trials. Altogether an encouraging afternoon, a few people came to us and said that they had been helped. God was so good!

Yesterday morning, I preached from Luke 24 v 13 - 35, which is the account of the journey on the road to Emmaus. The two disciples had an encounter with Jesus that changed their lives. He is still able to meet with people and transform them today. Again, God was very good, and spoke through his word.

That was followed by Adult S Club, in which we looked together at what it means to find Christ in all Scriptures, from verse 27 of Luke 24. It's something that is always necessary when looking at the Old Testament, and is not to be forced artificially from the text. So in groups we discussed some Old Testament passages, and made the connection from them to Christ.

We then enjoyed lunch together as a family with one of the ladies of the church.

S Club was the last formal thing of the placement, we have a couple of days of meetings with a few people, and time to reflect upon the month. God has been SO good!

What a week! And it's not over yet...

It's been a crazy busy week, so far, but as it is the last full week of the placement we've put our all into it.

On Monday we had a great time in MREC'S Luncheon Club and Friendship hour. This is a monthly meeting where people from inside and outside the church meet together for a scrumptious meal and then a guest speaker usually gives a short message.

Rich and I did a musical spot. Rich played a Beatles song that was quoted in a sermon he heard when he was converted. He then played some Mendelssohn music that has a few hymns set to it.

I sang a song I wrote called Rocky Road and then sang You Raise Me Up. Then we talked about the importance of music in our life, and Christian music in our faith. We really enjoyed it.

For the rest of the day Rich was preparing and that evening we went to an old friend of Rich for another lovely meal.

We have been fed within an inch of our lives :)

On Tuesday I met Libby who is working part time in the church for a year. We have met each Tuesday and I've loved it. Then it was off to a meeting with the Pastor and his wife. We talked about the highs and lows of ministry and how we define 'effective' ministry.

Then I went to a music practise for the wedding we're going to on 10 July. The Bride has asked me to play the violin at their wedding. SO EXCITED. Will be playing the Canon in D and some hymns with the music group. YEAY!

We had tea with our landlords and then went for evening coffee with Richard's mum and some of her friends; in the Celtic Manor... if you don't mind....

Wednesday was the usual trip to Coffee Morning, then Christianity Explored. I had two meetings in the afternoon. It was SO fantastic to share God's Word, talk about our fears, failures and encouragements. . Then we had tea with my mum in law. then off to prayer meeting. Rich led it and if I may say so.... he was great. Led by God and encouraging and inspiring to us all I think.

Yesterday was my big gig. It was the Ladies Summer Outreach Meal. In the morning we did some prep for a meeting we re speaking at on Sat. We took a packed lunch and went for a drive. We talked and prayed about my what I was going to say We spent a few hours in in a lovely park in the sun and I prayed and prayed that God would not let me go up there in my own confidence.

My talk was called 'Do You Have the X Factor.?' Basically I talked about how scary it would be to stand before Simon Cowell . When the day comes that we stand before the ultimate Judge we won't be able to rely on our own performance. It won't matter whether we have the X Factor of not. It will be whether we have the Cross Factor.

It's hard to know but I think it went well :)

And so to today.... It was our day off and it was great. We did lots of visiting friends and chatting, catching up etc. And then off to the Young People's meeting to talk to them about the 'eternal perspective'.

I don't have the energy to type any more. And you probably can't read much more either.

Can't believe it's nearly over. I'm so so tired. But it's a good tired :)

End of Week 3, beginning Week 4

Friday last was our day off. We went to Porthcawl for the day, leaving Peter on the seafront whle we visited friends, then meeting up for coffee and an ice cream. We had tea with Mum later. Apart from that, fairly uneventful.

Yesterday morning, I went up to New Inn to speak at their Men's Breakfast. We had a slight problem in that the cafe that we were to use was closed, and it wasn't possible to contact the owner. So we had a short drive up to Tesco for breakfast, and back to the church hall for the talk. It was essentially what I had said in Malpas Road the week before. It was great to be able to share it again with another appreciative group.

We spent the rest of the day in preparation for today, and had dinner with some more friends in the evening.

Today has been busy. It started off with a visit to Blaenypant house. I spoke to the ladies there on the Parable of the sower and how important it is to listen and respond to the message of Jesus.

Today's ministry in church has been very encouraging and challenging. Jonny Raine preached from the prophecy of Haggai both morning and evening. There was a real sense that God was speaking through his Word.

We were able to share in the S Club about the Christian scene in the Republic of Ireland. It was good to be reminded of the challenges and opportunities that there are.

This evening, we visited the young people's after church group. Annmarie sang, I read a Psalm and we answered some questions about the call of God on our lives. That group is such an encouragement, it is really great to see God at work in their lives.

So a fairly busy time, with more to come this week. Thank you again for your interest and prayers.

A Quieter Couple of Days

Monday was not as busy. (Phew says Annmarie!). During the day, the car was taken to a repair man, because of a small incident in which the front of the bonnet met with a gate! It will have to be repaired next week.

We did some preparation work, Annmarie met with a couple of ladies from the church.

In the evening, I gave a short Word at the Elders and Deacons Prayer meeting. Taking the first 5 verses of Philippians 1, we considered the partnership that there is in gospel work. Certainly it is true that Annmarie and I have felt that very clearly as we have been here for the month, it's so great to realise that the same God is doing his work in Wales as he is in Ireland.

On Tuesday, I spent the day preparing for a couple of meetings, Annmarie met with two more ladies from church, then we visited some friends in the evening, and had dinner with them.

Yesterday morning was the coffee morning, again, a great opportunity to engage in conversations with people over coffee and cakes. (Annmarie says: After last week's event, I played it safe and didn't get into any complicated conversations!). That was followed by Christianity Explored - the subject being that of "what is a Christian?". Together we discussed where we stand before God, and what it costs to be a Christian.

At the church prayer meeting in the evening, it was encouraging to hear of the work of London City Mission from two of their representatives.

Please continue to pray - we have a few events coming up over the next few days; we are visiting the young people's work tomorrow evening, On Saturday morning I am speaking at a men's breakfast at a church in New Inn (which is about 7 miles from Newport).

Sunday will also be busy - I am speaking at Blaenypant residential home in the morning, both of us are sharing something of the work of God in Ireland at an adult class after the morning service. We are also sharing at an after church youth meeting in the evening.

It is really great to be involved in ministry in this way, and we trust that God will continue to teach us through it. Thanks for your prayers.

R (&A)

Half way there...

Today marks the half way point of the placement. It has been great! There have been some very busy days and a couple of sleepless nights. I (Annmarie) have kicked myself a couple of times annoyed at silly mistakes I have made. But I've also had to pinch myself... how blessed I am to have a fab husband. Our brill sister and brother in law and the provision of their house. And such a great church to do a placement in. Full of supportive friends and family. God has been so good to us :)

So let's catch up.

Richard here... Friday was our day off :) And it was a leisurely one too.
As part of the day we went for a drive up to Rudry. Where my Dad's family was from. The scenery up there is beautiful. We sat at the bottom of Rudry Mountain with our picnic enjoying the view.

On our way we went to The (excellent) Rock café in Bedwas (Also known as its welsh name Y Craig). We had a cup of coffee and a Welsh cake :)

In the evening we celebrated my brother in law's birthday with a very nice chinese. Great day!

Saturday morning saw MREC's monthly Men's Breakfast, at which I was speaking. There was a good number there for an excellent breakfast (as always). With the World Cup having just started I spoke to them about Priorities and where real treasure is. The message was not saying that being interested in football is wrong. it's just it should not be our ultimate priority.
Annmarie returned to her former role in dishwasher operations.

Saturday night, great fellowship at a bbq with some family and friends.

Yesterday (Sunday) was a great day for me.
In the morning we had a very inspiring message on the Resurrection of Jesus. God was clearly with Meirion as he brought the Word.

After nice lunch with one of the lovely ladies from the church it was home for some final preparation for Sunday evening's sermon.

God was really with me in that too! I was able to preach on Belshazzar from Daniel chp 5. And the way that he did not humble himself before God. The challenge to everybody was, Have you humbled yourself before God?'

As Annmarie has said above. It is so great so have the support of the church here at MREC. And after I had preached I was really encouraged by the response of many of our friends and family. As I am well known in the church. I know that people will be supportive and that is great.
But last night I was confident that God was at work through me and it blessed me to know that others saw it too.





SO... it's Monday morning, we're half way there and there is plenty more where that came from :) Thank you for your emails and msg's and comments etc. It's great to know that we're not typing into an abyss :)

We'll be back soon, A and R

Learning from mistakes...?

We're really enjoying our ministry placement!

But it hasn't all been 'beer and skittles' as our dear Uncle Ray used to say :)

Rich mentioned on Monday that I hadn't been well. It was so weird!

I felt sick to my stomach and freezing cold. I thought I was coming down with something 'orrible. So I went to bed and slept solidly for 12 hours.

Tuesday was a fairly relaxed day, just missed one meeting -- Tots & Co. and I really felt the benefit of the rest.

Nott sure if I was pushing myself too hard (which would be a first, cos I'm such a slacker) or if "ministry" is actually a lot tougher on the body than I thought.

Yesterday (Wednesday) didn't go quite as planned either... At the Coffee Morning... the weekly open to all, free coffee'n'cake event at the church, I ended up in a conversation that I didn't really want to be in and didn't know how to get out of. I was really discouraged at how I handled it and it affected me and upset me for the rest of the day.

Later I went to the weekly prayer meeting in the church and the Pastor spoke a message that was straight from God to encourage and reassure me. I was so relieved as this morning I was leading the Women's Bible study and my confidence had been knocked by my weakness on Tuesday and my naivety on Wednesday.

But it's all a learning curve I suppose.

Next Wednesday I'll be more prepared; and hopefully I won't let the enemy rob me of so much after my next mistake.

The next mistake I can guarantee is just around the corner, my reaction...? I'll let you know :)

Thanks again for all the prayers and messages.

Special thanks to those who've been praying for me in my prep for the study this morning. Considering the week I had! it went well and I got some good feedback from some of the ladies.

Please pray for Rich as he speaks at the Men's Breakfast on Sat morning and preaches in Malpas Road FOR THE FIRST TIME on Sunday evening .

A x

Sunday and Monday

Yesterday was another encouraging day. We started off by visiting Blaenypant House, which is a residential home for older people. A short service takes place there each Sunday, I was speaking. I took the incident of Jesus healing the blind man in 2 stages from Mark 8 to get the ladies present to consider if they really knew Jesus. A great opportunity to share.

We then went to church, I was reading and praying as part of the service. Enjoyed powerful ministry from Meirion on the death of Jesus from Luke 23. Lunch with Mum and a few ladies from church then, Annmarie went to visit some friends and we met up for church in the evening. The sermon was on Daniel chapter 4 - I took notes as I am preaching on Daniel 5 next Sunday evening. Chapter 4 is a reminder of how God humbled Nebuchadnezer's heart, and his consequent repentance.

This morning we had a good and encouraging meeting with Meirion and Ceri (Pastor and wife), this afternoon did some prep, and I went to the Elders' Prayer time this evening.

Please pray for Annmarie - she is feeling a little under the weather and very tired, that she will have energy for tomorrow. And pray, in general, that we will have the enabling that we need to be able to minister to others in various ways.

Richard

Reflections on Week 1

So, we've come to the end of our first week! Yes, I know it wasn't a full week, and we had Tuesday off, but........

It has been really great. We have had the opportunity to be involved in some outreach through the Coffee Morning and Christianity Explored. We have had fellowship with other Christians through Home Group and prayer time, and we have spent time with a few individuals too. All this interspersed with our own prayer and preparation.

So what have we learned so far? That there are many needs that need prayer - I think that we will become more intentional about praying for specific people in their particular situations. Linked to that, we are completely dependent upon God to work. We can meet with people, share with them, speak to them, but it is God that is the One who will be at work in the situation.

We thank God for his goodness this past week, and continue to pray that he will, by his Spirit strengthen and enable us to do all that we have to do in the coming week.

Richard

PS

Annmarie here. Someone suggested we might add some 'Amo humour' to this blog... We've pondered that and don't want to sound stuffy, but don't want to make light of what's going on here either but let me tell you what happened to me yesterday. I'm sure it will give you a laugh... at my expense...

Basically I sat on my sister in law's garden bench and the whole thing collapsed underneath me in numerous pieces and I ended up flat on my back. Had to get Rich to rescue me.

The only damage was a scraped arm, a bruised ego and a bench that would easily fit back into the flat pack box it came in.

Who said ministry couldn't be fun :)

Finally we've started work...

Yesterday was our first proper day and it was a busy one!

Firstly we went down to the church for the weekly Coffee Morning.
It was great to meet with lots of people that we didn't know. And be able to chat naturally about life, issues and God.

That was followed by Christianity Explored; where we 'wrestled' with the whole concept of grace. and what that looks like. There were 5 people there who don't regularly got to church. It was great to discuss together the love of God in Jesus and the perfection of his sacrifice for us.

These are fantastic opportunities to connect with people who don't have or want God in their lives.

In the eveving we joined with one of the Bible Study groups from the church. I (Richard) was leading, looking at Psalm 135. A Psalm of praise! There was a great discussion as we sought to apply the different reasons for praise to our 21st Century life.

Today, while Richard worked hard preparing for future meetings, I went to a ladies meeting. As it is half term over here it was informal and a few of us just shared things that were encouraging us at the moment. The hymn books were passed around and we sang some classics :) It was great.

After lunch with our 'landlords' it was back to the books for both of us this afternoon. Finishing off the day with great food and fellowship at Richard's cousin's house.

We're enjoying ourselves so far, and are getting a tiny glimpse of the busyness of life in ministry. But it's exciting to be involved.

More soon... x

Starting as we mean to go on...

Today is officially Day 1! And today was our day off this week!
What a start!

You'll be glad to know that we didn't lie on till gone noon and watch tv in our jammies. This month is very much a working month for us and so we were up at a reasonable hour.

It has been a nice gentle start into the placement.

Today Rich spent a few hours preparing to lead the Bible study tomorrow evening I met with one of my dearest friends over here and we had lunch, read a psalm and talked about difficult situations that we are trying to trust God with. It was a real encouragement.

Then we had dinner with our gracious hosts :) Richard's sister and brither in law.

Tomorrow is a busy day and we;re looking forward to it.

We'll be be sure to fill you in :)