A meeting is an event where minutes are taken and hours wasted.’ James T. Kirk
Here is another qoute by an American writer and economist, Thomas Sowell, ‘People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything’. Love it!
I thought I will begin our newsletter by scrolling down google pages on ‘meeting’ qoutes. Although, these quotes are taken from the business world, I do agree with them to a certain degree. Of course, I do not wish our ministry to sound dull and boring. The reason I chose to talk about the concept of a meeting, because everything starts from it.
Only the room that has been soaked with the smell of coffee, men arguing and sharing ideas sign contracts and move on to another stage - action. The trophy of such meetings have to be the Success.
So, what about our meetings? What kind of success do we expect from discussions about the Kingdom of God? How can we be active participants in God’s mission? When we meet with church leaders we end up going to other churches to share our vision. We are encouraged by our partner churches active participation in our ministry, but sometimes we wish things will move faster (Rita’s character gets on the way) and other times we want to slow down. After all, meetings are our way of worshiping God for what He has done and going to do.
Of course, there are different types of meetings and they are not all require to take notes. These meetings have a different name - friendship. Most of the meetings we attend are about making friends with those who are searching for deeper meaning of life. Such meetings are the most precious!
When we meet with our Polish friends we listen a lot trying to discern when is the right time to speak the words of Grace that are so eager to come out of our mouths. And there is a meeting with God who is always the Chairman of the meeting, we take notes and hours are never wasted.
Here is a short summary of our future meetings that we are sure will bring people to serve the Lord alongside us, please pray for us and people attending these meetings:
8th of June we will be sharing our vision at Churches Together at St. Peters Catholic Church;
16th of June we will be making new friends at Cambray Baptist church in Cheltenham;
15th of July we will share a night with Gloucester Christian Choir at St. James church (we will send posters around when they are ready);
every Wednesday I have a Polish lesson, which is always an amazing time and good fun, but it is not easy!
meeting with a Polish family, our friendship is always around the children, but we noticed that parents are opening up to us;
amazing changes are happening with another Polish couple and we see God’s hand in their lives;
Such are the meetings with different groups of people, whether they are church leaders or our friends, we do see God at work in each of their lives.
Us?
Vidas
I have been thinking a lot about when I am going to begin my studies at Redcliffe. Unfortunately, it will need to wait until our financial support will reach substantial level. So, please pray that God would bring people alongside us. Otherwise, I am doing well, working at Redcliffe and enjoying a teenage club on Thursdays at our church. Discipline is not my strongest point. As a result, I do struggle to meet up with Father.
Rita
Once again I failed! You know how it feels.... I did not pass my entry exam for the TESOL course. Well, it did saddened me, but on the other hand I thought God is amazing. He does not allow me to do more then I can since I must be learning Polish, preparing for meetings and presentations, preaching, hosting people and preparing a reflection for the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission global leaders consultation in November.
Rugile
Rugile is enjoying school, but most of all she loves spending time with her best friend Maria. Maria is Polish. So, Rugile is definitely on the mission field.
In the previous letter I mentioned that Rugile had to see a doctor concerning her left ear. The doctor decided that she will need to visit him every half a year until further notice. Keep it dry and no swimming! Rugile is not very happy about it. Please, keep praying for Rugile.
Prayer time:
Please, pray for our financial support. It is going up, but slowly, however, we have been encouraged by people’s faith to come alongside us when they have very little. Thank you!
We have got new supporters who found out about us from ECM website and the Europe’s Millions magazine. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers!
Please, pray for all those meetings and presentations. We believe that it will open up doors for people to see the need for mission in their home city.
JUNE is our prayer month for our supporters! Please, send our prayer requests that we could serve you by praying for you.
Pray for my preparation for the global mission leaders consultation in Germany. This is an amazing opportunity for me to learn about God’s mission across the globe, but also to share my own passion for Christ.
Pray for Rugile’s faith. She has been asking lots of questions and loves to pray for her friends and people around the world.
Pray for our spiritual lives.
Pray for our partner churches St. James, Brunswick Baptist church, Pulawska church in Poland and our sending church Kendal Road Baptist church.
Thank you for praying and keeping up with us.
