Ok so it's been a while and I'm sorry about the wait! Just we're stillllllllll trying to sort internet out in our house, so the only access I get is at the Uni. Hopefully by the end of the week this should be sorted out, and I will be able to get more regular blogs and e-mails to all of you! Hopefully...
Well, the World of Richieboy is as exciting as ever at the mo! Currently I'm working at an Esso Petrol Garage, which I recently found out that in an effical study, Esso managed to score the worst score possible with 5 out of 100. Well done there. The job is ok though, and I look like a typical petrol station slacker behind the till, so its all good fun. Have had some interesting conversations about God there. There is a real sense of depression upon the place, and its interesting talking to people and hearing there views on it. There is a real desperation for a God or anything, but there just all looking in the wrong place. I guess this is the story of the world though.
On a different and more positive note, the CU at the moment is going amazingly. We cannot believe how much God has blessed us, both interms of favour with individauls in the Uni and interms of numbers. Last year we averaged between 12 to 15, even though there were 30 on the books. This year, we're averaging between 40 and 50, which is incredible, and the first few meetings we've had have all been holy spirit filled, and God's presence just incredibly tangible. I ask that you would keep us in your prayers, as we feel this is very much the beginning of something. The most amazing thing is those who have been coming haven't all been Christians. Some have been non-christians drawn in simply by curiosity. One person commented
"It's nice to see people who aren't confused for once"
They've come back as well, so we must be doing something right. We cannot believe as a team though how amazing this all is. We know it is God, and not us, because we're nothing special, but to see the Lord work and have an effect is astounding.
As for church life, that is also going well! The church is averaging around 130 most weeks, and growing in membership, we've seen an increase in the youth by a few and we had our very frist student meeting on Sunday night, which again, God just showed up in. We had the chance to pray for each other in small groups, and for me this was particularly incredible, as one individaul prayed a word for me that Joe Gisbey had one prayed over me as well about how an arrow is made, and how it has to be perfect before it is shot, and that I was that arrow.
Exciting stuff!
The area we live in is also incredibly exciting, as it is filled with students, which is awesome! The best part as well though is that there is a group of Christians in the area, and its been awesome just hanging out till 3am , and suddenly deciding that a time of prayer is needed. God is truely blessings us, and we're just waiting on him, seeking his kingdom. That is our aim, as the bible says in Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
We long to see that. And that is a lesson I've been learning more and more in everything I do. Whether it's Uni work, relationships, friendships, even things such as going out with mates, or dating, if we seek first God's kingdom, then all other things will come into being that are in his will.
That's about the update done. Uni itself goes ok, but I need to become more focused. It's hard when there is so much exciting stuff going on to really engage in the course, when all I want to do is engage in everything else, but I do, but I ask that you would pray that I would become more focused in my work, because I want every area of my life to be worship to God including my work and this means doing it to the best of my abilities, not leaving it till 3:30 in the morning, then finishing it in the lecture just before deadline. Not that I've ever done that this term ;)
Until next time, much love and be blessed,
Rich x
