Anna's FirstServe Prayer Letter-October 1st-15th
Wow, the time has really flown by since my last prayer letter! So much has happened in the last two weeks, between finishing up at Tilsley College and moving to Newcastle to begin my UK placement, it has been a busy but amazing experience!
Last week of Tilsley
I really enjoyed my last week at Tilsley, while it was sad thinking that we were leaving all the amazing friends we had met, we made the most of our last week together and got up to all sorts! We had our usual lectures in the morning focusing on various evangelism methods and handling issues we may face in our year. This included topics such as culture shock and stress as well as looking at different outreach organisations such as CAP (Christians against poverty), Hope for Glasgow and the Neighbourhood Chaplains. These lectures definitely gave me a better insight and appreciation of the huge need we have in our own communities for the gospel, never mind globally. I can already see the benefits of these lectures and discussions in the work I have started in my church placement here in Newcastle.
We also had a few assignments to complete during our last week, the most interesting one being a memory verse test! We were given 8 memory verses to learn during our time at Tilsley, so Rachel and I decided to put some tunes together for each verse to help us remember them, although I'm sure everyone else at the college was relieved after the test was over and we stopped singing! However, I really enjoyed being challenged to memorise some scripture and it is a habit I would like to continue! (Psalm 119:11) God's Word is so powerful and it is a priviledge to be able to meditate on it in our hearts and minds every day!
As well as lectures, we got up to a lot during our afternoons and evenings, from late night gym sessions, to cinema trips, to charity shop shopping round two! We also had a very interesting night on Saturday as it was Ireland vs Scotland in the rugby, which meant the few of us who were Irish got a lot of hassle! It's been so nice that we've gotten on so well as a group and I have definitely made lifelong friends.
Moving to Newcastle
So originally, I was going to move to Newcastle to serve at Regent Chapel on Saturday in time for their Polish night, but the weather was so bad in Scotland that all of my trains were cancelled, so I ended up moving down on Sunday. I arrived in time for their evening service where I met many people who I'll be working with for the next few months! I am so thankful for how welcoming and friendly everyone has been which has made me so excited for what's to come in the following months!
Settling in at Newcastle
Despite only being at Regent for a week, I have been involved in so much! I have Mondays off, so the couple I am staying with took me out for the afternoon and it was a good opportunity to get to know them better! However, I was put to work from Tuesday morning on! We had staff devotion in the morning and then I spent the day doing odd jobs, from filing to trying to wire a strimmer, which funny enough, I wasn't very successful at! I then had Connect in the evening, which is the ladies' bible study.
Wednesday was very interesting as I went on my first CAP visit with the CAP coordinator from Regent. We went to visit a lady who lives on her own and has two children with special needs. She is a Christian and goes to church occasionally, but has struggled to find someone to mind the children on Sundays for the last few years. After talking through the practical help CAP could provide, we encouraged her to watch some online services and she let me pray for her which was really encouraging! Please continue to pray that as CAP begins to help her and her family over the next few months, she would be drawn closer to the Lord.
On Thursday I had the opportunity to help at a local pop up pantry run by another church. I spent the morning chatting to people and helping with tea/coffee. The pantry was based in the poorest side of Newcastle, which is known for its high crime rate, and people came from all sorts of backgrounds and beliefs. It is amazing how much of an impact this small outreach has had on people, and many have come to know Christ as a result of the work they do. Please continue to pray for those coming in that through the practical help and kindness shown to them, they would also come to know Him as their Saviour.
What’s Next?
I will be staying at Regent Chapel up until Christmas, helping with various jobs and events. On Sunday, I’ll be starting to help at Sunday School, youth work in the evening and the praise band playing piano and singing, so please pray for strength as the schedule becomes very busy!
Prayer points
Please pray…
For the friends we have back at Tilsley as they continue their studies and seek to come closer to the Lord this year.
For Kara, Rachel and I as we continue to settle into our different placements and get to know people.
That as I continue in the various ministries in Regent, that we would get opportunities to share the gospel and show God’s love to those who come along.
Once again, thank you so much for your continued prayers and kind messages. God has already answered prayer in that I am really enjoying Newcastle and everyone has been so welcoming!
God Bless,
Anna Shanks
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5 v 14
You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Love Pap