Anna's FirstServe Prayer Letter - October 30th - November 12th
Hello everyone and to those who have just signed up, a huge welcome!! Two more weeks of my church placement have passed and there are so many reasons to be thankful to the Lord. It has been a quieter fortnight with midterm last week but still plenty of things that I’ve been able to be involved in…
I had asked for prayer in my last prayer letter for the move to my new host family, which has gone really well! Paul, Fiona and David (and Jess, the dog!) have been so kind in welcoming me into their home like part of the family and they have been such a blessing even in the short time I have been with them.
FirstServe Discipleship Course
Midterm week was certainly quiet but was a great opportunity to spend more time in my own devotional time with the Lord and look at the FirstServe discipleship course. This week in my discipleship course I was looking at the theme of mission throughout the Bible. It has been interesting to study missionaries in the old testament, such as Moses, Jonah and Abraham as I had never really considered the thought of mission from the perspective of the Old Testament. I related a lot to Abraham, when God told him to leave his land and his own people, not really knowing where God was going to lead him. Yet, he still went in faith, and as a result God blessed him and his family greatly. As the last few weeks have gone by, there have been a lot of uncertainties, many new faces and places and, to be honest, a sense of loneliness and feeling homesick at times. However, as Abraham stepped out and followed God in faith, it is important to remember that God is in control and works all things together for our good (Jeremiah 29 v 11).
Pop up Pantry
On Thursday during Midterm, Matthew and I headed back to the Pop up Pantry in the West End to help for the morning. Despite it being very cold and wet, we had a few people who sat for a while which gave us an opportunity to get to know them better! It was great even though the pantry itself wasn’t busy just to have fellowship with other Christians and encourage them!
Discipleship Visits
I also got the opportunity to go on a couple of discipleship visits with Claire during Midterm. Claire meets one on one with ladies who have recently been saved and works through a discipleship course with each of them. It reminded me that we can use something as simple as our time, hospitality and even just a cup of tea as a means to encourage others and help them to grow in their relationship with Christ over a chat.
Youth Work
I also got involved with Space, the youth Bible study on Sunday night, organising a game and leading a small group discussion about goodness and examples of it in the Bible. It’s interesting that God has brought the fruits of the spirit up in many different ways over the last few weeks, so they are something I am praying about and trying to grow in.
CAP Update
On Tuesday Matthew and I returned to Byker Pantry to visit the CAP client we met a few weeks ago with Linda. We’ve praised God in that the new cooker we had prayed about for them has been installed and works perfectly! They have provided the paperwork needed for the next stage in the CAP process so please continue to pray as we work alongside them and for opportunities to share the Gospel with them through the practical help provided through CAP. I also spent a morning going out with Linda to help spread awareness about CAP in surrounding areas by displaying posters in shops and food banks, so please pray for new clients and opportunities through this.
Homegroups
I have really enjoyed homegroups while I have been at Regent, something I have never experienced before. We reread the passage from the message given on Sunday morning and discuss a set of questions based on the passage in a really relaxed setting. It has been a great way to meet new people and ask questions in a safe space.
Music
Apart from playing piano every so often at different services, with Christmas lingering there is a lot of music things to prepare for in the coming weeks! As I mentioned before, we have a ladies’ Christmas wreath making event coming up where I will be singing with a few others and we have started our Christmas choir practices for the carol services in December.
Other than work…
I had mentioned in my previous prayer letters that I am out for dinner with various people from church quite often, and although I was worried about this, being quite a quiet person in general, it has been the best way that I have gotten to know people. I have started to make close friends and build relationships with people through their kindness and hospitality, and is something I will always be thankful for!
Since arriving at Regent I have been trying to do some more baking and cooking! From flapjacks, to a truly MASSIVE red velvet cake, to spicing up some Aldi soup, Matthew and I now consider ourselves top tier masterchefs in the kitchen.
I celebrated my birthday on Wednesday, which was a bit strange being away from home without family for the first time, but it was lovely! I was invited over for dinner by Judith, who happens to be a fellow Northern Irisher! Judith works with GLO and Friends International, so had invited some international students for dinner and kindly invited me to join. It was such a lovely evening, and we even had a Wiggles the Caterpillar cake! (Must be a distant cousin of Colin!)
With this being a slightly less busy time before the chaos of Christmas, my mum, dad and sister have come over for a few days to visit! It has been lovely being able to spend some time catching up, exploring Newcastle a bit more and get a bit of a rest! It has also been nice to show them around Regent and introduce them to some people from church.
Prayer Points
Please pray…
As I get more actively involved in Youth Work in the coming weeks, preparing games, quizzes and talks
For J, who I met with Claire on Friday to work through the discipleship course, that she would continue to grow in her new faith in Christ
As I have enjoyed time with mum, dad and Lucy coming to visit, that I would settle back into my working routine and look ahead to all the Christmas preparations.
As always, I really appreciate your interest and prayers in the Lord’s work here in Newcastle. It is such a privilege to be able to witness His goodness and faithfulness in every aspect of my gap year experiences so far.
God Bless,
Anna Shanks
Wow , lovely to read your letter and see pictures. Looking forward to have you cook a meal for me! Lots and lots of love Pap xxx