Long days, hard work, lots of excellent food, even less sleep than normal, a fantastic welcome, warm hospitality … These are some of the abiding memories of a hectic week in a previously unknown part of Northamptonshire in early February. We were frequently asked "Do you do this all the time?" "Where are you going next?" "Did you know each other before?" It was sometimes difficult to tell if people were convinced that we could not have worked together before as a team, or whether we seemed to get on so well and appeared so 'sorted' that they assumed we did this kind of thing for a living!
It was great to be able to participate in a week of events that obviously had been well planned, both in terms of practicalities and prayer, over many months. And it was humbling to see the dedication of the church family, committed to see the gospel permeate the local community. It was so encouraging to see so many folk serving food, inviting friends, washing up, acting as hosts (both to us and for events) and working hard together - and a challenge too for me back in my home church situation in Chesham. How will I demonstrate and enable that gospel partnership day by day?
Having never taken part in a pub quiz, let alone hosted one, I was exceedingly nervous about speaking in front of so many people and how and why I became a Christian and all that has happened since. Likewise, being involved in speaking to the sixth formers in Latimer School during the General Studies lessons was a novel experience, but it was very exciting to see them thinking about the origin of life and how we can know if there is a God. That was probably one of the highlights of the week for me, particularly the final lunchtime meeting and talking about how we can know this God through Jesus Christ and his cross-work. We do pray for the ongoing work in the school, among students and staff.
I was also struck by the need for ongoing witness to friends and colleagues, and that while the Lord can do things very quickly and dramatically in people's lives, there often has to be a lot of sowing of seed before there is a harvest. Please keep on doing that over the coming months.
"Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."
(1 Cor. 15:58b)
Neil Watkinson