Just getting in from working with Donald and others up at KC station. Great evening! We teamed up and went by twos around the station. Survey we were using got you to a spiritual conversation very quickly. I was with Kwabena (from Ghana), Marc was with Alex, Jane and Amy were together and other team was Donald, Dorina and Danial. Met at church to pray and came back to church at the end to pray for people we talked to. A great way to end a great week.
Coffee/tea give-away this morning went very well. Just our team and Pete were there but we stayed busy the whole time and engaged a bunch of students. Very open to talk. Us being Americans and the fact we were partnering with KCBC was a big interest/conversation starter.
THURSDAY
Today we traveled to the northern wards of Camden; Swiss Cottage, South Hampstead & Hampstead. We found these to be the more affluent areas of Camden. On our arrival a lady named Antoinette saw us looking at the map and offered her assistance. She explained about the area and pointed out the location of places we wanted to walk to. She is originally from Barbados and is a Christian. Although Pentecostal she said we Christians are all brothers & sisters and denominations should not matter. It was a very refreshing conversation. After our chat we began prayer walking the streets. We specifically found places of worship, schools & other areas of interest. A few locations marked as churches on our map had been turned into lofts or a school since HSBC's last visit up here. Church of England, Catholic, & baptist churches were found, however. All posted signs "weddings & funerals by appointment". These two events along with possibly a christening at birth are the only times typical Londoners find need for the church, sadly. We walked past the home of Sigmund Freud, which is now a museum, & a statue of him on a nearby corner. We prayed it down as a stronghold of humanism. Freud contended religion was only a psychological crutch. Actually, what he created was millions that use his teachings as their psychological crutch and divert away their dependence on God. Isn't that what false prophets do? Draw attention away from truth to themselves? But for the affluent people living in the area we repeatedly prayed for their release from the bondage of sin & servitude to their god of money & wealth. The beauty & elegance of their homes, streets, gardens is all a facade. Unseen beneath the surface is the darkness, the depravity, desperate lostness and death of their true identities. Separated from God, running from Christ. These people need our prayers just as much or more that the the young, godless crowd in Camden Town we prayed for Saturday night, or the middle & lower middle class people in the other wards we visited & prayed for.WEDNESDAY
In the evening we ate fish & chips, walked to China town then Piccadilly Circus, where we got some souvenirs, and ate Turkish chocolate while drinking Turkish coffee.
Today went well. Took train out to Windsor from Waterloo station to tour castle. 50 minute out and back in so Jane got to sit. I got to talk with three exchange students (Colombia, China and Germany) who sat across from me on the train. They were discussing different holidays in their countries. The German (Michael) got to Easter and said it was for the Easter bunny which gave me an opening to identify myself as a Christian and tell the real meaning. Also explained what Christmas was. Chinese girl then ask is it right to yell out 'Jesus Christ' as she had heard some people do. I explained about taking our Lord's name in vain and that it should only be used in a reverent manner as it is holy. Although there were a lot of broken English in the conversation and I only had two train stops to talk, I was able to share the Gospel and plant seeds. Michael shook my hand and told me thanks as they were leaving. Got back by 4pm so team got a few hours of rest at hotel. Tonight we went to another great prayer meeting at KCBC. Afterwards Andrew's brother, Brian, taught on evangelism. Went on till 9pm. Team said they really enjoyed it.
Today has been a better day. We prayer walked and engaged in the parks/squares as we moved toward KCBC. Gave Jane a chance to sit several times as she and Amy talked with people. Marc and I had several good conversations. One was with a young law student from Ghana named Jesse. He is a Christian and looking for a church. I showed where KCBC is on the map and gave him Pete's and Andrew's name. He wanted to know time of Sunday's service so he could be there.
Walkin at KCBC was a very good experience. Jane interacting with many people and talking with them while they ate. I saw Pete and told him about Jesse. We all helped serve and clean up and talked with the men. Donald was very appreciative.
Ate lunch at KC station and then went up to Art school by canal to pray and engage. I talked with an older lady that was doing sketches of the canal. Found out she is a very distant cousin (maybe) as her name is Paula Little. We had a good discussion but she continued to claim her god is beauty and arts. Very friendly and easy to talk to. Got her card and plan to follow up with her on our conversation.
MONDAY
Went up to Kilburn this morning. Prayer walked business and residential areas along with a few parks. Few people to talk with. Started raining around lunch time. Walked most of section 3 on map (Kilburn and West Hampstead).
SUNDAY
We had a wonderful Sunday! We began our day with a walk to Kings Cross Baptist Church and thoroughly enjoyed seeing familiar faces there and introducing Jane to everyone. Pastor Andrew delivered a great message about our need to be obedient and "go" and "tell".
During out fellowship time with the church members a KCBC member named Ann shared that she had visited KCBC after we had met at a Coffee & Tea Giveaway this time last year! Amy remembered Ann and it was a very special time of confirmation of the fruits of our labor!
After lunch, our team went prayer walking to 3 different parks in Camden and we were able to have spiritual conversations with many different people. During one encounter, we talked with three college age girls from France that were raised in the Catholic Church but one of the girls said, "I just never feel like the priests connect with us, it never felt meaningful to me." Amy was able to share her testimony with the girls and she shared her Catholic upbringing with them as well. The girls were very attentive and seemed interested in learning more. We gave them a bible and Mike and Marc noticed a few moments later that they were reading in the bible.
We are excited for the opportunities that tomorrow will bring! We continue to be dependent on God and flexible while on our journey. Thank you for your prayers!
SATURDAY
Did the Camden Town walk. Seemed more crowded than in previous years. First week university students are back in town may have something to do with that.
I talked with one fellow on Primrose Hill named Tony and his wife from "north of London". Good conversation but short. He felt that as long as everyone understood good from bad they would be "ok". Couldn't get much past that before he changed the direction of the conversation and then broke it off.
Went to Nandos for supper and then got a crepe. Got back to hotel about 8.
Looking forward to where and what God does with us tomorrow.
Here are pictures of our week:
