Answered Prayers

• The girls have started school! Each girl has made at least one friend and have been growing relationships in their classes.
• The girl's hearts have remained soft as we have navigated so many transitions the last year.
• Sweet times of family connection.
• The girls have adjusted well to school academically.
• Emma was invited to a birthday party with some friends and she seems to be connecting well.
• Aubree's Tuesdays with the ESL class began and have had fruitful conversations!
• Kris was able to teach on Acts 26 at a senior adult small group-he really enjoys the fellowship and teaching every fortnight!
• Eleanor had a sweet 5th Birthday!
• Riley's new love for reading! It's been for so long a battle to want to read.
• Our crate from the US arrived!! After 7 months in storage then a transatlantic adventure we have our packed items- including our almost forgotten bits- Christmas ornaments and Kris's golf clubs.
• We're continuing to get to know our neighbors and learn their stories.
• Our home is being used for life and ministry! We've had families over for dinner, coffee, games, and just afternoon hangouts!
• Favor and sweet timing of the Lord in coming to North Manchester.
• Riley and Eleanor have been asking questions about heaven and faith. We have lots of bed time conversations about Jesus and his throne.
• We have been able to connect with our IMB Team this month for fellowship and ministry!!
• Your continued partnership through prayer!

October Prayer Requests

One thing that echos in our hearts and minds is that prayer is the work of this missionary journey, we can do nothing apart from Jesus! We would love for you to join us each week in praying over the work of ministry, our family, and life in Manchester.

• Monday: Pray for our National Partner- Trinity Church. Pray for the four elders of the congregation. Pray our church would see new believers and a continued heart for evangelism.
• Tuesday: Pray for the wisdom in the direction of ministry. With such great lostness in Manchester, there are spiritual needs everywhere. Pray that ministry for Kris and Aubree would be clear and Spirit-led and the Lord would establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
• Wednesday: We have had fear, anxiety, and anger bubble to the surface and we have encountered some difficult classroom relationships- pray that their hearts would trust the Lord and they would walk in peace Isaiah 26:3 and that we would be gracious and forgiving in difficult relationships. Pray for Salvation for Riley and Eleanor.
• Thursday- Pray for us to be fully dependent on the Lord throughout our days and that we would have grace and Joy in our dependence! John 15:4-5
• Friday - Pray for the health of our family. As winter approaches we've already encountered multiple illnesses. Pray for us as we enter into a season of consistent rainy days, darkness, and sickness.

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Stories from the Field

September has been a full month! We started the month with sickness spreading through our family- almost 2 weeks of someone having fever. Thankfully we were able to begin school on time. Each girl has started school and we're slowly getting settled into the rhythm of earlier mornings and full days.

We celebrated Eleanor's 5th Birthday and all of us made sure to tell her that she needs to stop betting so big!! The same day as her birthday, our CRATE ARRIVED!! Items packed in a whirlwind back in February were unpacked and placed around our new home in Manchester. It was really nice to see familiar parts and pieces settled in new ways across the pond.

The darkness of Manchester feels pervasive. We've encountered it while walking down the street, in skirmishes on the girl's school yard, language and content from teachers, "christian" students calling themselves white witches, the guarded interactions we've had with neighbors, conversations overheard on public transit, or stories from church friends in the midst of trials. We see the need in this city and we are eager to be obedient to minister to the God prepared people we encounter each day.

This darkness will sink into every place in which we allow it. Each moment outside our home is a battle with the post Christian world. We have as a response made sure to fill our home with light, love, and the Word of God. Seeing each moment as an opportunity to sharpen our hearts with truth and light.

This month Kris and I were each able to attend a prayer gathering with our church. We met upstairs at a coffee shop after hours and during the service of hymns and prayer, I felt more sure than ever of our calling to this city. It was a decade worth of answered prayers to be planting ourselves in community in North Manchester- not just to live life, but to be on mission for the Kingdom of God. We've found a community committed to defeating the darkness through praise and prayer! We prayed for our church, our city, and revival in the UK.

As I was driving to the prayer gathering I was struck by the beauty of the sky. After a day of rain and overcast skies a section of sky had cleared and it resulted in section of our drive glowing with a golden after storm evening sun. A rainbow accompanied the golden hour light. What a reminder- God's promise of faithfulness for the generations. A promise still open and available for the people of Manchester.

We covet your continued prayers as we settle into life and ministry here in Manchester.