Stukeley Update June 2007

Well where do we begin?

God has been doing some amazing things.

1. We mentioned last update about VBS. Let me up date you on that. We had our first meeting with the UK Team (Stukeley Baptist, Alconbury Ind Baptist and RAF Alconbury Chapel). The meeting was great we had 9 people in attendance and all groups represented. This VBS is a God thing because we had no idea that the Ind. Baptist Church would agree to join with the chapel but they did. The pastor is very enthusiastic about the VBS and even told us that they had budgeted for VBS and those funds would be available to us for VBS. We are just praising the Lord over this because there is no way in our own strength we could have pulled these three groups together to reach the children. There is a real possibility that we could have 125+ kids in attendance.

2. We had another joint service with the Stukeley Meadows Group and we have 37 people in attendance (6 who were first time visitors). We (Paul and Jepye) met with this group and Paul taught a class "On developing a Vision Statement." At the end He asked them what their vision as a church was. They answered "survival." We asked them to pray about joining us and working with us to reach the local community. The response was positive but we agreed to pray for a while and see where the Lord will lead us.

3. 1st Baptist Church Cherokee Village found out that our church didn't have a computer, except Paul's lap top. They have a man in their church who builds computers so they sent us a desk top computer. Paul is now able to move to the church and set up an office. Most every thing has been moved and the office will be completed soon. This gives Paul much more room and a quiet place to study and prepare. THANK YOU FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CHEROKEE VILLAGE!!!

4. Jepye and I are praying about starting more Life Groups. We believe that we can reach more people if we split our current small group and start two more out of that group.
5. We have the repairs on the church completed and we hope to have all the painting done by the time VBS starts late July.

6. On the down side Paul's knee is causing him constant pain and it is time to explore the possibility of surgery. He has two appointments the last of June for an MRI and PT to determine the extent of the damage and what can be done to help his mobility. We have found out that they do knee replacement surgery at RAF Lakenheath so we are praying that if surgery is necessary that they can do it there so that we will not have to come to the US to get it done. This way we will not have to be away for the rehab time (6 weeks to two months).

7. Jepye and Paul will attend the European Baptist Federation's Mission Conference next week. The theme is "Jesus in the Cities" We are looking forward to gaining some insights on how to reach people in the cities.

8. The US VBS Team will bring several members of their church praise team with them and we are hoping that we can get them into the community to do some concerts.

Please pray for the following:

* The VBS preparation especially that the US Team will get their passports in time to come.

* Pray for the UK Team as we deal with all the administrative details for VBS

* For wisdom in dealing with the Stukeley Meadows Group.

* That we will profit from the EBF Missions Conference.

* That it will work out that Paul can have knee surgery done at RAF Lakenheath.

Serving together,

Paul and Jepye of the Stukeleys