October 2013

Hello everyone overseas

Well two months has passed since I last gave you an update – where does the time go?  In just a few days we are back in Fish Hoek but I thought I would nevertheless update you all with the latest bits of news and photos.  

I think one of the most exciting things is that there is a definite sense that God is on the move. In some ways these past few months and even years have been a time of digging in and trusting God. Now it feels very much as if we are on the edge of a breakthrough.

The prayer meetings at church have always been good but after all the investment in seeking God to move in our church and nation, we are beginning to see answers. Last Sunday night there was a real sense of God moving in fresh ways in our midst and it was fun – the sort of fun we have not seen in a while. At the same time though people were being prayed over for breakthrough and for healing. Christopher and I were prayed and prophesied over which was amazing. I love it when God speaks to you personally and you are not expecting it.

At the end of August we went to River Camp for the day which is our denomination’s summer camp. It was so right to be there.  The messages we heard were excellent and pertinent and then a friend of ours prayed, prophesied and encouraged us.

Just today, four of my good friends and I got together to pray and prophesy over one another. Again it was fresh and refreshing and I came away feeling very encouraged.

So good things are happening and just the week after we leave the UK, Richard Taylor the pastor of the church in Wales where there has been an incredible outpouring this year is coming to our church - and we will miss it!

I have such a sense of God moving us (all of us) on into the new things he is planning and as we pray and seek him, he will be found by us.

On a more mundane level, we have managed to squeeze in all sorts of little trips away and the last two months have been packed with them. We spent a few days away with my brother and nephew on the south coast and then after going to River Camp we went to Bristol to see David and Jess’ new flat. Bristol is a lovely city with a lot of very interesting history and many places to walk round and admire.

With a golden Grommit in Bristol

With David, Jess and Jess' mum in Bristol

STARS poster - great fun!

Our active retired group (STARS) had a wonderful boat trip along one of the local rivers and then Christopher did a wine tasting of South African wines with lots of photos of the vineyards which was greatly enjoyed by all.

I went up to the Proms in London with a friend. It was great fun queuing to get in and though we had to stand for the performance, the view was great and the sore feet worth it.

Reading with a cat

We had a long weekend at Fiona’s house cat sitting while they were on holiday.

We managed an historic house, lovely countryside and some golf. We also had a weekend at Center Parcs with the whole family which was marvellous though it was marred by half the adults suffering with a tummy bug.  The rest of us enjoyed the extensive facilities very much and personally I loved having a go on a Segway.

Straight on from that Christopher and I went up to Yorkshire for 5 days with his family in a very nice log cabin. We again visited an historic house, had a day in the ancient city of York which is full of things to do and a day on the golf course (of course)!

Keira now aged 8 months

Opening a present

In between times Sarah has been struggling to get their extension finished and then it was all hands to the pump to get the house in some sort of order before 35 people turned up to celebrate Keira’s dedication and Samuel’s 3^rd birthday. Christopher and I both spent ages painting and Christopher is even now tiling the kitchen. However it was worth it, as despite the rain we had a lovely time again with the family.

On a Segway

In between times we concluded the bowls season though Finals Day was rained off, played golf and are trying to get the garden in trim for the winter.

So you can see why we need to get back to Fish Hoek to recuperate in the sea air.  However we have been prophetically told twice this week that there is no retirement in the Kingdom!

Our kind greetings to those of you not in South Africa and to everyone else – see you soon!

Christopher and Christine  

Isabel on the zip wire

Granny also on a zip wire