Hi people!

So, I never got kidnapped (you wanna ask for your money back Hannah!) I look forward to proving that to you when I come home next week. I should have some photos too so you’ll be able to see me in a tank, with a street kid and fighting a policeman with cake (and losing).

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. On the whole health was pretty good, quite a lot of work got done, the house in Manchester was alright, God did amazing stuff but, my suntan isn’t as impressive as I’d of liked (was this not a high priority in your prayer lives?!?!)

Most of you probably know the flight home took longer than it should have done. We all got tired and frustrated and bags got lost. A few of us have now got our bags and the flight home was good when we got it but as far as I know some people are still waiting for suitcases.

So for now it’s back to my ‘normal’ life. I’ve had a job interview, (though I’m still looking to move out of Manchester), I’m falling off chairs (injuring myself and breaking the wall), getting new glasses, playing hockey and baking cakes!

I’ve also had the 1st of 3 Hep B injections… just in case I ever go out to Haiti again…

Lent is here and we all know that giving up chocolate is a real sacrifice for many but you have to admit that it’s got a little old now. So if you’re looking for a new idea, Anne Thomas’ cell group is doing a Carbon Fast for lent.

The idea is to find a new way to reduce your carbon usage for every day of lent. If you’d like to join with the group in doing this you can find out more information on the Tearfund website. Check out http://www.tearfund.org/Churches/Carbon+fast+new/ for ideas and information.

If you do decide to give it a go then please let us know how you are getting along.

Hi everyone!

Firstly can I say thank you for the money you have given me towards my trip. It was perfect timing as the night after you had the church meeting my car got stolen so it was very good to have some encouragement!

I was also excited to see how interested everyone was in the work going on in Haiti. As you may have noticed before Christmas, I didn’t know too much about what I was getting into so a lot of what you were hearing from Martin and  Carwyn was the first time I was hearing it too. It’s strange not being at Agape very much yet getting so much support from you – a perfect example of family and community! Thank you so much! It was great to see everyone getting behind it and I can’t wait to bore you with little stories and hopefully some photos!! (Bring some popcorn as it could be a long night!)

It’s less than a week before I go and I’m so excited!! I still have so much to do (like pack. get insurance, borrow a suitcase, buy a mosquito net etc – help! I didn’t realise I had that much left to do!)

Just to put some prayer points down for you to keep in kind and occasionally utter to the Big Man:

• I couldn’t get a Hep B injection so prayers of protection for that (as well as general health things) would be immense)
• Flight arrangements and flight safety
• Haiti is a dangerous place (kidnappings and the like)  so please pray for personal safety
• I’m leaving my Manchester house relatively empty while I’m away so protection for that and for me not to worry about it!! (Also my washing machine and toilet have started leaking…little things like that!)
• I’d really like a suntan please!

And for the not so self-centred prayer requests:

• Prayer for Mum, Dad, Hannah etc who may be a little worried… ok, so just mum then!
•  That lots of work on the hospital gets done
• That we see God do lots of amazing stuff

Well, I’m off to do all the stuff I have to do so that I won’t be panicked and can just be excited!

Love to you all,

cej

p.s. I have a new mobile number and a home number (like a real adult) Hannah or Mum/Dad should be able to pass them on. It will cost a lot to text while I’m away but before the 4th and from the 18th I’d love to hear from you!

xx

Hiya folks

I’ve managed to get a few photos onto the website. I started with the Evaburn page, cos I’ll only get into trouble with myself if I mess it up, but have also put a couple of pictures on the Sparx page.

Please have a look and tell me what you think.

Also, tell me if you’ve got any pictures you think could be added.

See you soon.

Tim 

Check out:

www.myspace.com/agapeonlineyouth

Comments welcome…

Here is a short follow up to my sermon last week, with the main points.

The primary motivation for giving to the local church is – because you have a close relationship with Jesus.

Secondly – be practical. However, I’m not sure I was practical enough. So, here are three hot practical tips.

1. Decide whether you want to give. If you love Jesus, you will want to. If you feel ‘guilty’ you’ll want to (although that is not a good reason to give).

2. Decide how much you are going to give (5%, 10% 20% from net income, gross income, assets, weekly, fortnightly, monthly) – whatever you decide, just do it – find a process that enables it to happen e.g.. Standing Order, Direct Debit, monthly cheque.

3. Forget about how much you are giving until this time next year, then reconsider it again.

Following Deb’s sermon this morning (The Holy Spirit – God with us / God in us), here are some random thoughts.

TRINITY

I’m so glad Deb mentioned the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy – One God in Three persons (aka Blessed Trinity). It reminded me of one of my favourite words from Bible College – PERICHORESIS. This word conveys the idea of ‘mutual indwelling’ – the inner relationship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling in one another.

So what? Well, we are familiar with phrases like – ‘knowing God’s will’, ‘following Christ’, ‘being in step with the Spirit’ and others. Bring each aspect together in a trinitarian way, scholar Paul Fiddes talks of the Christian as ‘entering into the dance of God’.

Anyone for dancing?

On Sunday 3rd February Agapé’s Sunday morning service will be led by Evaburn. Incorporating Evaburn’s songs and testimonies, the band would like to invite you to join us!

If you regularly attend Agapé then you’ll know myself and Tim are part of Evaburn, along with Colin (bass) and Harvey (drums). Our aim is to bless you with the music that God has given us and used to bless us as a band.

We’ve added some new songs to the set list and we’re looking forward to sharing them with you and worshipping God together.

Invite friends, invite family, invite strangers!

visit the Evaburn page on this site and our Myspace page:

• http://agapeonline.org.uk/community/evaburn/
• http://www.myspace.com/evaburning

2 Chronicles chapter 20 speaks of how God protected and provided for his worshippers; people who loved him and recognised him as the authority in their lives. The chapter shows us that we should worship God whether we are being attacked by the world (vs 2-4…), going into difficult situations (vs21-22), coming out the other side(vs24-26) or resting in God’s love (v.30)
read the whole chapter at: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20chronicles%2020;&version=31

Instead of using Operation Christmas child and Samaritans purse we are going to use an alternative to support a family I know who do something very similar. It is called Sweeps. The info is the same. Below are a list of gift ideas and gift no-no’s!

Gift Ideas for the sweeps shoe boxes. Please bring all you can on Sunday
or drop it round to my house!
These are just some ideas! Go mad!

TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos,
jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise
(with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets,
writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts,
socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights
(with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of
yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child
may write back.)

Do Not Include:

Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military
figures; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins;
breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

In Agape we are looking at some of the people who were touched by God in Acts. These people were just like you and me, in different walks of life & from different backgrounds. Each was challenged in some way by the message of Christ. How did they respond? How did their lives change?

These were the people around at the beginning & their stories are recorded for a purpose. We hope to learn from them as in a sense, we are all still part of the story of ACTS.