Saturday 7 January 2017

Happy New Year!

2017 is here!!!

 It has been great to be able to catch up with some of you since completing my course at All Nations but I do wish there were more hours in the day (or days in the month) so I could see you all!

College news: I realize that my last update spoke a lot about the social side of college and very little about the studying! I did study hard I promise! It's very difficult to sum up such a great experience but it really was a fantastic and fruitful time. One of the highlights was definitely being taught by such great tutors who have wisdom, knowledge, experience and really care for their students. They had years of experience of cross-cultural mission (one of the speakers was in his 80's) and yet spoke just as passionately now as they would have at the outset. It was great to take time to focus on preparing mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally for what lies ahead. We covered a huge variety of topics from theology to world religions, dealing with culture shock, discovering your love language, and writing a newsletter!

 All Nations is an amazing place and I would recommend anyone who is interested in or considering cross-cultural mission to consider taking a course there. (I've added their link to the blog page so you can easily check them out.)

 As well as amazing tutors there were also amazing fellow pupils at the college and one in particular! 😉 Andy is a great guy and has a heart for God and people. We have been together a couple of months now and are praying for God's guidance and blessing in all our future steps. Very exciting!!!


Family News: Granny has been making us proud again! On the 22nd December she received the Légion d'Honneur medal from the French Embassy for her work as a cipher decoding messages during WWII in France. We took part in a lovely ceremony and enjoyed a great cream tea afterwards. She even made it into the Hull Daily Mail! She's our hero!!


Argentina News: I am back home in Wales and will now be focusing my efforts on support raising to reach the target and be able to start the process for setting a leaving date. Amazingly I am already 2/3 of the way to raising the amount and just need to secure another £500/month to be fully funded. Looking back it's so encouraging to see how God is providing and I am so grateful to you my supporters for being part of the adventure. If you have not yet signed up and would like more information please don't hesitate to get in touch. My email is joanne_la13@hotmail.com

NEWSFLASH!!!

 On Sunday 15th January my church will be holding a Commissioning Service for me and I would love you to be there. (There will be tea and cake afterwards!!). It will be at 3.30pm at Blaenau Gwent Baptist Church, Abertillery. Representatives from Latin Link, All Nations, my supporter churches and my brilliant friends and family will be there. Let me know if you have any queries.

 A bit of an epic news update but that's all for now folks. Do get in touch and let me know your news too. Hugs to you all!!
Jo. x

For the pray-ers:
1. Thank God for a great and fruitful time at All Nations. Pray that I would put all I learned into practice.
2. Pray for myself and Andy that we'll continue to grow together and in getting to know one another and that God will guide our every steps.
3. Pray for Granny that God will keep her safe and well and for strength and wisdom for her family as they care for her.
4. Pray for the necessary funding for Argentina, wisdom for what to do in the interim and trust in God's perfect timing.
5. Pray for a great time at the Commissioning Service that it will be a celebration of God's goodness and faithfulness.