PARTEEEEY

Claire as an Egyptian dancer...

Beth as Avril with Attitude...
and Simon (note: our principle) as himself...

Hm... you may be thinking: "what is going on? What is this KBC sekt?" Do not be afraid, have no fear - I am alright. Here follows a pictoral account of Ellen's, Rebecca's and Alison's 21st(!) birthday party, where everyone came dressed as something beginning with E, R or A. It was held at Pinnocks Way social club with the KBC gang + street + Norway. I was so lucky to have bebbe, michelle, mirjam & solveig around for the occasion - bebbe & I even sang together again, which was so good! Here are my crazy house-folks again, from the left: rapunzel, eyelash, emo, rodeo and robber.

Here are the lovely Earl & Rebecca...

And here is mr. bling, Mark, who did a great job organizing the entertainment with Earl - thank you! :)

Poor Solveig was forced on stage in order to be spoonfed by a blindfolded rapunzel - canned rice pudding. mmm. poor amy (out of sight) had to eat some soggy pea mixture. Alison and "Earl" (Rachael) won with the can of spaghetti. Here's our Irishman, dr. Mark, as Augustine...

And here's our fantastic cook Steve, dressed as Abraham - for those of you who don't know your bible, Abraham was God's chosen tattooed father of the nation Israel.From the left: Eric(frenchman)-the-gangster, Janson-the-rocker, Dave-the-Eric(frenchman), and James-the-rocker. All in all I have to say I had a great evening, so thanks to everyone who turned up!

a heart for people

Since last weekend I've been learning about having a heart for people. Was in Hexham with Beth, Matt and Eric from the Mission and Ministry team in KBC - a place 5-6 hours drive up north:

It was a rich experience meeting the people there... Example:

Tony and Jo on an old English farm in the countryside, complete with rain and mud. Open-house, open-heart people for whom generosity is a matter of course. Their freedom from materialism and rush of time was noticable, they have freedom to look out for people in need and to be there for whoever, whatever, whenever... living a lifestyle of putting others first... it was challenging. Made me realise how consumed I get with my own needs, my own worries, my own stuff. Let us pray indeed. They are passionate for God, not only vertically but horizontally - they know God. Inspiring!

Was also great to meet all the other people who I won't name but who all blessed us. Was challenging and inspiring to be with Dave & Chris Richards', who travel around the world encouraging and building up churches, very prophetic, very servant-hearted and committed to people in many ways (for example in helping wash up). And ofcourse living with Suzanne was pleasurable; she had a lovely English house overlooking a field of sheep, the wind was fierce, and standing by the wooden gate I felt like I was in a film. Beth took a picture on her mobile - sadly I didn't bring my own camera so you'll have to make do with an internet-picture (sorry I cheated) of the famous Hadrian's Wall:

We arrived back in Oxford past midnight some time (was too tired to register the time) and on Monday kicked off with Mission and Ministry's separate lectures, where we officially began to learn about getting a heart for people. So far we've been looking at love being the most important motive in all we do, and how to guard our heart so it doesn't harden (through unconfessed sin / weariness / self-condemnation / disappointments / pride). Also discipleship and teambuilding. Very convicting, helpful and encouraging!

overwhelmed

Today I woke up feeling a bit sad - being my 21st birthday, I was missing my family a bit. Then I remembered God's my Dad... and that made me feel better. Then, not expecting anything really, when I got to KBC, people met me with cards and gifts and hugs and smiles and cake and candles and prayers and prophecy! It was quite overwhelming... At the start of the day I got a love-poem from my Father read out to me, which was very special. And at the end of the day, people's prayers and God's words through them really blessed me by speaking to the depths of my heart, which just intensified the specialness - God is really revealing His Father's love towards me.. And I am so thankful!


Also, I am so thankful for the family I have at KBC - I love those people so much, and will miss them so much when this year is over... But I am excited about what God has for us all. And for you who are reading this! And for the communities we are and will be a part of. :) Let's pray that we will approach God as our Father and find our identity in Him, so that driven by this love, this treasure, we can lead others to Him. He is a God who likes us. He wants the best for us. He wants to discipline us and help us mature into His likeness so we can live life to the full. He's so worth the price we pay in the process. He is the best by far. :)

quotes

I just discovered this: (click on the link below)

KBCTC quotes

I don't think I've ever laughed so much reading something on the internet. Priceless. Or should I say mint.

It's great to be back at KBC - new year, new oportunities...
This week we've been learning about prayer from Steve Thomas and his wife (who is a proper pray-er. Impressive. So many people who owe her thanks for her unnoticed, but passionate and painful warfare). She inspired me to pray that God would break my heart for people: That in meeting people, or in reading or watching the news, I would see things as God sees them, that I'd feel what He feels... The pain of love... And that I'll channel that into prayer. And to use every oportunity - every tedious que, every tiring bike ride, every towering wash-up, every sleepless night - to pray. "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Col. 4:2

Paul knew what it meant to love. And what's heavy on your heart, you pray for. "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in he heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion not only in the present age but also in the age to come." Eph. 1: 17-21

Let us pray! :)