The first month of the lecture phase is now complete and we look back at some of the things that have been happening in the life of the DTS. Firstly we had the pleasure of celebrating Luke’s birthday shortly after his arrival where he was treated to an unusual and interesting savoury breakfast and of course cake! The evening before the ladies of the house were busy blowing up balloons and practising their singing as well as attempting to make his special breakfast without rousing any suspicion…he certainly looked surprised when he got it so it must have worked!
One of the first official events that the DTS helped with was the Beijing 2 London conference at the Emmanuel Church. This started on the Friday evening with a leaders meeting and followed with a full day on the Saturday. Being incredibly skilled the students put their photography and sound technician skills to good use while the other two students helped their team, encouraged one another and made good conversations and friends with the rest of the team. Over all, the event though not large in numbers brought together people with a heart and passion for people and mission and with a desire to be part of the journey to link London to China via the old trading route - the Silk Road. There will be more events coming up so if you would like to know more about this vision and maybe be a part of it email the team on ilovesilk@oval.com.
For their first mini-outreach the students and team went up to the YWAM base at the Kings Lodge to help out with the Wildfire (Kings Kids) activity. This consisted of a 2 hour mini bus journey with some interesting choice of songs eventually dying out into gentle snoring. During the weekend we joined with the Wildfire Nuneaton team and got stuck in to interacting with the children and young people as well as putting on different activities around the town to bless people. We had a car wash, prayer table, football game and drama going out over the town as well as a group of intercessors going round and covering the whole day. It was an enjoyable time and the students were certainly a hit with the young people!
Also this month we joined the Week of Prayer for Parliament supporting two team members who regularly pray and interceed for this key area. This is such a strategic and key location where God needs to be sovereign and it is part of our hearts to pray for our leaders and those in authority so that they can honour God by their decision making. See the parliament page for photos and updates on what is happening there.
And finally, at the end of the month and on the ‘anniversary’ of their arrival we had bad news. One of our students, who also happens to be an amazing drummer, broke his arm. And not just a normal break but a really awkward break that required him to go back to USA and seek medical help. It was a really difficult time for all of us because all though they may not have been here too long, they are our family and we love them, so the things that affect them also affect us. Both brothers had to go home but we have since received one of them back again after a week’s absence and hear that the arm is healing well and that Jesse himself is doing well. So four are now three and though it is a painful loss, we continue to seek God and trust in Him, knowing full well that He is in control.