The meeting today went very well and I’m so excited about starting next week! I will give you more details in due course, thank you very much for your prayers!

This evening I have spent the best part of 5 hours packing my room into suitcases, boxes and carrier bags. I do not know how I can possibly have so much stuff when I’ve recently had a clear out and I’m fairly sure it’s not all going to fit in my new room!! I guess we’ll find out tomorrow! My sister’s coming at 9.45ish in the morning to collect me and my stuff…I’m hoping it all fits in one car load!

Massive thank you to those lovely people who have agreed to support me financially…it’s not too late to help! Visit my finance page for more details. I still have £60 to pay off from this last year.

Please keep praying for me and I’ll keep you updated with the exciting things God is doing!

So over the past two years as I have been part of the Optimum Gap Year Programme at Viz-A-Viz Ministries.

I have had a fantastic time; I have been challenged and stretched, learnt so much about myself and about God and had some awesome experiences. I’m sure you have noticed a change in me! I have been privileged to be part of so many young people’s journey in faith, helping them to come to realise just how incredible they are and how much God loves them.

Over the past months I have been praying about the future and seeking God for what to do next. Ever since I joined Viz-A-Viz Ministries in September 2008 I felt like more than a gap year student and have been excited about the future of the charity and I guess I have always wanted to be a part of that. After several conversations and lots of prayer I feel it is right to stay on with Viz-A Viz Ministries for at least the next year.

My actual job description is still in the creating process which is very exciting! I will still be taking an active part in on-the-road touring with the Check It Out team as well as having creative input into events and clubs run by the children’s team Arise.  I will also spend some of my time at the ministry centre helping with some administration tasks and the preparation and delivering of Summer Festivals. I really want to continue to use drama where it will enhance the content of various events that Viz-A-Viz Ministries are involved in.

I’m moving in with Claire and Karen (both who are involved in Viz-A-Viz Ministries and SOLID) in Billericay which I’m very excited about! Next week involves painting my new room and furniture and moving in on September 4th.

I have a meeting with the leadership at Viz-A-Viz Ministries on Friday 3rd September at 12noon to discuss things in more detail, so please pray for me then. Currently there is no salary and so I am totally trusting God to provide my every need which is a huge, exciting, scary step!

I would really appreciate your prayers at this time, especially in regard to my finances. I will be updating with more details as soon as I have them!!

Very exciting things are happening soon and I promise to give a full update in the next couple of days!!

Had a great week in Torquay at Cuthbert Mayne High School and then spent Friday at Stoodley Knowle an all girls school attached to a convent. Met my first real life nun! We did lessons on forgiveness and the girls were responsive asking questions about our faith and we were able to give honest personal answers. Also found out that Nigel (the schools worker we were with from Links) works at a school where my old deputy head and drama teacher work! Small world!

This weekend was fairly relaxing at home, spent time looking after Maddie and Emi. We went to the mission in Braintree-Make Jesus Known which was well attended and there were lots of positive responses to the gospel. Today had the opportunity to go to my home church which was lovely, great to see people and update them! It’s so wonderful to have such awesome people praying for me and supporting me, thank you!

BBQ this afternoon and then back to Wickford this afternoon and into the office tomorrow for prep for Solid this weekend!

We arrived yesterday afternoon in time to watch the football…very exciting, stressful and disappointing couple of hours! We then had dinner and headed off to our hosts. Becca and I are staying in a gorgeous house with beautiful views and a lovely family so it’s all good!

7.30 this morning we were in St Cuthbert Mayne Roman Catholic and Anglican Church school for a speedy 1hr 25min set up and then a day of yr7 lessons looking at the value we have as people and the important issue of forgiveness. Today was a momentous occasion for me as I played Keel’s drums (in fact any drum kit at all!!) for the very first time, and in front of 30 students. Not very well of course, just very poor attempts and drum rolls…so just lots of random hitting of drums and cymbals!

The students responded very well and we had some good questions including ‘are any of you born again Christians?’ and ‘do you deeply believe in God?’ so fantastic opportunities to share personal stories. The staff seem very enthusiastic and welcoming which is brilliant.

Relaxing evening at hosts tonight, we had a BBQ and a nice time chatting. Earlyish night and then up ready to be in school at 8.15 for some Abi lessons tomorrow!

Thanks for your prayers!! Xx