FROM THE SPIKES: LONDON UPDATE AUGUST 2010

We want to thank all of you for praying for us during these days of adjustment and ministry as we adapt to living in the United Kingdom. God has given us an appropriate introduction to life here in London. August has been characterized by rain, rain, a little bit of sun and warmth and more rain. Folks here say this has been a very abnormal August, but it does give a good picture of what is coming as we move toward Fall and Winter.

God has already given our team several blessings. The Halls arrived this week safely and without problems and for now, our team is complete. The Woodsons arrived about three weeks ago and are living near us and adjusting well. We praise the Lord for the way He has already answered several of our prayers.

Praises:

1. Everyone has arrived without problems and we are in the process of developing our team strategies and ministry plans.

2. The Lord has already opened a relationship with several key leaders among the London Latin American Pastors Fraternity that could bring significant fruit.

3. God has also opened the doors to seeing up to three home groups started in the next few weeks. One prayer group has already started. These groups are primarily looking at Spanish-speakers. We are excited to see what God is going to do through the Halls as they begin to network with the Portuguese-speaking community and churches.

4. In addition, the Lord has confirmed the rightness of this course through a variety of unexpected surprises and blessings that would be too numerous to list in this short note. If you would like to know the details, please let us know and we can share them with you.

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray that God would give us the wisdom as a team we will need to understand His will and develop our ministry plans in keeping with what He desires.

2. Please pray for G. y L., an Ecuadorian/English Christian couple who have already opened their home as potential ministry partners for a group in the Palmers Green area and for E. and A. (Brazilian and Romanian) who are roommates and neighbors of the Woodsons and who desire to have a group meeting in their home as well.

3. Please pray for the developing contact between the Woodsons and M. S. and her husband. We are asking that God move this Colombian couple to be willing to host a group in their home in the Seven Sisters area.

4. Please pray that the Lord would guide our contacts and growing friendships with pastors Samuel C., Francisco C., Gonzalo A. and others and fulfill the purpose God has for them.

5. Please pray for the Hall family and the friendships and contacts God has already prepared for them among the Brazilian community and congregations.

We continually thank the Lord for all of you and ask you to continue to remember us in your prayer.

Jim y Lori Spikes