Dear Friends,
This newsletter comes to you much later than we had planned this year. It has taken us a little longer than the anticipated first three months to find our feet, but we think we are getting there now, are beginning to walk forward in His purposes for us here in England. Who would have thought settling in ‘back home’ for me would be a culture shock? I’ve not lived in the UK for 15 years, and never before married with children before. To begin with I even found doing the weekly family grocery shop difficult as products were unfamiliar and I had no clue what was a good price verses a rip off. Things are much easier now though. “So what exactly are you doing each day?” I hear you ask… [Carol] Well, each day is different for us both. Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Tuesday evenings we have worship and prayer times as a YWAM community all together (about 100 people). Then for the morning I work in the Personnel Office answering email enquiries from people who want to come and serve with YWAM for short periods of time. Once these people come I’m responsible for them and their work schedules. I’m on the review team that looks at long term staff applications too. Probably the thing I have been enjoying the most is my afternoon role debriefing people who have been working overseas for short term outreaches and counseling different individuals in my more pastoral care role. I’ve also just been asked to join the National YWAM Safeguarding Children Team. [Chris] I’ve been stepping out and leading a few of our morning meeting times. Together, Carol and I lead a small group for people interested in local ministry. This team meets to discuss and support each other in local opportunities including the YWAM Skate Park, youth gigs, Seniors lunches (above) and schools outreach. I’m also heavily involved in the maintenance of our amazing facility here, and I have young staff members who work along side me in this area who I mentor. I’ve also been able to meet regularly with some guys with more specific pastoral needs. I’m also involved with the launch of a new ministry that will serve elderly people in the area with free handyman type services. We want to honour the elderly with a helping hand when they need it, anything form painting/decorating to moving furniture or putting up a shelf etc. Phoebe and Jethro too have been stepping out. Both are really enjoying their schools. Phoebe is enjoying learning to read and often reads her school reading books to Jethro. Jethro loves his teacher at school to the point where he substituted to words “Thank you Father” for “Thank Miss Martha” in the grace that they sing before lunch at school. Both have made great friendships with other children here in YWAM and have been spending most after school times playing hard. As a family we have been excited to have friends visit us from all over the world. Each one who has come has done so at a significant time for them as they seek God regarding decisions/future etc. We have been privileged to host these people, and would like to continue to extend the invite to anyone else who wants to come visit us. This is a great place to relax and hear form God. In addition, on the weekend we have been exploring our area and have been to a vintage steam fair, and several summer fetes. We even survived the 'crazy heat' of the past weeks 30C degrees! Its also been wonderful to be able to visit my parents more regularly and help them out with jobs around the house. Especially since we now have our own car (same as pictured above)!!! A HUGE thank you to those who made this purchase possible! We even ended up with a fantastic number plate AU55 SOE. As close to it reading Aussie as I needed to confirm it was the car for us! When we visit them we also visit our Petersfield Church where we have enjoyed on going and meaningful relationships with so many beautiful people. We have tried to visit once a month and are really committed to continue to do this. There is so much more to tell, but that’s enough for now. We’d love to hear from you and any prayer needs you might have. Thank you so much for your generous support of us as we journey on. God Bless! Comments are closed.
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Hattons...We're a family of four changing the world starting with ourselves! Archives
February 2018
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