It’s been a little while since I posted here, this blog will explain a little as to why!
This is a request for prayer, as in next week (30 June-25 July), I head for Cali, Colombia, with great friends Thanney Pyper and Davy King, for stage two of the wonderful building project that will rescue 150 children from life on the streets and the hands of the drug cartels: it means that the kids will be loved, fed, clothed, educated (secular & Christian), and have medical care. On Sundays, the house will be a new church, when completed in November, in an ‘unchurched’, dangerous area of the city. There will as always, be many church meetings during the trip, and countless miracles and healings.
The whole project is costing £55,000, and God has, through his people, provided £29,000 so far. Thanney did an amazing job in March/April, under budget (which was helpful, as we didn’t get what we thought we’d need!). For this trip, the budget for all that needs to be done in the month we’re there is £25,000. We need a further £7,500: this trip will see the roof, walls, electrics, plumbing, and some specific wiring for use by the church: and the completion ‘trip’ requires £15,000. If you feel moved to help these children, Thanney and I would be so grateful. None of this goes towards our expenses.
I’ve had some great months: in praying for me (primarily to honour what God has enabled me to do in Cali), the church ‘El Abrigo’ saw my knees receive a huge amount of healing. As you know, for 18 years (right leg) and 10 years (left) I’ve lived with chronic/acute osteoarthritis: at times, it was impossible to walk, and all the time, causing extreme pain. To receive relief through God touching them, after 18 years, has been indescribable.
But…. the enemy has, as usual, had an ‘interest’ in trying to stop me: I’ve obviously been on his ‘radar’. I’ve refused to stop, and I’ve tried not to let my knees curtail anything I’ve needed to do over the years, which has worked while I’ve been away, though I’ve ‘experienced’ the consequences for some days when I’ve got home!!
Three weeks ago, I slipped off a step, and, it seems, I’ve torn the quad muscle in my right thigh. It’s had a huge impact on both legs, my right leg particularly…. It didn’t stop there, though: as a result of the impairment caused, I slipped while coming down my (dreadful) staircase (steep, narrow, shallow treads, deep risers), and my legs took the brunt of slipping from top to bottom, tearing my calf muscle! My right knee clattered into every banister support on the way down! Both muscles caused considerable bleeding, my leg has been about double the size with the swelling, causing major problems with the knees!! The doctor has given me medication to remove excess fluid from my right leg… It’s been a battle to walk for that couple of weeks and still is, though it is improving, thankfully.
If you’d be willing to pray for me, I’d so appreciate it. The legs won’t stop me going to Colombia, nor, I pray, restrict me from doing what’s expected of me, but, as thing are, it’s going to be very hard, and extremely painful!! Thank you for your prayers, you have no idea how vital they are to us. Each of us going is excited
