A car would be very helpful....

I have been reliably informed (by a Californian and my 'wealth of information' good friends) that I'm going to need a car or at least have regular access to one. The area that I'll be living in is close to the college and walkable.  However shops and pretty much everything else is further away.  Public transport is at a minimum and taxi's are hard to come by. It seems that Americans heavily rely on having a car and that even if I could walk places, the chances of a pavement/sidewalk are slim.

There are a few options to choose from: renting a car for the 9 months, buying one from Craig's list or a 2nd hand Car Dealership, or sharing a car with the other girls I'll be living with. I'm also not very car savvy and ideally would like a car which is in good health.

Please pray that:
1. It quickly becomes clear whether to share or buy my own car
2. God provides a car that is in good condition and the money to buy it
3. God points me to someone who can help me find the right car

BSSM teach about living in expectancy for the miraculous, I'm pretty certain that doesn't stop at cars, I'll let you know what happens!

Revival Group and Small Group

I'd really appreciate your prayer.
In my school year there will be around 800 students - that's 800! I've never been a fan of large crowds so being 1 amongst 800 is a little daunting. My friend filled me in on the timetable (check out my previous post) and there are 2 groups which I'm looking forward to as they will help with the whole 'being freaked out by 800 people' thing- Revival Group and Small Group.Both groups I'm assigned to and will be a part of for the whole year.

Revival Group: This will be 80 students a mixture of girls and guys, different ages, nationalities and stages of life. We'll have a pastor/leader who will look after the group, it's a place be known, kind of like our church small groups. I'm hoping that it'll also be an opportunity to step out in the spiritual gifts that we are learning about so I'm praying for a few specific things.

1. That God meets with us powerfully each week and we see the miraculous
2. That the group is a place of friendship and fun
3. That we strengthen, encourage and sharpen each other
4. That we are a group that is hungry for God's presence and bold in stepping out in obedience

Small Group: This is an accountability group for 5 women. For the last couple of years I have met with 2 girl friends for accountability and prayer. I've so appreciated the safety of that prayer trio being able to share openly without judgement knowing that I'm loved and accepted. I'll really miss that while I'm at BSSM and I'm praying that this group will be the same.

1. That the 5 of us quickly click and build strong friendships
2. That God is glorified as we meet together
3. That we speak faith, are ruthless with sin and rejoice together
4. That we strengthen, encourage and sharpen each other

I'm really looking forward to these groups particularly and I'll definitely write up some of the testimonies from them.

My timetable - potentially

Last saturday I caught up with a friend who, along with her husband, has just completed the 1st year of BSSM and will be returning for a 2nd! She was sooo helpful with loads of advice and gave me an idea of what my timetable could look like, read on.....

'School time' is from 12 (or 12.45, I can't remember) to 5pm, Tuesday to Friday. So I have Monday and Saturday off and will be going to 2 services on Sundays.

Tues: Notices - worship - Bill Johnson teaching - AMT (I'll explain)
Wed: Bible teaching - Kris Vallotton teaching- Revival Group or Small Group
Thurs: Notices - staff or visiting speaker - worship - Outreach
Fri: Bible teaching - worship - staff speaker - Revival Group or Small Group

AMT: I can't remember what the 'A' is for, Ministry Team - there are 10+ different subjects to choose from and I get to do 4 throughout the year. They range from Prayer to Photography with plenty in between.

Revival Group: In my year there will be around 800 students, Revival Groups are 80 students with a pastor/leader who looks after them. Its an opportunity for you to be known and get to know others

Small Group: These are same sex accountability groups of about 5 people.

Outreach: There are a few different options to apply for and all involve going into the local community and serving in loads of different capacities. They run outreach to rough sleepers, drug addicts, after school clubs, kids clubs etc. I'll be in the same outreach group throughout the year and together we learn how to minister in the local community.

Wow! what a week, I'm so excited about the different opportunities and am really pleased about the Revival Group and Small Group. I'm praying that both groups are places where I find close friendships with people that are like minded and who sharpen each other.

God's provision through E-ON

Just recently my housemate and I experianced God's miraculous and specific provision. Over the summer our other housemate got married and moved out. We needed the 3rd room filled by the 1st of July, as together are unable to cover the shortfall of £183.00 each month; we asked God for His provision - the right person at the right time. At the end of June we still hadn't found anyone and continued to ask God. During a time of prayer the post arrived with a letter from E-ON stating that they were crediting our account with £184.59, £1.59 over the exact amount needed to cover the rent for July and within a week we were approached by a close friend whose circumstances had recently changed, she will be joining us by the beginning of August. God is good - all the time!