Update Tuesday - Hanging Around

It is amazing what you can see when you are just hanging around.  That is what our Thursday group, Fellowship@Fifty discovered this past week.  We had a beautiful night and so decided it was the perfect time to begin our attempt to live Up, IN and Out by heading Out into the streets of the neighbourhood.  Taking our cue from Jesus in Matthew 9:36 who, when he "saw the crowds He felt compassion for them because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd,"we spent time on the streets and in the parks praying that God would open our eyes to the people around us.  We then gathered at the end to share what we had seen.   The two young girls above impressed everyone with the observations that they made while hanging out in the park,  and the thoughts that they dreamed up about how to engage many of the people and needs that they saw.  I am looking forward to some of the things that this group will do in the near future based on what they observed this past week.
Similarly, our Wednesday Fellowship@Locke spent a very powerful time of fellowship and prayer at the Qua-Enoo's place.  This house has been the source and location of some really trying times, as well as a source of discouragement.  We used the house, a physical symbol for the discouragement and trying times that many in our group have faced this past year, to gather and pray for each other.  We were, very intentionally, exercising our In - serving one another.  As it turns out it was a great time of Out focus as well as George and Alison invited some friends and neighbours to join us.  It was a great evening all around.
I am also very excited to be able to share that I have been meeting with another leader who God brought across our path, who has been thinking about and exploring doing similar things to our fellowship groups.  There is a keen interest to learn some of the principles and ideas we have been experimenting with.  We have begun to meet weekly and I have been able to share the things that were passed on to me by my mentors that really helped shape what we are doing here in Hamilton.  I do not know where God may take this new relationship, or how He might use it but I am thrilled to be able to pass on the insights and experiences that we have gained over the past few years. 
I would ask for continued prayers for each of the things mentioned above and that God would use each in a powerful way to make an impact for the sake of His glory and His Kingdom.  I would also ask for prayer as we continue to make preparations for a few mission teams that will be joining us in June as well as a team of students coming to serve for seven weeks.  Busy times ahead!