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Our week in Wrexham was completely incredible -- God came and shook up the city and the people at the gathering! It was a time of completely relying on God, refreshing and being stretched. We got filled up with a lot of God's love :)
Each day, we began with a morning teaching on practical evangelism. Then every afternoon, we had some ministry time where we would have intercession or practice hearing God's voice. One afternoon we practiced being "Good listeners" and had one person speaking, while the other person slowly became "uninterested"by their body language, and we asked the person speaking how they felt. It was hard to do, I felt quite rude, but it was good practice! Another time we had a few people around the room blindfolded, and someone else would put their hand on the blindfolded person's shoulder. Then the blindfolded person would ask God for a word or a picture or something to encourage or speak about the other person that only they would know. It was incredible how clearly we could hear God's voice and it helped us to really focus and learn how to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when he speaks when we are out praying for people or speaking to them.
In the afternoons, we would have a time of outreach for a few hours in the city. I did a prayer walk the first day for a large park in the city. As my friend Lisa and I were praying, we felt that the park was a safe place, inspirational, and full of BEAUTY. The view was astounding! (See the photos below.) It was so peaceful and gorgeous, I didn't want to leave.
Another day, I did an outreach called "Wrexham is Beautiful" where we took photos of the city for the website (wrexhamisbeautiful.wordpress.com). We talked to people about their beautiful city and told them they were loved and appreciated. Many people had some great conversations about the Lord, but it was a bit difficult because it was really pouring down rain that day! Welcome to the UK in springtime, I guess!
The next day it SNOWED about 6 inches! First day of spring! We ended up doing a completely different type of outreach: handing out free hot chocolate to the people on the streets, making snow art in the town square, and having a snowball fight with the local youth kids. Then, in all the snow and cold that night, we had a worship session in the middle of town!
I also did an outreach where a little church asked us to take a survey of the local community. I got to speak to a woman about what she thought of her spirituality, the people in her community, and how the church could be of better help. She told me that she'd want to ask God to get rid of all the bad things in the world and that she had no religious beliefs, but she used to talk to a Jehovah's Witness and read their Watch Tower book, but didn't really like it. After our conversation, I felt really strongly that she should have a bible and asked God to give me a word for her. The pastor said he would follow up later in the week with a bible, and I wrote her a note with the words God had spoken to me about this lovely lady. I knew she was searching and had many questions she wanted answered, yet she didn't even know it. Please be praying for this sweet woman, that God reveals these truth's to her and that the pastor will be able to make a connection.
Overall, the whole YWAM DTS Wales Gathering was incredible! I learned so much about my faith, the Holy Spirit, evangelism, and made some great relationships during the week. I also got a carpet burn on my forehead (Don't ask) and gave one of the YWAM Staff a bloody nose...Oops :) I also got to see a girl I met when I staffed Mission Adventures in Tijuana in 2011 and when I went to my friend's wedding in Canada! What are the chances! It was a great reunion.
Even before I came to Wales, God really gave me a passion and a heart for what He wants to do in this place. I want to ask that you would pray along with me about the possibility of my becoming full-time staff there after my DTS is finished. I love their vision and what they are doing, as well as the country. We will see where God takes me in three month's time....
For now, I am on my last week of lectures! Then I am off to Newcastle and then Albania! Please be praying for my financial need of about £1200. If you want to be a part of what I am doing on this side of the world through your support, please contact me and I will give you more details. Thank you for all the encouragement and the prayers you have been giving me this far! May you be blessed this coming Easter! He is ALIVE!
Be Blessed.
With love, Rachel
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| Free Hot chocolate sign I held up and ran around town asking people if they wanted chocolate! |
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| Our late night worship session in the snow |
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| Snow people :) Don't worry...the police in back were having a good laugh! |
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| "A light on a hill cannot be hidden" |
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| We were out of coins, so they decided to throw me in instead. |
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| Some of the awesome people we did outreach with! (The guy I'm standing next to named Dave is who I gave a bloody nose too!) |
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| The gorgeous city of Wrexham! St. Mary's Cathedral |
