Family in the Lord Jesus,
Opening the front door on Sunday I found this bike leaning up against the house, and there was a card taped to it with my name on it. Turns out a lady in our scheme gave me her spare bike! I had been looking to buy a used bike to help me get around the scheme, so this is a huge provision. But even more exciting is the beginnings of friendship with this lady and hopefully the many bike rides together to come and chats about the Lord. God is at work!
The Ragged School classes I have been taking through 20schemes continue to be greatly exciting and encouraging, as well. This week I’ve been studying for classes on youth ministry, Christian ethics, systematic theology, and the church. It’s such a wonderful privilege to study the Word of God and to learn how to do ministry well in hard places. [pictured below: back to our lockdown Zoom classes 🙂 ]
This week has also brought opportunities for me to be involved in discipleship, evangelism, and various projects like designing new hoodies for our team and drafting up a philosophy of children’s ministry. I’ve been so grateful for the Lord’s goodness, too, in providing opportunities to have good conversations with people as I’ve walked around the scheme. I’ve been particularly reminded of Isaiah 1:18 this week as I’ve walked and chatted with people on the snowy streets of Merkinch; my prayer is that we may see many people here being washed as white as snow by the blood of Jesus.
Please do continue to pray for us and for our scheme. Statistically speaking, Merkinch is the worst scheme on the deprivation charts out of all the areas that 20schemes is currently reaching (and all the areas the Free Church is currently reaching). But when facing the sin and sadness here, I take great comfort in the reminder that we have received a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). The Lord sits enthroned, and all those He calls to Himself will come to Him (John 10:16)! That is such a joyful truth.
Thank you so much to all of you who have been praying and reaching out to me with encouragement and notes! I am so grateful for your faithful prayers and support. You are an answer to my prayers!
Our Lord reigns,
Claire
Claire in Scotland 