Mid-April

Hey guys,

Despite my earnest efforts to update you a bit more regularly, April is already upon us.

This month has been rather frantic, but things are settling down at the moment.
I'm currently in the middle of my 'easter' vacation from work. However, due to our bathroom being refurbished, it's a little less pleasant than usual.

However, last weekend I did manage to get away for a couple of days to Wales with some brilliant friends from Oxford. Staying in a lovely bunkhouse, we embarked on walking, uno and general bantering fun. I was awoken after the first night to see the beautiful lake surrounded by hills white with the snow from the previous night. It was sunday morning, and being in the middle of nowhere, we led our own church service in the warmth of the bunkhouse. God was speaking strongly about changing perspectives on situations and seeing things in a new light.

This month, things are settling down with regards to employment and housing for next year. The plan is to stay working with the college and maybe take on more hours, pushing towards a full-time job. Also, the delightful Percy Boys have agreed to take me on as one of them next year. - ROOM UPGRADE.

Sadly, there are troubles and hardships to be endured. Exactly one year ago, my sister, Kirsty passed away very suddenly. I was in Paris at the time on a prayer/mission trip with some friends. So today is a tough time for me. Any prayers would be gratefully received.

However, the plan is generally to keep myself fairly busy, so last week I prepared a mini-sermon for a youth-alpha course a local church was running. I had the joy of giving it to 11 young people on Sunday, and hopefully it went down well. This week we have kids club once again, this month looking at who Jesus is, which should be amazing.

Plans are coming together for the summer kids club week as well, so my summer's filling up already. Also, have a 2-week trip to Malawi planned with some friends in Sheffield. We'll be out there helping with building projects and teaching children and adults. I'm really looking forward to this as it'll be my first time out of Europe and a very different experience to most other trips I've been on.

It's now getting late, so I'll finish with a few prayer points:

• Please continue praying for Matt (His last set of chemo results weren't as good as hoped for, but he's remaining optimistic)
• Me, at this difficult time of year.
• For kids club to attract more kids and leaders to work with them.
• Thanks for a job and housing for next year.
• For the book review due in next week (I'm reading Terry Virgo - No Well worn paths)

Thanks again for all your time, prayers and support.

Alan

I want to say thank you to everyone who's been keeping time for me over the past few weeks.
(Matt, Colin, Amy and Andy, Christa and Helen, Iain, Kay, Hugh and the percy boys, and many more. Each distraction helps my pull my head out of my navel and refocus on the bigger picture.)