What A Day

We continued to have great conversations around Westminster Abbey and people have grown in their interest about what we are doing.

Two of those people were the parents of a US head coach for one of our teams. They were wonderful people and we had a great conversation. Pray that it will be the start of them wanting to know more.

Several MTG teams have shared stories of people beginning personal relationships with Christ! God continues to use this setting to reveal His love to people in amazing ways. What is also fascinating is how He chooses to work it out. Some people plant the seeds, some water, but God gives the increase.

Even though the Games have a secular focus, the atmosphere and unity they create really allow some people to open up about various things.

Another aspect of the MTG focus is social justice. The goal is to raise awareness about human trafficking, which is a major global problem. Part of the passion for the people working on this is that awareness is only one part the goal. It needs to be paired with the freedom that comes through Jesus.

This is a multi front approach because governments have to be informed of the issue, families have to be educated about the dangers of selling their children, and children have to be taught skills so they can work and not feel as if they have no other options but to give in to the lies the traffickers tell them. While that may be hard to fathom, it is happening. Please pray for the social justice teams as they seek to impact the lives of children being sold or abducted into slavery.

Please continue to pray for the people we will meet and the conversations that we will have. As the events wind down, we want to be as diligent as possible!

Office With A View

We have been at Westminster Abbey for two days with the performing arts teams and we have had two different experiences.

On Monday, we had not been on the Underground long when the train was delayed. The driver announced a problem on the line, then later announced that someone was walking on the track. Obviously, that is not a good thing. Soon after that, we watched a woman working her way down the track between our train window and the wall. If you have been on the subway in the States, you know how narrow that space is. The driver announced we would be stuck for a while because the the electricity had to be cut to prevent electrocuting the trespasser or security personnel. Needless to say, you could see the concern that this caused people on the train. The team didn't miss a beat, however, and began to look for ways to talk to people and ease the stress of the situation. Eventually, security apprehended the woman and the train continued.

After we got through that adventure, we reported to the Abbey and mingled with the crowd while a performing arts team with members from several nations entertained people. While this is what we have done both days, the experience was different.

On Monday, people were not interested in the pins we are using, but they would take a "Mini Mag" which has Olympic facts, a Tube (subway) map, stories from athletes and an explanation of the pin colors.

On Tuesday, people were asking for the pins and the Mini Mags as fast as we could get to them. On both days, we have had various opportunities to talk with people and explain what we are doing.

The team continues to have a minister as you go attitude and has had several chances to talk with people as they have been in stores, on trains or walking down the sidewalk.

Please continue to pray for the team. Pray for strength for each day, boldness to step into the opportunities that are present, and wisdom to follow God's leading.

Working near Westminster Abbey has been great for another reason too. You can't beat the view when you stop to eat lunch.

Block 2

Serving as a Games Pastor in Block 1 was a wonderful opportunity. I met and worked with incredible people who have such a passion to minister to the people of London in any circumstances. The conversations we had with volunteers and police officers will hopefully be the building blocks of people becoming Christ followers. Please continue to pray for those who will serve as GPs during Block 2 and the Paralympics.

The team arrived safe and sound on August 3. Upon arrival, they had a day and a half of orientation and training, thus not much blog activity.

I was very proud of the team. Today was basically a day off for them. The plan was for them to be tourists and enjoy the sites. We had not been at the train station long at all when they began talking with people about the Olympics and looking for chances to explain why they are here. It is wonderful to see a desire to make the most of each moment.

We begin our team assignment tomorrow. We will be working in the shadow of Westminster Abbey for the week passing out maps and interacting with the crowds. Please pray for opportunities to share and a willingness to do so.