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Alison
Gill’s
Newsletter
No. 1
1
Nov 07
Leaving
London |
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Last month
was super hectic and involved lots of goodbyes. I
handed in my MSc dissertation on 2nd Oct. and then
went out every night for 3 weeks (!), saying goodbye
to precious friends. After 6˝ years working in
Probation, I have said goodbye to my wonderful job and
dear offenders and goodbye to life in London, for the
time being. I’ve just had a few days at my parents’
house in Sussex, seeing lots of family and friends
whilst sorting through all my belongings.
Listening
to God
During
this time, I went on a one day retreat at a convent
near Arundel. The night before someone gave me a
picture about streams of living water going into the
cracks in the dry land and then at the convent, the
sister I met with gave me several verses from Isaiah
41-44, many of which talk about water on dry ground.
Ch.44 v.3 says, ‘For I will pour out water on the
thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will put
My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your
descendants.’ I believe the Lord has shown me that
this is what He wants to do in my life and those whom
I meet – in Belfast and Burundi. Hallelujah!
Reconciliation
DTS in Belfast
On
Saturday 3rd Nov. I start my journey by car and ferry
to Belfast. I am so thankful to have the |
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of a new friend from Brockley Community Church on such
a long journey. We’ll stay one night en route at
Lancaster Uni with my Church leaders’ daughter. On
Sunday 4th we
sail from Stranraer, arriving in Belfast late
afternoon. It’ll be great having my car to help with
team transport, church visits and talks for CMS
Ireland and to give me a little bit of personal space
every now and then as I’ll be sharing a room with up
to 3 others during this 7 month course! I am very
excited about the course. The DTS leader, Erin, has
promised it’ll be a wild ride! She says, ‘We’re
not promising comfort, but community; not ease, but
growth; not luxury, but an experience with God.’
There will be about 14 of us: some Americans, Irish,
other Europeans and sponsored students from countries
which are / have been in conflict.
Prayer
Requests
- That I will adjust to this
new lifestyle and community with great ease and
joy & to receive all God has for me.
- For God to pour out
streams on any dry ground in my life, the other
students and the people with whom we have
contact.
- For my parents with
both their children away – my brother who is
serving in Afghanistan until the end of the
month.
Thanks so much for your
support. Please keep in touch with your news and any
words or pictures you receive.
Address
- 369 Springfield Road,
Belfast BT12 7DG |
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