December Update
First of all, we would like to wish each of you a very Happy New Year! We trust that you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.
This month has been an enjoyable one, since Tom and Jill (Tracy's parents) arrived in Atlanta at the end of November and will be here until the end of January! It was SO good to have them here over Christmas and we not looking forward to them going!
Unfortunately Jordan has been quite unwell for a while with Glandular Fever (otherwise known as 'Mono' here in the States!) He was x-rayed last week and found to have an enlarged spleen, which is causing him quite a bit of pain and he has lost weight and is extremely tired all the time. He has to have a lot of rest and generally wait for the virus to pass (which will possibly mean a period of time off school).
Rhiana is still not back to school either, although (PRAISE GOD!!) her headaches are minimal now. We received a phone call just before Christmas from her Neurosurgeon to advise us that she needed further surgery before her spinal fusion. Rhiana was due to have spinal fusion at 'Shriner's' Hospital in North Carolina in January, however, this additional surgery would have made that impossible. We visited the Neurosurgeon last week and he has suggested that he tries to get Rhiana a date in February/March with her Orthapedic Surgeon, here in Atlanta, and intends to insert a 'stent' into Rhiana's spine during the same surgery as the spinal fusion (this needs to be done, to get rid of the spinal fluid that has collected inside her spine, which could cause paralysis etc if not treated). This would make the surgery an hour longer, but would mean that Rhiana would not have to go through 3 serious operations in the space of 6 months! We would still really appreciate your prayers for Rhiana's health and healing. She is still coping remarkably well but, as you can imagine, is apprehensive about further surgery when she still feels rather 'fragile' after having brain surgery a few months ago. Please pray that God's will be done - whether that is through miraculous healing or surgery, we know He has the best in store for her and will hold and sustain her throughout! What a FAITHFUL God we serve!
Jubilee continues to grow, which is exciting and Trev is now overseeing the children's work. Tracy has agreed to head up the work with the poor and is meeting with a couple of other people to pray and seek God's guidance as to how we proceed. After taking up an offering to help families in the community who were in need over Christmas, we were excited to have several couples/families come into REVIVE asking whether we could help them. One couple had lost everything in a fire, another had lost his job and had his children and grandchildren living with him in a room in a local motel and was in need of food and rent. Another recently widowed lady came asking for help and we were able to offer her employment at REVIVE and practical help too. It was SO humbling and exciting to come into contact with these people and be able to provide them with food hampers, clothing and gifts for Christmas. We know that this is just the start of things to come and would really appreciate your prayers as this is a HUGE endeavour we are undertaking. We want to build something that offers people SO much more than just practical help. Our desire is to support them through the tough situations they are in and see many come into a REAL and living relationship with Jesus Christ!
Please join with us in praying for the following:
1. That God would provide us with a venue.
2. That we would know His plan and strategy in helping the poor.
3. That the financial costs would be covered.
4. That God would give us wisdom in 'who' and 'how' to help.
5. That God would put together the 'team' to lead and run this initiative.
THANK YOU!
We really do love you all and thank you for your on-going love and support.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
November Update
This has been a busy month (yet again!) REVIVE has broken all records and is keeping Trev on his toes! One of the highlights was getting to know 'Jessie' and 'Bud' - a father and son, who were homeless and without employment. They spent 2 or 3 weeks in the store, each afternoon and we were able to help them in a number of ways practically, until we paid for their tickets back to Missouri (where they came from originally). They also came along to church a couple of times which was great. God is really stirring us in the area of reaching out, practically, to the needy in our community and we hope to be starting an initiative next year, which Tracy will be very involved in setting up...exciting!!!
Rhiana is still experiencing bad headaches, nausia, and severe pain in her neck and upper back. She was recently put on some strong medication for migraines, however, her neurologist is now pretty sure that the headaches are not migraines and that she is experiencing pressure on her brain. He has ordered a full body MRI for Monday (next week). We should get the results of those next Thursday and then learn where we go next. We would really appreciate your on-going prayer for Rhiana, since she has not been able to go back to school yet and life for her, right now, is quite difficult. Saying that, she remains cheerful throughout and most people would never know the pain she experiences!
The rest of us are doing good. We are now running a Community Group (mid-week small group) and meet 3 times a month, once for bible study, once for prayer and once on Saturday to serve breakfast at REVIVE. There are about 5 groups meeting now and we are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us and hope to see these groups really grow and have many come into the Church through them.
Jubilee continues to grow steadily and we excited to see what God does in and through us over this coming year (we can hardly believe that we are entering our 3rd year here!)
We send our love to you all!
This has been a busy month (yet again!) REVIVE has broken all records and is keeping Trev on his toes! One of the highlights was getting to know 'Jessie' and 'Bud' - a father and son, who were homeless and without employment. They spent 2 or 3 weeks in the store, each afternoon and we were able to help them in a number of ways practically, until we paid for their tickets back to Missouri (where they came from originally). They also came along to church a couple of times which was great. God is really stirring us in the area of reaching out, practically, to the needy in our community and we hope to be starting an initiative next year, which Tracy will be very involved in setting up...exciting!!!
Rhiana is still experiencing bad headaches, nausia, and severe pain in her neck and upper back. She was recently put on some strong medication for migraines, however, her neurologist is now pretty sure that the headaches are not migraines and that she is experiencing pressure on her brain. He has ordered a full body MRI for Monday (next week). We should get the results of those next Thursday and then learn where we go next. We would really appreciate your on-going prayer for Rhiana, since she has not been able to go back to school yet and life for her, right now, is quite difficult. Saying that, she remains cheerful throughout and most people would never know the pain she experiences!
The rest of us are doing good. We are now running a Community Group (mid-week small group) and meet 3 times a month, once for bible study, once for prayer and once on Saturday to serve breakfast at REVIVE. There are about 5 groups meeting now and we are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us and hope to see these groups really grow and have many come into the Church through them.
Jubilee continues to grow steadily and we excited to see what God does in and through us over this coming year (we can hardly believe that we are entering our 3rd year here!)
We send our love to you all!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
October's News!
Well, this month has flown! Rhiana has been off school all month, which has meant that Tracy has not worked at REVIVE for a while now. She has really sensed God envisioning her with a strategy to work with the poor in the community and is looking forward to seeing where that leads over the next few weeks and months (we will keep you posted!) This will probably mean her stepping down from managing the store with Trev and Virginia - although she intends to still stay involved in helping with the 'design' side of things. Trev is enjoying working at the store - October proves, yet again, to be an extremely busy time. We are now averaging 90-100 consignors each day and our sales have averaged over $2,500 per day for a while now! We are blown away by the popularity of the store and are excited to see where God leads us, as things continue to grow.
The church is beginning to see growth and this week we start our new mid-week Community Groups. We are hoping to have 2 new couples joining our group and will be looking at ways we can serve each other and serve our community over the coming year. One idea is to serve free breakfasts at REVIVE on a Saturday morning - we hope to start this in November and see how it goes. It should be a good time to sit and get to know people in the community (something which is getting harder to do in the store, during the day, as the store gets busier!)
Rhiana's health continues to improve - PRAISE GOD! Her headaches have become less (dropping from between 10-20 per day to around 2!) We still do not have the results from the surgeon, ruling out the possibility of a build up of fluid on her brain but are quietly confident that God has really brought healing in this area and we are hoping she can get back to school next week - just in time for her birthday!
Jordan is doing well. His soccer season has proved to be an eventful one this year, since he is now playing in the under 14's and is finding it more competitive! They have won 2 matches and lost 3 to date! Jordan is one of the regular goal scorers and we love turning out each Saturday to watch him play (The Brits are still the noisiest on the sidelines!) He is looking forward to moving up to Middle School in August (after the summer break) and is ready for more of a challenge! As he moves up schools, so does Rhiana. She starts High School in August which will be exciting for her. She is really enjoying a new found love for fashion design and has made her first piece of clothing! While Julian Adams (a prophetic guy from South Africa) was here the other week, he prophesied over Rhiana that she would use her creative gifting professionally in the future and that fashion design would be a BIG thing for her - she was VERY excited as she had just started thinking about this a few weeks previously!
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving ..... it is such a great time to get together with lots of friends and eat too much!!!! This year, we are hoping to host a big feast at our place since we have been spoilt rotten the past two years, with invitations out. Before we know it, it will then be Christmas and we may be due a visit back to the UK in the New Year! How time flies!
Back in the UK, Tracy's parents are moving house any day now and her sister and family also have their house on the market and will be moving into the 'CoachHouse' on Prince Edward's Estate, as Andrew has already started his new job as Head Groundsman for the Royals!
Thank you again for your continued prayer and support - we love you all!
The church is beginning to see growth and this week we start our new mid-week Community Groups. We are hoping to have 2 new couples joining our group and will be looking at ways we can serve each other and serve our community over the coming year. One idea is to serve free breakfasts at REVIVE on a Saturday morning - we hope to start this in November and see how it goes. It should be a good time to sit and get to know people in the community (something which is getting harder to do in the store, during the day, as the store gets busier!)
Rhiana's health continues to improve - PRAISE GOD! Her headaches have become less (dropping from between 10-20 per day to around 2!) We still do not have the results from the surgeon, ruling out the possibility of a build up of fluid on her brain but are quietly confident that God has really brought healing in this area and we are hoping she can get back to school next week - just in time for her birthday!
Jordan is doing well. His soccer season has proved to be an eventful one this year, since he is now playing in the under 14's and is finding it more competitive! They have won 2 matches and lost 3 to date! Jordan is one of the regular goal scorers and we love turning out each Saturday to watch him play (The Brits are still the noisiest on the sidelines!) He is looking forward to moving up to Middle School in August (after the summer break) and is ready for more of a challenge! As he moves up schools, so does Rhiana. She starts High School in August which will be exciting for her. She is really enjoying a new found love for fashion design and has made her first piece of clothing! While Julian Adams (a prophetic guy from South Africa) was here the other week, he prophesied over Rhiana that she would use her creative gifting professionally in the future and that fashion design would be a BIG thing for her - she was VERY excited as she had just started thinking about this a few weeks previously!
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving ..... it is such a great time to get together with lots of friends and eat too much!!!! This year, we are hoping to host a big feast at our place since we have been spoilt rotten the past two years, with invitations out. Before we know it, it will then be Christmas and we may be due a visit back to the UK in the New Year! How time flies!
Back in the UK, Tracy's parents are moving house any day now and her sister and family also have their house on the market and will be moving into the 'CoachHouse' on Prince Edward's Estate, as Andrew has already started his new job as Head Groundsman for the Royals!
Thank you again for your continued prayer and support - we love you all!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Quick Update on Rhiana!
Rhiana has been getting an increasing number of painful headaches and pressure in her neck and ears over the last couple of weeks and her Neurosurgeon has requested a CAT scan. She will be having this done tomorrow (Thursday 2nd October) and then we will meet to discuss things with her surgeon. Please pray that there are no further complications and that she will be able to get back to some 'normality' soon! Thank you!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
September '08 - The Latest News............
Well, we have had a month full of 'ups and downs'. The down side was, obviously, watching Rhiana go through a really tough diagnosis and surgery. The up side was really knowing and sensing God in it, every step of the way. I (Tracy) am really able to give testimony to feeling like I was being 'held' throughout the whole situation and our whole family really knew a deep measure of God's peace throughout. God gave us the same prophetic word to hold on to during this time, which was His promise to give Rhiana a story (or song) that she would share in her future, that would bless and encourage many. We are still under the hospital for regular checks with Rhiana (next one is 2nd October) and would value your continued prayer with regards to her health.
For Trev and I, this past month has been one of continued 'challenge'! PRAISE GOD! We are learning so much and can give real testimony to God's grace and faithfulness in our lives, individually and together. God's repeated word to us before we left the UK was that he was taking two individual oak trees, uprooting them and grafting and re-planting them as one! It's not all been plain sailing........but it has been so worth it! We have had the chance to live together, work together, lead Community Group together and share an office together! (And we're both still alive!)
This past weekend was an amazing weekend for all of us at Jubilee Church Atlanta. We had the privilege of having Julian Adams come and share prophetically with us for 2 days. I don't think the church will be the same! There were many words for us to take hold of - things that have been repeatedly promised to us - substantial growth, signs and wonders, becoming a multi-racial church, planting out.... it was a time of real encouragement and was extremely faith-building for some of us, who had grown weary. The Sunday morning meeting started with an amazing time of praise and worship, where we felt that the roof was 'blown off' amid shouts of exaltation and thanksgiving. The Spirit's presence was so powerful, with many gifts being shared and healings taking place. The sense of us having entered a 'new phase' was prophesied. We were really blessed, as a family, to have Julian share words for each of us. We just stood in awe (and wept) at the depth and detail of the words that came. Words for our children that just awesome and so intimate. GOD IS SO AMAZING!!! No doubt, we will get to share more details with many of you personally in the days ahead!
God Bless!
For Trev and I, this past month has been one of continued 'challenge'! PRAISE GOD! We are learning so much and can give real testimony to God's grace and faithfulness in our lives, individually and together. God's repeated word to us before we left the UK was that he was taking two individual oak trees, uprooting them and grafting and re-planting them as one! It's not all been plain sailing........but it has been so worth it! We have had the chance to live together, work together, lead Community Group together and share an office together! (And we're both still alive!)
This past weekend was an amazing weekend for all of us at Jubilee Church Atlanta. We had the privilege of having Julian Adams come and share prophetically with us for 2 days. I don't think the church will be the same! There were many words for us to take hold of - things that have been repeatedly promised to us - substantial growth, signs and wonders, becoming a multi-racial church, planting out.... it was a time of real encouragement and was extremely faith-building for some of us, who had grown weary. The Sunday morning meeting started with an amazing time of praise and worship, where we felt that the roof was 'blown off' amid shouts of exaltation and thanksgiving. The Spirit's presence was so powerful, with many gifts being shared and healings taking place. The sense of us having entered a 'new phase' was prophesied. We were really blessed, as a family, to have Julian share words for each of us. We just stood in awe (and wept) at the depth and detail of the words that came. Words for our children that just awesome and so intimate. GOD IS SO AMAZING!!! No doubt, we will get to share more details with many of you personally in the days ahead!
God Bless!
What's Jordan up to?
Jordan turned 12 on September 23!!! He is still crazy about most sports, none more than soccer (that'll be football for the English among us!) He is currently playing for a local YMCA team, which he really enjoys. We get to watch his matches each Saturday afternoon - most of which they win, I'm glad to report! He is also learning to play electric guitar and has been asked by his teacher (our worship leader) whether he would like to join the worship team and sit in on practices until he is confident enough to play along! Jordan is doing extremely well at school and is on the 'gifted programme', where he gets to do other fun things like......play chess! His favorite subject is Math, Math and more Math! At present he spends most of his free time playing Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, volleyball and indoor soccer (with anyone he can bribe to play with him!) WE LOVE HIM!!!!
Latest on Rhiana......
20th August 2008
Rhiana is almost 14 and has very recently been diagnosed with 'Chiari Malformation'. This basically means that the lower part of the brain is descended and pushing down into a confined space on her spinal column. The surgeon needs to remove a section of her skull, along with the most of the 1st and 2nd vertabrae, to free up space in this area, allowing the fluid to flow freely again (this fluid has currently filled her spinal cord, causing her to have scoliosis and they are anxious that this is relieved so it doesn't cause further neurological problems - ie. loss of use in her arms or legs etc). A 'patch' will then be stitched into the dura, creating more space for the brain. After having this surgery, she will be in hospital for approx 4-5 days and will then need approx 3-4 weeks off school (at least)Please pray that her recovery is miraculous and that she will not suffer too much pain. Please also pray for a real peace for Rhiana. Since the Chiari Malformation has caused Rhiana to have Scoliosis, please also pray that this current surgery causes the curve to remain consistent (or even be reduced) as Rhiana will need approximately 1 year to recover from this surgery before having her spinal fusion.
24th September 2008
Rhiana's surgery went extremely well. She spent 5 days in hospital and came home with 32 staples in her head! She experienced a huge amount of stiffness in her neck (due to the muscles having been cut) and regular headaches. These are now getting fewer and, apart from some issues with her muscles going into spasm this week!, she is doing really well and should be back to school next week! SHE IS AMAZING!!!!
WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
Please continue to pray for the following:
Rhiana is almost 14 and has very recently been diagnosed with 'Chiari Malformation'. This basically means that the lower part of the brain is descended and pushing down into a confined space on her spinal column. The surgeon needs to remove a section of her skull, along with the most of the 1st and 2nd vertabrae, to free up space in this area, allowing the fluid to flow freely again (this fluid has currently filled her spinal cord, causing her to have scoliosis and they are anxious that this is relieved so it doesn't cause further neurological problems - ie. loss of use in her arms or legs etc). A 'patch' will then be stitched into the dura, creating more space for the brain. After having this surgery, she will be in hospital for approx 4-5 days and will then need approx 3-4 weeks off school (at least)Please pray that her recovery is miraculous and that she will not suffer too much pain. Please also pray for a real peace for Rhiana. Since the Chiari Malformation has caused Rhiana to have Scoliosis, please also pray that this current surgery causes the curve to remain consistent (or even be reduced) as Rhiana will need approximately 1 year to recover from this surgery before having her spinal fusion.
24th September 2008
Rhiana's surgery went extremely well. She spent 5 days in hospital and came home with 32 staples in her head! She experienced a huge amount of stiffness in her neck (due to the muscles having been cut) and regular headaches. These are now getting fewer and, apart from some issues with her muscles going into spasm this week!, she is doing really well and should be back to school next week! SHE IS AMAZING!!!!
WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
Please continue to pray for the following:
- That the headaches would subside.
- That her muscle spasms would stop.
- That her scoliosis would be healed (meaning no more surgery!)
- That she would suffer no other symptoms/problems related to the Chiari.
We will continue to update you all on how she's doing!
About Time!
Ok, so we have been in Atlanta for just over 2 1/2 years. We came here in Feb '06 to join Jubilee Church, Atlanta, led by Carl and Virginia Herrington. Trev is currently working for the church at REVIVE (a large consignment store, owned by Jubilee). We opened REVIVE almost 1 1/2 years ago and Tracy works (voluntarily) with Virginia as Assistant Manager. God has blessed this venture hugely. To date we have over 2,000 consignors and the store is constantly busy with people looking for a bargain! It has been a great place to meet and get to know many people in the community and be able to help many with practical/financial/spiritual needs.
Jubilee Church Atlanta now has approximately 100-120 people attending each week. Trev is currently serving on the Leadership Team and is heading up PrayGround and helping lead KIDMO (kids work). Tracy serves on the Welcome Team and has recently joined the worship team and is loving it! God has been so faithful in placing us among a body of people who are vibrant in worship, passionate about the Holy Spirit and eager to see God's kingdom advance here in our city. There have been many prophetic words (past and present) over the church with regard to seeing real growth and experiencing signs and wonders. We really feel that God has been dealing with the 'foundations' over the past few years and that we are entering a time of real blessing, growth and power........watch this space!
Jubilee Church Atlanta now has approximately 100-120 people attending each week. Trev is currently serving on the Leadership Team and is heading up PrayGround and helping lead KIDMO (kids work). Tracy serves on the Welcome Team and has recently joined the worship team and is loving it! God has been so faithful in placing us among a body of people who are vibrant in worship, passionate about the Holy Spirit and eager to see God's kingdom advance here in our city. There have been many prophetic words (past and present) over the church with regard to seeing real growth and experiencing signs and wonders. We really feel that God has been dealing with the 'foundations' over the past few years and that we are entering a time of real blessing, growth and power........watch this space!
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