Celebration Update: April 2012

Streams in the Desert
Scientists say the notoriously dry continent of Africa is sitting on a vast reservoir of groundwater. (Matt McGrath, Science reporter, BBC world service)

The map below was printed on the BBC website, showing some of the driest regions on earth, including parts of the Sahara desert, having vast reserves of underground water.

The Lord says through the prophet Isaiah:
The oppressed and the poor look for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched from thirst. I, the Lord, will respond to their prayers; I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them. I will make streams flow down the slopes and produce springs in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water and the arid land into springs. (Isaiah 41:17-18)

The answer for the thirsty is there in Africa, but it needs to be accessed. The answer to people’s thirst for purpose, for freedom, for healing, forgiveness; for love itself is there too. It also needs accessing, and we are the ones that can do that, by faith.

The Lord has told us to sing to the wells. Israel was in the wilderness when they were commanded to sing, so that the well would spring up. How amazing that must have been to see the water flow. How refreshing! Let’s sing in our desert knowing that, whatever our lack, Jesus has the answer. We stand on behalf of the oppressed and the poor, because the living water is there for them. Let’s refuse to watch people die of thirst, when we know how to access rivers of living water. Let’s speak out, sing out, and live out the power of the gospel!

On your marks
Praise God for gifts totalling £550 for this Olympic-themed evangelistic literature combining a copy of Mark’s gospel and Journey into Life. This means we will be able to order 1080 copies (including £10 postage costs). Pray that they will find their way into the hands of people who are seeking the truth.

Northern Indians
We now have two teams from India; Pastor Miller and a team of seven from the Khasi Hills, and LalRemsiem with six or so from Mizoram and Manipur. Both teams are from areas strongly affected by the 1904 Welsh Revival. Please pray for their visas.

Auschwitz and Herrnhut
The Celebration Mobile Team will visit the site where 1.1 million people, mainly Jews, were exterminated. They will spend time in the small town next to the camp worshipping the Lord and proclaiming that Life is stronger than death, and that even from this place, the Lord can bring beauty from ashes. They will then go on to Herrnhut, home to the amazing Moravians who pioneered modern mission through prayer (a 24/7 prayer movement which lasted 100 years), community, business and worship. Maybe they will find some Polish or German teams to join us in the Celebration?

Spring Celebration
11-12 May in Carmarthen. Join us in prayer even if you can’t be there in person!

Igniting Llanelli and the Olympic torch
The Olympic torch is travelling around Great Britain leading up to the Olympic Games being held in London this summer. It was uncertain for a while whether it would visit little Llanelli. However we have learnt that the torch passes through Llanelli at 9am (the time the Holy Spirit fell on the first Pentecost) on the day of Pentecost! The churches are joining together for joint open-air worship as it passes, and World Horizons British Director, Mike Adams (some of you will know him from compèring last year’s Cwmanfa Ganu, or from cooking you Welsh Cawl the year before) will be preaching the gospel.

This is the first time I can ever remember the churches in Llanelli doing something together. They are calling the initiative, Ignite. It will lead on to something we have been praying about for nearly two years; a corporate day of prayer and repentance for Llanelli, hopefully in June. These things are a great encouragement. Unity, repentance and prayer prepare the way for the Holy Spirit to move.

Flights and finance
Please continue to pray that everyone who should join us would be able to get their flights and finance sorted. Pray for favour for those who need holiday dates from their employers. Every year we have to battle to be able to stand together before the Lord and worship him. Let’s strengthen each other’s arms. Let us know your testimonies as you overcome. That will encourage others.

Worship is a work of heart! Lord keep moulding us to be more like you. Make us practical lovers of others and passionate lovers of you!

In fellowship
Gail for the Celebration Team.