QUICK UPDATE

July 3rd, 2008

A few days ago, we came from the Philippines to the UK.  We traveled here with no accommodations or transportation worked out for the 19 of us when we arrived.  It was a BIG step of faith, as we trusted that Jesus would take care of us and He has!  We have been miraculously blessed with everything we need and more.

When we were boarding the plane on Wednesday to Hong Kong we were facing baggage charges of over $1,000.  So we all gathered up and prayed that the Lord would do a miracle.  As we put our luggage on the weight machine, the people checking the bags started writing down less weight than the scale said; they didn't charge us anything!!!  After all the bags were checked, the main guy helping us mentioned that he is a Christian.  So we just told him to, "Keep serving Jesus!"  Things like this confirm we are doing exactly what God has called us to.

On Thursday morning we arrived in London after a long 35-hour trip from our initial departure from Dumaguete.  The customs department tried to deny us access because we had no proof of where we were staying or how we would financially support ourselves for six weeks in the UK.  It sounds crazy to say, "We are musicianaries that trust Jesus to take care of our every need."  After much prayer we were allowed through because God gave us favor!

"The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

(2nd Chornicles 16:9a NLT)

After a 5 hour drive south to Devon, we arrived at Phil & Megan Pechonis' house in Woolacombe.  We were beyond blessed that night as we had hot showers, full bellies, and warm beds to sleep on.  Woolacombe is a beautiful surf community and we have met many wonderful people here that love Jesus.  Phil & Megan are a godly couple with four awesome kids that have really blessed to our team.  The Holy Spirit has used them powerfully for the last 7 years to run Creation Fest.  Please pray for their strength because they have SO MANY responsibilities during this season!

We are excited about what the Lord is doing here in England.  Several of the local brothers and sisters in Christ have great visions of what the Holy Spirit is going to do here in their community.  We have been greatly encouraged by their fervor for Christ, and their hearts of prayer.  It is always an encouragement when you meet people who wait expectantly on the Lord.

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint."

(Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

On Saturday we served at the Creation Fest Roadshow in Barnstaple (North Devon).  The Take No Glory band played two full sets that afternoon, finishing with a 3rd set of worship songs that night with ALL the bands playing on stage together at the same time.  It was incredible to gather 13 different musicians that had never even met and see them all play music in unity.

The Creation Fest Roadshow was a great success, as new souls were added to the Kingdom, and existing believers were encouraged! It was a blessing to see all the volunteer staff serving non-stop for hours on end, all with cheerful attitudes.  Jesus was glorified, the church was unified, the weather was great, everyone was safe, and the Gospel changed lives.

One miracle that happened at this Roadshow is all the local churches coming together to put the event on.  We have been told this has never happened in the Barnstaple area!  After decades of each church doing their own thing, God finally unified them for this event.  This is an amazing example of how the church is supposed to be.

"Keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."  "There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."

(Ephesians 4: 3,5-6 NLT)

On Sunday morning, Pastor Phil Pechonis preached the gospel message in Barnstaple at the same place the Roadshow had been held.  Most local churches closed their doors that day and encouraged their fellowships to go to this joint service on the street corner.  There were about 700 people there and several came forward and gave their lives to the Lord.  We are anticipating great things in the weeks to come, and we are confident that the Holy Spirit has already started an awakening.  Jesus is alive here in England!

We have been spending a lot of time with another band that is also playing at Creation Fest, called Universal Royalty. They are a group made up of 6 brothers (from New York City) whose main focus is to preach the gospel and see lives transformed by Christ. They have a hip hop/reggae/rock feel, with lots of energy that really engages the crowd.  The Holy Spirit's anointing on their ministry is obvious as their faith and zeal for the Lord catches fire everywhere they go.  They travel with their mom and three wives.  This family is A LOT like our team!  Please pray for the ten of them as they spend 11 weeks serving here in the UK.

"But thank God!"  "He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God."

(2nd Corinthians 2:14a,c & 2:15a NLT)

The Lord has graciously answered our prayers and provided housing for all 19 of us!  The Woods are staying with the Pechonis family.  The Vierras are staying with another local family and the rest of us are living in a church hall that has a kitchen and bathrooms.  Jesus also provided us a 17-passenger mini-bus to use while we are here.  So we have housing and transportation.  God is so kind & faithful!

Once again, we are excited for the things to come, and are asking that you would labor with us in prayer over the upcoming events here.  We have different small events throughout each week.  This Saturday we serve at another Creation Fest Roadshow in Bratton Fleming.  Please pray for the weather, protection, safety, financial provision, artists, speakers and that the Gospel will be heard throughout the village.

Another praise report is that most of our team has been sick during our time here in England, and now we are feeling much better!  So please be in continued prayer for our health.  We rely on the Lord's strength to help us persevere.  Christ is made perfect in our frailties, and this week has been a huge testimony to that.

"May God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.  Jesus gave His life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.  All glory to God forever and ever!  Amen."

(Galatians 1:3-5 NLT) 

Joyfully serving Jesus,

The Take No Glory Team