The Bless Network

Heart2Bless Amsterdam

A Team of 4 Bless people visited some projects of the Salvation Army in Amsterdam this week, plus whilst in the city also blessed the xroads Church by running a workshop for some women. They were blessed by experiencing love through an evening geared towards recognising we are all made in the image of such a wonderful creative Father God. The workshops were creative and relational but the miracle of it all was just experincing again how wonderfully God reveals his love to those who are are hurt and struggling with life, through such simple things and through strangers so often.

The team was made up of two women from the U.K and a young couple from Melbourne Australia, and they were joined by different individuals each day from the Xroads community. Lots of new friendships were made, some wonderful times of prayer and worship united the different group that gathered each day. We so enjoyed praying in the beautiful Vondel park and Museum Plein.
Amsterdam is a beautiful city at this time of year, and we were struck by its beauty but also the many lonely people who live here, and struggle to connect and to find hope.

With the Salvation Army we ran workshops for Young single mums, young offenders and homeless teenages who are housed in a row of houses, just out side the city. We had a wonderful time chatting, eating, playing football and making Jewelry with them. It was a really special time of connextion, and we will remember to pray for those we met and those through whose lives we learnt so much and felt such a longing to introduce to their loving Father who seeks them constantly.

Our motto when on trips together is 'take something with you, bring something back' and as ever God has so blessed us in blessing others.
We return with far more than we journeyed out.

Chrissie, (team member living in Amsterdam!)

ADVERT for Y2B placement;

We are currently looking for students to serve on our Y2B placement opportunities in Perpignan, south of France, Liseux in Normandy, and Slavonski Brod, Croatia.

Why not consider giving some of your time this year to learning more about yourself and your faith and blessing local Christians.

The programmes run for 3, 6 or 9 months. As part of your time away you will have a discipleship study module to follow weekly, so as you serve, you grow and go deeper into your faith.

In each location you are placed with a loving, serving, local church. Alongside, we train, disciple and care for you. And following your mission experience we'd love to keep you as part of our network, should you desire.

The Bless Network is a small friendly team of people committed to creatively serving local churches across the continent of Europe.

Interested?
We would love to hear from you, email us at office@bless.org.uk, or caroline@bless.org.uk. Check out this web blog for stories of others who've had amazing times away on placement serving others.

''Live to serve others', with the bless network!

Croatian new friend!

This is Melita Matic, her daughter and me! We met in Croatia this summer. Her son came to the church to take part in the guitar workshops our team ran.
Melita wanted to know why we came to Croatia, especially to the little town of Slavonski Brod over in the east of the country, they have an amazing coast line in the west.
When she heard we came just to work with the church she had all sorts of questions about Christianity - and parenting. After a bit of discussion and some parenting sympathies, Melita let me pray for her right there in the street outside the church!
I was amazed at first that I had the courage to offer prayer there and then, and, that she allowed me to pray for her! Also afterwards it hit me that God had trusted me with a very big responsibility, bringing a soul back to Him! This blew me away!
Melita was really moved and very grateful, no one had ever prayed directly for her like that.
She was keen for me to meet her daughter and friends so she invited me to a barbecue (picture above). Melita and I will probably remain friends for a long time, we did seem to click, but what struck me most was how she talks about God! The knowledge she already has from a catholic up bringing is a firm foundation, (most Croatians have this), and has given her an openness and assurance that Jesus is real, and is really her saviour! All I had to do was suggest that He wants a one to one relationship with her and show her the joy and peace that you can get in your heart if you ask Jesus to be there in everyday stuff!
Sundays are very hard for Melita to get out and involved in church, she is a single parent and has to work three out of every four, (sounds like England!) but the church has a Thursday night bible study which she is very keen to be a part of.
I pray that Melita will keep her faith alive and stay in touch with other Croatian Christians that she was introduced to. Friends are important to us but friends that talk to us about God keep us close to God, and I'm grateful to Melita for showing me how God used me in a very direct way while I was on mission this summer!

Year2Bless Sandy

Dear Friends and Family,

I am now in my last few days in Perpignan and my time has flown by!
I am so thankful for the opportunties I've had to serve over here.

A couple weekends ago we took 30 of our youth and young adults to a big youth gathering in Valence. It was so awesome to see how God really unified the group during the weekend, as this has been one of our main prayer points for the group. We were longing to see God's love really manifested between all the youth, and we saw that happen during this weekend and continue since.
Another praise point is how freed we saw so many of the youth in worship. So often at church it was difficult for them to feel at ease, but God really loosened them all up that weekend and it was so encouraging to see.

Please continue to pray for the church 'Centre Chrétien du Roussillon', the pastor Robert&Antoinette
and family, and the youth. I have seen God do so many great things this year and I pray that He will continue to use them and provide for all thier needs.

I am so blessed to have had this year with these wonderful people and I am so thankful for all the ways God has used me. He has grown me and stretched me in ways I didn't even expect.
Thank you so much for all your support financially and in prayer. It has allowed this year to happen and been a blessing to many people.I couldn't have done it without you!

May God bless you all and keep you in His care!
Lots of Love,
Sandy

Mission training

We've had an amazing time this weekend training thirty seven mostly under 25 year olds to go on mission with Bless this July. Croatia and France are going to benefit from their gifts talents and enthusiasm for seeing God's kingdom grow at a time when most of the world have given up on seeing revival in mainland europe.
Four dutch and two English in the picture are on their way home after a spending rewarding time getting to know each other, worshipping and learning more about mission before embarking on their trip!

Our newest Year2Bless

Please check out Megs prayer blog for an insight into life in a French church. Meg is an out going, bubbly person willing to serve and do whatever this church throws at her, sometimes I think she wonders what good she is actually doing but I think God has a big plan for her!
Paul says in Romans 1 verse 8. First I thank God for you, because your faith is being reported all over the world......
It's not only God that gets a kick out of someone stepping out in faith for Him but it's a real faith builder seeing young adults giving up their home comforts, friends and family to make a difference in Gods world, not knowing fully what they're going to and what challenges faith-wise they're going to come up against.
I pray that God will surprise Meg in more ways than she can imagine in her life and the lives of those around her. She has already made a giant leap of faith leaving her home surroundings, I pray that God will bless her as she steps out in faith everyday as she learns to serve Him and learns more of what God wants to do in her life!
Meg is serving at a church in Lisieux in Normandy for three months, there's loads more info aboout her on her prayer blog.

megprayer.blogspot.com

When Jesus Calls us to Mission...

When you read about mission in the bible, when you hear a messgae about mission at church, remember these words.

MISSION is exciting, it's very, very biblical - It's an adventure - g o f o r i t !

Dave & Amy Roche

When you call
I am willing
When you push the boundaries
I am willing
When you set the pace
I am willing
When you encourage
I am willing
When you set the challenge
I am willing
When you blow my mind
I am willing
When you reach out your hand
I am willing
When you apply the brakes
I am willing
When you change the course
I am willing
When you turn the tide
I am willing
When you pull the plug
I am willing
When you call another
I am willing
When you call
I am willing

Summer Mission Places

GO2BLESS Short term team based mission trips working along side the local church and seeking to 'Bless' the community. Usually during the summer months for an average of two weeks, including such work as kids clubs on the local estate, joining in with a basket ball camp, craft clubs in the church and concerts in town and on the river bank all with a strong christian imput!

It's time to sign up for mission we have places in Croatia 1st July - 15th July £440.00 (660e) Friday 11th May is the final date for sending forms in so don't delay!!
Not only will you help others to learn about a real relationship with Jesus but you will also learn something about yourself.

If you are interested in coming on mission with us you will have to attend the training weekend which will be held on fri eve 8th, Sat 9th and Sunday 10th June in Stourbridge. Accommodation will be available.
We look forward to spending some time learning with you and preparing for all that God is going to do in you and through you.

Year2bless – Perpignan, France

Do you want to make a difference for Jesus Christ next year by serving in a dynamic local French Church?

Dave & Amy Roche are Y2B leaders who live on location near Perpignan, if you’re thinking about mission and a year out they want to encourage you. “As Bless team members Amy and I support our Y2B students and coordinate their time here. Sandy, our current student is on a year out from her French degree at Uni. It’s been amazing to watch Sandy make a tangible difference in our local Church and bring a sparkle whilst helping to lead the youth Alpha. The Church youth have just been on a ski camp and are also due away in May on a weekend ‘Soul survivor’ type event. Sandy has a real servant heart, she has worked closely with the Church leaders, helped look after some young children (one with special needs) and her French language has greatly improved.”

Here’s what Sandy has to say:

Hello everyone; things are going great down here in Perpignan! After recently finishing the Alpha course with the youth, we decided to create our own follow-up program along the same lines, with a meal and teaching. ‘ABC God’ started two weeks ago and is going really well. The twist is that we're getting the youth to do the teaching, making them dig deeper and read their
Bibles!! The first couple weeks have made us so proud of the youth. Please pray for them as we continue this course, that they would all grow deeper in their walks with the Lord and be encouraged.

I am also speaking at the next youth service 14th April, so please pray for me as I prepare and for the night itself. Things at the house are going well too, Paul (the 19 month old with down syndrome) has been walking now for nearly three weeks which is so exciting! His little sister Miriam (5months) is doing great too and is almost constantly smiling. They are both so much fun to look after! The past six months have flown by and I'm so glad I decided to stay on till
the summer.

This year out with Bless has been such an amazing opportunity and I feel it has been such a growing experience. I have been able to do such a wide range of things, being on the leadership for the youth, looking after Paul and Miriam, teaching and doing music, even cooking and baking!
Dave and Amy have been such a great support too, always there with their home open! This year has really given me a heart for France and the French people and I hope to return frequently!

Thank you all so much for all your love and prayers
Sandy

Photos to follow!

Heart2Bless France - 16th – 20th May 2007

A long weekend devoted to drawing close to the heart of God, fly with us to Perpignan in the south west of France for 4 nights and 5 days. This event will be hosted by Bless team members Dave & Amy Roche who live in France. Dave & Amy have been working with a vibrant protestant church, Perpignan at Centre Chrétien du Roussillon and are now also in process of pioneering International English speaking meetings.

The theme of the weekend will be 'Window in the skies' – promises and breakthrough. With inspirational daily bible exploration there will be opportunity to pray and worship together in a fresh surrounding. This part of the northern Catalan region borders Spain, beautifully stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Pyrenees Mountains. We aim to visit and pray at several destinations: As well as town of Perpignan, the ancient coastal town of Collioure, a stunning walk in the mountains up to L'Abbeye de St Martin du Canigou perched at 2000 ft and also ride on the highest mountain train journey in France.

Dates 16th – 20th May 2007 – £299 per person fully inclusive of flights, accommodation and meals. [price on application for those wishing to come from mainland Europe] The trip is calculated at cost price therefore we need names for the flights and £120 deposit so book early, the full amount is needed by May 1st. Visit our website for more details www.bless.org.uk click on Heart2Bless under Bless Application Forms to download a registration form.