Herald Feb 2016

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The HeraldThe Potter Family

Feb 2016It’s been a while since our last Herald, and I apologise for the delay. Since we have added a

role with Springwater community into our weekly rhythm of life, time seems to fly.

Also since our last update in October, all our family has sailed through some interesting waters.

We are moving into our second month of working part time with Springwater Church helping the

community move through an integrated process of development and influence.

Agreeing to take part in this adventure was quite incredible, and God molded the process both for

the church and for us so that we could come to a place where Springwater would unanimously vote

to ask us to stay on and help them and to where we sensed that it was the correct thing to say yes.

As we wade into the process like all roles, you get to see and hear more deeply about the journey

the church has been on and more able to mull over the impact. In turn, it has helped us pray into

and together explore how to design and develop processes that could support the dreams and

aspirations that God has put in people's hearts and also laid on this little faith community.

We are in the early stages but recognise what a fantastic opportunity it is to work with this small

group and watch God create a community that hopefully will reflect the reality of Jesus Christ and

support us all as we implement the practical and spiritual gift mix that God has given us. In our

strength we would not have agreed to stay in Peppard, it’s not the setting we would have initially

envisaged. However, our whole adventure has been one in which God has surprised and at times

confounded us. We never thought we would leave India or relocate back to the UK. Then we also

definitely never envisaged living in America or being connected to Mexico during the drug wars, let

alone reside in Los Angeles but look what transpired. Maybe it's partly to do with the sense

conveyed by Christ that if God asks us to cross the world or the street to support and try to beChrist to someone, even if it was just one person, would we do it? How could we say no!

So we find ourselves in Peppard Common with some lovely gifted people dreaming and exploring

what it could look like to have a vibrant church community that would work together to enrich the

local area including the wider cities, towns and villages with a mosaic of resources that would help

add value to spiritual, family, work and personal rhythms of life.

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Linsey will finish her studies this year. The results might be made available for churches and others

who wish to develop a response to the issue of Human Trafficking. We are also working to build a

platform for our eventual relocation, in a couple of years, into Wales. We sensed that we were pushing the

move to Wales and realised that we needed to let God create the process and relationships needed. We would

appreciate your prayers, as juggling these areas need wisdom, insight and skill.

In October Charys had only just left for Belgium and, for all those who receive her email updates

you would have read what an amazing, heart wrenching and impactful time it has been. We Skype

regularly and have heard and experienced the emotional and painful insights, but we have also been

encouraged as we see her character, wisdom and empathy develop in leaps and bounds. It has been

a reassurance to see the small Oasis staff and volunteer team be such wonderful support to her. “E”,

her supervisor and friend, has been an excellent support and help.

As parents, this is very comforting; we have also seen our personal and emotional capacity stretched

as we increase our ability to “let go”. If you would like to read an outsider insight on what Charys is

involved with in Belgium research there is an article by Byrois athttps://byrois.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/unblemished-in-brussels/

Next Month Charys will be with the Belgium team in Ireland as they take part in “The long run", see

http://www.itlr.org. This event is where people run or cycle along a popular route made by Human

Traffickers to raise awareness of the plight of trafficking victims. Charys is aiming to raise £2500 that

will be donated towards the work of Oasis in Belgium. If you would like to support her, check out the

Oasis Belgium funding page set up for her donations http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CharysPotter.Currently, Charys is planning to return to the UK in early April. This summer she hopes to wind down

with a part time job, and then participate in her brother's wedding before starting college in the

autumn.

Our October newsletter highlighted that Josh had been accepted for accommodation in a

house in Vauxhall, London. This place has been perfect as he has thrown himself into his final year of

studies. Having a good base was an essential ingredient for Josh and one for which we were praying.

You may recall that last summer upon our return to the UK we sent out a digital ask hoping to get a

lead on possible accommodation, and a few folks were kind enough to respond. One of those

responses was from Tim Pickering. A great young family guy who would always reach out with a

helping hand and express the active love of Christ. Tim’s advice led to Josh being able to connect

and acquire his current room in a community house. We believe that this stable base has been

invaluable for Josh and part of the reason that has assisted him in being able to launch forth and write

many great articles (we are biased!!) that have been published in the Artefact magazine and can be

accessed on the Artefact website shown on the next page.

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http://www.artefactmagazine.com/2015/11/20/walking-in-the-face-of-adversity/ . We also believe it’s

one of the jigsaw pieces that has contributed to Josh being mentioned as a young talent of the future

by Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12/31/here-are-this-years-best-student-

journalist-stories_n_8867772.html

Sadly Tim died just before Christmas leaving behind a

very young family. We would ask you to join us and

say a prayer for his wife Kathleen and his two small

children. Tim always helped and reached out to

people and as a family, we are one of many who have

been blessed by his action and impacted by his

Christ-like life.

This Christmas has been a bit of a topsy-turvy time. We have had our first festive

season in the UK for over 11 years; our first without Charys and our first with one of our sonsengaged and working in another country. Leaving the blue skies of California was hard, for some in

our family, but leaving this lovely couple was tough and sad for all of us. They are great together, and

we so enjoyed Mackenzie and all her family. The wedding will be in July, and you can read additional

information about the marriage on their web site at https://www.theknot.com/us/mackenzie-loudon-

and-benjamin-potter-jul-2016

A significant focus that has taken a lot of their time and energy has been moving through the

application process for Ben’s green card. The lawyer that’s been helping them advised certain

options, and we all saw how those choices were successful for another young couple who were in

very similar circumstances. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the same for Ben and Mackenzie. The

people at the immigration office were very nice but due to a technicality they were not able to

proceed. Ben & Mackenzie have not had the application denied or rejected - it's been removed which

allows them to apply again. They did this immediately and are now awaiting the acceptance

confirmation for their submission. This time, they will be able to include the relevant additional

paperwork that would help the process and also agree on an interview date after their wedding in

July.

Currently, Ben has a work visa and is trekking on with his music, and various other part-time jobs

while Mackenzie continues with her studies and a part time job. Recently Ben was in his third music

video that he thoroughly enjoyed and Circlesight, the band he plays with, are recording again after a

little hiatus. To see his various music videos go to the links at the top of the next page.

We would appreciate your continued prayers, as the journey for both Ben & Mackenzie is not that

straightforward.

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Music video’s

Circlesight – 2014

https://youtu.be/FkV28drCmcY;

Kyle Hughes – 2014

https://youtu.be/1wRH9tghF80

Skyline Pigeons – 2012https://youtu.be/Na6yRLqHz7Q

We would appreciate prayer for:

• Continued protection and strength for Charys as she completes the last few months of her

Internship that includes a trip to Ireland to take part “in the long run”. She finishes in April, andwill be leaving several fragile women with whom she has formed deep relationships. Plussaying goodbye to “E” and the team who have been a great support and with whom she hasbecome very close.

• Ben and Mackenzie as they continue their journey towards the wedding in July and their quest

to get all the relevant documentation together so they can obtain the green card for Ben. Benhas a part time job that allows him to continue with the band but would appreciate moresession and studio work

• Endurance and favour for Josh as it's his final year at University. He needs to complete his

dissertation and then has various plans in the pipeline for the summer. One is that he will begoing over early to The USA in preparation for his role as bestman.

• Wisdom, insight, discernment and for an overflowing presence of

the Holy Spirit as we try to help Springwater church grow and

develop in a manner that benefits the community as a whole andbrings value to the families, friends and work areas that the peoplein the church are connected.

• Our wider families both in the UK and the USA. Several challenges

are occurring ongoing health needs, work, etc.. that need Shalom,wisdom and insight.

If you would like to know more or support the work we are involved with atSpringwater or any of the other activities go to http://www.potterabout.com

Prayer Update

Contact Details:-

The Manse, Blounts Court Road,

Peppard Common, OXON, RG9 5EU

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel: 07508 308707

Kevin - [email protected]

Linsey - [email protected]

Web site - www.potterabout.com

Documents

Herald Feb 2016