Hi Guys,

When I first knew that it was right for me to go earlier on in the year. I said to God if you want me to go then I knew that he would supply the money. PRAISE GOD HE SUPPLIED THE MONEY FOR ME TO GO. Before we went to Morocco I was really excited about going, a bit apprehensive as I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t know whether I would like the food or not. I made a list so that I didn’t forget items ranging from wet wipes to walking boots the day before we left I started to pack my suitcases making sure that both the suitcases didn’t weigh more than 23 kg each.

On the way down to Heathrow airport was still excited both the plane journeys were good. When we arrived in Casablanca we got a coach up to the centre where we were staying and I said to one of the guys the scenery looked great( was amazed at God’s creation). God did so much in me while I was out in Morocco – gave me a real love for people. Broke comfort zones in me things that I was so used to having and that we take for granted. It was really enjoyable painting the school up in the village and also serving in whatever way was needed. I really enjoyed the party that we did for the team. It was great working with the rest of the team living together and getting to know the people from Horsham. I made some new friends the team out in Morocco.

God has great plans for morocco seeing people saved.

While I was out there God spoke to me regarding my future and gave me a real passion for people. I would love to go out to morocco again and also to go out to Africa. God has awesome plans for my life and I really want to take hold of what god has taken hold of me for. I want to step into all that God has for me.

May god bless you abundantly.
Blessings abundant.
Penny

Looking forward to an amazing journey

Only 2 weeks to go now. Last minute things to think about like transport to the airport and remembering where I put my passport! But also remembering to enjoy the journey. You know when you’re on the roller-coaster slowly cranking up the steep track ready to be accelerated through the twists and turns of the ride; well that’s where we are now. The worst bit is the steady build up - excitement, nerves and the long way down to our comfortable predictable ‘normal’ Christian experience. Did I make the right choice? Is it too late to get off? Below is a message from Jean, this is her second trip out and she shares why it is exactly right to stay on!
GB

Hi allThis is Jean and I'm soon to embark on what will be my second trip to Morocco. Last year I was one of a party of 2 from HERC who went out there, and so this year I am delighted that there will be another 3 people joining us on what I know will be an amazing journey. At about this time last year I was looking forward to the trip, albeit with some trepidation about the unknown challenges that would assuredly face us in a Muslim country with a completely different culture, and different customs and barriers to overcome; like language, food, dress, and social code and I was concerned about how I would cope with it. However, what transpired whilst I was there made me realise that when God is the focus no amount of barriers can prevent His love and blessing from flowing, and we witnessed some amazing things happen. I met some wonderful people, they were so friendly and certainly knew about hospitality. Everywhere we went we were greeted with big smiles and a friendly greeting, particularly from the children who were so lovely. At the end of the week I was extremely tired but more than that I was extremely blessed - more than I had ever expected..This year therefore I am looking forward to the trip, not with trepidation but with real eagerness and excitement . Right now I'm writing a 'Don't Forget' list which includes various items ranging from Baby Wipes to Walking Boots ! I'm hoping that we may meet up with some of the same people we met last year as well as meeting others for the first time. We have been given our itinerary for the week and have an idea of the projects we will be undertaking. I've been told that I will be helping to paint a school and probably working with the children again which will be fantastic. However I also remain open for other things to happen because if last year is anything to go by, God often has a way of changing things when you least expect it ! That's what makes it so exciting and I thank God for the door He has opened into Morocco and the opportunity He has given me 'to go into all the world.........' this is just the beginning !! Luv Jean

"I am so Excited!"

I've invited Anne to post a few thoughts about her preparation for Morocco 2008. Anne responded to the invitation to get out of her comfort zone and get into God's zone. This is where the journey has taken her so far...

Hi,
This is Anne here & I have been asked to put down some thoughts about our forthcoming trip to Morocco.I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT. We are actually going to be part of what God is doing in another country, and that just makes me want to jump up & down and shout. I am so looking forward to seeing what other Christians are doing & how they are serving the people around them. For me this is an enormous step as we have very little idea as to what we will be doing & even, when plans are made, they can change in an instant. But I know that is how God works & that is how He gets the best from us, by putting us in situations that are out of our capabilities (maybe) & into His hands!

The questions I have asked have been very about very basic things like, "what are the beds like?" and" are there showers & toilets?" and "what injections do I need?" Once I've got those things sorted I feel a whole lot better!! I was also concerned that this is a Muslim country we are going to and I don't want to do or say anything that may upset people and cause a problem for anyone already there. I have also been checking what we can and cannot wear as I know they have very strict rules regarding clothes. I have been busy sorting out what will be suitable & checking how hot it will be while we are there.

I can't wait to meet the people and learn about how they live & work & what it would be like to be part of a Moroccan family. Their food looks so good & as I enjoy eating & trying new tastes, I don't think it will be a problem to sample new food!!When I felt that I should go on this trip, I asked God what He wanted me to do and He said I was to be His hands, nothing more. So that is what I am going to do. I am going with an open heart & willing hands to do anything that will be a blessing & am so grateful that God has trusted me to show His love in this way.

I CAN'T WAIT TO START!!!!!!!!!!

Making space

Summer is a great time for meeting each other and catching up before we set our faces to the challenges and faith goals of September. Many of us have been to Peterborough for Faith ’08 – an awesome opportunity to soak in the presence of God and evaluate the year gone, before pressing ahead into the new. www.kingdomfaith.com

For me it is a great time to meet with my peers and spend quality time sitting at the feet of men and women who have gone before me – trail blazers in God. This is where I learn, this is where I can pick up nuggets of wisdom, be encouraged and built up and of course chill out a little bit! Its great hearing the testimony of adults but awesome to hear what God does with the youth and children. Some of these young guys have received a mantle from God to take desolate cities and inhabit them. We are establishing a culture in this church of being outward focused. So when the children who are knee height today reach my age they will have achieved incredible things in God. They will blaze down the trail which we have cut and burn bright down paths we cannot conceive of or imagine. So when we think about mission, let’s think how we can create a culture in our churches that not only supports our present needs but makes a space for the following generation to expand into.

For now though we have to cut our own path. In the next few weeks I’ll be inviting some of the Morocco team to share some thoughts about how they are preparing for the mission field. What’s exciting and some of what’s scary too. I’ll also put up some notes from last year’s prep to give you a flavour of what we can expect this year.

Introduction to Morocco 2008

Let's kick off with God Bless Morocco 2008. Five of us from the Heart of England Revival Church (H.E.R.C.) will be joining a multi-church team to travel to Morocco in the autumn. The country is 99% Muslim. Less than 1% is Christian. The Spirit-led moroccan Christian church is underground.

We have been warned not to publish anything that could compromise the indigenous christian church or ongoing work. For this reason I will not publish dates of our visit or key names, or even video or pictures which could be too revealing.

So what can I tell you? Last year God gave me this scripture from Ezekiel 47:6a-10 about the river of God. In particular, verse 10b - "The fish will be of many kinds - like the fish of the Great Sea." (NIV). The thing about a river is that it starts off as a small spring, sometimes not much more than a damp patch of ground; and this inexorably grows into a brook; a stream; a river into an unstoppable torrent before bursting into the great sea.

Last year 2 of us were sent to Morocco. It was very exciting for us and marked a new beginning for the church. We saw God work in a way that neither of us had experienced, and encountered people hungry for God (fish) that we had never seen before. This year the river is deeper, the current stronger and the fish will be even stranger. We'll keep you posted...

Guy Blacklock