It's nearly April here, and there's only three more weeks to this journey left. WOW!! After writing you last time about being in a desert emotionally and otherwise, God has definitely been refreshing me with His spirit and through lovely times with friends in Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's stomping grounds). He's also been speaking to me through dreams and this weekend's Betel-wide gathering (like a full weekend of church meetings). As always, there's so much more I wish to share, to write, but that will have to wait until either I have more time and energy or I return to the USA.
In these last few weeks, I ask that you pray for my body to be rested. Sleeping well is something I've continually found difficult. I feel it upon my body greatly now, and in short, the work here is very demanding which adds to the problem. Pray for the relationships to grow here. Connections here are still hard for me and hard for me to gauge, I guess mostly because of cultural differences. Pray for me to just be so in love with Jesus that it just can't help but naturally ooze out of me onto others. Well, I should go. Playing the guitar for worship in the morning. May His Kingdom come in Birmingham, UK as it is in Heaven. Love and hugs to you all.
3/25/12
3/11/12
Desert Times
Time is short, so here goes. Really feeling like I've entered the desert, you know, the dry and thirsty land. My spirit is needing refreshing from living water and strength from the Ultimate source. Five more weeks here in the UK, but I feel like I could pack my bags today. Tired and emotional at the moment and not sleeping well again. I ask for your prayers for the above and for this lonely sense of disconnectedness to leave my soul. It's been clinging on since Friday. As bad as all that is, it confirms that I'm exactly where He wants me doing exactly what He wants me doing. But ... I miss my family and friends, my home in NYC, and simple things like jazz music and walks in the park terribly right now.
In other news, after nearly two months without a day off, I get my first bit of time off this Saturday to go to Oxford with a friend to visit another friend we both met in Spain. Her name is Lucy. Then, I'm going to get to go see Shakespeare's home turf with one or two friends as it's just a bit north of here a few days later. That's another day off with a different friend (or two) whom I met in NYC. Plans in the works to see London as well before it's off to the States for family time until possibly the summer.
Again, I'm tired and emotional. Sometimes it honestly feels meaningless to be here, but that's just the Enemy attacking. So, as the Brits say, "Keep calm and carry on." Well, it's time I should go. Thanks for your prayers!
In other news, after nearly two months without a day off, I get my first bit of time off this Saturday to go to Oxford with a friend to visit another friend we both met in Spain. Her name is Lucy. Then, I'm going to get to go see Shakespeare's home turf with one or two friends as it's just a bit north of here a few days later. That's another day off with a different friend (or two) whom I met in NYC. Plans in the works to see London as well before it's off to the States for family time until possibly the summer.
Again, I'm tired and emotional. Sometimes it honestly feels meaningless to be here, but that's just the Enemy attacking. So, as the Brits say, "Keep calm and carry on." Well, it's time I should go. Thanks for your prayers!
3/4/12
It's all downhill now ...
Wow! I have such limited time left in the UK, nearly as limited as my time to use the internet. Gaining a bit of cheekiness here and humour. As you can see, I can now type in British English too.
How do I summarize all that has been happening in such a short time? I am seeing God answer many prayers, some big and some small. He did some amazing physical healing and emotional healing in my life and the life of the women here this past Friday through my devotional. Work is always steady and usually very tiring here. Haven't had a break since I arrive six plus weeks ago, but I'm about to get some time off. Planning to visit with friends in nearby Wolverhampton, in Oxford, and take on a weekend in London. A few of the women here just left to open a new house for women there. Relationships continue to be a struggle here for me, yet I've seen God mend things that had gone sour between two women and myself recently. Praise HIM!
As always, there's so much more that I want to write ... but that is being somewhat contained in my journal. For those of you who want more details and the longer version of things, just ask me upon my return to the USA (post April 13th) when I will have the time and be face-to-face with yall again. Hoping and planning to return to NYC in the summer. New photos are going up on my facebook.
On a personal level, please be praying for my family in particular my Uncle Joel and sister Ame. Pray for my body to heal from the raging cold that I've had for a week. (It's nearly gone, but they are worse on me here because of the weather.) Please also lift up my application to Covenant House, an organization to helps homeless youth in New York City. (Working on it here with my limited time and computer access.) Lastly, in the six weeks I have left here, pray that I serve and love others well. Thanks!
How do I summarize all that has been happening in such a short time? I am seeing God answer many prayers, some big and some small. He did some amazing physical healing and emotional healing in my life and the life of the women here this past Friday through my devotional. Work is always steady and usually very tiring here. Haven't had a break since I arrive six plus weeks ago, but I'm about to get some time off. Planning to visit with friends in nearby Wolverhampton, in Oxford, and take on a weekend in London. A few of the women here just left to open a new house for women there. Relationships continue to be a struggle here for me, yet I've seen God mend things that had gone sour between two women and myself recently. Praise HIM!
As always, there's so much more that I want to write ... but that is being somewhat contained in my journal. For those of you who want more details and the longer version of things, just ask me upon my return to the USA (post April 13th) when I will have the time and be face-to-face with yall again. Hoping and planning to return to NYC in the summer. New photos are going up on my facebook.
On a personal level, please be praying for my family in particular my Uncle Joel and sister Ame. Pray for my body to heal from the raging cold that I've had for a week. (It's nearly gone, but they are worse on me here because of the weather.) Please also lift up my application to Covenant House, an organization to helps homeless youth in New York City. (Working on it here with my limited time and computer access.) Lastly, in the six weeks I have left here, pray that I serve and love others well. Thanks!
2/5/12
A Fortnight and Four Days Later ...
18 days later in the UK, I'm still doing really well here. Comparatively, I love the cultures (British, Scottish, Welsh, South African, Canadian, Jamaican, American) more than I loved Spanish culture. In my short time here, I've done almost every job the women here have aside from working in the office. The work is currently very diverse, and things have settled a bit more as has the snow on the ground. Here are pictures from the snow last night and the snowmen building I just finished up with two young boys in the other women's house.
The need for prayer is tremendous here. The women are extremely vulnerable here due to various circumstances which I can't go into; such strains have been lingering since early December. So, when I come to mind, please lift up the 20 women and five children in our collective houses. I would love to hear from you, so my address is below for yall to write as you can. Know too that it looks like I will be able to use my computer at length on Sundays only, so Skype dates and/or emailing is likely only possible then. (I am 5-6 hours ahead of yall on the east coast.)
The need for prayer is tremendous here. The women are extremely vulnerable here due to various circumstances which I can't go into; such strains have been lingering since early December. So, when I come to mind, please lift up the 20 women and five children in our collective houses. I would love to hear from you, so my address is below for yall to write as you can. Know too that it looks like I will be able to use my computer at length on Sundays only, so Skype dates and/or emailing is likely only possible then. (I am 5-6 hours ahead of yall on the east coast.)
Amanda Johnson
Betel of Britain
Windmill House
Weatheroak Hill
Alvechurch
Birmingham
B48 7EA
United Kingdom
Betel of Britain
Windmill House
Weatheroak Hill
Alvechurch
Birmingham
B48 7EA
United Kingdom
1/21/12
In the UK now safely!
After traveling all day more or less and getting quite the grill session as I crossed the border in the airport, I have arrived from Madrid, Spain to London, England and then safely on to Birmingham, England where I should be staying for the duration of my time in the UK. Will post more when I can. Thanks all for lifting me up in prayer!
1/17/12
God HEARD our prayers!
Dear friends and family,
Not sure how much time I have, so I'll make this short. First, I'm back in Madrid until early Thursday morning. Still needing time to process everything that God did during my time in Valencia. Will be seeing the sites of Madrid tomorrow ... FINALLY!
Not sure how much time I have, so I'll make this short. First, I'm back in Madrid until early Thursday morning. Still needing time to process everything that God did during my time in Valencia. Will be seeing the sites of Madrid tomorrow ... FINALLY!
Secondly, thank you for praying about my return flight to the USA! Long story short, God did many miracles, and as of today, I have a very reasonable ticket from London, UK back to the USA!!!! I arrive back in the States on Friday, April 13th. Will be spending time (not sure how long at the moment) with my family. After that time, God has really placed it on my heart to return to NYC and work with the homeless. Please pray for open doors and provision in that area.
Third, please, please, PLEASE lift up my entrance into the UK. Everything is set to enter, however, the reality is that there is major (I cannot stress that enough) spiritual warfare going on against me. It is very tangible. God wants me in the UK, so please ask God for a smooth entry into the merry ole land of England. Pray for my protection from Satan's fiery darts and for God's love to continue to pierce the darkness.
I don't have enough words to say how much I miss you all, how much I love you all, and how much I long to see you now! Until that time, let's plan on getting together in the future to drink coffee and exchange stories.
Much love and great, big hugs,
Amanda
1/11/12
Needing Urgent Prayer
Dear friends and family,
Would you please lift up my need for a reasonable airline ticket from the UK back to the USA? I'm in contact with a travel agency at the moment, but also at the moment, I still have no ticket back to the US. I am honestly trying not to think to much about it and have been in prayer for quite some time about the matter over the past month. I need to secure the ticket within the next few days, or at most, by next week as this is my final week in Spain. I'm not sure what God will do to open up the doors for my return flight, but I trust He will provide. All other details regarding my transition from one country to the next are arranged.
Would you also pray for spiritual protection over me and for time to process my three months in Spain? There's been a lot of warfare going on that I tangibly feel. Concerning this time of service, as a whole, it's been mostly good. To use an analogy, I just need time to come up to the surface and breathe after swimming for quite some time. As always, loads more I'd love to say now ... but the rest will have to wait until another day as time is again limited.
Love to you all,
Amanda Kay
Would you please lift up my need for a reasonable airline ticket from the UK back to the USA? I'm in contact with a travel agency at the moment, but also at the moment, I still have no ticket back to the US. I am honestly trying not to think to much about it and have been in prayer for quite some time about the matter over the past month. I need to secure the ticket within the next few days, or at most, by next week as this is my final week in Spain. I'm not sure what God will do to open up the doors for my return flight, but I trust He will provide. All other details regarding my transition from one country to the next are arranged.
Would you also pray for spiritual protection over me and for time to process my three months in Spain? There's been a lot of warfare going on that I tangibly feel. Concerning this time of service, as a whole, it's been mostly good. To use an analogy, I just need time to come up to the surface and breathe after swimming for quite some time. As always, loads more I'd love to say now ... but the rest will have to wait until another day as time is again limited.
Love to you all,
Amanda Kay
1/3/12
Holiday Update
Hello World! Don't have much time, but I'm blessed with a rare gift of extra time to write yall. WOOT! Thank you friends in NYC for my lovely Christmas card!!! I received it yesterday much to my delight. I absolutely loved all the messages you wrote me and appreciate yall taking the time to pray for me and send it to Spain. :)
With all the holidays now in the past (aside from a big one here in Spain this weekend called the Dia de Reyes), would yall please pray for me to be able to purchase my flight from the UK back to the US within the next few days? I've been having problems with my debit card which should be fixed by now. Also, I've been told that it'll be better to have this purchased BEFORE I enter the UK. Prices are very high at the moment, and it's possible I won't be able to get a humanitarian flight (which is considerably cheaper). I'll be flying back to the South in mid April for time with my family first before hopefully returning to NYC. I so want to return there for more missions work.
Well, need to go now. Love and hugs from Valencia, Spain!
With all the holidays now in the past (aside from a big one here in Spain this weekend called the Dia de Reyes), would yall please pray for me to be able to purchase my flight from the UK back to the US within the next few days? I've been having problems with my debit card which should be fixed by now. Also, I've been told that it'll be better to have this purchased BEFORE I enter the UK. Prices are very high at the moment, and it's possible I won't be able to get a humanitarian flight (which is considerably cheaper). I'll be flying back to the South in mid April for time with my family first before hopefully returning to NYC. I so want to return there for more missions work.
Well, need to go now. Love and hugs from Valencia, Spain!
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