Dear London, (Part 8)
With Bonnie & Dylan Kruger
It was the 3rd of December 2020 when we arrived on your shores and were confronted with a large sign saying 'Welcome to London'. Leaving all that was comfortable and familiar behind, we arrived jobless and homeless but with hearts full of expectation and carrying a promise that we were entering a season of 'wide open spaces' and a confidence that God would be with us every step of the way.
London, there is no city quite like you! Almost 4 years in, we've discovered you to be vibrant, diverse, and full of life. We've walked you flat! Exploring all the well-known landmarks from Hyde Park to Tower Bridge, sampling all your tasty baked goods along the way. You've provided us with some firm favourites, such as the choc chic cookie from Crème in Soho and the vanilla flan from Le Robuchon Deli, across from Green Park. But we've also wandered off the beaten track and experienced your hidden beauty in the regular, everyday person that makes up the fabric of your varying suburbs.
You've become our home.
London, in our time here, we have seen God's blessings in finding great jobs, a home that we love, and a wonderful church community, but equally, we have had to navigate traumatic situations, deep grief, unanswered prayer and are still on a journey of healing…but God.
London, you attract people from all walks of life, all different cultures and backgrounds, and you're full of people just like us, people with a story of joy and of sorrow. We see the tourists on an adventure, the uni students full of dreams, we see the young family trying to wrangle the kids to make the bus on time. But we also see the 'keep to yourself' culture - headphones on and phone immersed - ultra-connected yet extremely lonely. We see the rough sleepers on the streets with nowhere to go. We see the layoffs, we see the heartbroken… but God.
C3 London, a church for the people of London. As we go about our daily lives within this beautiful city, the highs and the lows, may the Jesus we know be the Jesus people encounter. Let's make sure that His sacrificial, arms open wide love, for us, becomes the love reflected through us. We are here to help people discover the life-transforming love of God.
Dear London, as a community of people, the church, who aim to reflect Jesus. Who find ourselves calling you home, this is our prayer for you, from Matthew 6 in The Message:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Join us in church this Sunday in Parsons Green. Click here for info and to see what’s coming up this month.