Dear London, (Part 4)
With Jenna & Rawdon
Dear London. It’s March 2022 and we’ve just landed. We’ve never visited before and now we’re living here. Are we mad? We’re encouraged but overwhelmed. Excited but nervous. God has called us to you, London, we know it.. There’s mission in this adventure. A growing expectation.
We’re staying at a tiny road lodge for now and we’re not off to the best start. It’s horrible. It’s damp and there’s mould everywhere. It’s freezing cold. There’s nowhere to cook and fast food is so expensive with the South African rand. Residents permits and admin and more admin and more admin. Red tape everywhere. We feel so out of place.
We venture into the city. The streets are bustling. The rush is overwhelming. So many people. So many cultures. So many religions. Don’t dare make eye contact for more than a second. Millions of people living in isolation together. Tolerating one another but that’s about it. Ear phones in, world out. The loneliness is striking. The selfishness too.
But we lean on God. We trust in Him. With every day, He opens our eyes to more beauty, more goodness and more life. The morning walks along the Thames. The magnificent green spaces. The London days now much less overwhelming. Inspiring actually. The diversity is beautiful. The culture, rich. A different language around every corner. There is detail in every small thing. The churches are beautiful but seem mostly empty. The skyline, the buildings, the streets, all growing on us as we make this place home. The concerts. The celebs. The trains and tubes. We are living in London.
And then your people, London. The ‘Londoners’. The ones that ultimately make you who you are. The ones that God has called us to love for this season, here and now. The happy, the depressed, the lonely, the families, the singles, the rich and poor, black and white, locals and expats.. All of them, God wants to know. Dear London, you are loved by our Heavenly Father. He wants to know you. Each and every one of you. Individually and personally loved by God. The creator of our universe. The almighty powerful ruler of all Nations and Kings. The One who formed you. He loves you. Our overarching prayer - that God would use us to advance His kingdom in you, London. He is the answer to the loneliness and selfishness, the pride, the brokenness, hurt and running away. It’s all in Jesus.
All along, the urgency to find a local church community weighing heavy in our hearts. We can’t do this alone. We know we can’t. But God also knows. We walk into C3 London. Almost a year ago to the day. We know straight away that this is home for us. God had prepared a place for us. We’re welcomed. We’re loved. We’re encouraged. We’re pushed. We’re prayed for. We found family. And together we’re on mission. What could God do with a bunch of ordinary Londoners, full of His Spirit, full of Faith, hands open, available, expectant, ready. What could God do.
Dear God. May your Kingdom come in London as it is in heaven. Revival in London. Kindness in London. Joy in London. Peace in London. Love in London. Patience in London. Generosity in London. Faithfulness in London.
Dear C3 London. You are here for such a time as this. God has a plan for you in London. He has placed you perfectly. He has called you by name. Local church is His plan A. He is building his Church and we are too. Trust in him. Lean on him. Worship him.
Dear London, you are loved.
Dear God, we worship You.
Dear C3, are you ready?
