Dear Friends & Fellow Sojourners,

Many of you have been waiting with us for the time that we would know whether we, as TLC would be considered for the property - owned in Trust - which we thought ideal for our needs. We envisaged it bringing together in one central location all that we have been doing over the past three years in our three dispersed locations, as well as providing a place where we could fulfil all that we yet desire to see come about.

We visited this property over 2 years ago and there was a real affinity with the foundations and the heartbeat of the original owner who put her investment into Trust. As we listened to a tape recording of her values and vision, we so saw a parallel centred on Paul’s declaration: “It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me…….” There was so much in what she said that struck a chord in our hearts in relation to our own values, dream and vision, that we could not help but sense God in the whole picture.

Over the ensuing years, as we waited on God, there seemed every reason to “wait patiently … to stand and see the salvation of God… to wait and trust Him...” The Mission Agency that has been using the building had said that it no longer served their purpose, was under-utilized, and that they did not anticipate renewing the lease.

We have now sadly heard that the Mission Agency would like after all to renew the lease. This is currently being negotiated with the Trust. In talking to the Trust, we do believe that the “door” is shut to us, but that IF anything was to change, they would contact us.

We want to share this news with you because we have been so grateful for the many and varied ways that you have supported us and journeyed with us, so often expressed in your prayers, friendship, concerns and financial gifts. You have been a source of strength and huge encouragement as we have walked this walk of faith.

As we look back on this period of time we have been inspired, encouraged and hugely grateful to the Lord, as we have seen Him lead us in developing the ministry. We have run retreats, conferences, day seminars, small groups, consulted with church & missions leadership teams, along with facilitating many individuals going through a discipleship or mentoring process.

As you might imagine there is a real mixture of emotion as we hear this news. On one hand we cannot doubt God; we know Him to be good and that the invitation to trust is not based on a particular outcome but on His character alone. In this last period we have believed that He has led us to this point and we have no doubt that He has been working out His purposes in our lives and through our lives.

Brennan Manning’s book, ‘Ruthless Trust” has been encouraging and poignant through this time. “We often presume that trust will dispel the confusion, illuminate the darkness, vanquish the uncertainty, and redeem the times. But the crowd of witnesses in Heb 11 testifies that this is not the case. Our trust does not bring final clarity on this earth. It does not still the chaos or dull the pain or provide a crutch. When all else is unclear, the heart of trust says, ‘Into your hands I commit my spirit.’”

We as a team have spent two days in prayer, discussion and waiting on God. It has been both painful and yet wonderfully filled with His comfort and various pictures of understanding. There is a sense
of Jesus saying to the disciples, “...unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it produces many others and yields a rich harvest.” In this death - not only related to the property, but to so much more within each one of us - there comes a deeper surrender to His character and His purposes. At times we would feel like little children, not having all
we need to understand, and yet also in a new place of relinquishing and letting go of our hopes and dreams in order that He might resurrect that which is of Him, and of Him alone.

There have been moments over these years when it has felt a hard, painful and isolating place. However repeatedly through Scripture we see God allowing individuals to experience these hard places for His long-term perspective, especially in bringing about His Kingdom, His way. In looking at the disciples and how they came face to face with the death of their own hopes in the promised Messiah, we see that the resurrection of their hope looks so very different to what their perspective and dream had originally been.

We continue to embrace with deep gratitude the mystery of “Christ in us the hope of Glory” and desire more than ever to share with others the wonder of these truths. There has been no shortage of such opportunity and we will continue to do all that He would show us. As we move on from this place, it is our desire and prayer, that we will KNOW the voice of Father and come to see and understand His leading, wisdom and peace as we consider the next steps.

Your friendship, love and support continues to be a gift to each one of us. Would you join with us in prayer as we follow the voice of the One who gave His life, so that he could live His life through us?