Update from JFK
Dear Family and Friends -
Flying to Birmingham, England today starts a new chapter in our lives. We are looking forward to what God has planned for us in this new country, but we are also a little anxious about the new cities and people we will meet. Unfortunately, we still don’t have an apartment. There is a lot of red tape in England, more than any of the other countries we’ve lived in, so it’s been harder to navigate our way through it. Since God has always provided for us, we aren’t worried because we know he will do it again! Thanks to Airbnb we have a place to live until we work out all of the details. In the meantime, we have Neil Powell, a pastor, and a great partner, who will help us learn our way around the city and learn the British accent.
The City to City network is growing in Europe, and we pray God will use us to see more new churches in England as well. Our first two months we will travel to 20 cities, where we will establish relationships and hopefully new partnerships. In London, on January 28 we will attend our first meeting with of all the pastors and church planters who are connected to the network. One of the agenda items will be to discuss the first City to City Church Planting Intensive training in Europe. We are thrilled to be a part of seeing gospel movements in the cities of Europe by helping church planters be trained to reach their cities. The Intensive will start in the fall where training will take place in Birmingham, Hamburg, and Budapest. We will continue our travels to the rest of Europe.
On a personal note, our time in the US for the holidays was stressful. We found out Bobby’s mother had cancer with only 2 weeks to live, so we made 2 trips to PA, one before and after she passed away, which left us sad and exhausted. My dad had ankle replacement surgery and is doing well, although he has at least a 6-month recovery. Of course, we love seeing our family but the holidays are hectic, especially with 10 grandchildren! One of whom, we are thrilled the judge granted custody. Chante and Matt can finally adopt Cainnen, whom they have taken care of for 6 years. Although, his half-sister still has to wait for adoption until her biological father’s rights are terminated. We’re praying this won’t be too long. God has blessed our children in surprising ways, and we are so grateful for his provision for all of them!
As we prepare to fly from New York, I thank God for all of you. We hardly saw anyone while we were in the US, and I wasn’t on social media, so I’ve lost track of everyone’s activity, but I pray you are well.Please pray for us to enter England without any problems, secure an apartment at a reasonable price, and adjust to the new assignment God has given us.
In Him,
Teresa
Bobby and Teresa LaDage
Church Planting Catalysts
United World Mission/ City to City -- Birmingham, England