Dear Heartcry family,       

2024 has definitely arrived! The storms with very strong winds here in the UK, (about 97 mph or 156km/h) have caught our attention as trees fall, the seas roar and the rivers and streets flood. It has certainly not been calm. Gordon and I were returning from Belfast last weekend and got caught in the storm. The wind gusts were over 80 mph and we were literally blown back to London at record speed. Our flight was the last one to leave Belfast City Airport before it closed and the landing in Heathrow was rough and bumpy as the plane fought to get its wheels down on the tarmac. We later read that many planes had to attempt to land at least 3 times and others were diverted to Paris! We were grateful our pilot managed to land on the first time of trying as I do not think my stomach would have survived another loop! Storms and winds! 

This month I have been speaking about how the FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES of our lives are being examined. We have been in a season where God has been evaluating the rootedness of our love for Jesus. The strong testing winds are blowing! All around I see that prophetically there are many shifts, changes and adjustments happening and many of them are not comfortable but they are necessary. God is bringing a new depth and health to the ROOT STRUCTURES of our lives as individuals, but also as churches, communities and organisations. The enemy has been stirring up old bitter wounds hidden in our hearts – exposing financial weaknesses. There has been a revealing of places of unforgiveness. It is disturbing relationships, unsettling workplaces, pressurising marriages and exposing hidden resentments in the church. As we examine our root structures – both personally and together as a community of church and friends – we discover that ultimately where and how we are rooted will determine how we flourish in every other season of our lives. If the ROOTS are rotten – then nothing else grows either!

We may well also discover that what we have considered as a barren time has in fact been a deep preparation time, getting us ready for the most satisfying and fruitful time of our lives!! It is only if we are well rooted in Jesus that we will ever bear great fruit. As we have endured these big storms we have unfortunately seen many impressive trees and organisations fall or waver. Our root systems are being tested in these storms. I believe that there are still some big trees that may yet fall in these times ahead because their root structures are diseased. So, in this time of preparation, let us develop new relationships with true value, honesty and integrity. Let us be those who find the grace to forgive well and stand firm in our love for each other and Jesus. If you want to understand more of what we have been sensing then please do listen to our FRESH BREAD broadcasts shared on the first Sunday of each month on our YouTube and Facebook platforms.

This last month we have had the privilege to host another LEGACY DAY in Oxford with a packed room of hungry people ready to worship, pray and connect. It was so good to see people being touched by God, praying for one another and powerfully praying for the nations. The following week we then hosted the second Roundhouse gathering. This is a group of leaders from creative, business, church leadership and national networks of missions, prayer houses and other spheres who come together to collaborate hearts and minds for Kingdom purpose. We had a fantastic time praying, talking and strategically thinking together about how we can position ourselves for change in the future. Seeing the gifted people that God has in His Kingdom at this time does so much to encourage my soul. God has got a plan and there are some amazing people with a heart to carry Jesus into our communities and spheres of influence. 

January has really been a people intensive and a busy relational time as we connect with many churches and friends here in the UK before we leave for SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand for 8 weeks, both a time of ministry and some holiday. Helen and I have travelled this nation this month. We have been in Oxford, Bath, Fleet, Belfast (Northern Ireland), Watford, Hoddesdon, and ministered at leaders’ days, Sunday church services, Ladies nights and training days. We have also hosted people in the office sharing about leadership partnerships, talked on zoom calls around the nations, connecting with Canada, USA and Australia.  At the same time, we have been catching up with lots of administration as we finalise the working relationship with our new bank, sort accounts, update websites and working practices, file our papers for our Charity/Non-profit status and a hundred other boring but essential tasks! We have been busy!! Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to adjust your bank payments and monthly donations to us at Heartcry. We are so grateful for your love and support. 

Please also remember that my new book HOPE FILLED is now freely available on AMAZON for you to buy!

Now to the next months. Helen will be here in the UK and travelling in Europe and the UK ministering and planning while Gordon and I will be in Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and finally Canada. Gordon and I will be ministering in Malaysia and Australia and then taking some vacation time in Tasmania and the South Island of New Zealand. This will give us an opportunity to finally celebrate our 60th and 70th birthdays and our 40th wedding anniversary postponed in 2020 due to COVID. We have always dreamed of going to New Zealand, and Tasmania is a bonus for me! I have always wanted to visit this unusual place! So this is what the next month looks like:

Ministry Dates February 2024

1-3 Feb DUMC, Malaysia (Rachel & Gordon)
3 Feb New Wine Network Women’s Reset conference, Northwood, London, UK (Helen)
4 Feb Fresh Bread message, Heartcry social media platforms (Rachel)
4-9 Feb YWAM Kristiansand training week, Norway (Helen)
7 Feb YWAM Base Open Meeting, Kristiansand, Norway (Helen)
8 Feb Kvinner I Nettverk evening meeting, Kristiansand, Norway (Helen)
6-11 Feb Perth, Australia (Rachel & Gordon)
10-11 Feb Oasis Church, Perth, Australia (Rachel & Gordon)
13-15 Feb Sydney, Australia (Rachel & Gordon)
17 Feb Hope UC ladies’ and men’s days, Gosford, NSW, Australia (Rachel & Gordon)
22-25 Feb Newcastle, NSW, Australia (Rachel)
25 Feb The Grainery Church, Newcastle, Australia (Rachel)
20-21 Feb South West Youth Ministries training, Devon, UK (Helen)
24 Feb Prayer ministry training part 1, Flame Community Church, Blackheath, UK (Helen)
26-29 Feb Tasmania (Rachel & Gordon)

So thank you for standing with us, praying for the nations and being part of our Heartcry family. May God really bless you and give you stamina and hope as you press in to this year.

All our love and thanks, 
Rachel & Gordon and Helen and the Heartcry team.