September has been a month of travel and preaching. Helen and I left the UK on the 2nd September and were then on the road in USA (Washington State and Idaho) and three  cities in Canada until the 24th! We have driven hundreds of miles, met many great people, shared stories with friends and preached and prayed lots! It has been a wonderful time of connection and strengthening our many partnerships with churches and leaders.

September is also always a wonderful opportunity to kickstart life after a long summer. Life has certainly been full on this month but there were so many moments when we just knew God helped us and blessed us. I personally left the UK on the 2nd a little apprehensive as my energy levels had been very poor after having had shingles in July. I was worried I would not be able to cope with such a demanding schedule. However as I went on my way, God healed me. Rather than my energy depleting it seemed to increase the busier we got! Jesus was so kind. One day when we had a long seven hour drive we researched the route to find a good stop for coffee. We noted this particular coffee shop in Vantage  just off the freeway/motorway and chose this as it was about half way on our journey. When we arrived and ordered our coffee Helen and I were convinced the place was run by Christians. Rather than the usual rough motorway pit stop, this place was beautifully decorated and had such a spirit of excellence about it. Once we had eaten our breakfast and drunk the great coffee we felt we should sign one of my HOPE FILLED books and give it to the girl serving. We did this and when she opened the book and read the inscription she was tearful. She then told us that they had moved from Florida and felt to open this coffee shop as an outreach to people and the community. They had been through a very tough time and wanted to return to Florida. But, after they had prayed, they had felt they should stay and not give up. The words we had written in the book were exactly what God had spoken to them. They were so touched. A real God appointment!

Several times we were just aware of the timing of God positioning us in the right place at the right time. We were in Aberdeen,WA, in Starbucks. We were running late and had changed our minds and decided to grab a coffee. We walked into this Aberdeen Starbucks exactly when a friend from our Wednesday Warriors prayer group in Seattle was walking out. She had been wanting to contact us after our time in Seattle but didn’t have our contact details but she just “happened” to be here in Aberdeen visiting a friend. We literally walked in as she was walking out! We were able to chat and exchange details and will possibly now go to California to connect with her friend’s church there! Also in the midst of an intense schedule we were aware we needed a rest day. We did not know when and how this would work. But then, just as we were travelling to Calgary to get ready for the meetings there, our friend had to delay our arrival to their home by a day as they were still travelling back from a weekend appointment. This gave us a FREE Monday. So we looked at a map and realised that Banff was just 90 minutes away. Helen and I were able to have the most fabulous reset and refresh day just drinking in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies (see photos). It was such a tonic and gave us a boost for the last week of ministry.  

Being in USA and Canada gave us great hope that there are some amazing Kingdom people staking the ground of their nations in the midst of turmoil and confusion. So many pastors described how people are “randomly” coming into their churches, some having had dreams, and all seeking comfort and strength or answers to the chaos around them. There is a new desperation and openness to God which is so encouraging to see.

One of the main messages I have carried during this time is that it is time to stand up and speak out. Our message of life and hope is powerful and we must not be silenced through fear and intimidation by all the other agendas in our culture.  Our communities need Jesus-loving people to stand in the gap on behalf of the many needs in society. I was reminded of this scripture from Ezekiel 20:30 (Ampl): I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for [the sake of] the land, that I would not destroy it, but I found no one [not even one].”  Rather than  be bystanders in this season, we can be “gap standers” who form bridges into our communities and lead people to Jesus. The fields are ripe for harvest!  Do listen to this month’s Fresh Bread message on the first Sunday of October where I share this full message in more detail.

As we go into autumn in the UK and Europe, we are praying for our partners, Charlotte & Johannes, in Moldova as they engage in follow up after two wonderfully fruitful children’s camps this summer.  Now they will begin to turn their attention to the winter aid programme – bringing food and coal to families in the villages to help get them through the harsh winter months.  You can read the latest update on our Moldova Project page here https://heartcryforchange.com/project/october-2024-update/.  In October there will be an opportunity for you to sow into a Harvest Offering for Heartcry’s work in the nations, including in Moldova and Ukraine.  We are so incredibly thankful to God for His faithfulness and harvest time reminds us of the bountiful gifts He lavishes on us.  As a mark of gratitude and celebration of His goodness, we invite you to contribute to this offering if you are able and we believe that God will multiply resources according to His amazing Kingdom economy.  Thank you for being a stakeholder in this adventure of faith.  Please use this link to participate if you would like to www.heartcryforchange.com/support-us.

Gordon’s new book Make God’s Love Go Viral! has been very well received.  While Helen and I have been in USA, Gordon has taken the opportunity to produce the audiobook version too.  This will be available shortly so do look out for updates on our social media.

In October we are mainly back in the UK and will be traveling to Scotland, Wales and several cities in England. Here is an overview of our ministry schedule with links to the various church websites so that you can join us for any of the public meetings if you live nearby.

Ministry Dates October 2024

1-2 Oct Europe Shall Be Saved meetings, Stuttgart, Germany (Helen)
4-6 Oct Easterhouse Community Church women’s conference and Sunday service, Glasgow, Scotland (Rachel & Helen)
6 Oct Fresh Bread message, Heartcry social platforms (Rachel)
12 Oct Helen’s birthday 🙂
13 Oct Elim Church Brecon, Wales (Rachel)
15 Oct Training evening, Hillsong Oxford, UK (Helen)
17-20 Oct Momentum & The Big Push Prayer events hosted by Community Watchmen Ministries, Liverpool, UK (Rachel & Helen)
23-24 Oct Heartcry Roundhouse leaders’ gathering, Oxford, UK
27 Oct Hillsong Oxford, UK (Rachel)

Thank you for praying for us and encouraging us with your emails and support.  
Every blessing and hugs, Rachel & Gordon with Helen.