Olá!

It's been an exciting few weeks in the build up to leaving for Brazil, up until now there have been lots of hurdles and uncertainties still to overcome. But after a recent trip to London to get my visa which was quickly followed by an email from Latin Link confirming they had booked my flights all I have to do now is pack and go. So in roughly 6 weeks on the 25th September me and my family will be travelling to Heathrow Airport to see me off!

Aside from travelling to London and sorting out the mountain of paperwork required for my visa I have been busy making the most of my time at home and taking the opportunity to see friends, spend time with family and help out at church.

Although I was initially apprehensive about having so little to do over the summer it has turned out (much to my surprise) to be a really beneficial time where I have been able to rest ahead of what will soon be a busy few weeks and months. I will shortly be going to two Christian conferences, first Momentum with Redcliffe people and then ONE Event with my church.

Immediately after this is my Latin Link orientation at allnations (a Christian missions college similar to Redcliffe) in Hertfordshire. Here I will get to meet fellow Latin Link'ers and get to grips with all I need to know ahead of the big move to Brazil. I am really looking forward to it and it will be good to spend time with some other mission minded South America-lovers.

As you might expect after this will be the inevitable goodbyes and farewells. Included in this I will be having a commissioning service (leaving service) at my second home, North Street Church here in Taunton to which you are all invited (details to follow separately).

On the subject of leaving a number of people have recently asked me "does it feel real yet?" Given I don't know how I am meant to feel it's a hard question to answer. This has been a long process so has been gradually feeling more and more real over time.

One thing however that definitely feels real is how tangibly faithful God has been throughout this journey. This was reinforced recently when someone at Church asked, "have you ever considered what it would be like if God were not faithful?" This really struck a chord with me because it made me realise and appreciate that if God were not faithful none of this would be possible.

I could try and do it on my own but I would almost certainly still be there at the first step, staring at my phone, trying to make that all important first call about simply enquiring. It is God's faithfulness that has got me this far and as I was running around London half an hour late for my visa appointment it was clear that God was with me then as I just sailed through without the people at the embassy even batting an eyelid at the fact I was late.

As I have looked back on this journey the song 'Never Once'by worship leader Matt Redman has really encouraged me and reminded me that throughout the good times and the hard times, be it on the mountaintop or the battleground that God has been, and always will be, faithful. The lyrics speak for themselves, here they are.

Thank you.

Standing on this mountaintop, looking just how far we've come, knowing that for every step, You were with us

Kneeling on this mountain top, seeing just how much You've done, knowing every victory, is Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way, but with joy our hearts can say, yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone, never once did You leave us on our own, You are faithful, God, You are faithful

----------------------------------------------------

Thank God for:

• The amazing support from both my Church and individuals.
• The opportunity to be spiritually refuelled and refreshed at Momentum and ONE Event.
• The blessing my time at home has been.
• The hard work put in so far by everyone at Latin Link for my flights and visa.

Pray for:

• Perseverance to learn Portuguese.
• A good few last weeks here in Taunton and elsewhere.
• My family and friends as they come to terms with me leaving.
• For the remainder of my finances to come through on time.
• Good endings and goodbyes.