Anne Witton on mission

I hope you all had a good summer and are enjoying the driest September for 50 years!

While my colleagues have been busy with Freshers' Week activities, I am continuing to grow my team of ministry partners. My financial support is gradually increasing and God has now provided 65% of the monthly total I need to start working full-time with students. In the meantime, I've been supporting my colleagues behind the scenes and really enjoy doing prayer walks round the universities. Obviously, I'm itching to get stuck into my new role, but I know I need to be patient! I'll be on campus when the time is right and it's been amazing to see the faithful ways that God provides. My prayer is that he will bless all those who are giving to and supporting my ministry. If you'd like to contribute you can give online here. I do pray regularly for you, so please let me know how you're doing and what I can pray for.

At the start of this month, I had my New Staff Induction down in Birmingham. It was brilliant to get to know the other new staff better, gain a better understanding of the worldwide mission of Agapé and be inspired by all those who have faithfully devoted themselves to sharing the gospel.

In the last month or so, I've had two family weddings which have been a great chance to catch up with relatives and friends, have a bit of a dance and get dressed up (two frocks in a month - that must be a record for me!)

         
Abby and the ginger brigade (me, my sister Ruth and niece Hazel) at a recent wedding.

Last week, my housemate Abby had major surgery so I've been transformed into Florence Nightingale and am doing my best to look after her. She's going to be off work for 6 weeks and will need a lot of support so I'm going to have to improve my domestic skills somewhat.

We've got a date for completion on our new house - 10th Oct (a week on Fri!). I'm very excited about being back in Heaton and being able to use our new house for ministry, but there's a lot to do. I'm just trying to take each day at a time in God's strength.

I have been really blessed by many encouraging texts and emails during this tricky time. It's a real morale boost knowing that there are so many people who care and are praying. Thank you!

I'd love prayer for the following -

• Thank God that Abby's surgery went well and please pray for her as she embarks on the long road to recovery.
• Please pray that the house purchase, building work, move and tenancy on the old house will all go smoothly.
• Pray for Student Life staff and student leaders at Northumbria and Newcastle. Please pray for our Hub events on Thursday nights where non-Christians can be loved and accepted, enjoy free food and explore spiritual issues in a safe environment. See the Student Life website for more info.
• Please pray that I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, that I will tackle everything in his strength rather than my own, and that I will fully trust that he is in total control.