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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 5/8/2008
One of the major grocery stores here in England is a chain called Sainsbury's. Sainsbury's has some great food, but more importantly, it tries to do what it cans to make a difference in the communities it is in.
In Blackley, where St. Andrew's church is, there is a Sainsbury's nearby. Each year, they have a charity that they raise money for. Just recently, St. Andrew's youth work was named Sainsbury's charity of the year! This means that St. Andrew's will be given a good amount of money over the next year to continue the great youth work that is done there.
This past Saturday, some of us from St. Andrew's were able to go to Sainsbury's in an attempt to raise money. We were able to take part in an activity that we can't do in the States. Here in England, at grocery stores, there isn't a bagger like there is in the States. Usually, the shopper bags their own goods. Sometimes the worker at the till counter will help, but not always. Sainsbury's allows groups from charities to come in and offer their help packing bags for customers. At the end of each counter, there is a bucket for funds to be given. It's a great way to raise money and to chat with people as they are coming through with their groceries. I had a great time doing it. Some people were very intrigued when they found out I was an American and I was able to share with them about St. Andrew's youth work (which we were raising money for) and invite them to come along on a Sunday. It was fantastic!
After our two hours of helping out, I was encouraged as I sat with a few members of St. Andrew's for lunch as we talked about the different things God is doing in Blackley and the things we would like to see happen. It was very encouraging and exciting!
Altogether with about 15 of us helping pack bags for two hours, 315 pounds were raised for St. Andrew's youth work. Plus, Sainsbury's also gave two hundred. So altogether, 515 pounds were raised! That is over $1000! How exciting!
Please be praying for St. Andrew's and their presence and message in their community. Also, please be praying that the youth work at the church would continue to impact lives and make disciples!
Take care and God Bless
Drew
If you want to check out Sainsbury's web page, copy and paste this into your tool bar.
http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/home.htm
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 4/27/2008
This past week I was able to have a great opportunity to take a few days off and travel to Budapest, Hungary! This was my first time on continental Europe and I loved it!
While the sights, the weather, the history, and the natural thermal baths were all great, the best part of the trip was the time I was able to spend with Andrea, Chad, and Christine. I have spent 17 out of the last 20 months living and working alongside these three. We all started out as participants of the FYM program and all joined staff this year. We've made some great memories and I will forever cherish the nearly two years I've had with them.
Last Autumn, we talked about the four of us taking a trip somewhere. Finally, we made it happen. Budapest was the cheapest available option (we like cheap!) so we took it. It was fantastic! Here are some pictures...
Chad and I along the River Danube
Christine (left) and Andrea (right)
Budapest- West (Left) of the river is Buda- the older part of town. On the right, Pest.
Parliament- I've tried to think of my favourite structure in the world, and I can't think of one that I like better than this one. Unfortunately, there is some scaffolding on the right side, but hey, it happens.
A street on the Pest side
Now, on a more serious note, please be praying for the next three weeks. The participants (Josh Jacobs, Katie, and Hilary) and Chad are all leaving on either May 15 or 16th. They all have two weeks of ministry left in which it is vital to end well and finish strong. Please be praying that they do! And also, please be praying for those of us that are staying through the summer (Andrea, Christine, Josh and Shannon Edwards, myself) as we continue at our various ministries.
I cannot tell you enough that God is impacting lives and hearts are being changed. Please keep praying! You are making a difference!
Blessings!
Drew
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 4/12/2008
Every Wednesday and Thursday night from 6-9 some of our team volunteer at The Albert Park Youth Clubs. Albert Park is a park a few minutes from our house. There is a football pitch (soccer field) there that was recently re-done and greatly improved. The building we use for the club also holds the changing rooms for the pitch.
Over the last couple of years, Dave Fraser, the director of the club, has done a lot to improve it and make it something that the young people of Broughton would be proud of and interested in. At the club, the most used pieces of equipment are some table top games, table tennis, and a pool table. A few months ago, Dave was able to get a 100,000 pound (a little more than $200,000) grant for work on the youth club. Since the grant was given, the club has undergone many changes and it looks great! This past week and this week coming, the club is closed for final renovations and additions.
I am very excited about everything that has taken place. The building now has a full working kitchen, a new pool table, a new table tennis table, a new foosball table, a recording studio for young people to create and record music, an IT room with laptops that will be used for an after school club, and more lighting and cameras for better safety and security. I look forward to seeing the young people's reactions when they see the nice, new equipment.
Please be praying for the work at the club and all the great things that are happening there! Lives are being changed!
All the pictures below are taken by Chad, one of my teammates.
Drew
The newly renovated kitchen
This artwork is in the front room and was partially done by some of the young people from the club
The front room and main entrance
The new computers (there are 7 more) that will be used for study and internet purposes
The new pool table!
 
The club from the outside
The football pitch
Dave Fraser and I
 
God bless!
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 4/1/2008
Hey All!
This past week, we were able to take the week off. It was a much needed time of rest and it's certainly re-energized me for the continuation of ministry here. Many from our group had visitors and spent time traveling around different parts of the UK and Europe. I stayed home most of the week, which was wonderful, relaxing and refreshing!
I did have the opportunity to attend a Rugby match! I'd never been, so I was excited about the chance to go. I asked a friend of ours from the St. Clement's (a church we work with in Broughton) if he'd like to go with me (as I had been given two free tickets). He used to play rugby for the Salford City Reds, which was the very team we were going to see! So he was enthusiastic about going. We went out to lunch before the 3 o'clock start and the game started! I felt like an alien from another planet while watching it, but as the game progressed, I felt as though I had a good understanding of the rules and play. It was a fun experience and I am very glad I was able to go! The Reds played a good game and won 42-12.
Also, on Thursday, I headed down to a little college town called Oxford. Perhaps the name rings a bell! It was a gorgeous day and I absolutely loved my time there. Oxford is full of history and great architecture. Many of the buildings of the University and churches throughout the town were beautiful! Also, there were loads of bookstores, many of which were second-hand stores. I've enjoyed reading and writing for a while now, but I've never wanted to read and write so much as I did while I was there! I also was able to see the entry to a castle (it cost 7 pounds [$15] so I didn't go in-oh well), walk around campus a bit, eat a Krispy Kreme donut (!!), and just enjoy being in such a historic place where so many great minds have studied and lived.
To top it all off, I was able to eat at the Eagle and Child Pub for dinner (Pubs here are more like restaurants, rather than a bar in the States). C.S. Lewis (famous author- most well known for the Narnia Chronicles and Mere Christianity) and J.R.R. Tolkien (most known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and other authors (known as the Inklings) regularly and often went to the Eagle and Child pub to read and discuss through their most recent writings. C.S. Lewis is one of my favourite authors and I was elated to be able to eat at the pub he and his fellow Inklings frequently visited. Overall, it was a fantastic day and Oxford is close to the top of my list of favourite places I've visited here in the UK.
The week off was certainly refreshing. The break was a great time to refocus and makes changes that I needed to make in my life. On a personal level, I'm doing better spiritually than I have in a while, and that of course directly improves ministry I'm partaking in. So, indeed, God used the time off for His glory!
I hope you are doing well! Enjoy the pictures!
God bless!
Drew
The Reds preparing to score
They did! Here the player in the red on the ground is making a "touch" which gives his team 3 points- they equivalent of a touchdown in American football.
Part of the campus of Oxford University
Outside the Eagle and Child
Eagle and Child again- Referred by the Inklings as "The Bird and the Baby"
A church in the distance in Oxford
One of the streets
Take Care!
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 3/24/2008
Well, I'm a few hours late, but happy Easter to everyone! How great that we serve a God that conquered even death itself!
This past week, Holy Week, has been an excellent week of ministry. During the first portion of the week, things were as they normally are with the youth clubs, lunch clubs, etc. The later portion of the week was a bit unique. On Friday, there were different Good Friday services in both Broughton and Blackley. While some members of our team sang at the service in Broughton, I went up to Blackley for a very full day of activities.
First, there was a service of reflection which emphasized the wounds of Jesus. Articles were read about the different wounds of Jesus and we had a lot of time of meditation through music or silence. It was a very powerful service for everyone there. Towards the end, five of us performed a drama to music. Essentially in the drama, a girl looks for love with two different men, all the while Jesus is declaring his love for her. Finally, once her heart has been ripped and crumbled (we had paper hearts), she gives the pieces to Jesus and He gives her a new heart. The comments afterward were very encouraging. Many said it was very simple, yet incredibly moving.
Shortly thereafter, we went to a service that was held outside with a few different churches. Again, we performed the same drama and had good reactions!
By this time, it was around 1 in the afternoon. We had a great lunch of fish and chips (delectable!), and prepared for a children's event that took place in the afternoon. We saw 26 kids come through the doors for the two hour service. It was fantastic. Many of them are involved in children's programs during the week that St. Andrew's puts on, but a few were new as well. During this, we sang songs, did some crafts, played some games, and watched the ending of The Miracle Maker, a movie geared for children about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Finally, for the last event of the day, a few of us started collecting wood from the cemetery of St. Andrew's and built a large bonfire for St. Andrew's youth group. The bonfire was great! We had pizzas, hot chocolate, smores, and some time of reflection and worship regarding the death of Christ.
All in all, it was a long day, but absolutely fulfilling and worth every ounce of energy!
And of course, yesterday was Easter, where we had a communion service of celebration proclaiming the resurrection of Christ. It was a great service and many people came and were told of Jesus' victory over death.
Now for this week, we are taking the week off. Many of our team members are off traveling around the UK and other parts of Europe. Many also have visitors from home here to see them and travel with them. I will be getting down to Oxford one day, but other than that, I'm not doing too much... which I am more than okay with! I'll spend most of the week reading and relaxing.
I hope you're all doing well and I hope that you had a great Easter weekend! God bless all of you!
-Drew-
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 3/16/2008
Hello!
This past week, I had the opportunity to go to a night of prayer for the city of Manchester and the whole of the UK. It was held at the Manchester Cathedral and there were hundreds gathered together for the evening. It was a great night of worship and prayer!
One thing that was announced was a program during Holy Week (which, of course, just started today with Palm Sunday) that will playing on the BBC here in Britain. Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings of this week, there will be a program simply called Passion. It is about the last week of Jesus' life. I'm very excited about it.
While we don't have a TV in our house, it's likely people I know will be watching it or seeing parts of it. What a great opportunity this is to share what Christ did for us! Many, I'm sure, across the country will be viewing, pondering, and asking questions. Please pray that God would use this program in a mighty way throughout all of the UK, but especially in Manchester.
Also, that night we sang a song that has been on my mind since. Here are the words of it:
Can a nation be changed?
Can a nation be saved?
Can a nation be turned back to You?
We're on our knees
We're on our knees again
Let this nation be changed
Let this nation be saved
Let this nation be turned back to You
I really do believe that this nation can be saved and I trust that this week's showing of the Passion will play a part in that. It's good to sometimes take a step back and get a picture of what God is doing in more than just my local area of ministry. At the same time though, a revival begins one heart at a time. And for the hearts of those I know and love here in Broughton and Blackley, I am praying. Please join me in prayer for them!
In Him
Drew
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 2/27/2008
Hey friends!
Well, as you may have heard, last night (around 1 AM local time) an earthquake hit in a large area of England. If you haven't, you can read about it. Copy and paste this into your toolbar...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7266136.stm
No fatalities were reported, but some damage was done close to the epicentre. I was in bed and had recently fallen asleep when it happened, but woke up as a result of it. I heard some noise and my bed was shaking which, in my groggy state, I thought was just weird. It was over after about ten seconds, so I quickly went back to sleep. I've never been through a noticeable earthquake before last night. Maybe next time, I won't be sleepy, so I'll know what's happening!
One of my favourite parts of the week during the season of Lent is the Lent Group that meets at St. James church. Every Monday during Lent, a group from St. James meets for discussion concerning a certain topic. This year, we are working through the Lord's Prayer. Each meeting, after grabbing a cup of tea and probably a few biscuits, we all sit down around a table and discuss answers to questions about a line in the Lord's Prayer. It's been great joining in with believers and exploring all the ways in which those lines effect us and the people around us today. I've been very encouraged by the wisdom of some who have been Christians far longer than me.
Today, in our lunch club at a local primary school, we talked about the significance of the Bible. We told them why we thought it was important and we had them look up the memory verse for this week. It was a great meeting!
Please be in prayer for all the ministry here. Your prayers are what are going to make a difference.
Hope all is well with you, wherever you may be! God bless
~Drew
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 2/3/2008
As I'm looking over my day planner from the last week, three events really stick out to me and made it a great week!
First, on Tuesday, I was given the opportunity to be at a high school Bible Study (6th-10th grades) in Blackley. This is something that I will be continuing on a weekly basis. There are four lads who are consistently there each week and the three I met (this was one week when one of them wasn't there) are fantastic! This is exciting for me because for a long time, I've longed to have younger guys here who I could befriend and mentor a bit. So this will provide such an opportunity! Currently, we are working through the book of James. Good stuff! Please be in prayer for these young men and for Ian and I as we lead this study.
On Friday (our day off), a few of us went to a place on the coast called West Kirby. Right off the coast, there are two islands that are accessible during low tide. So Ian, Chad, Katie and I all walked out to the islands when the tide was low. It was a lot of fun, however, we were walking against extremely high winds. We estimated that they were 20-30 mph. Below are some pictures.
Then, on Saturday, I made the trip by train and bus to Glasgow, Scotland. To start off my journey, I had to leave for the train station in Manchester at 4:15 AM. When I woke up, it was snowing! Snow is rare in wet and rainy Manchester, so it was nice to see! The whole purpose of my trip to Glasgow was to visit a Bible College that I'm interested in. International Christian College was having an Open Day for anyone interested to learn more about it, so I checked it out. And I must say, I loved it! It looks like a brilliant school. I was able to meet some good people and had some great times of "Taster Lectures" and worship that were very encouraging to me. As the day was coming to a close, God gave me a deep level of peace about my future. And though I don't know my plans at the moment, God has everything in His hands and in His time, it will become clear to me. Easier said than lived out, but He's working on me! After the day was over, I headed back to Manchester and was thankfully able to catch up on some reading!
Overall, this week has been great. The last two days have especially been good. While physically tiring, they have been emotionally and spiritually refreshing! Thank God that He knows when we need a bit of a change of pace and refreshment.
I hope you're doing well! Feel free to get in touch with me. I'd love to hear from you!
In Christ,
Drew
The Islands that we walked out to. This view was from the coast.
Once we got to the Islands, I took this picture. The furthermost land is the coast. I was trying to be really artistic by taking a picture that had landscape at three different distances. What do you think? Artistic or no?
Snow falling outside our house at 4:15 AM at the beginning of my trek to Glasgow.
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 1/16/2008
Well, hello there! I apologize for such a break between posts. Many of you know, I returned to the States in mid December to be home for Christmas and New Years. It was a wonderful break and I am so thankful to God for such a great family and such wonderful friends that I was able to spend time with over break.
But now I'm back and ready to go!
I came back about a week ago and spent time catching up on school (I'm taking an Old Testament Survey course), reconnected with some of the folks here, and getting over jet lag, which is way harder than it seems it should be.
Right now, I wanted to share with you something I came across the other night. At SEVEN, the young adults group that meets once a month in Manchester, we were given a sheet titled "Twelve Signs of the Resurrection." There are surely more than just the twelve on this list, but this covers a lot. Here it is
Hearing where there was inattentiveness Belief where there was unbeliefMirth where there was mockeryAcceptance where there was rejectionMagnanimity where there was vindictiveness Synergy where there was obstruction Compassion where there was indifferenceConfidence where there was insecurityGenerosity where there was avarice Passion where there was lethargyHope where their was despairCommunity where there was dissociation
Our goal in England is to advance the Kingdom and to live out all of these things that the Resurrection brings. I thank God that the sacrifice and resurrection of His Son accomplished so much and affects not only our eternal lives, but our lives here and now! May we all strive to live in such a way to bring about all of these wonderful, Godly truths!
In Him,
Drew
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Posted in General Articles
by Drew Van Tiem
on 12/4/2007
Greetings! I hope you are excited and enjoying the preparations for Christmas and New Years! I am very excited about Christmas and have already finished all of my shopping!
One of my favourite things about Manchester is all the fairs and festivals that take place throughout the year.
The biggest and best of all of them is the Christmas Fair. Throughout the City Centre (downtown), there are five locations with loads of booths set up. The booths primarily have gifts, souvenirs, food from different parts of the world, etc. It is a load of fun to walk around, try some bratwursts, look at everything, and just enjoy the atmosphere of it all.
Last Saturday, which was supposed to be the busiest day in Manchester for the Christmas Season, I went around the Fairs and had a great time! Here are some pictures from my day out
This is the fair in St. Ann's Square... as you can see, it was very busy!
Inside the Arndale Center, which is a large Shopping Centre here in Manchester
The Fair in Lincoln Square... Above the roof of the nearest booth, you can see the statue of the great American President
Again, I hope you are enjoying your preparations for Christmas.
Please be praying for us as we finish up our ministry this week and head into Debrief next week. After debrief, we will be coming home for Christmas. I'm very excited to see many of you! God bless!
Drew
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