KBCTC 08/09

So I'm coming to the end of my year at King's Bible College & I can't quite believe it. I wanted  to write, for your sake, about the people in my year; their journeys, quirks, personalities, etc. It turns out that in doing it I've benefitted hugely & think I've enjoyed writing it more than you'll enjoy reading it. Well, maybe that's the beauty of blogging?

Hannah - I'm so grateful for the privilege of living with this little lady. She's a servant in many ways, always lends an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. Someone who is full of truth & constantly considers others better than herself, God's got huge plans for her.

Louise - Her life is a complete expression of God's beauty. A woman whose sensitivity is held in perfect balance with strength & courage. She has an approachability that isn't often be found in people. I LOVE watching her allow God to change her. She has a gorgeous laugh.

Rachel - I love just being in Rachel's company. Without her even realising it, she's a teacher & I've learnt so much from her already. She's incredibly insightful, constantly causes me to re-evaluate & reconsider how I view something which I value so much. Rachel has the most beautiful & reassuring smile.

Helen - I love this lady! I feel so honoured to witness the journey she's been on. Warmth & joy emanates from her. She's very strong & steady but in no way hard or tough (unless you fight her!) She's an absolute delight to me & others constantly. She makes an impact on people she meets, always leaving them better off when she first met them.

Sarah F - She talks, people listen. Words fail me right now to describe her. God's teaching her so much & I'm learning just from watching it. She's a straight talker who speaks God's wisdom into situations without her realising she's even doing it. There's an accessibility & inclusivity about her which is going to be used SO powerfully. Oh, & her husband is going to be an amazing man. 

Meg - I was drawn to Meg from day one. She has such a big heart & speaks her mind without offending. Extremely gifted but also very humble. I love being a part of the journey that she's on. She's got the best intentions in every situation, constantly wanting to be a better person & reflect Christ. People love to be around her & her absence is noticeable when she's not around. She gives & demands honesty in all situations.

Zoe - I really, really appreciate Zoe. I hope she knows just how much I respect her. She exudes goodness, there is such a strength & solidarity about her which I wholeheartedly admire. A very humble lady, full of peace which impacts me whenever we're together. 

Lifi - Absolutely amazing woman. Lifi is perhaps one of the most genuine & authentic people I know. A gifted communicator & very engaging, I always feel understood whenever we talk. Ambitious & driven. She has a such an awesome laugh & it's a privilege to know her. I really value the time I get to spend with her.

Sarah W - Lovely, lovely, lovely. Someone who's been blessed with a heart for people. An inspiration to me in the way that she has committed herself to this year. Joyful, positive & an encourager for people. A woman who doesn't need words to communicate God's love to people.

Stef - I absolutely love Stef. She's unassuming & unpretending. Everyone who is in her company is immediately at ease. She's a calming presence & a committed friend. I notice when she's not around & miss her when I haven't had any time with her in a while. There's a dependability & reliability which she has brought to the community & which she offers to her friends.

Paula - Her life has been very different to all the people in the year yet everyone connects with her in an instant. Paula is a rock. As a relatively new Christian, she's got a teachable heart which I desire for myself. Now she's in Christ, she's a force to be reckoned with.

Dani - There's no sacred/secular divide for Dani. You cannot stop her from running into the presence of God. Wherever she is she'll seek God with all her heart & find him. A distributor of mercy & compassion, she's a worshipper through & through.

Beverly - An encourager who has undergone one of the largest transformations this year. She's developed a depth & understanding which is serving her well already. Secure & proud of her identity, both spiritual (as a child of God) and physical (as a Ghanaian). She prays fierce prayers & inspired me to be more vocal in lectures.

Hannah E - Ah, my North Africa team leader! Hannah has an inner strength which I'm constantly drawn to & has helped me numerous times. She's a teacher but doesn't confine that gift to a classroom of children. She has the ability to take something which is otherwise daunting or complex & make it accessible to people. I admire Hannah in many, many ways. 

Jenny - You will always find Jenny serving within some capacity. This year has been a year of her trading ashes in for beauty, something which I feel honoured to have observed. She's someone who defies logic in the sense that, after all she's been through, one would not expect to be as loving, as caring and as joyful (!) as she is. God's going to use that to advance His kingdom. She worships God in every season.

Melody - I can never have too much of Melody's company. Lives in the fullness of God's love for her & she's a living testimony to the transformational power of Christ. A new creation with a contagious joy. She will succeed in everything she puts her hand to. 

Mike G - An old friend with an admirable ability to start a conversation with just about anybody. Very sharp & bright young man with an eagerness to do what God desires. He's matured incredibly over the past year but definitely hasn't lost his cheekiness. I look forward to what God's got in store for him.

Jon M - Have loved getting to know Jon over the year. An intelligent man who's very insightful & often considers things that other people overlook. He shone particularly during our time in North Africa where he immersed himself into the culture & really loved the people. He's also hilarious.

Mike H - Mike's been a pillar of the community. As a great conversationalist, he has the ability to sift through what people say; keeping what's worth keeping & getting rid of the rest. A support for many people within the year & loyal as a dog. 

Ben - My brother from another mother who somehow manages to get me out of whatever mood I'm in. A trustworthy, faithful friend who is just full to the brim of good intentions. Ben is someone who wrestles with God meaning he's characterised by integrity. As someone who loves to laugh & make people laugh, he will redeem people's view of Christians. 

Jon K - A cheeky, Godly leader who has more influence than he realises, particularly among young guys. Jon is bold & courageous with a strong desire to do what's right. Over the year, he has developed a new depth which, now coupled with his strong personality, is going to draw people to him & closer to God.

David - David has a great balance of warmth & sensitivity with power & strength. I've got a lot of time for him & consider him someone with great amounts of potential. His ability to tell stories to just about anyone he meets (& make it enjoyable) is something God's deliberately put in him for His glory.

Matty - Our only Northern guy who's a gifted worship leader & just loves Jesus & who's admirably unconcerned by what other people think. He's hilariously funny & knows it. Wins favour with everybody he meets. Another one who I look forward to what God's got in store for them.

Joe E - Absolute living legend. A great leader who imparts faith & supportive follower who facilitates opportunities for others. He has been consistent & dependable from day one, another pillar within the community. Never misses an opportunity to grow & learn something new.

Jon L - The father figure of the year group & a great one at that. A very funny man who has many, many intelligent points/questions. Sees the good in every situation which causes others to do the same. Has weathered many storms & has many stories of God's faithfulness. 

Simon Cox - A man of great physical strength but with an acute spiritual sensitivity. Constantly open to God changing & moulding him how He wants. Leads people whilst not forgetting the individual. Takes a keen interest in other people & their welfare. I look forward to seeing where God takes him & his wife.

Man, I'm going to miss them.