End of Summer Placement

Today (it still feels like Wednesday) was the last official day of our summer placement at Bexleyheath. Tomorrow sees the official first day of term for the second year cadets. Much to reflect on about the summer, positive and negative, but I guess my abiding memory will be of our final Sunday meeting on 24th September. Lynley was about to lead a testimony time when an elderly lady at the front was taken very ill. Fortunately for her there were three nurses in the congregation who administered CPR whilst an ambulance was called. We later discovered she had stopped breathing. Despite that, after about twenty-five minutes she was able to get up and was helped out of the hall, during which time we had managed to keep some music going, offered some prayer and worked out what changes to make to the meeting plan. I was able to chat with her and share a joke with her before she went in the ambulance to the hospital.

Coping with the unexpected just goes with the territory, I guess, but the Lord really helped us through the meeting and guided our attempts to keep the meeting together in some form whilst the lady was treated, and then pick it up again once it was appropriate to do so.

I am struck more and more by the privilege that is ours to lead worship, and we've had some moments over the summer when God has been very near. So we move on from Bexleyheath with thanks to God for all He has done for us, through us and with us; and with thanks to the people of Bexleyheath who have been so supportive and encouraging.