Anamed Workshop at Crossroads pt 2

A snapshot of some plants found near Crossroads that are really useful:

1. Lemon Tree: The leaves are good for tea. Drinking lemon juice every morning keeps the body healthy. Drinking lemon grass tea is great for headaches, colds, sore throat, blood pressure, diabetes and so on….
2. Mango Tree: The leaves are good for strengthening the immune system
3. Pawpaw Tree: The fruits are good as they contain vitamins which help keep infection away. The seeds are great for deworming and so is the white sap
4. Aloe Vera is great for the skin and helps wounds heal
5. Artemisia Annua is excellent for malaria, bilharzia, stomach problems and so on
6. Moringa Olefera has vitamins, proteins and mineral salts. It is an excellent immune booster
7. Garlic: a natural antibiotic
8. Chilli: Not only great for culinary purposes but in making ointment for rheumatism


Specific dosages are recommended when using natural medicine for medicinal purposes. It’s great knowing that God has given the fruit for food and the leaves for medicine and everything He made is GOOD.

By Molly Manhanga

"Everything"

I first heard this song in Christian Community Church, West London, and thought it was beautiful and so relevant......

"Everything

God in my living, there in my breathing
God in my waking, God in my sleeping
God in my resting, there in my working
God in my thinking, God in my speaking

CHORUS
Be my everything, be my everything
Be my everything, be my everything

God in my hoping, there in my dreaming
God in my watching, God in my waiting
God in my laughing, there in my weeping
God in my hurting, God in my healing

Bridge
Christ in me, Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything
Christ in me Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything"

Thought for the day....

2 Timothy 2:15 -17a

"Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth.
But shun profane and idle babblings,
for they will increase in more ungodliness.
And their message will spread like cancer."

Reflecting on Together On A Mission

I am now back in Zimbabwe, in rural Kezi and back at work. I’ve had time to digest and reflect on what impacted me the most. Seeing friends again is always a joy; visiting different churches as well as making new friends, a delight; the touristy thing is wonderful but it’s the truths from the word of God and quotable quotes that continue to shape and impact my life. A few examples are:
1. Stop being regularly surprised we’re in conflict. Battles are inevitable. We are invading nations and cultures. We will have backlash. Hostility will be more harsh. Don’t be shocked.
2. “Be still and know that I am God.”
3. “God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.”
4. The Church is the answer for the Nations
5. Put on Truths and think differently. Let EVERYTHING be shaped by the gospel.
6. Understand the times we are in, the nature of the challenge.
7. See the end from the beginning and you’ll be able to weather whatever comes your way in-between. Know where you are going.
8. The heart of God is always to bring transformation.
9. Speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak
10. Stand Firm. We have a call, a preparation and a commissioning. How hard am I prepared to work?
11. “The worst thing they can say about you is little in comparison to Truth.”
12. Have courage against all odds and have confidence in Jesus!

Encouraging!

By Molly Manhanga

One on one with Nigel Lurrie

Nigel Lurrie

Stephen and I had a wonderful time with Pastor Nigel Lurrie and his family in Hounslow as well as a lunch with Pastor Mark Macklin from Christian Community Church. Nigel was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and did all his schooling in Zimbabwe. He met his wife Caron whilst in Zimbabwe and they have two children: Joubert and Joi. Nigel was the worship and choir director at Living Waters Fellowship in Harare for 4 years. He is now based at Christian Community Church in West London.

M.M: What are you involved with at the moment?N.L: I am one of the elders in the church as well as one of the pastors. I oversee the music and training in the church. We also started up a Bible School for the church only and I have 2 classes on Tuesday evenings. I preach too and I’m involved in the day to day stuff in the office and the office team.


M.M: Busy man! You’ve been studying for a bit. What course are you doing?N.L: MA in Applied Theology.


M.M: How would you describe your family life?N.L: Challenging but rewarding and satisfying.


M.M: How do you juggle family life with studies?N.L: I have set times to use for studies i.e. early morning and late at night. I don’t study between 6am and 10pm because it’s my time with my wife Caron and my children.


M.M: Great! What have been the highlights of your ministry so far?N.L: The best is yet to come. There are quite a few things that I have enjoyed but I wouldn’t call it a highlight.


M.M: Any challenges you’d like to share?N.L: I have certain standards and I’d like to see them done. I find it a challenge trying to motivate people to go beyond where they are – to go further – to push the boundaries. People can do so much more and it’s the little details that matter.


M.M: What do you do to relax?N.L: Truth is, I don’t relax enough and I don’t do as much sport as I’d like to!


M.M: What is your favourite quote?N.L: John Maxwell “Leadership is always the problem and leadership is always the solution”


M.M: Who is your favourite Bible character?N.L: David – he dealt with challenges prior to being King and after his Kingship and Abraham because of what he represents.


M.M: Who has influenced you recently?N.L: Several books: “Leadership Challenge” by Kouzes and Posner, “The Servant Leader” by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges, “The Prodigal God” by Tim Keller, “The Monkey and the Fish – Liquid leadership for a third important culture church” by Dave Gibbons


M.M: It’s been great chatting to you Nigel. We look forward to your trip to Zimbabwe. Be blessed!

By Molly Manhanga

Anamed Workshop at Crossroads pt 1

Dr Keith Lindsey at Crossroads

The Anamed workshop was attended by at least 60 people. It started with a devotional led by Nelson Moyo from Malawi. Some things he mentioned is that God is our provider, full of love and knows everything. He shared a few scriptures:

Genesis 1:29 “And God said, ‘See I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.’”

Ezekiel 47:12 “Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

The fruit and leaves of the trees are given to us by God for food and medicine.

The purpose of the workshop was to inspire people in Kezi with Natural Medicine and learn about Artemisia Annua, Aloe Vera, Lemon Grass, Moringa Olefera, Pawpaw and Grain Amaranth. They learnt their uses and how to apply them to various ailments.

Dr Keith Lindsey with the Home Based Care Team

What is Natural Medicine?
Natural medicine is a combination of traditional and conventional medicine. It’s safe, well researched, gives proper dosages and applies medicine to the right disease. The advantages are that Natural medicine is free and available to everyone and people can grow it for themselves.

Identifying medicinal trees and their uses

Read more on some of the uses of the different herbs ……..

By Molly Manhanga

Foundations for Family Conference

Nicholas Ncube

Nicholas and his wife Nosimilo Ncube attended the Foundations for Family conference. We’ve been placing much emphasis on Family values at Crossroads; these being Everyone in Family, Committed Couples, Valued Children, Sexual Purity and Christ Centeredness. The conference was held in Harare where 20 couples from 10 Newfrontiers rural churches attended. The training was on Pastoral Counselling.

Nicholas and Nosimilo enjoyed the training as they were encouraged to help people solve their problems and not to judge. They learnt about empathy and exploring the problem so that the individual can solve it on their own. They also learnt about Child grief and telling the child the truth especially when a death has occurred. There was a session about discrimination amongst children: those with parents and those without i.e. orphans. This is a reality faced in many rural homes.

The conference on the whole was great and we look forward to the next one on 13th September.

By Molly Manhanga

Catch up and connecting at Crossroads

Crossroads service

The services at Crossroads have been going really well. Folk attended as usual and enjoyed the presence of God.

It’s great being back amongst the people. The vibrancy and life during praise and worship was wonderful. Seeing the people pray is so encouraging. Steve told the story of Cornelius. He did it well and folk loved the discussion.

The Kidz Alive children were brilliant. They were able to recap the story from last week, much to my delight . I also told them the story of Cornelius.

Some of the Kidz Alive children

The Youth had a great time together. They played games and had a competition of eating raw eggs, chilli, biscuits and juice. Interesting combination! Mgcini Sibindi won the competition. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

It’s good being back and in the swing of things…….much is in store for Crossroads these next 5 months.

By Molly Manhanga

Excitement with the Home Based Care Team...

Some of the Home Based Care Team at Crossroads

It was just wonderful seeing everyone again at Crossroads and enjoying the vibrant song and dance. After our amazing service, I met with the Home Based Care Team to finalise planning for the Anamed (Action in Natural Medicine) workshop which Crossroads will be hosting on Wednesday 21st July.

Everyone is ready and geared for a day of great fellowship with 7 other local churches in the community, lots of information, question and answer time and drinking lemon grass and artemisia tea. Lemon grass tea is fine but artemisia tea which helps with malaria, is a bitter as it gets! The faces of the Home Based Care team will certainly tell a story!

Read more after the 21st July........

By Molly Manhanga

Trust in the name of the Lord.....

Psalm 20: 1a - 8a

"May the Lord answer you......
May he send you help from the sanctuary......
May he remember all your sacrifices.......
May he give you the desire of your heart......
We will shout for joy when you are victorious.....
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed......
Some trust in chariots and some in
horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

"A God Moment" on the Purbecks

Gary Fry

"We explored Dorset. Jurassic safari - Sit back and relax as we take you off the beaten track for a taste of Dorset's secret beauty in the style and safety of the world's leading 4 X 4." Excellent caption and 'beautiful' for sure.

It's interesting coming from a rugged, rural, African setting in Kezi, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to England and being taken on a safari drive........Seeing the name Jurassic safari made me think of the movies Jurassic Park. There may have been no dinasaurs on the Purbecks but the scenery, fresh air and company was wonderful.

Gary Fry took a few of us on a safari drive of the Purbecks. We saw sika deer, exmore ponies, corfe castle, had tea on Rollington hill, stopped at a spot overlooking Poole Harbour, Studland Bay and Swyre Head where we had a picnic lunch. On 'tours' like this, two things fascinate me, the history of the place and the scenery. Gary's knowledge of the history of the Purbecks was impressive but it was the scenery that caused me to have a 'God Moment' with our Creator. Standing at Swyre Head and looking over Kimmeridge Bay made me - for a few moments - forget about those around me. It felt as if time stood still and everything around stopped as I experienced and 'breathed in' the love of the Father......so peaceful, secure, safe. A real God moment for me. I can't help but draw close to God when I look at the beauty of His creation - the water, hills, flowers, clouds and so on.

The Purbecks was GREAT and I'd recommend a Jurassic Safari anyday.

By Molly Manhanga

A minute with Janis Peters.....

Janis Peters

It was GREAT chatting to Janis Peters at Together On A Mission at Brighton and getting to know her better. Janis is PA to Terry Virgo and has worked with him over the last 23 years...

Who is your favourite Bible character?Mary (Jesus mother)
What do you do to relax?Crosswords, knitting
What is your current favourite album?"Have you heard" by CCK
You has influenced you recently?My husband Malcolm who I've been married to for 38 years and Terry and Wendy Virgo - I like their lifestyle and the way they are together.

What is the weirdest food you've eaten?

Shark fin soup. It was revolting. I wouldn't recommend it.

One on one with Julie Macklin

Julie Macklin

It was great meeting Julie Macklin: Pastor Mark Macklin’s wife – lead Pastor of Christian Community Church - and spending time with her. Julie is such a lovely, friendly lady and this is what she said:


M.M: Tell me about your background?
J.M: I grew up in Staines and did all my schooling there. I did my college in Birmingham. I met Mark through a Youth Group when I was 14. We started dating at 18. It was love at first sight. Mark and I married 5 years later. We have 3 children: Amy 16, Ryan 14 and Cameron who is 10 years.


M.M: How long have you been here at Christian Community Church?
J.M: We’ve been here for 10 years, coming onto 11. Mark was on the ministry team previously for 5 years.


M.M: What are you doing ministry wise?
J.M: I’m on the Missions Team. I do administration in the Church office and being Mark’s wife is a ministry.


M.M: What have been the highlights of life at Christian Community Church?
J.M: The diverse people groups in the church and there is such a love and respect amongst the people. The 10 year celebration was wonderful. We felt so loved and accepted and the 2 special days: The Caribbean and African days. We do food and fellowship well.


M.M: Anything you’d like to share?
J.M: Initially, I felt overwhelmed being in such a multi-cultural church. But I prayed and thanked God for our people and our diversities and within a month, I felt loved and accepted. Now CCCWL is our extended family, our home.


M.M: Excellent! Who has influenced you recently?
J.M: John Oatburg’s book. The theme is becoming the person God made you to become – how to be yourself.


M.M: What do you do to relax?
J.M: I enjoy time with my family, watch a movie, and walk


M.M: What is your current favourite album?
J.M: ‘Arriving’ by Chris Thomlin


M.M: What is your favourite quote?
J.M: “If life gives you lemons you can wear a sour face or make lemonade”. This quote comes from the film ‘Love happens.’


M.M: Thanks Julie. I hope we can meet again.

by Molly Manhanga

Getting to know Caron Lurrie

Caron Lurrie

Caron Lurrie is married to Nigel – assistant Pastor at Christian Community Church in West London. Caron has been at Christian Community Church for the past 5 years. It was great catching up with Caron.



M.M: Tell me about your background?
C.L: I was born in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. We moved to Harare when I was 5 years. I did all my schooling in Harare. I first met Nigel when I was 5 years. We went to Arcadia Baptist church for a while and ended up at Living Waters Fellowship. I got saved at Living Waters which was being led by Pastor Len Marillier. I saw Nigel again when we were youth. We ‘noticed’ each other and that was it. We married 3 years later. We have 2 children: Joubert who is 14 and Joi who is 6.

M.M: When did you move to the U.K?
C.L: we moved in August 1997. We had been praying about going into ministry full time. God provided for all our needs and we stayed here.


M.M: What have the highlights of ministry been so far?
C.L: We’ve been here for 12 years and have been very blessed at Christian Community Church. Pastor Mark Macklin is so supportive and so open. I’ve done the children’s ministry and led worship. I’m hoping our Missional work becomes stronger. I love forming relationships as I love people and I want to be a blessing to the people in church and work.

M.M: Any challenges?
C.L: Not being able to be in full time ministry as I work. I want to be a blessing to people financially but I’m not in a position to do that yet. I’d also like to spend more time with my children and the last challenge is knowing when to move and when to get direction to move.


M.M: Who has influenced you the most recently?
C.L: Reading my Bible, Joyce Meyer and my husband Nigel. I love his honesty and you know where you stand.


M.M: Any words of encouragement?
C.L: Be a blessing. What you do for others has earthly and heavenly value. Read the word and keep your minds transformed.

M.M: Thanks so much Caron. What an amazing time we've had with you, Nigel and family.

By Molly Manhanga
 

The Touristy Thing....

Brett Mills 

It was great being back in London. Stephen did magnificently at the Youth meeting at Christian Community Church on Friday evening and on Saturday, we spent most of the day doing touristy things with Brett Mills - (Youth leader from Christian Community Church)

It had been 3 years since we "toured" the famous London spots so going to Westminster, London Eye and so on was interesting. We really enjoyed the cruise on the Millenium Dawn from the London Eye to Greenwich Pier. Being on the water is just wonderful.

Westminster

The entertainment at Covent Gardens was really amusing. We spent alot of time walking and catching the underground tubes.

It was great getting back to our host family - Nigel and Caron Lurrie. However, they had arranged a barbaque with 2 other families from the area. It was wonderful meeting new friends in and amongst watching the World Cup soccer, sharing about the work in Kezi and ending our evening in a time of prayer. It was so fulfilling.

Millenium dawn

What a day!

By Molly Manhanga