I’m about to compose the Spring newsletter for Faith Partners, but I thought it would be good to update my blog as well. It’s been two months now since I returned from Slovakia, and as usual I have plenty to keep me busy in the NLI office. I am currently coordinating 2 Prayer Mission teams (Slovakia in June and Romania in September) and 6 Short Term Mission teams heading out on mission between May and September (Czech, Poland, and Slovakia). I also have my weekly teaching commitment with the Intern program.

I did manage a few days off over Easter, but ended up picking up some kind of flu virus which lasted 10 days in total and delayed my return to work after the break. Before the virus hit, I had a very active Easter weekend with a 10.5 mile local walk on Good Friday, and a 32 mile bike ride via Berkswell and Kenilworth on Easter Monday. Maybe it was these exertions that did for me!

Berkswell, (Warwickshire). The gun in picture originated from the Crimean War and was brought to the village in 1855.

I also enjoyed 3 days in the Cotswolds with my brother and family. An area of England I haven’t really explored much before, the Cotswolds really is charming, with a unique beauty all of its own.

During our Cotswolds’ stay we visited the beautiful market towns of Chipping Campden and Burford, the remains of a 4th Century Roman Villa at Chedworth, and the jewel in the ‘Cotswolds’ crown, Bourton-on-the-Water. This quaint country town is described as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, but I have to say that on this occasion it was more like the ‘Blackpool of the Cotswolds’! Still very picturesque though.

So, what do the next few weeks hold? From 30th April to 4th May we have an ‘In-House’ week. NLI holds these events three times a year: a chance for all the staff to get together to plan, pray, and prepare for the journey ahead. There are usually a few ‘team-bonding’ events too. Some of our American colleagues will be joining us, as well as a potential new member of staff from Canada. It’s an amazing fact but there are now only four Brits working full time for NLI. We are overrun with Canadians in particular. They just love England!!

My daily bread-and-butter work is mostly admin – coordinating the teams going out on mission into Europe this year. I plan to escape the office a few times over the coming weeks, visiting some of the UK teams to help with training, and taking the Interns down to Hillsong London in May. I am also very excited that my nephew, Jon, will be doing his Year-10 work experience with NLI in July. He’s amazing with computers, media, and design so will be a great asset during his two-week stint.

For all you Footy fans, the season is reaching its gripping climax. As an ardent Man United fan, I can hardly cope with the suspense of being in the FA Cup Final, the Champions League Semi-final, whilst at the same time holding off the challenge of Chelsea for the Premiership title. Roll on May 23rd when it will all be over and we can celebrate the treble! On May 7th, Susie and I will be attending a slightly less tense football event – the Women’s FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Charlton at Nottingham Forest.

Ok, that’s all the news for now. You can see more photos from my Cotswolds trip by going to the web album

http://picasaweb.google.com/judithlinnell/CotswoldsApril2007

Be Blessed.