Room in our Hearts

This last couple of months has had three firsts which I'm thankful for. Firstly, the Eco Challenge Fund supplied its first grant to a partner not primarily engaged in community development of some form and we are now supporting the installation of a solar power system for the College of Christian Theology, Bangladesh (CCTB). This is particularly significant for the college, which is subject to daily power outages from the local electricity grid, because they also run several online extension courses serving thousands of theological ministry students throughout the country.

Secondly, last month I was able to set up an online presentation for BMS partners and staff with Engineering Ministries International (EMI), a group of Christian engineers, architects and land surveyors from around the world who specialise in construction projects for mission agencies and Christian organisations. Part of our strategy at BMS is to collaborate in growing networks for which we are not at the centre, recognising that we, and the organisations we partner with, are all co-workers in a common mission owned by God. So with around 20 participants, it was deeply satisfying to see more partners present than BMS staff and plenty of questions at the end.

Thirdly, in light of the last week of the UN's Climate COP30, and with plenty of help from my BMS colleagues and our partners, Bimal, Genesis and Wailes, from Nepal, Uganda and Bangladesh, respectively, I hosted our first creation stewardship-themed 'listening webinar' in November. This event was also well attended by BMS staff and you, our UK supporters. Our partners shared about their ministries and the impacts of diverse environmental challenges, not limited to climate change, on their countries, their work and their lives. This was the first time Bimal had been involved in something like this with BMS and he was greatly touched by the prayers for him and his country of Nepal - thank you!

Personally, November was a bitter-sweet month with the death of my Uncle Eric, my father's big brother. Although he'd been suffering a few different and worsening conditions, his sudden decline and passing was a shock to us all. He was a quiet, funny, intelligent, committed Christian and I am very grateful of the opportunities I've had to spend time with him and his family over the last 10 years, during almost every Home Assignment when I would be booked to speak at either Bideford, Westward Ho! or Abbotsham - or all three. He was also well-loved and known in the community, such that there was a real sense of coming together to celebrate his life and bid him farewell - for now...

And I've also joined my local Baptist Church and a choir, both of which are gradually helping to fill up the other bits of my time - especially the choir at this time of year. I freely confess that I'm really enjoying singing Christmas Carols. We most recently sang as part of an afternoon carol service in the local parish church, during which the vicar joyfully reminded us that Christmas had been celebrated in this particular spot for around 800 years. What a privilege to be able to continue the tradition - not as a requirement by law or social convention, but as a heart-felt response to God's saving grace in Christ, which hasn't lost its power in over 2000 years and shows no sign of waning!

Finally, thank you for your continued prayers for me and for the work of BMS around the world. Please do pray for:

- The successfull installation of good quality solar panels and accessories at CCTB and Principal Wailes who is overseeing the project and also creating a new theological extension course in 2026 on creation stewardship from an integral mission perspective;

- The progress of a new eco stove proposal received from the Peruvian Baptists' Director for Social Action, Dora Alvarado. She is proposing to support the work of a local missionary ministering in the Andean region with predominantly Quechua-speaking communities. Pray for a deep understanding of how this can support the work of discipleship and demonstrating the Good News in these remote regions.

- Aline Nussbaumer and I as we continue to work on the 'Eco-crisis and the Gospel' programme with IBTS for next year; help us to re-name the course wisely and for divine guidance as we plan for webinar topics in 2026.

The chorus of one of my choir's Christmas repertoire asks, "Is there room in your heart for God to write His story?" It was a new song for me and a new way of asking an old question, intentionally more poignant at this time of year.

Between the shopping and the eating, let's be blessed this Christmas!

Love Laura x