There's something beautiful that happens when the seasons change. London goes from being cloaked in green to being dressed in a multitude of different red, orange and yellow shades. It's lovely watching this happen. It's been years since I've last encountered a British autumn. Two years ago I saw the seasons change when I was doing my DTS in the Netherlands. It's not been so cold as when I was over there, as I clearly remember being freezing cold when I would bike to the base. On the last day of October, I was walking without a jacket or sweater on, as the temperature had gone up into the 20's (Celsius). It was said to be the hottest Halloween in years. I've seen the seasons change in the Southern Hemisphere too, on South Africa's lowvelt, which is different from here. Down there, is cold and very dry with no rain (there, the winter occurres during the summer months in the northern hemisphere) whilst the summer, over there, is full of thunderstorms and heat waves, one after another. In many western countries, having a swimming pool is a luxury, where my family live in South Africa, having a swimming pool is a nessecity to keep cool.
In regards to seasonal shifts, there's been one here on the base. This last week, as a house, we've been spending time praying and fasting. This was a choice we made because we wanted to go to a new level spiritually as both the School of Leadership and Ministry Development (LMD) and the Discipleship Training School (DTS) had lectures on Freedom in Christ. It was a very intense week for the entire base, but I'm thrilled to say that when we sought God's face, with everything, He turned to us and gave us our request.
I don't know if I posted about the two newest members of the house. Philip, one of the LMD students arrived last week, from India. He arrived late because of the process it took getting his visa. The other new arrival is Aby, who was born at the end of September. Everyone was very much looking forwards to her arrival. Aby's the first YWAM Urban Key baby to be born (there have been a few couples tie the knot over the last few years since the base started nine years ago).
The next few weeks are going to be very busy, not only with the LMD and WildFire (the new name for King's Kids, London) but also personally. Weekend duties, visiting family, and having my sister coming to visit. In a matter of weeks, I'm going to be traveling back to Uganda for the first time in over two years. It's the first time I've been back since I left to do my DTS in September 2012. I'm really looking forwards to going back, though I honestly don't know what to expect.