Matt Jones

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

8th June 2009

My Time at WEST has come to an end.

I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support over the past three years. It has not been eay but I know that God was with me throughout.

It was really sad leaving WEST saying goodbye to so many good friends was hard but we all know that it has to come to an end and enter the real world again. It is really encouraging to know that many of my friends are going into the ministry to share the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.

At the end of year service we were able to give testimony of the past three years and what we plan to do in the future. For me it was a really encouraging time and I came away really blessed.  But the glory is not for me it is for God Himself.

Saying goodbye to my friends at Ogmore by sea Church

Throughout my three years at WEST I have felt that the Church at Ogmore were my family. They took me in and looked after me. I especially want to thank Peter and Pam Thatcher for their hospitality and friendship, they have been such a blessing from God. I was able to have my weekly dose of heal;thy food when I went to theirs for lunch. They are both great cooks and I always left well fed-up!

I am also leaving good friends behind but not forever. Edward and Esme are planning to go out as missionaries to Peru. So God willing I will be able to visit them from Bolivia.

Also Gerald and Bev were of great encouragment to me, they always made me laugh and I will miss them.  My final kids meeting at Friday Club was rather sad. Having to say goodbye to all the children was not easy but times like this will always have to come to an end. The children wanted to have a party for me before I left which was great. I was given cards and pieces of paper with “please don’t go” written on them.

The Sunday evening, leaving Ogmore for the final time was not much easier. I will pray that God will really bless the ministries that Ogmore Church have in the community and that many will come to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him for the forgiveness that they so desperately need.

What next?

For the past month I have been filling in a HUGE, doctrine questionnaire for SIM (Serving in Mission) It has been hard but it has been great to go through all tha I have been learning over the past three years and write down what I believe.  I have now finished the questionnaire and it has been sent off to SIM. The next stage will be another interview. I don’t know when that will be yet, but please keep me in your prayers as I continue with the application process for future ministry in Bolivia. The application process is never a short one with missionary societies but it  a necessary one. I am sure that it won’t be a quick process to look through my questionnaire and gather all the information. Please pray for the mission also as they will need guidance in the process too.

Youth ministry

I have now taken over as leader of the older group in the youth ministry at my home Church. They are a great bunch of kids aged 13-15.

I am really blessed to be able to serve my home church and gain some valuable experience for my future ministries in Bolivia.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support over the last 3 years it has been such a blessing and very much needed, God Bless, Matthew.