SW: What have you been up to since term finished?
DD-R: My summer so far has been really exciting. I’ve had the opportunity to do some of the activities I enjoy the most.

Since the end of my second year at Moorlands, I’ve visited beautiful places such as the South of France and Menorca, accompanied with some of my best friends. I’ve also had chance to meet new people, eat loads of food and top up the tan!

SW: Are you getting involved in any mission trips this summer?
DD-R: Right after my holiday I came back to Bournemouth to get involved as a Team Leader at the Bournemouth International Outreach (BIO) with Friends International Dorset (from 16 July until 30 July).

This outreach focuses on the hundreds of international students coming to Bournemouth every year to study English. The team of 15 people from different nationalities has the passion to see international students encountering Jesus, as well as standing alongside them in the challenges that a foreign culture and language bring. Every day we encounter many students who are keen to learn about Jesus.

“This outreach focuses on the hundreds of international students coming to Bournemouth every year to study English… Every day we encounter many students who are keen to learn about Jesus.”

The team has seminars every morning to tackle different issues that are common in cross-cultural work, we also do flyering, dramas and Bible discussions at a cafe run by us at Citygate Church. The cafe has been a massive blessing to the students to make new friends, have a laugh and practice their English. Our prayer is that through the things that we do, we will not only see their lives being transformed but their nations as well through the power of Jesus.

SW: What were your particular highlights?
DD-R: As I write this I’m filled with joy to see God’s hand at work in the students. A particular example is a student I met from Qatar whilst flyering on the streets. He came to the cafe that same day, and he was able to hear about Jesus for the first time. His response was very positive and he expressed a desire to know the truth about the Lord, he is also keen to come to church and question both his beliefs and Christianity. Like this, there are other stories from students who progressively are more open to hear the gospel. Few others want read the Bible in their own languages, others want to meet up to discuss their beliefs. We trust that God is at work in their lives, we may not see the result immediately but we are filled with encouragement and excitement to see God using us to influence the students’ lives.

“We are filled with encouragement and excitement to see God using us to influence the students’ lives.”

SW: Prayer points?
DD-R:
• Pray for energy and health for the team. We have very long days and some are struggling to keep going.
• Pray for those who slowly are opening themselves to God. Pray that they may realise soon that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour.
• Pray for more students to open themselves to God through our flyering, conversations, dramas and discussions. We want to meet more students!