Some highlights from the last 10 days:

Two Fridays ago (4/15), Ellel Pierrepont had Ground Force Day. Two or three times a year, both the staff and students gather together to beautify the grounds here. My fellow NETS students and I had the pleasure of being part of this occasion.

Ground Force Day

We split up into three groups; group one worked on the field in front of the main house; group two worked on the hedges; group three worked in the back of the main house. Although it was really hard work, I had a lot of fun (maybe it's because I've always lived in apartments and never did yard work before).

Teaching

Last week's teaching was great. Monday was Healing Through Forgiveness; Tuesday, the Power in the Name of Jesus/the Power in the Blood of Jesus; Wednesday, Heaven and Hell; Thursday, Generational Iniquity; Friday, Spirit/Soul/Body Ties; and Saturday, Understanding Successful Relationships.

teaching on spirit/soul/body ties

The lesson on Heaven and Hell was particularly good. What was particularly interesting was the teaching on the "pre-Cross" Sheol (or Hades). Supposedly, Sheol was divided into two "areas:" a place for the righteous (Abraham's bosom) and one for the unrighteous. The unrighteous either went to two places: one for human and one for fallen angels. It was all fascinating stuff.

Every Friday, we have communion service at 8:30am. This past Friday, the message was on the Passover feast. I learnt a bit this years ago (from a Jews for Jesus speaker), so it was really good to be reminded how the Passover Seder rituals all point to Christ and still apply today.

Other tidbits

I was encouraged to find out that each student has a staff member praying and interceding for them daily.

All the term 3 NETS students arrived today, so it's kinda crowded now; there are almost 80 of us here.

Been playing a little bit of tennis during some of the free time. Before coming here, I had not touched a racket in over 15 years and you could count the total number of times I've played in one hand. I hope to be a master by the time I come back home.

Me and Ashley (from Australia)

Prayer Request

I have a big prayer request: every NETS student attends a 2-3 day healing retreat during the first term. During those days, the healing retreat provides a special opportunity to receive personal prayer ministry as well as times of worship and teaching. They are available to the general public, so anyone can apply and attend. Normally, there is at least a three month wait list (they are very popular in all the Ellel Centres). My appointment is this coming up this weekend (4/28-5/1).
Not exactly sure how you can all pray for me. I'll update this blog by this Friday with more specific requests. For now, pray that during this week God will begin to prepare me for the retreat.

Well, that's it for now.