Well it wasn't quite ‘Nexus to Texas’ (sorry Bec!), but we did make it to Cologne in Germany, covering 1,041 miles in total, and winning the prize for most sylish experience!

We truly travelled in style, taking lifts in Mercedes, planes (thanks to thomsonfly.com), trams and boats, being treated to delicious German food (fleisch mit sauerkraut) and Dutch and German beer, and enjoying some quality time with old (and new) friends.

When we set out on this challenge, I knew that it wouldn’t be outside God’s work in our lives, but I couldn’t imagine how He would actually work through it! However, as the days went by I started to see His hand over the whole experience, the main way being in the depth and quality of relationships that were built. In Amsterdam we stayed with some of Dave’s friends who lead a church there. While we thought we were just taking advantage of a night’s sleep in their house, they have since emailed Dave to say what an encouragement it was for them having us stay and share our experiences with them. In Cologne , through some detective work, we met up with Sabine, who was a student at Nexus with me 4 years ago and who we hadn’t seen since. It quickly became apparent that God’s timing had orchestrated this meet-up as well. Thursday was a bank holiday in Germany so we were able to spend the day with Sabine and her fiancé, sharing how God has been at work in our personal lives and in the life of Nexus and encouraging them as they prepare for marriage.

I know God works through relationships, but have never experienced this as powerfully as I did this past week. The building and deepening of friendships that took place during the week could not have happened in the way it did without His involvement. I know that we will be experiencing the fruit of the deepening of my relationship with my colleagues, Brit and Dave, as we work together in the months and years to come.

Back in Coventry Rag week concluded with a variety show at Nexus on Friday night. As the different teams reported back from their 100 mile walk, 4 peaks challenge, vocals on tour and other events, the one thing that kept being said, completely unprompted, was how everyone had known God at work in the strengthening and deepening of relationships that took place during the events. It was amazing to hear!

Thank you for the part you played in the Nexus Rag week by sponsoring me. The events have so far raised in excess of £30,000, which will be spent on musical instrument purchases, student summer projects and student scholarships. Our original target was £24,000, so the money raised over this will be put towards a much-needed new minibus (the current Nexus minibus having taken its final voyage on Saturday night!).

If you haven’t yet sponsored me and would like to make a donation towards the minibus fund, you can still do so by clicking on the ‘Donate Now’ button below, or if you would like to sponsor me offline please just let me know.

Thank you!

 

 

Charlotte xx

 

 

PS You can find out more about Nexus, listen to some tunes and do a virtual tour of the school at www.nexustrust.co.uk