...Culture Shock...Thankfully, since this is not my

first time to the UK my adjustment period has been a relatively easy. I am adapting to the “Mother-tongue” as some would say, and I must say bearing with the rubish weather. Although the word on the street is that this is one of the coldest winters in quite some time. As far as my tea and coffee consumption I would say now that the Holidays are over I am back to a fair amount, now I am trying to get used to kindly declining the dozens of cups offered on a daily basis.

But most of all, I also knew that spiritually that the ground was going to be hard. The mentality is different, the people are different, and if I may say graciously, a bit rough around the edges. However, I thank the LORD daily that He can transcend all differences and has blessed with favor amongst many!!

NEWSLETTER 2009A recap of these past 3 months...in hopes that I wi! keep in much better contact this upcoming year!

Well, I can hardly believe it but been here just over 3 months!! The holiday season has come to a closed and the New Year has been ushered in, and it’s so cool to look back and see just how much the Lord has done and is doing here in Exeter and in the my life and the lives of the people here. I have been blessed beyond measure with the opportunity to be able to live with and serve alongside Damian & Sandra Velarde, who initially heard the call to come here to

Exeter, UK last February. They and their 4 small children have been in the Uk for just over 6 months now and have been in Exeter, for about 4 months. We currently, as Calvary Chapel of Exeter, have a Wednesday Night Bible Study, a Friday Night Home Fellowship, Sunday Evening Prayer Meeting. and are praying about starting a Sunday morning service February 22nd! Thank you all for your prayers & support!

~Shannon Leigh Ray

3 JESMOND VILLAS, POLSLOE ROAD, EXETER, DEVON UK EX1 2HW

Home sweet home...here is a quick look at my current place of residence here in the UK. The Lord has truly blessed the Velarde’s with an amazing house for ministr y. It ’s 4 bedrooms, one of which has been converted into a office, 2 1/2 bath, with a decent size kitchen, living room and garden. However, I

definitely think the most attractive feature is it’s location. We are just a 10-12 minute walk from town, a 5 minute walk from Emanuel Christian School where we are currently meeting on Wednesday evenings, and an 8 minute drive to Tesco Extra (the local grocery store), where we shop about twice a week!!

Exeter, England

Ephesians 4:1 “I, therefore a prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”

SHANNON LEIGH RAY SKYPE: SHANNON95437 EMAIL:SHANNYRAY15@YAHOO.COM

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