Sometimes it's still hard to believe we live in London. Things are not perfect but we love it here. There is plenty to do and the opportunities for ministry are overwhelming at times. Please pray that God will guide us every day as we serve Him in a city of over 7M people.

 

Last week was Zoey's 11th birthday and we celebrated with fish-n-chips (see photo on the left). We also had the pleasure of attending a musical at the West End. The tickets were a gift from a generous family at Camden Road Baptist.

 

Speaking of birthdays, I would really appreciate it if you would remember to pray for each of us during the month of our birthday. For October, please pray that Zoey will find a close friend her age. The rest of us will not have a birthday until next year. Angie's and Zachary's birthday is in February. Mine is in March and Ashley's is the 4th of July. I'll remind you again to pray for us as the date approaches. And by the way, Angie's toe is doing fine. Thanks for praying.

 

Most of you know that Greater London is divided into 33 boroughs, counting the Square Mile city of London. Each borough is governed by its own elected council responsible for running most local services in their areas, such as schools, social services, waste collection and roads. 

 

We live in the borough of Islington - which borders the Square Mile to our south - with an estimated population of 187,800. According to the internet, "Islington was the dairy capital of pre-Victorian London, but eventually (as per usual) development and expansion caught up with the place. Huge manor houses sprung up, but by the 20th century the area was a bit scummy. The property lost during WWII bombings was turned into housing estates, but over the last quarter of a century media types and young politicians have started to colonize the area."

Today it is the home of the 60K seat Emirates Stadium, the London Canal Museum, two universities and two colleges, two prisons, and countless pubs. The part of the borough we live in is called Upper Holloway, home of the Nag's Head Shopping Centre, and has one of the highest densities of resident per square foot in London. It is also known as a prominent hotspot for many of London's grafitti artists and has been in the news because of teen violence. You've seen pictures of our house, to the left is a photo of Holloway Road.

 

Well, we're still waiting for our boxes. Thirty-seven of them to be exact. They left Clermont during the last week of July and latest estimates puts our cargo into port on the 20th of this month. The Lord only knows when they will be delivered.

 

We've been surviving without them but in addition to personal items, dustcollectors, and photographs, they contain coats and winter clothes for the family. I've been fine because I left clothes here on previous visits, but Angie and the kids have had to purchase a few things to stay warm.

 

Thanks to Our Partners 
Thank you to our partners in this ministry. Despite disturbing economic news in the media, your sacrificial gifts are keeping us afloat in London. The good news is: we've not been starving. I may have lost a few pounds but it's from all the walking, not lack of food. And somehow we still have money in the bank. There are a few outstanding debts for relocating expenses that we're paying off slowly but the church here is also being sacrificial.

 

The really good news is that we now have a family renting our house in Clermont. But I still have an Astro van for sale. Contact Brad Montgomery for more information.

 

If the Lord prompts you or your church to partner with us please direct financial gifts to the First Baptist Church of Clermont and designated to the Ecker family. The church address is 498 W. Montrose Street, Clermont, FL, 34711. Our address in London is at the bottom of this page. Our telephone number if calling from the US is 011-44-207-281-0508 (remember were 5 hours ahead of EST).