Dear Keith,

I'm glad you are on this list. I will be praying for you and your ministry.

Love and Blessings,
Pat Ferguson



At 08:48 PM 8/31/04, you wrote:
>Dear E-church USA friends,
>
>I was just introducing myself to the echurch-uk crew when I realised
>that I have not really introduced myself here... so I thought I would
>repost it for you... it is all part of "getting to know you". He says
>holding back from breaking into songs from the sound of music.
>
>Thanks for the welcome everyone, it is great to meet you all. I am
>looking forward to getting to know you. I have had a bit of a rough
>ride with my old Christian friends over the past few months so I
>think it will do me good to meet some fresh faces.
>
>I am kind of busy at the moment. Why? I hear you ask. Two weeks ago
>the Lord told me to decorate my house! A huge undertaking, and at the
>time I only had 3 pounds to spare if that. Next miracle, my lodger
>came up with 8 pounds worth of 1p and 2p coins for the decorating
>kitty. As it turned out my landlord let me off a months rent to do
>this work (I am a wee bit behind ahem) and he also gave me 25 pounds
>for paint..... you see the Lord does know what he is doing.
>
>Anyhow Woolworths (A shop in the uk) had some cheap paint going at 2
>pounds a pot... so I have done one room. I ruined the carpet, it was
>horrible anyway, so I need to pray in a newish one. The bathroom will
>be finished tonight at about 3am if I work hard. I am doing this on
>my own so it is difficult especially to get the motivation. I have
>run my house as an open house for a number of years so there are a
>few local teenagers that drop in every now and then but some of them
>have the attention span of the proverbial goldfish.
>
>Now for an introduction.... well I am 34, single, I live near
>Birmingham and my house and the flat next door is kind of a Christian
>community where the Lord brings people to live to receive his healing.
>
>I also get to know many local alcoholic youths. Several of which live
>next door in a unique kind of youthful squalor. I counted 20 empty
>jack daniel's bottles when I fixed their boiler yesterday. They had
>been for weeks without hot water, too afraid to call the landlord due
>to the state of their house.
>
>I do the same kind of prayer healing ministry as Phil does. I used to
>try and help lots of my friends all around the UK, but now the Lord
>has told me to focus on helping one person at a time. Those I help
>need very intense ministry and a fresh start... it is very
>challenging, but I get to see the Lord do amazing things.
>
>A teenager turned up on my doorstep today... we did a book exchange
>and they lent me a book called "The Kid" by Kevin Lewis, his own
>story of severe abuse and neglect. I do not think it is a Christian
>book, but I was surprised to discover that he lived about 7 miles
>from where I was brought up. It is folks like "The Kid", Kevin that I
>am called to help. The Lord is with me, it was his idea! I have a
>couple of supportive friends and a couple of prophetic types who are
>keeping me in order, but that is about it. Sometimes it feels pretty
>lonely out here.
>
>So here I am at your service, I am basically a full time Christian
>missionary to my community and those the Lord sends my way. Living by
>faith is hand to mouth at the moment just like you read about in all
>those exciting Christian books. So on Friday a local restaurant sent
>us their old food that they were going to throw away because of the
>bank holiday weekend, is that cool or what!
>
>I know in England it is considered rude to ask if you are in need,
>but I have to say if you are offering, I could really use your help
>too. The Lord has so much for us to do!
>
>It is kind of a character building phase for me in my Christian walk.
>Much of this involves getting stressed at God and various people then
>repenting and eventually laying it before God to sort out my heart.
>The refiners fire process also seems to require relentless painting
>till the early hours of the morning, to which writing this email is a
>welcome distraction.
>
>I think this is the most unusual introduction I have ever given, but
>I think it kind of lets you know where I am at and some of what
>excites me as a disciple of Jesus. When you reply to me do let me
>know what excites you.
>
>your friend in Christ
>
>Keith Hodges
>
>p.s. it does not look like the bathroom is going to be finished after
>all, it is 2.30am already.