Hello family and friends!
I am so sorry for my lack of communication! Life got increasingly hectic and full as I was finishing things up in Wales before coming stateside for furlough. But I am excited to give you a long-overdue report on all the Lord has done in Wales and Europe these past several months.
2025 has been an incredible year of open doors, fulfillment of dreams, and anticipation for the future. The Lord has been moving in Bridgend, Wales, in such tangible ways through our church. We have seen salvations, rededications, deliverances, baptisms, and lives truly changed by the Lord. It has been so beautiful to be a part of this work alongside Lemuel and Tobey Turner, who pastor this church. It is a blessing to get to partner with their heart and vision for this community and see how God is using Compassion Bridgend.
The Compassion Bridgend worship team.
Service at Compassion Bridgend.
Alongside the church ministry, the Link Coffee House has also seen some meaningful things. I have seen God bring strangers to faith and into a place of hunger, interest, and vulnerability. My relationships formed in this coffee shop have been some of the most shaping experiences of my time here. Getting to introduce people to the Lord, to faith, to the Bible, and see how it immediately begins to shift and shape them, is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It’s not fast, and it's not flashy, but lives are being impacted with the Gospel, and that is no small thing! My dream for this place was for people who didn’t know Him to experience His presence when they came in. And overwhelmingly, that has been the testimony of our patrons. When customers come in, they feel loved, they feel peace, they feel at home, and to me, there is no clearer evidence of the Lord’s presence.
Some regulars from the
coffee shop.
This year, the Lord also allowed me to partner with some of our ministries across Europe. I want to especially highlight working with our Ukrainian church that was planted in Poland. I spent about two weeks with these displaced people at the beginning of the year. We hosted a kid’s camp where around 100 children came every day to play, do crafts, and ultimately learn about and tangibly experience the love of God. These families have gone through so much. Most of them continually live in fear that they will receive more devastating news, as their country is in a constant state of upheaval. Having the opportunity to sit with them, laugh with them, listen to their stories, and be a small part of hopefully bringing some joy and comfort to their lives was a gift from the Lord. When going into situations where there is so much hurt and pain, the reality is that there is very little I can change in a short time. My role was to show love, joy, peace, and hope while I was with them. However, I am thankful that we were able to understand their long-term needs and have been able to be a part of helping them receive the support that they need.
Leaders from Poland; Kristina, Guyana, and
their families.
The last thing I want to tell you all about are the amazing ladies I have been able to work with and pour into during my time in Wales. There are so many reasons the Lord has revealed to me on why He brought me to Wales, but these girls are one of the clearest. I was able to host a small group in my home where we built true relationships with each other, and more importantly, where our relationships with the Lord grew and deepened. These incredible ladies have chased after God. Getting to see their relationships with Him grow and become real in their lives has been one of the highlights of my life! Building this little community of women who are prioritizing God and learning to lean on one another is an honor.
Small group ladies from Compassion Bridgend.
I am back in the States now for my furlough. I have spent the past month resting and getting in some long-overdue family time! I am anxious to see as many of you as I can while I am in the States! My email address and new phone number are at the top of this newsletter. Please, let's get something in the books. I would love to be able to come and thank you and your churches personally for all that you have helped me to walk in, as you have prayed and supported me over these three years!
With a heart overflowing with love and gratitude!
Janene Wooten
