Promise Bears on Tour - Jan Mace - reflections from a new business owner!

Wow! Do you ever live through a week that is like three weeks in one? If so you will know exactly what last week was like for the Promise Bears as they had their first ever week on tour.

Following many days of packing, sorting and organising, the bears were ready to go! It all started with a journey from Promise Bear headquarters in the Midlands with a journey in Uncle Phil's transit van (specially co-opted for the very important role of Promise Bear transportation) to the Harrogate Convention Centre where the Bears made their very first public appearance on Stand 49 in the Exhibition Hall at the ELS - Elim Leadership Summit. Having never done this before, I was somewhat nervous especially as everyone else seemed to know exactly what they were doing and had done the whole exhibition centre thing many times before.

It's strange isn't it but every time we do something new, we have to move from the zone of usual to the far less comfortable place unusual so that what was once out of our comfort zone, simply becomes your launch pad for the next stage of unusual! There is no easy way to grow and the only thing we can do is trust God, knowing that if he led us into something, He has already provided everything we need to not only survive the new season but to thrive in it and to use this as we journey onto the next new thing.

And so, taking courage in both hands we entered the new arena of exhibition stands and were so blessed over the next three days to meet lots of lovely new Promise Bear people, many of whom left the conference as proud owners of their very own Promise Bears; we had the opportunity to pray for everyone before they left with their new bear and connected with many more people who were excited to become part of the Promise Bear community. We look forward to connecting with you all via our social media pages and are excited about our potential connection with Misty and Brian from the Starfish Alliance - an amazing charity who provide holidays for children in foster care www.starfish.org.uk- and with the group of schools who are interested in our lovely bears.

God is so good and it is always a blessing to be around His people.

Three days after arriving, it was time for the bears to be back on the move and after a return journey to the Midlands - once again in Uncle Phil's white transit van, - the second group of bears got ready for their public debut. 

After just one night back home, we departed for Peterborough, this time in two car loads - many thanks Jo for the loan of your boot space -  and the annual Healing Rooms England and Wales conference at the Kingsgate Centre in Peterborough where once again we were blessed to meet some amazing people. A big shout out to the amazing team at Kingsgate who worked tirelessly with smiles on their faces to ensure that everything ran smoothly and that all the delegates were served with excellence.

This time, even more Promise Bears were united with their new owners and it blessed me to see the smiles on faces and the love and comfort that our Promise Bears bring to people of all ages. A special moment was in our connection with Emma about to leave for a mission trip to Ukraine with a charity. It is exciting to think that these children who have experienced unthinkable trauma and tragedy  in their young lives to date will be receiving a Promise Bear carrying the words of their heavenly father. Thank you to all those at the conference who sponsored a bear for Emma to take to Ukraine.

Other stand our moments were the wonderful conversations and prayer times with the new owners. This is a key part of the Promise Bear mission as we believe all Promise Bears carry the blessing of God. Each bear is prayed over before it leaves for their new life and so far we have prayed for people of all ages and in many different situation both here and overseas. Our bears are now on their way to Israel, and Ukraine, Jersey and all other parts of the UK.

Back home now,it is good to reflect on God's faithfulness and to look ahead to the next stage of the journey. Weeks like last week are not the norm but we are not called to live a normal life and I want to close by reflecting on the lessons learned.

1. A God idea carries the blessing of God. I could not have imagined the connections that would be made as we set off last week.
2. A new thing always brings new challenges but we need to embrace the challenges in each new season in order to grow.
3. We never know exactly who we are going to meet and what part they may play in our lives. There are no coincidences with God.
4. Expect the unexpected. Be open to receive everything that God has for us.
5. Always allow Him to lead in His timing.
6. Embrace the journey! God is good all the time!

Be blessed

Jan  - Director and Founder of Promise Bears Ltd.

Reflections from a Christian Entrepreneur at the start of the Promise Bear Journey.