Petra Zimmermann, LCM missionary working with people who are homeless and marginalised in London, shares how her day off provided ways to share the gospel.
Petra Zimmermann, LCM missionary working with people who are homeless and marginalised in London, shares how her day off provided ways to share the gospel.
8:00 AM – Saturdays start slower for me. I wake up and settle into my quiet time with the Lord – Bible open, coffee in hand. This is my anchor. I pray and listen for what the Holy Spirit has for me today. It usually takes about an hour, and I treasure this time. At the moment, I am also reading a book about the Sabbath.
9:00 AM – After my devotional, I get ready and head out. Breakfast? I’m simple – just coffee at home. Back in Germany, where I am from, breakfast can be a very rich meal for some people. But today I treat myself to a fresh croissant from my favourite café near Finsbury Park station. They bake them in-house, and I often take one with me on the Tube.
10:15 AM – I arrive at Covent Garden, planning to meet a friend at Neal Street Café. We arranged this a week ago, but as I wait, I realise he’s not coming. At first, I’m disappointed – but God often works in unexpected ways.
11:15 AM – I notice a woman sitting quietly in the corner. Something nudges me to approach her. I ask if I can join her, and she smiles warmly. Soon, we’re talking about ballet classes, her love for this café, and life outside London. She shares personal stories, and I sense an opening to share the gospel. What began as small talk becomes a conversation about Jesus – his love, his grace. I’m reminded again that mission isn’t confined to schedules; it happens in these divine interruptions.
11:30 AM – After an hour together, she needs to leave, and so do I. We part with genuine warmth. I give her a John’s gospel I always carry and pray silently that the seeds planted today will grow. (You can get John’s gospel through thegoodbook.co.uk)
12:00 PM – I head home on the Tube. The rest of the afternoon is quieter. On a typical Saturday, I might write encouraging letters – sometimes for Open Doors, to believers facing persecution. I pray over each one, asking God to guide my words and the Scriptures I share. It can take an hour or two, but it’s a joy to send hope across borders.
6:30 PM – Some Saturdays, I volunteer at a winter night shelter. Tonight is one of those evenings. I help with cooking and then sit with guests over a hot meal. Listening to their stories, praying with them – these moments matter. Sometimes words fail, but prayer never does. We’ve started a prayer group for our guests, praying for them regularly.
9:30 PM – The shelter winds down. I head home tired but grateful. Today reminded me that God’s mission is woven into the ordinary – a café chat, a handwritten letter, a shared meal. God uses it all.
For more information about Petra or to support her ministry visit here
LCM shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
Registered Charity No. 247186
