I have lived in the same neighborhood in East London for 12 years, where my neighbors often have difficult lives and struggle with poverty, addiction and loneliness. There is a lot of crime and violence as well.

I create street art using ribbons to bless the land (and the people) with words from Jesus. I begin each project by gathering a few people to listen to Jesus and prayer-walk together. We ask God for a “word” for that place—a prophetic prayer of blessing that is the opposite of whatever negative things may be happening in the physical or spiritual realm. Then I “write” that word on fences, using ribbons, for all who pass by to see. I have fascinating interactions with the community, both as I create the work and afterwards; my neighbors, mail carrier, and even people delivering my groceries frequently comment on it. Along with this, I contribute to my local church's Creative Collective; we host an annual invitational exhibition, in tourist-filled Spitalfields, in which all the work points to Jesus and the artists' experience of Him in our lives.

I also support vulnerable pregnant women through local charity 'Sister Circle'. Many of these women are alone, refugees, often with limited English, and some are living in temporary accommodation or recovering from gender-based violence. The mums I’ve supported have been from different backgrounds (Polish, Russian, Chinese, Irish and Bengali) with different needs and pregnancy journey’s. Some I’ve supported for 6 or 7 months, others less. Sometimes I get to be their birth partner; a praying presence in a life-changing moment. Others, I simply support emotionally through the journey, trying to show them God’s love in the process. I enjoy collaborating with Carrie and Mark, the founders of the East London House of Prayer. My husband and I pray with them weekly, with a focus on asking God to transform and redeem our neighbourhood.

You can learn more about my ministry at https://novomakers.space/ or https://www.instagram.com/ukjoyjames.

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