Moving into my Apartment

Feb! Feb! Feb!

Is it just me or has January just taken forever to end? I've been wanting it to be February for a number of reasons, with the main one being that I move into my new place tomorrow morning. I've been looking forward to this moment for weeks. Most of my stuff is still in boxes, and i reckon in just 2 car loads i can move all my stuff. All that i need to do is give the place a clean and that's that.

I'm going to enjoy being a little bit more in the mix of the San An bay and also closer to The Heasley's too. The flat is a good size for only one person, and will be comfortable come the summer when someone else lives with me. I'll get some photos on here really soon to give you all an idea of the layout. It's got a really lovely community area with a swimming pool and surrounding garden which looks proper mint!

The other reason i'm looking forward to February is that my girlfriend Christine comes next Saturday for a visit - and i can't wait!

Baptisms at the beach

I got the honour of helping to baptise 2 guys at the beach today. They are both connected to the Anglican Church and both wanted to publicly confess their faith in Jesus and their committment to him. I was asked to help baptise them on Thursday night, at i jumped at the chance. I was just blown away at how special it was to be involved, and at how cold the sea chuffing was, but at least it was sunny and warm.

I swotted up on some of the scripture passages that relate baptism to Christ's death and resurrection. It was amazing to be reminded about why Christians do this. We are symbolically buried with Christ into his death, in order that we may rise to live a new life. But it's more than just something that is symbolic; the Spirit of God does his awesome work within us - his power is at work in our hearts. Romans 8:11 says, 'and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.' That verse was knocking about in my head all day. Pretty mind blowing stuff if you ask me.

I always end up wanting to baptised again when i'm involved in any baptism. I'd love us to see more baptisms on the Island and hope to see some this summer. Bring it on!

God Words from Isaiah

Amazing words from Isaiah 62 found in the Old Testament:

¹ For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.

² The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.

I feel that God has given us these words for Ibiza. 2 of us felt God place this chapter on our hearts after we all read through Isaiah a few weeks ago. I for one get really excited when reading this chapter and replacing the words of Zion with Ibiza. I just have such a desire to see Ibiza blaze with God's amazing salvation and that her righteaousness shine like the dawn. When you think of Ibiza you don't really think it's the most righteous place, but God can redeem anyone, anything and even whole nations. How cool is that?!

I am waiting and I am watching. I will not keep silent and keep praying and asking God to do this: to establish Ibiza and make her the praise of the whole earth! Come on!

I still believe in kindness

Whilst living at Bob and Clare's, I got the privlege of sharing with a guy called Glen who was also lodging there. He was awaiting the Spanish coursts giving his passport back after being unfairly imprisioned, and now he's home after being on the Island for 18 months solidly. I enjoyed his company and it was great seeing him respond to the love and the kindness of the Anglican Church. I think they really made a lasting impact upon his life.

I've come to realise too just how kind Bob and Clare are to many people on the Island and just what an impact they've made on the people living here. It reminds me just what a difference being kind has on people's lives. And it's not about just giving money either. That's sometimes easier...like giving to a poor guy on the street or donating to a larger global issue - that doesn't take much effort. But it's being generous with your time, with your gifts, with your own skills too. That's what makes a difference.

New Apartment

Good news at the mo: I've found an apartment, and it's a lovely, pretty new, 2-bed place. It's very close to The Heasley's place, which is great, and about 5 mins to the sea. I can't wait to make it my home and finally unpack boxes and feel like i have space.

It's been great to live at Bob and Claire's place for over 2 months - they've been so kind to me. Yet the whole time i've been there i've had an unsettled feeling, knowing it's not my own place and i can't really unpack all of my stuff and spread out. I''ve felt in a kind of 'in-between' stage for some time now. It was actually quite wierd coming back to Ibiza Christmas; I really was aware just how much i missed my friends and how much i miss living with other people. I think not having my own place did not help, and now that i finally have somewhere, i think i'll feel much more settled.

Spanish learning going 'muy bien!'

Yesterday i made progress with my Spanish by doing my homework in the bar at The Marino - the hotel that 24-7 Ibiza use for summer teams. IT is run by such a friendly and welcoming family, and it seems everyone chips in, right down to the cooking and cleaning.

I am slowly getting to know the people that work behind the bar, and it seems to be frequented by many locals, whom i'm also getting to know. It seems to be working; people realise that i'm learning Spanish and so they chip in with help, suggestions, some chit-chat, you know the score.

Am going down there again today to talk some Spanish with a guy who works there whose happy to do a kind of language exchange. I'll let you know how it goes.