24-7 Euro Gathering in Amsterdam

This weekend I'll be in Amsterdam for the annual 24-7 Prayer Gathering. I'm well looking forward to being there and seeing lots of friends and hearing some great talks and hopefully being encouraged. Am feeling really knackered after a busy summer season and i hope to enter a time of rest; rest for my soul. I read in Matthew 11 about Jesus giving rest for the soul. The Message puts it in such a beautiful way: 'Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest...learn the unforced rhythms of grace.' Wow!

The theme for this year is taken from Phillipians 4: ‘Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.' I love this bit of scripture so so much, and can't wait to hear more.

Formentera = Paradise

I've just had two very good friends called Tim and Nick stay with me for a long weekend we've had such a great time. Both the guys have been to Ibiza several times before and have both been involved in 24-7 Ibiza in some way or another.

Since I've been coming to Ibiza, I've wanted to visit the small sister Island of Formentera that lies about 20 miles to the south of Ibiza. We had talked about going last summer, but never got the chance, so we made an extra effort to get across. It's a very small island, with not alot of people living there, but the idea is to lie on the secluded beaches and not to interact with people. It's definitely the playground of the rich and famous, judging by the amount and size of the yachts on show.

The sea was the clearest I've ever swam in, and it felt like paradise to lie on the sand and get totally rested. When you have your best friends around and you are in such a beautiful place, it's hard not to feel so blessed.

Fig Trees

We are so lucky to have a number of beautiful Fig trees on our land, and none more so than this fine specimen. Although this tree looks empty and bare, there's the tiniest hint of the fruit to come. From looking at it, you wouldn't think that life could come from such a tree, being so gnarly and grey and old. It looks weary, and completely messy. Branches hang everywhere and grow in a thousand directions.

Yet as an observer, i only see the outside. I wonder about its roots. Are they healthy? But the big question is: will this tree bear much fruit, and good fruit at that?

I feel a bit like this tree. All messy and a little empty. Yet i hope...

Finding Caves

The six of us thought it was high time that we explored some more unmarked territory around our land, so out we all popped for a wee walk. However, it quickly turned from a ramble in the countryside to a proper trek, at times scrambling up hills and over huge boulders. To be more precise, our mission was to find some caves that are apparently dotted around our land. Sadly, we never found any, but we have on good word from our landlady that they are out there. So the search continues...

Picking Oranges

Let me ask you a few questions: Have you ever picked an Orange from a tree? Ever picked several Lemons right from the tree and used them for cooking?

Well, i can now tick that from my 'to do' list. I have picked Oranges and Lemons from actual trees and they smell amazing.

Yesterday, myself, Brian and Tracy all popped to see Sarah at her Finca near Santa Eulalia. She has a beautiful place right on a hill and there grows there an abundance of Citrus trees. It's pretty amazing to see them all and now is the time to harvest them and the trees are brimming with fruit, all ripe and ready to eat.

In fact all over Ibiza you can see trees of Oranges everywhere, and quite often I've thought of just stopping the car and winding down the window and nabbing a few. But that's stealing...so Sarah's house will have to do. Until we grow our own that is.

Anglican Retreat

On Saturday i went to a retreat down by the South coast at a place called Es Cubells. It was held at a Nun's Convent, housing Carmelite Sisters, and it was such a beautiful setting - right by the sea.

It was hosted by The Anglican Church here on the Island, which is led by a man called Bob. I have met him (and his lovely wife) many times over the years during my summer visits to the Island, but now that i live here, i am looking forward to getting to know him, and indeed his church members, much better.

The day was run by one of Bob's friends, also a minister in a church in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the theme of the day was centered on 'Treasure in jars of clay', a sentence direct from the Bible. It was an excellent day reminding me that human beings, although weak and fickle can contain such treasure just by knowing God through Jesus.

For me, the best part of the day was gaining a stronger connection to the wider Church on the Island, and meeting the many amazing people that have been living here for decades, all doing or having done such different and interesting things here with there lives. It always fascinates me meeting people that have moved to Ibiza to set up home. I am looking forward to building relationships with alot of these people during my time here.

Visit to Atlantis

This is the view from high up in the watch tower. The sea looks beautiful, and throughout the whole summer i've wanted to go down there and explore. Many times i have seen people rock-jumping down there and i've so badly wanted to visit that mysterious place known as Atlantis.

It's a marvelous place. The rocks have been cut out in such a special way. It all looks like a huge ship has turned on its side. The rocks are at such an acute angle that it makes it possible to scale them very easily, as if they are a giant stairway.

This is my friend Freddy, making his way up the side of the cliff. It's pretty steep, yet don't be fooled - it's easier than you think.

This is Agneta, adventurously making her way across the face of this giant cliff. She seemed to have alot of courage, making light of such jagged cliffs.

It was great to finally get the chance to visit this place, and i will definately be back, with my smimming trunks to do a bit of cliff-jumping. And hopefully this time we will not have our car broken into whilst exploring.

Es Vedra

The current mission team that have been with us for 10 days. They're great people, some very good friends. All posers...like me!

This is called 'Es Vedra'. It's one of my favouite places here in Ibiza. It's basicaly a huge rock that is apparently the third most magnetic place in the world. No one lives there, apart from the odd animal here or there.

The reason i love this place is that last summer, on my way back from taking someone to the airport, i had some time to kill and so made my way through the winding roads and took in this amazing view. It was awesome, seeing God's creation and just drinking it in. I spent time thinking and praying about possibly moving out here and working with the 24-7 Ibiza team. I wasn't here long, but just long enough to say to God that i was willing to follow Him and follow His call to come to Ibiza. To go on an adventure!

And here i am!