At present we have 5 people here who make up our 7th and final summer mission team. Cue the cheesy, emotional music and the tears in the eyes. I can't quite believe that the final team is here and going on Friday! Basically i don't want them to leave.
This team have been flipping great! I told them that last night, but they think i say it to all the teams. I kind of do...but this team are great, and one reason i told them that is because they danced for nearly 8 hours in Space last night - good effort troops!
But the other reason i told them that they're great is that i feel that we've hit a level of intimacy and worship in our prayer room that we've not had all summer. If you've been out on a team and are reading this, it's because of you and all the prayers you've sown - so you can give yourself a pat on the back and take a 'well done' from me for good measure!
Just to give you a fuller picture of what i do, before we begin our streetwork at night we gather together (around 11:30pm) to pray and sing and read scripture - basically breath God in. The prayer and worship times have been on another level! Another level i say again with a shout! It's like God's presence is being poured out in a new way and we're worshipping God with new voices. It's unreal! But you know what's even better? We don't stay in our prayer room - we go out and breath God out, and his presence spills out to the people we talk to and help. I got to pray at least 3 times last week for complete random strangers about various things. It's so exciting!
Tonight I'm supposed to be on a night off, but sack that - I'm getting on it in prayer and am looking forward to seeing people touched by God's presence!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Gods PR
Here in Ibiza, most bars and clubs employ several people to act as PRs - in other words their job is to try to persuade you to go into the bar and buy some drinks, offering all sorts of drink deals and selling their bar as the best place to dance in.
The other night, someone said that we are PRs of God, and in a sense, she was totally right. We are not based at a particular bar trying to get people in (which makes me think of Church), and we don't have any alcohol to give, but we do offer many other things. One of the main things that we offer and which is such a witness, is a free lift to either the medical centre or to the hotel to people who end up getting into a drunken state whilst drinking in the West end. We also offer prayer, either by asking them to write it on a prayer request card which we'll pray for later, or usually we offer prayer right there and then on the street (which is by far the more exciting method).
So in a sense we are God's representatives, which on one hand is such a huge responsibility, yet on the other hand fills me with such excitement. What an opportunity to be a witness to the many people who come here on holiday? To be His voice, His hands and feet as we walk about. To share our story, to pray, to talk about faith and belief and life and death.
I LOVE IT!
The other night, someone said that we are PRs of God, and in a sense, she was totally right. We are not based at a particular bar trying to get people in (which makes me think of Church), and we don't have any alcohol to give, but we do offer many other things. One of the main things that we offer and which is such a witness, is a free lift to either the medical centre or to the hotel to people who end up getting into a drunken state whilst drinking in the West end. We also offer prayer, either by asking them to write it on a prayer request card which we'll pray for later, or usually we offer prayer right there and then on the street (which is by far the more exciting method).
So in a sense we are God's representatives, which on one hand is such a huge responsibility, yet on the other hand fills me with such excitement. What an opportunity to be a witness to the many people who come here on holiday? To be His voice, His hands and feet as we walk about. To share our story, to pray, to talk about faith and belief and life and death.
I LOVE IT!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Maiden Voyage!
Our wheelchair saw some action last night. We found a guy that needed taking home, and as Ibiza Rocks hotel was around the corner, we wheeled him back. I was fairly pleased with my wheelchair skills! All joking aside, it's such a blessing not to have to carry someone across your shoulders, as it just does your back in. We just need to get a flag for it now...preferably with our 24-7 Ibiza logo on it.
Breathing!
The last few nights out on the streets has been so exciting. Every time that i go out, there are opportunities to witness, to share God's love and to pray for people. But this all happens because we get a chance to breathe God in and to be filled up in our prayer room.
Last week some holiday makers that i met and prayed for last summer came back for 2 weeks of Ibiza madness, and it's been great to have them around. They are our biggest fans, and each night we've bumped into them drinking at their favourite bar, they've written prayer requests for themselves and for their loved ones.
One of them even wanted to pray for us whilst out on the street, so we all got in a huddle and he prayed protection over us. It was a genuine and heartfelt prayer that rocked! We all met up with them and had a drink to say good bye before they got their flight. They'll be missed, and i hope to see them again.
Last week some holiday makers that i met and prayed for last summer came back for 2 weeks of Ibiza madness, and it's been great to have them around. They are our biggest fans, and each night we've bumped into them drinking at their favourite bar, they've written prayer requests for themselves and for their loved ones.
One of them even wanted to pray for us whilst out on the street, so we all got in a huddle and he prayed protection over us. It was a genuine and heartfelt prayer that rocked! We all met up with them and had a drink to say good bye before they got their flight. They'll be missed, and i hope to see them again.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Publish his glory!
I read this yesterday and thought it was really appropriate for our work here in Ibiza. It's from 1 Chronicles 16: 23-29
"Sing to God, everyone and everything!
Get out his salvation news every day!
Publish his glory among the godless nations,
his wonders to all races and religions.
And why? Because God is great - well worth praising!
No god or goddess comes close in honour.
All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense,
but God made the cosmos!
Splendor and majesty flow out of him,
strength and joy fill his place".
Shout Bravo! to God, families of the peoples,
in awe of the Glory, in awe of the Strength: Bravo!
Shout Bravo! to his famous Name,
lift high an offering and enter his presence!
Stand resplendent in his robes of holiness".
What struck me is that in a sense we are publishing God's glory here in San An, and we're also getting God's salvation news out and about on the streets. It's gets me thinking too about some of the gods that are worshipped here in Ibiza, and that they don't even come close to the God who made the cosmos. This scripture fueled my prayer time last night.
"Sing to God, everyone and everything!
Get out his salvation news every day!
Publish his glory among the godless nations,
his wonders to all races and religions.
And why? Because God is great - well worth praising!
No god or goddess comes close in honour.
All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense,
but God made the cosmos!
Splendor and majesty flow out of him,
strength and joy fill his place".
Shout Bravo! to God, families of the peoples,
in awe of the Glory, in awe of the Strength: Bravo!
Shout Bravo! to his famous Name,
lift high an offering and enter his presence!
Stand resplendent in his robes of holiness".
What struck me is that in a sense we are publishing God's glory here in San An, and we're also getting God's salvation news out and about on the streets. It's gets me thinking too about some of the gods that are worshipped here in Ibiza, and that they don't even come close to the God who made the cosmos. This scripture fueled my prayer time last night.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Best Weekend in the World...EVER
So here is my best weekend EVER.
On Friday, Jud, James, Christine and I all piled down to The Ibiza Rocks Hotel and caught the Radio 1 weekend happening there. Pete Tong did his Essential Selection show live from there, and Vernon Kay was the host with the most. We saw acts like Florence and The Machine (she sang 'You've got the Love' - amazing), we saw DJ's Deadmau5, David Guetta, Eric Prydz and of course, Mr Pete Tong himself. It was great fun, standing in the sun, in the coolest hotel and bumping into many worker mates that we knew.
Straight after, i was treated to a curry at The Curry Club. We rested our broken bodies and ate some great food. Then the bombshell - i was being treated to a ticket to Radio 1 and Cream at Privilege the following night. I had several freshly born kittens right there and then! Amazing. How generous of Jud and Christine to do that. Thanks girls!
Saturday started with a trip to Aqua Mar (the Water Park) where we slid all day long down some crazy slides. I got sunburnt. Badly. Must have been the slides.
Then, onto the biggest club in the world to see DJs like Eric Prydz, 2ManyDJs and Zane Lowe. The main room is like an air hanger and can fit around 10,000 people. It was pretty packed with great music. But you know who smashed it for me? Laidback Luke. He was awesome: smiley, happy, hands in the air and playing some filthy beats. Best choon: 'Tonight's going to be a good night, i can feel it' - not sure by who, but that summed up not just a great night with wonderful people but a great weekend.
Btw...i do work too...honest.
On Friday, Jud, James, Christine and I all piled down to The Ibiza Rocks Hotel and caught the Radio 1 weekend happening there. Pete Tong did his Essential Selection show live from there, and Vernon Kay was the host with the most. We saw acts like Florence and The Machine (she sang 'You've got the Love' - amazing), we saw DJ's Deadmau5, David Guetta, Eric Prydz and of course, Mr Pete Tong himself. It was great fun, standing in the sun, in the coolest hotel and bumping into many worker mates that we knew.
Straight after, i was treated to a curry at The Curry Club. We rested our broken bodies and ate some great food. Then the bombshell - i was being treated to a ticket to Radio 1 and Cream at Privilege the following night. I had several freshly born kittens right there and then! Amazing. How generous of Jud and Christine to do that. Thanks girls!
Saturday started with a trip to Aqua Mar (the Water Park) where we slid all day long down some crazy slides. I got sunburnt. Badly. Must have been the slides.
Then, onto the biggest club in the world to see DJs like Eric Prydz, 2ManyDJs and Zane Lowe. The main room is like an air hanger and can fit around 10,000 people. It was pretty packed with great music. But you know who smashed it for me? Laidback Luke. He was awesome: smiley, happy, hands in the air and playing some filthy beats. Best choon: 'Tonight's going to be a good night, i can feel it' - not sure by who, but that summed up not just a great night with wonderful people but a great weekend.
Btw...i do work too...honest.
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