Up Up and away

The Welsh mission is over. The four American lads staying with us after the mission have just left for the airport heading back to Atlanta. It has been a wonderful time. For a number of years now Holland Road have partnered with New Hope in Atlanta and the Churches in the Welsh valleys to reach out to what is a desperately needy area. With so many mines closing, (there is only one out of 300 or so that is left working) unemployment is a real issue and all the problems that go with it.

There was a team of 150 of us that were involved in a variety of ways including schools work, community projects, door to door, a sports evening, two big fun days on the Saturday for the children of the area, plus an hour and a half play called the “Passion” that was performed in local theatres. Rita was responsible for the cooking along with one other and they did a magnificent job. I was involved in door to door on one of the worst estates in the area. One guy when we approached him said “do you know what estate this is? You shouldn’t be here”. Mind you that wasn’t ways the reaction and one older lady after praying for her had tears in her eye and after shaking my hand said that I should count myself privileged as it was the first hand she had shaken for a very long time. Quite a number came to the Lord both young and old which was such an encouragement to us all.
While others enjoyed the comforts of the Salvation Army church hall for sleeping we travelled to Rita’s sister’s house about 35mins away. It was great seeing her and her partner Chris and the bed was wonderful.






Larna, Chris and Rita on our day out to Cardiff harbour.





On the Sunday I spoke at the Baptist church in Merthyr Tydfil . This photo is a pose before the service. Notice the big Bible?




We had a church fun day a few Saturdays ago which included face painting, a bouncy castle and live music. Here you see the BBQ king at work. Phew it was hot.

On a beautiful June morning, not so long after the sun had risen, a life time ambition was realized. I was invited to join a friend in what was for him a belated 60th birthday present.
Once the balloon was filled with air we were up and away. We silently drifted across meadows and villages with some early risers waving to us from their gardens. It was an unforgettable experience.






Last month we were asked by the leadership of the church if we would consider staying on until they have appointed a new senior pastor. We had already decided to stay through the month of August to continue to get to know as many people as possible. After praying and getting advice from a number of special friends we have decided to stay till early January next year. We didn’t feel we could commit indefinitely (some times getting a new pastor can take many years) but did feel it would be great to extend our time while we are seeking the Lord over the next step. We are no clearer at the moment but are spending a week in Spain in October at the YWAM base and have a feeling we will know by the end of the year what the new season entails, hence our going back to Liverpool early next year to pack and head off to what God has for us.

In the immediate we are off to Liverpool for a wedding this W/E and then the New Wine conference next week which we are really looking forward to.
That’s it for now the next blog will be in August.