Precision randomness!

We need a place to stay in Germany, Big Philly says ‘’Check out the 24-7 prayer website, see if anyone’s praying in Germany’’ So we do, and they are. We rock up to this church about an hour from where were and wait outside for the brother of this guy that we spoke to on email to meet with a youth group and talk to them before they embark on a week of prayer. Random?
As people start to show up, and we engage in conversation it soon becomes clear that this is the first time they have run a week of prayer!!! Some have no idea what to expect!!! What a privilege to be placed by the very hand of God into this situation we spend the best part of an hour with around 20 young people tentatively preparing to pray. We share from experience of prayer, prayer rooms, boiler rooms and what God is doing around Europe. We tell about the lessons we have learned, about relationship with the father, about listening, about compassion and beginning to see the world through the very eyes of the one who conceived it all. And not forgetting, we talk about the next step. We explain about the importance of taking the prayer out of the prayer room, being the answers to the prayers and responding to the heart of our Father. Random? I don’t think so. When I wrote about being pieces on a chessboard little did we know those same words would come again to fulfilment the very next day. What a privilege it is to be part of God’s chess game, to move in the way he moves us, to respond and to be used.
Maybe we will never see these guys again, but we pray that that all they will remember is two weird smelly guys came, but God spoke, prayer happened and a town was turned.

Not to us, God, but to you be the glory (again). Amen

Big Flo and the dream house

So, Flo was big. And so too was the ‘Dream house’, not so much in stature but in inspiration, in influence and in idea. We spent just a short time with Flo, but in the few short hours we had to talk his deeply rooted ideas in Christ centred community blew our tiny little minds.
The Dream House, although it’s been running for near on 5 years is very much in its infancy. From what we learned (much as we did in Macedonia) it’s about relationships. Deep rooted tight relationships. Flo has faced many difficulties in running the race set out before him, he has encountered a lot of opposition, but his dedication to the idea, to the dream is intense. Dream House is community, it’s a charity, its workshops for kids and young people, its teaching and learning, Dream House in its self, is a dream and it’s about releasing dreams!

We only saw a small aspect of it in action but it was enuff, enuff to see this guy and the people around him really live, as if it all depended on them but believe that in the end, it all depends on God. The ‘Summerloch festival’ was just one string in the intricate tapestry of the Dream House, but the idea to connect Christians directly with the world through the common passion of music really was something special. The security, the sound guys, the drinks lorry, even the guys helping put up the fences, most weren’t Christians, most probably had negative views on church but there seems to be, through many hours of hard work at building friendships, such a deep level of respect for these guys and their work, a respect that perhaps a church group couldn’t get to but just a few guys, living out there faith in the only way they feel possible is having an influence on so many lives. Take Albi, a hard working, hard living sound man that I’m sure you’d never get even into the car park of a church. He says to us ‘So, you’re friends of Florian, right?’’ ‘’Ok, so you’re in with the Dream House? Then you must be Christians, right? ‘’Ok, that’s kool’’. Kool! Is it? not most of the time, not in most circles but due to the relentless work of this band of soldiers, working behind the scenes, somehow, the fact that we are living representatives of Christ have become exceptable, even kool, thus giving ground to sow into. Florian says that since he left conventional church some 5 years back he’s never spent so much time with non Christians. Therein lies a massive challenge for us.
The Dream House vision has still so much to achieve: A community house, not just for Christians but for those who need a place to belong and feel loved, Youth work, Connections around Europe, A catalyst for further development of these ideas around Europe. It goes on. Who knows how it will progress? Who knows how far its influence will stretch? But, what starts in simple prayer and sharing life (really sharing life) could do so much to bring about the kingdom of God in our time.

As an aside Florian and the Dream House guys would love to connect more around Europe, especially with England, for teams to come and help with the music festival, to come and pray to simple be together as Christians to build and strengthen each other. The invitation is open. It’s for You! please come, visit, serve, pray, simply be the family we are called to be.

Oh yeah, I borrowed one of flows shirts one day too, it was a little tight around the knees but other than that it was fine.

Are you living hip-hop or are you just a rapper?

So by some twist of, Gods plan and on the journey of following him around Europe we find ourselves at ‘SommerLoch’ a music festival in Germany, a little way from Frankfurt. The concept is intense, it’s not about the music, although there are some big names from the German, indie, rock and metal scene’s here. It’s not just about Christians; Christian bands make up about 20% of the bill. But it is about God, it’s about relationships, building together a network of lives that maybe somehow wouldn’t come into contact otherwise, but with the same passion for music are drawn together in God’s plan. Sometimes I feel like a piece in a game of chess. I don’t really understand the game or what everybody does or even what everybody is capable of, I’ve got an idea of how to move, although it’s a bit restricted in my mind and I don’t know why I move like this. But. And the But is big. God’s moving the pieces, with the skilled mind and hands of a master, simply using the pieces to move in just the way they were made to move in the right spaces at the right times for the eventual goal that he has already in mind. Maybe it’s not even about winning, not even about being the last piece on the board, but it’s about being used to your maximum potential even when the movements seem out of place.

So we’re sitting in this guy’s house, eating a bowl of noodles warmed up from the night before. He doesn’t really know us or what we stand for but we are his workers for the day, lifting sound gear and parts of stages, putting up tents and doing general stuff. But as we share some food, he begins to tell us about his life; he runs sound in a place called ‘the slaughter house’ he’s in a band, he has a recording studio where he records young in-experienced bands for cheap to keep his head in the music biz, he lives the life kids dream of. His name’s Thomas, he works in partnership with Florian (our host) to run this festival. He’s not a Christian, but we are, and we are here, how does this happen, I don’t know. But I’m confident in the fact that it is for a reason. In true rock and roll style he tells us life is all about his wife, his kids and the music. We pray there will be an addition to that list, of the truth!

In steps German action-man, let battle commence. Travelling with the Baytonater I’ve learned a lot about living in the wild, tying knots, survival techniques and general macho stuff, but now in this foreign land, the master of the towel had his work cut out. Our English action man sleeps inside on a bed, but German action man sleeps in the garden under a plastic sheet, not coz there’s no room, coz he likes it. Simmo wins on knowledge of tent erection and superior knot tying skills. Sim has a knife on his belt; German-action man had a lighter for his roll ups. Then a curve ball is thrown into play, German action man is a DJ, his in-depth knowledge of Hip-Hop culture and bag of vinyl adds massively to his credibility, and he’s actually a good DJ. His army like appearance and long platted hair may put you off at first, but when he gets into the funky rhythm it transforms him to a musical monster, Simmo’s knowledge of the bugle just doesn’t quite step up.
However, it is our Simmo, wielder of the latest addition of the trek and field catalogue who’s in-depth understanding of sound equipment, stage erection and the intricate ways of the gaffer that gives him the title of Ultimate Action-Man/fox’s squeaker

N e way this post isn’t about that, it’s about life. We sat one day and had a deep discussion with German action man, aka Tillman, aka DJ Snooka. About life and God and being a true disciple, we also discussed hip-hop and culture. The bushman hat wearing German laid down some knowledge that I will not forget. ‘’A Rapper is a rapper, he does his thing, he entertains, he knows his skill and how to use it, he can impress the crowd with vocal delivery and rhyme styles. But an MC, an MC, in the world of Hip-Hop has to earn the title; he doesn’t just rap, he controls the mic the crowd and the scene. He lives hip hop, not just by wearing baggy jeans but by being the embodiment of the culture: he has a rhyme book in his back pocket, he grew up in rap battles to win sweets and lunch money, his body is tattered with war scars from tails of street notoriety which he can expertly depict in verse’s but his social commentary on the political implications to his environment inflict equally hard hitting blows to the ear, he knows the four elements of hip hop and they govern his life. People like Puff Daddy and Kanye West and flow rider are rappers, maybe they make a good track, and yeah they entertain, but it’s the under dogs, the seldom heard that claim the MC title, Scarface, Rakim, Pharo March, KRS1 Rakewon, skinnyman, these are the guys whose head stones, probably too soon would read, for the love of Hip Hop.
In these words that reflect life I have to ask myself ‘do I live hip hop?’ not literally coz that would be silly, but as a Christian do I live the life? Is it evident in every part of me? Even down the way I walk and talk? Do I live Christ or I’m I just a Christian? Can I put on a good show, make the people cheer and become a name? Or is there more to me? Is the very way I live a reflection of the true God? Here in lies the biggest lesson and challenge of this trip so far.

Wot about you? Do you live Hip-Hop, or do you just Rap?

Friends of friends

So we as we leave Gjakova I can’t help feel a deep sense of sadness and regret. Not regret about anything that has happened or sadness about how it has all played out. But just a sense that God is on the move in our fair city, that his army is advancing, and that there’s till work to be done.

But all things for a time and all times for a reason or something, so we move into the unknown. It’s Stivi and silemon (as we have become known) first stop Macedonia. The landscape might not change but these neighbours are worlds apart, motorways, road signs, constant electricity and the promise of MacDonald’s greet’s us on the other side of the border. We meet up with the wonderful bowers and out what it’s all about.
The issues are similar, high unemployment, alcohol, drugs, money. The same issues batter us the world over but what we learned in Macedonia was an interesting lesson. As its summer hear, the Glasnost 24-7 prayer community is mostly quite, at least this week, not so much is happening. However as we carefully question and observe the Bower in his habitat we see this is about friends. Friends, first and foremost of God, as we are invited to be, but then. As they strive to find authentic Christian values and live as a community of likeminded people with the same ideals, we see friendship. Phone calls hear, a football game to watch there, a few drinks late one night and this is the foundations of the work here. Its amazing to see and hear how this lowly bunch of misfits who didn’t fit into any of the forms of church offered to them have developed their own unique form of Christ centred community and it works, its strong, its finding its feet but. It’s the friends of friends simple living how Christ intended them to, finding how that can be authentic and pulling in the people around them in the same situations.
This is how it’s happening and it’s working

I’m sure we will learn more lessons, I’m sure we will see other ideas but for now as we stood in various places above the city of Skopje intreged as to Gods plan for this city, it seems that this large metropolitan mass has a network beneath it, working in the back ground in simple conversations, in little meetings and in the darkness. Simply doing, simply loving and simply being.

Thanks for having us guys.

A simple sunset

Have you ever sat and watched a sunset? I mean just simply sat and watched the sunset before your eyes? From actually being in the sky the sun just disappears! How amazing is the world. So we’ve been in Montenegro, Croatia into Bosnia then back to Croatia and now we sit. Just sit, on the beach front, drinking a cold beer and appreciating all that’s good in life and it’s amazing. God is amazing, he’s amazing in Thurrock don’t get me wrong but when you allow yourself to roll round Gods world it will, and I don’t use this lightly, it will blow your mind. As I sat in complete awe of the works of God’s hands all I could do is ponder on him. I felt the distinct voice of the boss simply say ‘’don’t forget this’’, where ever you end up in the world, whatever you doing don’t forget this time, right now, don’t forget where I’ve brought you from and where your feet are standing right now! Heaven tells the glory of the almighty God and the sky’s announce what his hands have made, day after day there telling his story, night after night they tell it again. Never in my life have these words from such a long time ago been so real, so true so evident to my eyes,, and God message in all this is simple, Don’t forget, don’t turn your back, don’t get home and fall into routine and forget what I have shown you. Where you once were and where you are now!
As an aside, do you ever watch the sunset and wonder, maybe it’s a wonder or maybe just a vague hope or idea that someone is watching it with you? That the same sun that leaves your sight is ready to brighten up that someone else’s world with the same intensity and maybe as you sit in a far corner of the earth just watching and thinking, is their someone, somewhere in the world watching and thinking of you? Hoping and thinking the same?

Or maybe that’s just me

did you indeed, squeeze it like a lemon?

Have you ever stood in the shadow of greatness?
Have you stood in the beauty of creation and had your breath literally taken away?
And then, have you ever walk the streets of desperation, looked into the face of the poor and been able to say ‘’blessed are you’’ Mire si vini Gjakova. I’ve had the privilege, honour and pleasure of spending 3 months of my life watching, as in the face of crippling poverty, in the hearts of the hopeless and in the eyes of the broken. God, is building his kingdom. In the centre of the city, in the park by the hotel stands a tree. In the midst on the concrete, and the people and the noise stands a natural creation of God and God would say ‘’See, I am building my kingdom here; it is taking root, it begging to be seen. Maybe it doesn’t look like it should be here, but trust me, it is. Now, help me build it’’
When people ask about Kosova what will I say? When they remark on the rich and poor divide, on the children on the rubbish dump looking for plastic to sell at 15 cents a kilo. When they what to know about the effects of war on a country in our own life time. When I’m asked how the church can go to a family with nothing to offer but a prayer how will I respond. All I can say is this; I have bore whiteness to soldiers, young bold soldiers, plane clothed, normal looking, everyday soldiers. Who have a fire in their eyes and a passion in their hearts, who come from these same desperate streets and return to them at the end of every night. Who’s very lives scream Jesus, who through prayer and petition present their request to God because to them, he is the only answer. I’ve seen how God is building his kingdom here, and its through love, it’s through hope and its through the offer of something more, not food or money or a quick way out of the poverty trap. But life, life to the full, living water and blinding light that outshines every last shred of darkness.
Did you put in? I think I did, did you pull your weight?, yeah. Were you able to bless out of a place of abundance? Thanks to God, yes. What about culture did you engage and immerse without being moulded. I like to think so. What about stories, what can you tell?

Well, this morning a lady came to church holding a baby, the same baby I held just a few weeks before, the stay at home wife of a Muslim man. She was at church today and heard the story of Jesus! What more can you say

Maybe there were times when I could have tried just a little harder, maybe there was a conversation missed. Maybe more work and effort could have been put it the language. Maybe


But when I’m asked ‘’Steve, did you indeed, squeeze it like a lemon’’ I can honestly say, with the inspiration of good people, with wise words having been offered, with God at the centre of it all. ‘’Yes my friends, I think I did’’

And in all things, as a really good friend of mine reminded me ‘’Not to us, not to us oh God but to your name be the glory’’

Zoti ju bekoft

Wots all this about then?

I don’t think anything will surprise me now in Kosova. I’m was just in the bedroom, its 1.30am and there’s a wedding party going on. To my surprise and horror they were playing cotton eye Joe (you remember the one) Strange. N E Way that’s an aside

So, sparked on by a conversation about devoice, relationships and love with some Christian locals and a Muslim man. Then speaking to simmo on our way to a little farewell dinner, I started to consider love. So, in the famous words of Peter How How, ‘’wots all this about then?’’.

Simmo mentioned this list idea. You know when you write a list of all the things that you would like in a perfect partner even down to the smallest details of hair colour and shoe size, and then you pray that God will provide the perfect person for you?
I have to say I’m not so much of a fan of this idea myself. Having participated somewhat in the past and having my deepest hopes and dreams shattered, my views are now somewhat different. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the idea, if it worked for the legendary Bersiha, I’m sure it can for any of us but these days I prefer to think of it like this.......

I like to think that maybe you cross paths with someone; maybe it’s so unexpected at first that you don’t even see it coming. Maybe this person doesn’t fit any of the things that you might write on a list but there’s something in them, a glow that radiates from them, something you can’t see but it’s so obviously there, something that inspires you. Maybe you don’t have so much in common but through interaction, simply spending time together you begin to inspire one another. Maybe you would grow together as friends without any preconceived ideas to hinder the way you act towards this person. Then, maybe their personality becomes one that you simply can’t do without. Perhaps the way they live life inspires you to live. On occasion maybe you disagree with everything they say about something but in that you can see the diversities of life and how terrifyingly massive our God is. And maybe they push you towards God, through conversations and shared life their passion and desire to live like Jesus is something that churns up your innermost being in such a way that you can’t deny anything about God and wanna give him everything no matter wot the cost. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t, but I’ve come to believe that twisted crossed lives sold out for God have some way of connecting people, that would normally not be connected, but that can find something so special that they would never have even considered, let alone be able to put into the word to write on any list, but that just the notion of sounds perfect. It shouldn’t work. But, I like to think that in some way for someone, that’s lucky enuff to find it, and brave enuff to step into it. Maybe, it can happen.

Well, that’s what I dream. How about you?

Was that really you?

Have you ever seen that movie human traffic? You know when wacked out Danny Dyer is surprised to hear the dulcet tones of Jo Brand as the voice of reality calling him back. But as he’s been so far out of the world for so long the voice is unfamiliar and strange. Not that the voice of God is unfamiliar and distant but, my face feels just like the twisted face of Danny dyer asking ‘’..Reality, Is that you?..’’

How do you know when you really hear from God? I know you hear from God, I’ve experienced many times the leading and direction of that comes from the boss of all things. But what happens when it’s big. How can you be sure? I’ve been here for a while now and it’s coming to the wind down section. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still ready and willing to throw myself, head on, into anything that comes along but, you can help but begin to reflect on what was and consider what is to come.
This year has been amazing. What started with apprehension, reluctance and a vague idea of giving all to the one who it all came from, has turned out to be life giving, life shaping and life changing? We learned a lot, about God, developing relationship with him, our farther. We’ve seen how simple spending time with him, hearing his heart beat begins to shape how we live, as we begin to see the world as he does and allow ourselves to be broken by a broken world. It’s then that we are able to begin to live out life, and life to the full, ‘’..to pray is to change..’’ Is this one of those times?

There’s a place hear called Mahalle seefees, ‘gypsy street’. I love it, its raw rugged and uncontrollable. It’s the ruff forgotten end of town and it’s where I believe Jesus wants to be the centre. The church hears have a rented house hear in which they do amazing work with kids on a Saturday afternoon.
But!
Wot if!
What if from the tattered strands on life, from the broken lives of the inhabitance, Jesus wanted to lift up a Christ centred community and build his church?
Wot if someone caught a vision for a place of refuse and shelter, for kids to play, for teenagers to hang for adults to find an ear to listen. What if it was a hot house of prayer, a centre of the community where problems were aired and presented with prayer a petition to the founder of our faith? Maybe it could have an element of education, of learning of mission, of hospitality, of sharing the little we have with anyone who wants to except?
What if God planted the vision in humble servants to ‘’..get together with likeminded people, show up, and simply start living..?
But how do you it’s of God?
Today we were in the centre on Gjkova, singing a song I didn’t know, doing actions I didn’t understand but presenting God to the unsuspecting crowd of local folks out for a walk. Good times, as we sang I saw a tree, of medium size. Strong in stature. This is what I think I heard. ‘’..See I have planted my kingdom in this city, and see, it is growing, although the ground doesn’t look capable the roots are taking ground..’’ and then ‘’...Now help it grow..’’? What.

What now? God, again I ask, at the risk of offending you. Please teach me how to hear you voice!

Cheers