Our crash pad for the next few days is the house of Frank and Miriam there 4 children 1 cat and 4 kittens, with the occasional visit of a sister, a brother in law and baby, and mum and dad makes this family home seem almost the same as some of the community houses we have been to already. We spend the first night learning, where they’ve been and how they too have live out this eternal adventure of following God to the ends of the earth. It’s still amazing, when you roll up in a city that you could have so easily driven passed as just some place and bang, you’re thrown into what God is doin. I pause to think of all the little villages, towns and cities we have already driven passed and consider where God is, where are the people doing his bidding and how it’s changing people’s lives?......
Until I’m rudely awaken at 4.45am! Wot, now you don’t have to tell me that prayer is important, but I’m also very aware of the laws of nature that tell us sleep is also and essential to life. Either way 5 am we roll up at the church for a 2 hour prayer meeting (I was sure you only had to pray for one hour, but, you know, when in Rome) So for a majority of the time we simply sat and told stories, of what God is doing, around Europe, in a little place called Stanford-Le-hope, and here in this city. How people were committing to prayer and from that special place of hanging with Dad, people are right now being mobilised into action. We begin to hear about a Drug and alcohol rehab place that the church run, how they have just taken over a building and are wondering and praying as to what they need to focus on, young people? Single parents? Homeless people? It’s just wonderful to be able to pray into something right at the beginning of its birth.
But this is what I love about being on road. The big picture is amazing; to see God moving in a city and situation a church a community is immense. But. To be invited into the inner sanctum of just one life, to see the bones of what makes them tick, is something truly special. Let me introduce you to Pete, Pete lives and works at the drug and alcohol rehab centre, we have the privilege of meeting him and the residence there the following day and spending some time in this environment. He shares stories of how he was a missionary in Greenland, facing persecution and needing police protection at times. He shares a bit of his heart for the residence of the rehab centre. But then, as if it wasn’t enuff, he tell us, that hearing the stories of the Bus in the UK and prayer walking the streets and seeing the young guys not as problems but as the possibilities that God himself is looking for had struck something with him. His heart for the gospel is big, his heart for people is massive, he asks us to pray for him. Us? To pray for Him? Sometimes its kool to share the stories and pray that God will be lifted up in it all but to have the privilege of praying with someone touched by hearing what God is doing and being inspired to get on it themselves. Well, surely that is what it’s all about.
Oh yeah and did I tell you he’s 64 years old! Oh yeah, living the dream! God, I pray you will continue to inspire me at that age and beyond, in whatever way you want.
A few more days with Frank and Miriam’s family is prefect end to out brief stay in Denmark. How amazing it is to be welcomed by not just people, but family. Thanks Guys.
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