Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Well... it's been a while since I've last updated my blog. For those of you still checking here (com'on, really?! - it's been forever!) I've switched blogs to: Jonathan @ Home I'll try to update this weekly as well, although things are rather busy at home now, something I didn't fully expect.
This blog will be reopened (hurrah, I hear you say) next August before I leave this island group for a warmer and smaller version in the Pacific, home to YWAM Maui.
TTFN.
This blog will be reopened (hurrah, I hear you say) next August before I leave this island group for a warmer and smaller version in the Pacific, home to YWAM Maui.
TTFN.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Athens is hot, sticky and full of life - I'm stoked to be here!
Arrived in Greece nearly two weeks ago and with only two weeks left I decided it was time for a little update. Things are going well here. We've secured excellent accomodation for the duration of our stay - loads of stories surrounding that, including one about an almost-definate Maffia boss - the whole swag is definately a miracle, a certain answer to prayer.
My outreach team has for this time, come under the umbrella of Flame, and we are working directly with organisors of The Light The World Parade. The parade is part of the Peace And Unity concert which takes place on the 14th August in Omonia Square, downtown Athens. The concert begins with the parade and Delirious will be finishing up as well as headlining the whole thing. This concert is based around one of Flame's main themes for these Olympics - 'Honour to an Unknown God' (see Acts for more info ;) It's going to be an awesome event, the Christian message being broadcasted from the very heart of the city. Make no mistake, this is going to be big.
The week ahead will be very busy. Lots to do, final preperations appear manic (apparantly the norm here... hmm) but I know everything will work out well. Prayer points to consider: 1) God's covering on everything we do. A given I know, but still at the top of the list, 2) More volunteers for the parade, even at this late hour we can still take more volunteers, and finally 3) Please pray for the concert on the evening of the 14th. Greece is 2 hours ahead of the UK and things kick off here at 19:00.
Well friends, the journey's end is drawing closer. Many heartfelt thanks to those who've been with me throughout my adventures. Unless there are urgent prayer requests I expect to sign off in Maui in a little over two weeks. Until that time...
Arrived in Greece nearly two weeks ago and with only two weeks left I decided it was time for a little update. Things are going well here. We've secured excellent accomodation for the duration of our stay - loads of stories surrounding that, including one about an almost-definate Maffia boss - the whole swag is definately a miracle, a certain answer to prayer.
My outreach team has for this time, come under the umbrella of Flame, and we are working directly with organisors of The Light The World Parade. The parade is part of the Peace And Unity concert which takes place on the 14th August in Omonia Square, downtown Athens. The concert begins with the parade and Delirious will be finishing up as well as headlining the whole thing. This concert is based around one of Flame's main themes for these Olympics - 'Honour to an Unknown God' (see Acts for more info ;) It's going to be an awesome event, the Christian message being broadcasted from the very heart of the city. Make no mistake, this is going to be big.
The week ahead will be very busy. Lots to do, final preperations appear manic (apparantly the norm here... hmm) but I know everything will work out well. Prayer points to consider: 1) God's covering on everything we do. A given I know, but still at the top of the list, 2) More volunteers for the parade, even at this late hour we can still take more volunteers, and finally 3) Please pray for the concert on the evening of the 14th. Greece is 2 hours ahead of the UK and things kick off here at 19:00.
Well friends, the journey's end is drawing closer. Many heartfelt thanks to those who've been with me throughout my adventures. Unless there are urgent prayer requests I expect to sign off in Maui in a little over two weeks. Until that time...
Saturday, July 17, 2004
The news came in last night, we're on our way to Athens!
On the 26th of July we head out of Istanbul for Greece and the Olympic Games. One week ago we had no hot leads, no firm contacts and our team wasn't even all together. Now we have a complete team with a complete plan all thanks to a completely awesome God!
One phone call yesterday ascertained that things have been moving in Athens, unbeknown to us. We have accommodation and an itinerary. Some people talk of having friends in high places, well - my best friend is in the highest place and he's not afraid to push a few buttons for me!
This is an answer to prayer. For those of you who were praying, this is the result! Team Greece Spring DTS '04 are on their way to Athens and stoked on what God has done and what he will do. My God has done big things, is doing big things and is planning big things.
Our prayers now naturally shift to Greece, the games and the people that we'll meet. Whilst not neglecting the present (we still have 8 or 9 days in Istanbul) we will be covering our next moves with prayer. Feel free to join us - prayer has taken this team to where we are, we're not about to stop now :)
Until the next time friends...
On the 26th of July we head out of Istanbul for Greece and the Olympic Games. One week ago we had no hot leads, no firm contacts and our team wasn't even all together. Now we have a complete team with a complete plan all thanks to a completely awesome God!
One phone call yesterday ascertained that things have been moving in Athens, unbeknown to us. We have accommodation and an itinerary. Some people talk of having friends in high places, well - my best friend is in the highest place and he's not afraid to push a few buttons for me!
This is an answer to prayer. For those of you who were praying, this is the result! Team Greece Spring DTS '04 are on their way to Athens and stoked on what God has done and what he will do. My God has done big things, is doing big things and is planning big things.
Our prayers now naturally shift to Greece, the games and the people that we'll meet. Whilst not neglecting the present (we still have 8 or 9 days in Istanbul) we will be covering our next moves with prayer. Feel free to join us - prayer has taken this team to where we are, we're not about to stop now :)
Until the next time friends...
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Four weeks into "outreach" and things are looking different than expected. That's not a bad thing, in fact, I consider the time spent so far to be pretty good.
After realising that I can't just peg this time as a separate time of my life, but rather just another time in my life, I've decided to get on and just live life. If we should live life as an outreach then I am not actually "on outreach" but just living life. In Molokai, Hawaii, there is a church with these words written on the wall by the exit, "You are now entering the mission field, have fun!" How true. Too easily I've segregated "normal life" from missions. But that's wrong. If our life is truly submitted to the Lordship of Jesus, and we do what He says when He says, then our life really is just one mission - irrespective of where we are and what our pre/mis-conceptions of missions are. Just something I've been chewing on recently :)
Tonight the missing member of our team finally joins us. After 2 weeks in Amsterdam Niyu from Indonesia has obtained both a visa and a plane ticket to join us. Two weeks ago Niyu was declined entry at the border and told she has to leave the country on the next available flight. This is not what the information supplied from the Turkish government said. This was also on top of missing her flight from Maui due to her passport being held up when obtaining her Greek visa. Fun and games and more than a few stories for Niyu to share when she gets home!
We've set up prayer schedules now to pray throughout the day. It's been on our hearts as a team to pray and read the bible more. Ahh, good little Christians, but it's more than this. Things are in motion that we can't see and just by obeying these little things that God has been speaking to us about we can be powerfully used in situations we wouldn't have been able to reach. Prayer works in Istanbul, the local church is a testament to that. It's a weapon we have and by using it more and more we're both taking the fight to the enemy and sharpening our own skills. I know that I'm learning lots at this time, learning how to live. It's more than classroom learning it's real life skills and being out of the YWAM base bubble we're learning "in the field." "It's life Jim, but not as we know it."
Athens is on the horizon. Whilst slow in getting contact information and the necessary prerequisites we are getting closer to hopping on the bus for Greece. No idea when that will be, we're praying about it! Thanks again for all your support and prayers. At this time the other team to the Philippines has been hit pretty badly with stomach sicknesses, that'd be my biggest prayer request right now.
So friends, until the next time...
After realising that I can't just peg this time as a separate time of my life, but rather just another time in my life, I've decided to get on and just live life. If we should live life as an outreach then I am not actually "on outreach" but just living life. In Molokai, Hawaii, there is a church with these words written on the wall by the exit, "You are now entering the mission field, have fun!" How true. Too easily I've segregated "normal life" from missions. But that's wrong. If our life is truly submitted to the Lordship of Jesus, and we do what He says when He says, then our life really is just one mission - irrespective of where we are and what our pre/mis-conceptions of missions are. Just something I've been chewing on recently :)
Tonight the missing member of our team finally joins us. After 2 weeks in Amsterdam Niyu from Indonesia has obtained both a visa and a plane ticket to join us. Two weeks ago Niyu was declined entry at the border and told she has to leave the country on the next available flight. This is not what the information supplied from the Turkish government said. This was also on top of missing her flight from Maui due to her passport being held up when obtaining her Greek visa. Fun and games and more than a few stories for Niyu to share when she gets home!
We've set up prayer schedules now to pray throughout the day. It's been on our hearts as a team to pray and read the bible more. Ahh, good little Christians, but it's more than this. Things are in motion that we can't see and just by obeying these little things that God has been speaking to us about we can be powerfully used in situations we wouldn't have been able to reach. Prayer works in Istanbul, the local church is a testament to that. It's a weapon we have and by using it more and more we're both taking the fight to the enemy and sharpening our own skills. I know that I'm learning lots at this time, learning how to live. It's more than classroom learning it's real life skills and being out of the YWAM base bubble we're learning "in the field." "It's life Jim, but not as we know it."
Athens is on the horizon. Whilst slow in getting contact information and the necessary prerequisites we are getting closer to hopping on the bus for Greece. No idea when that will be, we're praying about it! Thanks again for all your support and prayers. At this time the other team to the Philippines has been hit pretty badly with stomach sicknesses, that'd be my biggest prayer request right now.
So friends, until the next time...
Saturday, July 03, 2004
It's been over a week now since the 'Expeditionary Force' of our team entered Turkey, and things are going well.
The situation in Istanbul has calmed down now with the departure of the various heads-of-state attending the NATO summit. As a team we are now fully settled in, although eagerly awaiting the arrival of the second half of our group (expected Tuesday eve).
Prayers have been answered and now we can gladly say that all the team finances have been sourced which is great news :) This is awesome and a real encouragement to the team. Many people had personal shortfalls and to see them met by God reaffirms their belief of the unbelievable Love that He has for us. It's one of the best feelings in the world to know that the God of EVERYTHING is on our side and looking after us. Come on, who - who on earth, above earth, anywhere - can stand against us? Really? What can we possibly fear? My God, my God who Loves me and wants to know me and me to know Him is personally looking out for me. That... blows... me... away.
Approximately 1 in 10,000 people in Istanbul are Christians. The lack of presence of the church here is noticeable, but... it wont be long. People are seeking the Truth. I've only been here a week but already it's obvious to me that there's a hunger for something real. It will appear ironic to many when they realise that the man pegged only as a 'Good Prophet' is in fact the Son of God and the only way to God. God has not forsaken Istanbul, Turkey or the Muslim world. In a city like this it's easy to feel as if Turkey were 'mission: impossible.' That there is no hope for the people here. Hang on though, my God is God. He can accomplish anything. Nothing can stand in His way. Yes, the mountains are trembling.
Big cities can fall in a day, or hold out to siege for months. The key is to listen to God. Hearing and acting out His strategies guarantees us success. I'm churning with thoughts, ideas and emotions at the moment. When I make a little more sense of it I'll try to get things down on paper, or on screen :) I know for sure that God is BIG. We were warned in lecture phase of confining God to our human limits, placing Him in 'the box.' Well - I've found there are many boxes that I have in my mind, but I'm glad to say that every time a box is removed God has more room to operate. I'm incredibly excited for outreach, I know that BIG things will be accomplished according to God's will. I can't wait to share our stories with you :)
So friends, the journey continues. Thank you all for sharing in it. Crossing the finish line with you will be an honour. Until next time...
The situation in Istanbul has calmed down now with the departure of the various heads-of-state attending the NATO summit. As a team we are now fully settled in, although eagerly awaiting the arrival of the second half of our group (expected Tuesday eve).
Prayers have been answered and now we can gladly say that all the team finances have been sourced which is great news :) This is awesome and a real encouragement to the team. Many people had personal shortfalls and to see them met by God reaffirms their belief of the unbelievable Love that He has for us. It's one of the best feelings in the world to know that the God of EVERYTHING is on our side and looking after us. Come on, who - who on earth, above earth, anywhere - can stand against us? Really? What can we possibly fear? My God, my God who Loves me and wants to know me and me to know Him is personally looking out for me. That... blows... me... away.
Approximately 1 in 10,000 people in Istanbul are Christians. The lack of presence of the church here is noticeable, but... it wont be long. People are seeking the Truth. I've only been here a week but already it's obvious to me that there's a hunger for something real. It will appear ironic to many when they realise that the man pegged only as a 'Good Prophet' is in fact the Son of God and the only way to God. God has not forsaken Istanbul, Turkey or the Muslim world. In a city like this it's easy to feel as if Turkey were 'mission: impossible.' That there is no hope for the people here. Hang on though, my God is God. He can accomplish anything. Nothing can stand in His way. Yes, the mountains are trembling.
Big cities can fall in a day, or hold out to siege for months. The key is to listen to God. Hearing and acting out His strategies guarantees us success. I'm churning with thoughts, ideas and emotions at the moment. When I make a little more sense of it I'll try to get things down on paper, or on screen :) I know for sure that God is BIG. We were warned in lecture phase of confining God to our human limits, placing Him in 'the box.' Well - I've found there are many boxes that I have in my mind, but I'm glad to say that every time a box is removed God has more room to operate. I'm incredibly excited for outreach, I know that BIG things will be accomplished according to God's will. I can't wait to share our stories with you :)
So friends, the journey continues. Thank you all for sharing in it. Crossing the finish line with you will be an honour. Until next time...
