July 2008

Wednesday 30th July

I'm at Las Pas Opton, France, speaking English with a French accent, Peter Sellers style. Over a thousand lovely guests here (and 37 unlovely ones - only joking....). The weather is great, and it's amazing how many come along to the bible studies in the morning and the celebration in the evening - especially when we tell them not to come and go swimming instead! It's good to be sharing the speaking with Ruth Dearnley, and hanging out with the Dearnley family (Mark, Charlie and Esther) as well as Jill Rowe who is here too.

Sunday 27th July

 I’ve got back to England and was able to get to see my dear friend Ishmael, who has been going through a huge battle with leukemia for nearly four months now. He is doing well, but the next week is very important. He hopes to have his final chemotherapy injection on Monday. Officially, the doctors can’t pronounce him cured until two years have passed, but he is in remission. Ishy still will be pretty much out of action until next year. Please continue to pray for him and Irene - 

Saturday 26th July

Another day, another airport. Saying goodbye at hillsborough last night reminded me of how, many years ago, God let Kay and me know that we would always be saying goodbye. And that's the way it is. People were referring to "the Hillsborough family" through the week and the kindness, the banter and the laughter and tears shared means that it really is that. An event like that becomes far more than just a preaching engagement. Thank God for the church, the people if God. And thanks to the lovely folks who made this last few days such a delight. "Keep 'er lit!"

Friday 25th July

Welcome to the new, completely redesigned web-site – thank you for visiting! First of all, a special word of greeting to all those who have been at the Hillsborough Bible Week, Northern Ireland, this last week. I was here last year for what turned out to be a monsoon – but so enjoyed the time that, when I was invited back, I just had to come. And it’s been a wonderful time. The worship has been great, and the attendance at the meetings incredible. More than that, the sense of God doing tangible things in our lives has been palpable.