Community Breakfast...

Phil has posted some reflections (and some photos) from our community breakfast at Jo's yesterday, onto his Toggie Tales blog.

Prayer Night 23/9/08

It Squeaketh Not

Since we bought this armchair, it has squeaked. And many of us have attempted to cure it. Ian has. Even the arch-solver, Dewi has. But to no avail. Until last week... when Emma assaulted it with some WD40.

Silence. Woo hoo!

Finally, we'll actually get to talk with one another in peace! Ha ha...

Prayer Night

Last night Tim and Anna, myself and Ros lit a fire and prayed. There was a knock on the door and Phil arrived with Wild geese!

'What...actual Geese!?!'

'No...24-7 ones'

'Whats a Wild Geese/Goose?'

In the words of Andy Freeman (the original Boiler Room Abbot) himself, "A wild goose is someone who's giving over some time to follow God in a different way, learn some patterns of life and prayer that glorify him and apply practically their faith in the midst of needy people."

Dewi later joined us and Emma too!

Lots of tears as we met together with our heavenly Father.

J0N

Community Meal@The Walters

Prayer Night

Tim, Dewi, Ros and I sat, knelt and stood before God, some of us feeling tired and weary from work but knowing this was the best place we could possibly be to find rest. We prayed that in our working time we would bring the joy of the Lord with us, a passion for the work we do, a 'wholeness'. I prayed that; just like Dewi lent me his goggles to see under the water as I swam last Thursday, we would constantly have a clear vision of God, wether our heads were above or under the water, pressing on. Dewi had another image of a still lake, this time with tiny raindrops falling causing ripples in the water and we prayed we would be these raindrops causing a stir bigger than we imagine or feel we have the strength for in our work places. We prayed that God would show us how to truely WORK and REST in a way that is holy and of God. What does it mean to make time to rest with you Father in our busy week? We then prayed in our (Ros and Jons') dining room where my small little 'office' is and prayed over the place that I work in. Thanks guys!

Please pray for David's interviews today!

God bless,

J0N

September events

There are a number of events going on in September (in addition to what is listed on the right of these posts).

On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th, there is the Thames Festival to visit. Lots going on here at various points along the Thames (see map), including at Hibernia Wharf near London Bridge, Jazz at the Fairtrade Village, which will hopefully be the final push before London becomes a Fairtrade City. Taste and see Fairtrade while listening to Riverside Jazz and Latin Salsa (read more about who will be there from the Fairtrade Foundation's website here).

On Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, there is the wonderful annual Open House London event, where you get to see inside some of London's buildings you would not normally ever get to see. There are 700 buildings open to see throughout Greater London covering a huge variety of architecture, unfortunately not including the Gherkin this year. Lots of classic and modern stuff, some of which is very green or innovative in other ways. If you want to stay local, then you can see what's available in B&D listed here, in Redbridge listed here, and in Havering listed here. There are also walks listed (including the Gidea Park Garden Suburb Walk!) so it is worth having a look.

Also on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, there is the Discover Havering weekend, which promises lots of discounts, free entry or special offers to Havering residents for a variety of attractions, restaurants and sports facilities.

On Saturday 27th, there is the annual Fairtrade Foundation Campaign Day in Central London. Its a great opportunity to pick up on the latest news with what is going on with Fairtrade. The day consists of speakers, including fairtrade producers, workshops and discussions (there is a link to the day's programme on the website). It's free (as all of these events are) but you do need to book which you can do on-line.

On Sunday 28th, there is the Romford Market Place Festival. This is a major cultural festival in Romford Market Place, which will come alive with a showcase featuring some of the borough's outstanding talent. Entertainment will offer a variety of music, dance and art, including a 2012 themed crafts workshops from Studio 3 Arts, story-telling from libraries, performances from the Queen's Theatre, a Big Dance celebration involving hundreds of Havering school children and the dramatic finale of a carnival project by Emergency Exit Arts. Activities will be centred on the Market Place, but will be taking place across Romford town centre. The festival is preceded by a 5k Fun Run in Raphaels Park (details can be found on the same link as for the festival); warm-up from 9am, start at 10 am

Yesterday evening I received some INCREDIBLE news - the little boy I told you all about who went missing (Clinton) has BEEN FOUND - alive and much better off than he was before!

Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayers - thanks to those who have prayed for him - after we prayed on Tuesday I did feel lighter and at peace about the situation - read on to find out what happened to Clinton (direct from the Comic Relief project) - bear in mind that anything could have happened to him - street children are regulary abused, beaten, harrassed by police as they are so vulnerable:

'Clinton was picked from the streets on the same evening that the Comic Relief Team left Kisumu, on Sunday the 10th of August 2008. He is now admitted at Ezra Gumbe Primary School, within Kisumu city.

These are further details:
He was picked by a shopper who had since been seeing her/ and whom he was used to helping carry small shopping from the supermarket within the town.
The person who picked him is female and is a teacher at Ezra Gumbe Primary School
The teacher gave him some school uniform belonging to her sons to use for the time being He is currently living with the teacher who also has children
Today we managed to meet him at school with the pupils and teachers, and have his photos at school. '
Something like this is REALLY unusual - most people do not open their homes to street kids - this is the reason why the project was set up in the first place! When you are feeling so helpless in a situation and there is nothing you can do but pray - Jesus can do the impossible :)

I hope this encourages you :)

Lots of love,
Ros xxxx

Summer Travels!

Ros in Kenya & Senagul


Toggies Road trip

Jo in Argentina


Phil & Ian in South Africa


The Newmans in France

Cider with Rosi, and other stories...

"Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.

That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original."

"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith."

Last night, a bunch of us got together to swap stories, and to consider our community life together. We kicked off with a fun exercise... we each brought an object with which to tell a story about our Summer time.

Dewi brought a bottle of cider (which we 'emptied' by the end of the evening). Rosi's object was an "imaginary collapsed wardrobe". Jon's was his new cd (available now!).

Read the rest of Phil's summary of our conversations on his Toggie tales blog.