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.

The Streets The Escapist

These walls were never really there...

Jesus Bless Tim&Annas Home!

Ian, Ros and I gathered with Tim&Anna to pray for them and their home after their recent burglary. It was really inspiring to see both Tim and Anna praying with an even bigger motivation to bless the community they live in and praying also for the burglars. Bless their home we pray!

Prayer Night 19/8/08

Since begginning this rhythm of praying each week its been amazing how God has been moving in us. Richard, Helen, Anna, Ros and I had an amazing time just being with God and allowing him to open our hearts before him, challenging us and strengthening us. We each confessed before God openly and it was a really special time of real honest, from the heart prayer!
J0N

Tim&Anna's House warming

Prayer night

Last night we (Tim, Anna, Rich, Jon, Ros) prayed... open our eyes God to see with eyes of faith when we look at our town. Start with us! Tim had an image of a sheild...an image of protection and offence but shields also have a 'crest', an identity and Tim prayued for the identity of our church/community. Anna had the word 'Play' come to mind and began praying about the loss of childhood that she has felt in the area when she has seen different kids in the streets and prayed for Ros' storytelling, that God would use her gift and vision to counteract and soften the hardness in childrens' hearts.
Richard then prayed for our kids, Togwells, Newmans, Acott...and our prayer flowed from there much like a natural conversation with God as we then prayed for Megan in her move to Francis Bardsley school which led onto us praying for God's influence on that school.
I'm quite keen to record these prayers in our blog because I know we'll look back on them together and see over time how God has answered them and used us. These nights have been really special and we want to try and somehow keep it up every week. It's amazing how God opens our hearts in these moments and really inspires us and stirs our faith. By the end of the night its like we've come away having cought a little more of God's vision for our lives.
J0N

STARBUCKS

Tim started work at Starbucks today! I went over with Rich to visit.
This is what rich had...(pictured).
I asked Tim how he was getting on, on his first day and he said 'yeah its good, but I've only been here ten minutes.' I hadn't realised Tim started work at 12! :)
From what I saw Tim was already the life and soul of the place :) Let it shine mate!
I expect we'll all be addicted to caffeine soon :)
J0N

Community Meal @ David&Claire's

We eat together whilst watching Thomas & Oscar dance around the living room to their favourite 'pop' music and then David read out Psalm 33 and then we sang together a hymn in accapella, which led onto prayer for David's job, Tim&Anna, Ros traveling to Kenya.
J0N

TIM & ANNA move to Romford!!

Tim and Anna moved in on Sunday!! Horray!! We're so excited and already so blessed to have them with us in Romford!
J0N

MARK&ANNAs WEDDING

Jon&Ros in Sweden

If theres one thing we learnt from this trip its never to fly with Ryan air! Just about everything went wrong with them, severe delays, bagage weight problems, instrument charges...ontop of this was an hour and a half bus journey a 3 hour train journey and another hour and a half bus journey to Kramfos. However, we got there in the end and made some really great friends...

Canadian rapper MANAFEST, his wife (graphic designer) Melanie...http://youtube.com/watch?v=W3lc6elnn6k

....and their good friends, breakdancers, Jeff and Charity

...and NGM band Thundershock.

My gig went really well with the tent being possibly the most packed it had been all festival. I also met the coolest sound guy ever, who happened to have a spare hat with him for this photo. Must get asked alot:)


Thanks for your prayers guys!
J0N(&Ros)

No more epMotion

Did Dewi get the job...???


Yes he did!


Well done mate!

Lets keep praying God's got something special in the bag for David too!!
C'mon Jesus! Bring it on soon we pray!

Prayer Night

Myself, Ros, Dewi, Ian and Phil prayed for our Community stretching out, sharing the love we've found and seeing people come to know Jesus! We declared that our job descriptions don't tell the whole story, and we asked for God to open our eyes to see what he wants from us. Now is the time! Dewi had an image of a peaceful, beautiful place in this town...a still lake reflecting Gods' love. Trusting each other and trusting God, being at peace together. On my i-pod there was a Craig armstrong track playing that played at random a second time and we basked in the peacefulness of the music and the presence of God that we felt. Phil prayed for offensive peace, that is present even in the storm. We also spent some time praying over people in the community and their job situations.
J0N

The end of an Era...

I thought I'd blog this as I'm sure we've all got a fond Delirious memory somewhere, particuarly if you remember the Kamo days! The band have announced that come 2009 they will be finishing the band, www.delirious.co.uk .
So this is an unashamed Big up to the boys for all the songs they gave us. Sanctified, History Maker, I Could Sing of Your Love, Deeper, My Glorious, I Will Follow, Its OK, I'm not Ashamed... cos I've found Jaysus! Heres a clip below if you fancy taking a trip down memory lane...

HTB Weekend

....just thought we'd share some photos of our time away with the HTB guys last weekend. Ros and I spoke about Worship, lead worship and had fun getting to know everyone, hanging out and partying in this massive manor house in the country.
J0N&Ros

Radiohead MTV EXIT campaign

Tony Campolo

Great to see this on a mainstream show!
Watch him as he doesn't hold back!!! :)
J0N

Community meal@Claire&Davids'

We enjoyed Italian food in the sun and prayed for Tim & Anna and their new House in Romford!!
We then prayed for David, that God would provide him with a new job and bring peace and protect the Newman family! We then broke bread together and shared wine :)
J0N

DEWI'S BIRTHDAY BBQ

An insight to Dewis' lab!

Hi all

If you ever wondered what I get up to at work this link should give you some insight :)

http://www.eppendorf.com/int/hawkpopup.php?contentid=13

enjoy

Dewi

Community Meal@Newmans&Toggwells

Nate & Marrisa

Thanks so much to those who came over on Monday to hang out and hear from Nate and Marisa... we had a truly wonderful, inspiring, funny time together, hearing their stories and sharing some of ours, praying together, and even receiving some pretty spot-on prophetic input from both of them.