Greenfields car boot!

Car boot June 23rd 2013

I don't mind the mornings but I struggle when morning feels like night time! Whenever I have to get up earlier than is usual ( Easter morning vigil, a flight etc) I very rarely sleep much the night before, I have the intention to go to bed early to cram in the hours but 9 times out of 10 I will lie awake thinking about all the things that may happen, worrying about whether the alarm will go off etc....

This Sunday was the first of many planned trips to be a Christian presence at the car boot fair. We have created a\ team of volunteers from the Strood/ Peninsula area and Gillingham to have a body, mind and Spirit stall. For 2 years my heart has been yearning to be at the car boot that I pass every week when it is there on my way to church in Upnor. Thousands visit the car boot yet on a normal Sunday about 15 attend church...

Finally I was granted permission and so off we set!

We arrived at the Greenfield site at 6.03 am and already cars were pilling onto the site, having worked out whose car would be the base car we parked up and located the eager beavers ready to set up.

Before we had even gotten the gazebo out of its bag a man offered to buy our garden chairs ( for a mislay sum of 50p!) showing us that the real hard core bargain hunters were up and about early.

The morning started quite slowly with occasional people showing vague interest but not many interested and a few very skeptical about anything free...

And then people came, a few at a time, enough to make a crowd but not too many for us to be swamped. Some were just intrigued others were desperate to talk and some just wanted to see what was going on.

Most people were attracted to the Psalm readings which surprised me, people were very anxious about "picking a bad one !" highlighting to us that a lot of people are searching for positivity and happiness.

We were able to pray with a few people and there were some major encounters where people want us to pray for healing, for reconciliation, for confidence and for reassurance.

Throughout the 5 and a half hours we were there we only had 1 negative comment in passing but a lot of interest and intrigue.

Those who came to volunteer went from being exhausted to exhilerated about the morning the encounters and the opportunities.

We have learnt that chocolate giveaways encourage people in,

Gazebo is a good attraction but not so great in the wind.

A sign signalling that everything is free and a notice showing where we are from is vital.

This is an exciting new venture, who knows where it will go but we all felt it was definitely worth doing but regularly. 

It was so wonderful to be where people are, to be amongst them and to engage in conversation..it's what makes being a pioneer so wonderful!!

JOB as in JOBE!!

Over the last few weeks at church we were "blessed" with the titles from the book of Job found in the Old testament of the Bible...

Job ( pronounced JOBE) is a collection of chapters about a guy who suffers every possible ill fate you can dream of; his whole family day, he looses his house and all his belongings, he gets sick and his friends try and be helpful by telling him how bad he must have been for this to happen.
It does however have a happy ending where Job continues to believe and trust in God and  gets his livelihood back a new wife and family etc...

This has been the hardest subject for me to have to speak on....a man suffers the ultimate test and keeps on going...
How do we cope with pain and suffering, or at least how do we cope when those we love suffer?

It's about a year now since my aunty died having suffered several bouts of cancer and it was agonizing to watch her deteriorate but by some miracle she felt assured of her hope in heaven adn was at peace at the end.,
A dear curate colleague of mine has recently just died from our Diocese again after a 2nd bout of cancer leaving a whole load of people wondering WHY?

All I can say is I don't have the answers, the world is a horrible place to be at times and bad things do happen to good people. My only hope is that this isn't the end...something much better is waiting for us when the time comes...because if I didn't believe that I think I would go slowly mad.

Job has sent me slightly stir crazy but he has also taught me that if you have a relationship with God you can survive anything....

My prayer and thoughts this week are with all those who are or know someone who is suffering at the moment that we can be ears to listen arms to hug and good old British tea makers rather than try to give advice that is probably not needed or wanted!

Holidays !

this time last week we were playing in the sand, running around a swimming pool having fun with water pistols, enjoying fine food and drinks and SUNSHINE !

we had the real pleasure of spending 7 nights in Fuengarola in Spain, a place that after only 2 visits has become a place we love and know very well.

Daniel took to Spanish life instantly enjoying tapas sunshine and siestas and then staying up late to charm the locals in the bars and restaurants.

Having time with family just to chill out enjoy life and not be tied to any time schedules was just lovely, to see my dad and Daniel building boats, cars and planes in the sand was a delight reminding me of my own childhood beach days.

Spanish lifestyle really does suit us , but for now we are back in Hoo getting back into the swing of things and trying to keep the memory of Spain alive....and looking to see if we can book to go again