catching up
here is the halfway mark in a series of posts catching up on the last few weeks: sorry to have been so hopeless in blogging: thanks for the encouragements to get back to it... I'll try and write more tomorrow
St Andrews
In many ways I was most looking forward to the time in St Andrews; but I was also quite trepidatious about it too. It had been almost 4 years since I'd spent any decent amount of time there.
I drove in from the south ("Jane" assured me it would be the fastest route) and saw the best view of St Andrews: looking down on the roofs and streets from the hill approaching from the southern coast road. I almost (ALMOST mind) cried on seeing it again.
Here I discovered the real cost and joy of gospel living, here I met my wife, here I resolved to go to the ends of the earth, here I found the joy of student ministry that has dominated my days since. Oh yes, and I got a degree too.
The two days in St Andrews was to be focussed on speaking at two evangelistic events, one seminar and one main CU meeting.
Solid Rock cafe - was great: over 120 students eating a one pound lunch and being prepared to listen to anyone who would speak. I spoke on 10 things I learned from movies (all trivial) and 5 things I learned in 4 years at St Andrews. They listened well and the response was warm to the challenge to investigate Jesus for themselves.
I was struck by how so many of the students could have been my contemporaries but even in the seemily unchanging world of St Andrews life moves on. Starbucks, Costa coffee and even Subway have all entered the hallowed ground of Market Street ("McDonalds will never get in though" seems to be a refrain of students). Student numbers have increased significantly (6000 now - 3,500 in my day) and debt and work are more pressing realities now than they were for me and my fellow students (rent can now be around 150 pounds per week!)
Fri lunchtime talk - the crowd was smaller but a significant number of CU members had invited and brought friends to the lunch. One of whom went out and bought lunch for a friend's dietry needs which had not been catered for already. I am impressed by several students passion and commitment to their friends, they seem to have grasped the unique opportunity that being in St Andrew's provides. Making the most of the time that God has given them. It is also impressed upon me that St Andrews is a particularly strategic place for student mission - the CU are everywhere and have the chance to explain the gospel clearly to all.
The seminar was poorly attended but warmly appreciated. In the intimacy of the 6 students attending we were able to look at Romans 12-14 in overview: what does in mean to live getting your hands 'dirty' in the world. One of the students said it was the best seminar he had ever been too - apart from wanting him to get out more, I appreciated his encouragement!
CU on Friday night was great. There was a last mintue hitch with the venue so we moved from the Town Hall to Holy Trinity church - 300 or more students packed in for the evening and I spoke on Jesus and the thief on the cross. I called students to live by faith and grace not by being 'good enough', I called them to live for Jesus and not for themselves - to know that in Christ alone there is hope and confidence before God.
One student was particularly struck by the message - he was greatly effected and found it hard to put into words what God was doing in his heart. His friends came looking for me to talk with him, we spoke, he seemed full of 'serious joy' and went off into the night praising God and confident of Christ. I prayed that night, as I pray now, that this experience will be anchored in a love for Christ expressed in obedient joy.
I also had some great time with individual students over dinner, coffee and one particularly fine walk around St Andrews: I thank God for them, for their hospitality and the generosity of heart and trust in being willing to talk to me about their lives and walk with Jesus. The work that the Lord has given me is no great burden: it is a delight and a privilege. I got a coffee with an old friend and flatmate too - how amazing to be able to laugh and chat, seek forgivness and give thanks for times gone by (as well as to blush by how stupid I was as a student, but with a sense of gratitude for God's grace despite stupidity!)
I drove in from the south ("Jane" assured me it would be the fastest route) and saw the best view of St Andrews: looking down on the roofs and streets from the hill approaching from the southern coast road. I almost (ALMOST mind) cried on seeing it again.
Here I discovered the real cost and joy of gospel living, here I met my wife, here I resolved to go to the ends of the earth, here I found the joy of student ministry that has dominated my days since. Oh yes, and I got a degree too.
The two days in St Andrews was to be focussed on speaking at two evangelistic events, one seminar and one main CU meeting.
Solid Rock cafe - was great: over 120 students eating a one pound lunch and being prepared to listen to anyone who would speak. I spoke on 10 things I learned from movies (all trivial) and 5 things I learned in 4 years at St Andrews. They listened well and the response was warm to the challenge to investigate Jesus for themselves.
I was struck by how so many of the students could have been my contemporaries but even in the seemily unchanging world of St Andrews life moves on. Starbucks, Costa coffee and even Subway have all entered the hallowed ground of Market Street ("McDonalds will never get in though" seems to be a refrain of students). Student numbers have increased significantly (6000 now - 3,500 in my day) and debt and work are more pressing realities now than they were for me and my fellow students (rent can now be around 150 pounds per week!)
Fri lunchtime talk - the crowd was smaller but a significant number of CU members had invited and brought friends to the lunch. One of whom went out and bought lunch for a friend's dietry needs which had not been catered for already. I am impressed by several students passion and commitment to their friends, they seem to have grasped the unique opportunity that being in St Andrew's provides. Making the most of the time that God has given them. It is also impressed upon me that St Andrews is a particularly strategic place for student mission - the CU are everywhere and have the chance to explain the gospel clearly to all.
The seminar was poorly attended but warmly appreciated. In the intimacy of the 6 students attending we were able to look at Romans 12-14 in overview: what does in mean to live getting your hands 'dirty' in the world. One of the students said it was the best seminar he had ever been too - apart from wanting him to get out more, I appreciated his encouragement!
CU on Friday night was great. There was a last mintue hitch with the venue so we moved from the Town Hall to Holy Trinity church - 300 or more students packed in for the evening and I spoke on Jesus and the thief on the cross. I called students to live by faith and grace not by being 'good enough', I called them to live for Jesus and not for themselves - to know that in Christ alone there is hope and confidence before God.
One student was particularly struck by the message - he was greatly effected and found it hard to put into words what God was doing in his heart. His friends came looking for me to talk with him, we spoke, he seemed full of 'serious joy' and went off into the night praising God and confident of Christ. I prayed that night, as I pray now, that this experience will be anchored in a love for Christ expressed in obedient joy.
I also had some great time with individual students over dinner, coffee and one particularly fine walk around St Andrews: I thank God for them, for their hospitality and the generosity of heart and trust in being willing to talk to me about their lives and walk with Jesus. The work that the Lord has given me is no great burden: it is a delight and a privilege. I got a coffee with an old friend and flatmate too - how amazing to be able to laugh and chat, seek forgivness and give thanks for times gone by (as well as to blush by how stupid I was as a student, but with a sense of gratitude for God's grace despite stupidity!)
Edinburgh
My lil bro leant me his Tomtom - Sat Nav system. Which was an amazing grace as I had quite a bit of driving to do and 'Jane' (the navigation voice) led me admirably through a variety of half-remembered routes and cities.
Edinburgh is always beautiful - I stopped in to have a coffee with Kay Cathcart and two Relay Workers. I've known Kay since student days, we were leaders of different CU's at the same time. Our friendship is testimony to the strategic reality of student ministry - she is an amazing woman who, under grace, is a real strength in UCCF ministry in Scotland. I then caught up with Karl and Nikki Martin, friends from Leeds, by making use of their considerable gift of hospitality. We talked about life in ministry, family, moving to a new place, the joys and cost of gospel living. I'm grateful that I can call people like this friends.
Again, I was struck by the relative ease of friendships rekindled - the miles between NZ and UK seemed all the larger and all the smaller at the same time. Kisses, hugs, declarations that we must do better at keeping in touch, tacit acceptance that we probably won't but that when the next time comes friendship can be picked up where it was left off.
Edinburgh is always beautiful - I stopped in to have a coffee with Kay Cathcart and two Relay Workers. I've known Kay since student days, we were leaders of different CU's at the same time. Our friendship is testimony to the strategic reality of student ministry - she is an amazing woman who, under grace, is a real strength in UCCF ministry in Scotland. I then caught up with Karl and Nikki Martin, friends from Leeds, by making use of their considerable gift of hospitality. We talked about life in ministry, family, moving to a new place, the joys and cost of gospel living. I'm grateful that I can call people like this friends.
Again, I was struck by the relative ease of friendships rekindled - the miles between NZ and UK seemed all the larger and all the smaller at the same time. Kisses, hugs, declarations that we must do better at keeping in touch, tacit acceptance that we probably won't but that when the next time comes friendship can be picked up where it was left off.
Liverpool
My mother was not expecting me: the rest of the family knew I was coming, she didn't. I was slightly anxious about the surprise. Especially after friends relayed the story of someone they knew who had surprised their elderly mother, she had fallen, broken a hip and died 10 days later from complications.
However, glad to report, that no trauma happened - she was delighted but intrigued to see her fourth progeny (me - for the dim) out of the blue.
It was great to spend time with my family - nothing much has changed for them, it was much like any other visit of the last few years: like I'd popped over from Leicester or Leeds in years gone by. The normality of it felt very nice and reassuring.
It was also great to get to Christchurch in Liverpool. This has become a 'home away from home' when we are visiting my family. It is made all the more so by good friends being in church leadership there. Though jet lag got the better of me and I asked someone how married life was and they told me that they weren't married! oops.
I saw Maurice and Steve as well as Jen and Ed (who don't have a blog that I know of) and it was brilliant.
I didn't get a chance to check out the city centre's run toward being European Capital of Culture but from what I can tell the city will equit itself with some aplomb.
However, glad to report, that no trauma happened - she was delighted but intrigued to see her fourth progeny (me - for the dim) out of the blue.
It was great to spend time with my family - nothing much has changed for them, it was much like any other visit of the last few years: like I'd popped over from Leicester or Leeds in years gone by. The normality of it felt very nice and reassuring.
It was also great to get to Christchurch in Liverpool. This has become a 'home away from home' when we are visiting my family. It is made all the more so by good friends being in church leadership there. Though jet lag got the better of me and I asked someone how married life was and they told me that they weren't married! oops.
I saw Maurice and Steve as well as Jen and Ed (who don't have a blog that I know of) and it was brilliant.
I didn't get a chance to check out the city centre's run toward being European Capital of Culture but from what I can tell the city will equit itself with some aplomb.
On the way
Sitting on a plane for 24 hours, even with a choice of 80 films, 100 TV programmes, 300 CD's, 40 or more games and amazing amounts of food; is an endeavour not to be entered into lightly. It is tiring and disorientating and sometimes a little scarey.
Within the first 30 minutes of the first flight I was watching a comdey programme (Catherine Tate for those in the know) and laughed so hard and loud I earned disapproving looks from my fellow passengers (the woman next to me looked concerned that I might laugh like that all the way to Singapore!). I didn't.
5 hours into the second flight (16 hours into the total flight time and 20 hours into the journey) I began to believe that my life had always been on a plane and always would be.
Then she spoke; like no other voice I had ever heard over the public address system on a plane.
"Can I have all passenger's attention please"
As dopey as I was and as engaged in the film I was watching as I was, I was suddenly awake. There were at least five slow seconds.
"Can I have all passenger's attention please, I have an important announcement"
Seconds earlier people had been sleepily watching their personal screens, sleeping or reading books. It was the 'night' section of the flight. Now we were all sat bolt upright, illuminated but the bluish glow of the now forgotted entertainment screens.
In that moment fear was tangible. WHAT would this important announcement be? I immediately made the decision to die with dignity: that I would not scream as the plane plummetted through the skies to the earth below - and that I would try and share the gospel with the nice lady next to me. I then contemplated the disappointements and the loss of others, I wondered if the will I made in Britain 5 years ago should have been updated and made afresh in the NZ context - I hoped it wouldn't be a problem for Ines: she'd have enough to cope with.
"Ladies and Gentlemen we have a situation on the plane." (Father I'm sorry that my heart is so sinful and self-reliant...) "A passenger has fallen ill and needs medical attention, if you are medical personnel could you alert one of the crew" ("Oh, we're not going to die just yet, I'm still sorry...")
It seemed that half the passengers were medical personnell - it seemed too that in the stasis of flying I'd lost perspective: or did I regain it?
It gave me a chance to think, pray and look forward to getting to the UK!
Within the first 30 minutes of the first flight I was watching a comdey programme (Catherine Tate for those in the know) and laughed so hard and loud I earned disapproving looks from my fellow passengers (the woman next to me looked concerned that I might laugh like that all the way to Singapore!). I didn't.
5 hours into the second flight (16 hours into the total flight time and 20 hours into the journey) I began to believe that my life had always been on a plane and always would be.
Then she spoke; like no other voice I had ever heard over the public address system on a plane.
"Can I have all passenger's attention please"
As dopey as I was and as engaged in the film I was watching as I was, I was suddenly awake. There were at least five slow seconds.
"Can I have all passenger's attention please, I have an important announcement"
Seconds earlier people had been sleepily watching their personal screens, sleeping or reading books. It was the 'night' section of the flight. Now we were all sat bolt upright, illuminated but the bluish glow of the now forgotted entertainment screens.
In that moment fear was tangible. WHAT would this important announcement be? I immediately made the decision to die with dignity: that I would not scream as the plane plummetted through the skies to the earth below - and that I would try and share the gospel with the nice lady next to me. I then contemplated the disappointements and the loss of others, I wondered if the will I made in Britain 5 years ago should have been updated and made afresh in the NZ context - I hoped it wouldn't be a problem for Ines: she'd have enough to cope with.
"Ladies and Gentlemen we have a situation on the plane." (Father I'm sorry that my heart is so sinful and self-reliant...) "A passenger has fallen ill and needs medical attention, if you are medical personnel could you alert one of the crew" ("Oh, we're not going to die just yet, I'm still sorry...")
It seemed that half the passengers were medical personnell - it seemed too that in the stasis of flying I'd lost perspective: or did I regain it?
It gave me a chance to think, pray and look forward to getting to the UK!
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