"Why Vancouver?"

Over the past few days I have had people asking me "so why Vancouver?" for that reason I wanted to share on here exactly why I am going to Vancouver.

In December 2009 I was part of a Discipleship Training School (DTS) sent out of Holmsted Manor (West Sussex, UK) as a part of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). As part of this school I had the privalidge of leading a team of 8 amazing people on a 10-week outreach to Vancouver, where we served the local community by working in homeless shelters/drop-in centres, assisted churches with Christmas celebrations, and came together with many churches and charities to offer radical hospitality to the many travellers arriving for the Winter Olympics games. It was a great time, ask me if you want to know more.

I left Vancouver on Feruary 25th 2010 and that was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, leaving a place where you feel such a draw to especially when it still feels like there is so much to do is a tough thing to do. Vancouver and its people haven't left my thoughts or my prays since I left that day.

Since joining YWAM God has had me on a journey discovering my passions and teaching me more about His heart. I know that I have a passion for urban areas, especially in the western world. I have always had a heart for North America, there is so much need and so much hurt there, whether that be on the streets with rough sleepers or in the high-rise buildings with the millionaires, its in the commercial world that I feel we hide our hurt, our "uglyness" and then we blame it on religion (Christianity). My hope and vision is to be a true example of the body of Christ (a Christian) in an urban area, in Vancouver.

What does this look like? Good question. The simpliest answer is "God knows" because He really does. He is already paving the way for me in Vancouver before I get there, I know He has called me and I am going. I have talked with Him about what it could look like and I have some thoughts such as being on the streets at night while the clubs are emptying handing out flip-flops to girls who struggle to walk, and handing out water to the thirsty. Or standing up in churches telling them that slavery is bigger now than it ever has been, in the history of the world, and showing them that they can and must do something. 

But I am just going, hands open walking beside the One that knows best.

Blessings through free wifi - July 7th 2010

This is something that I wrote while waiting for my plane travelling back from the USA on July 7th 2010.

I feel hope and excitement for the definite life with God. I see Vancouver; 1 year. I see Oakhill; I know Theology is where my heart is. I see English mission work; Olympics 2012, community. I see a deeper knowledge of the Word and a greater understanding of God's heart; for me and for people (others). What's after? God knows! California? Vancouver? California = small church reaching many(!), assistant pastor/missions pastor, church plants...

I see a God, my God, move in incredible ways, wherever that may be.

In All Honesty...

Rest I have not found...
They keep coming, keep coming, keep crawling right through my teeth.
They keep coming, keep coming, your children I feed off to keep awake...
Long enough to meet the next little sheep...
Long enough to meet the next to buy every word I preach.

It's like I was born to rip the flesh from her bones.
I'm forever stalking the streets for the next one.
I've found I can run faster, faster than guilt could ever.
I've found once a man lets virtue aside he finds sweet what follows.
I've found that I can run faster than guilt could ever.

"I'm bleeding while you're leading for my enemy."

How could you really think that I am worth this rescuing?
I wish I could be so much more than me.

"You could be the one who pleases me.
You could be, because I can reach through anything."

I wish I could be so much more than me.

"You could be the one who pleases me.
You could be... my arms are reaching."

You're reaching out to a dog that's tasted and turned.
Why? Why waste your time when I've found my strength in another?
Can you see more in me? Can you really see more than just a beast?

"I'm bleeding so you can be the one who pleases me!"

I'm sorry, but I just can't justify this rescuing.

"You can't see fairness as your clarity.
The better man is what your heart wants to be
but you rape every trusted chance I bring your way.
If justice you seek, in death it should be."

I wish I could be so much more than me.

"You could be the one who pleases me.
You could be, because I can reach through anything."

I want to believe. Will you take me?

"You could be the one who pleases me.
You could be, my arms are reaching."

I don't want to be the father who has to watch his daughter
be conned and stripped bare by a monster like me.
God, put me to sleep.

We call it living

Joel 3:10 - Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, "I am a warrior." [ESV]

So I decided to make this month's update letter a blog. It has been a little while since I have written an update as it has been a very busy period of my life. Both physically and emotionally. I will try to share my feelings and shed some light on what has been happening.

Vancouver

I last wrote when I had just gotten back from a vacation to the USA and I was informing you all of my plans to move to Vancouver. These plans are very much still happening. I have a flight booked for September 28^th of this year and will be starting with YWAM Vancouver on arrival. It is still very much a journey to get there, but I have booked my ticket in complete faith that God is going with me and will keep providing. I know He has called me there and I know that He is preparing the way for me. On first arrival I will be taking a few days out to pray and walk around the city. This will give me time to seek God on what He is specifically called me to be a part of. It will also give some time to connecting with different people around the city, both in YWAM and in other charities and organisations. I will be connecting with staff at YWAM Vancouver and putting together what we are calling an "Urban Ministries" team. This has very much been on my heart since leaving Vancouver in February and I am very excited to see it birth and watch God move through it. What will this look like? Only God really knows for

sure, but my desire is, as a practical example, giving out flip flops to girls that have gone clubbing or handing out bottles of water. It will also involve Prayer Stations around the city and offering spiritual help as well as practical. I have been drawing inspiration from movements such as "24/7 Prayer" and "Street Pastors" that do similar things. I am so eager to get started!

Two Hard Weeks

Two weeks ago on Monday 9^th August I found out that my Nan (Grandma) had died earlier that morning. This came as a bit of a shock as it seemed that she was getting slightly better. This news came just as I was settling back into Holmsted after spending a week away promoting YWAM at New Wine Christian Conference. It has since made transition back very difficult. On hearing the news it consumed most of my thoughts and emotions, this made it difficult to process anything else. The funeral was last Wednesday (18^th), it was a good funeral with lots of celebration of what God had done through Nan's life, she will be missed.
Shortly following that news I found out that the apartment that I was hopeful to move into in Vancouver was not going to happen, so it can at times feel like I am moving backwards in regards to my move there. Added to that finances are low, I am still praying for 50% of what I need monthly to come in. I know and trust God is in control, so daily I lift the situation to Him.
I have been "floating" around Holmsted as I struggle to really find my feet here; I know that it is time for me to leave. It has been a real blessing to spend the last year here and God has shown Himself to me in ways I could never have imagined, but my season here is over and Holmsted is moving in a new direction now, one that I am not part of. I pray God will always be glorified here.
I will be leaving Holmsted on September 13^th and spending some time seeing friends and mentors around the UK (and possibly Europe) before I depart England bound for Vancouver.

How can you help?

Above all, pray for me. It sounds cliché but please do, I need it. God is really showing me in this time that are hard that my strength really only comes from Him. I cannot do this on my own. I have booked my ticket to Vancouver but that is all I have. I am relying on God and on His body on earth to keep me there for the time He has called me. Please remember me in your prayers:

• Strength as I process and deal with recent events
  
• Motivation as I keep pushing towards Vancouver
  
• Self control to stay focused on God and to seek His righteousness
  
• Provision for finances and somewhere to live
  

If you want/can to practically help then there are a few things you can do:

• If you know of anyone in Vancouver, Canada that might know of anywhere I can stay then let me know.
  
• Regularly financially support me - Every YWAMer, all 18,000 of us worldwide, are kept in ministry through relationship based support.
  
• Write to me – Hearing from you, Christ's body, really lifts me up and encourages me.
  

In closing

I want to say a massive heartfelt thank you to everyone that has been there for me in these two weeks and over this last year. Every word said and e-mail written has really blessed me beyond words. Christ is alive in you, it is the hope of glory. It is only because of you that I can keep going and keep giving 100% to bringing God's Kingdom to earth. I am so blessed to be seeing God move in a real way everywhere I go and see lives changed because of His amazing grace.

Joel 3:10
Can you spend 3 minutes a day praying for me?
Can you give £10 a month?

Please be praying

So I have booked my flight to Vancouver for the 28th September 2010. I know this is where God is calling me for the next year so i am stepping out in complete faith. In doing that I have booked my plane ticket not knowing how I am going to survive finacially while in Vancouver, so please be praying for that; that God will provide.

I'll give more details soon :-)