Last night was the 2nd Annual Street Pastor Gala Ball. It was held at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel and had almost 140 people attended. In addition to having a great night it also raised some much needed funds for the scheme.

It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to put on the tuxedo and of course all their woman looked stunning, non more so than my gorgeous wife! I addition we like to present awards to people who assist the scheme. This time we honoured the owner of the Mocka Lounge, Jahan Abedi. We also gave an award to Sgt Scott Lloyd who was unable to be there. Ruth Samways came up with a unique way of including him in the photos. 

The legend that is Martyn Moss was the well deserved recipient of the "Street Pastor of the Year" award.

I am writing this from the "green room" at the Vine Church in Dunfermline. These are the great people who used to organise the Frenzy Festival each year. They know how to serve and we are been looked after really well!

Yesterday, We were in Glasgow. I love being there if for no other reason than it gives me the opportunity to hang out with my mate Tim Cheshire from Superhero. Yesterday had the additional bonus that Sue, his lovely wife was also with him. We had such a great time in the bar afterwards and I am grateful for friends like this. The event was excellent, Graham was on form and Tony was on fire! At least 59 kids got sponsored last night and that makes the miles and the hours worthwhile

Travelling with these people is really nice. Terl Bryant is such a talented drummer and percussionist. In addition Graham is using an acoustic bass player called Simon Dennis. Simon was Graham's original guitar player when he first started! Between them they are re-working Graham's classic worship songs and also playing some of his new "story" songs that have been recorded on "The Acoustic Gospels"

More to follow....

 

It was 15 years ago that as part of the newly founded charity, Nigel and I organised a date at Cardiff International Arena for Graham Kendrick as part of his Rumours of Angels Tour. Over 2,500 turned out and it was a very special evening. Shortly after we introduced to the ministry of Compassion. Since then Big Ideas and Ignite have partnered with this wonderful organisation.

So with all this background it is great to be doing 11 dates with Graham and Dr Tony Campolo. I am typing this on a ferry between Belfast and Stranraer as we head to an event in Glasgow tonight. Last night at least 96 kids were sponsored through Compassion and 600 people had a great night of thought provoking ministry and entertainment.

As well as tour managing I am driving the bus (thought those days were well behind me!).

The irony has not escaped me that as I am on a ferry crossing the Irish Sea, Nigel is preparing for another time of ministry by joining a cruise ship embarking on a Caribbean cruise! 

If you want to come and see us. Buy tickets from www.christiantickets.co.uk

 I am getting ready to go on annual summer holiday. I know its getting that time of the year because it's raining and also I am beginning to feel a little weary. Do you know the feeling when you are tired, you go to bed and even if you have a good nights sleep you still wake up tired? Well I have all that going on. Don't get me wrong I love going to work, I love all the little jobs in the garden, I love all the stuff of life and yet I feel I need to take a break.

Deep down I have always thought I could be a lazy person if I was not careful. As a result I have "trained" myself to stay busy so I do not waste my life watching soaps and slobbing about! The result is that I sometimes  find it difficult to relax. So a holiday where pace is set for you and that pace is slow is ideal for me. So for the nex tweek we will be living on the good ship Maylee on the Kennett and Avon Canal.
 

 I am reading a book by John Ortberg called "The Life You've Always Wanted" It is a book about spiritual discipline. (Now let me be honest the biggest discipline I need for most Christian books is to get past chapter 3! It's not just because I get bored easily but because many books only have about 50 pages of great stuff and then the rest is just padding!) This is different. A kind of less hardcore version of celebration of discipline.

One of the things he talks about is turning aside. That is taking time out from the normal things of life to hear from God. A great example being that of Moses who turned aside when he saw a bush burning. The fact that he did not keep tending the sheep meant the whole history of a nation changed. This is how it needs to be for us, how it needs to be for me. What I am increasingly learning is that I need to make time for solitude, for turning aside, to allow God to speak to me directly.

I am aware that God speaks to me through the preached word, through meeting with other Christians, in my interactions with others. However, I have perhaps sometimes replaced this for the direct one on one time with Him. So I am now motivating myself to set time aside for God. As with all things of God the return is always greater than the investment so perhaps it's more accurate to say I am setting time aside for me? What I know it is I cannot lose! Time to stop and time to hear from the creator of the universe!

It may come as a surprise to some but in 2010 leprosy is still a big issue in many countries in the developing world. In India, Prasad and Gateway Ministries have been caring for such a colony for many years. Recently Ignite have raised the funds to open a church there. Cardiff City Temple have raised money for toilets for each home to give the people a level of dignity. When I visited there it was a with mixed emotions. Sadness, interest, horror and honour where some of those that visited me in our brief stop over. It was a pleasure to be able to supply some food to the people and join them in worship. The full below, probably explains better.

A couple of days ago Nigel, Prasad and I along with a couple of pastors travelled almost 4 hours outside of Rajahmundry by Jeep, motorbike, boat and on foot to a church full of people who have never seen "white" people before. Most of the men where out fishing but the church was still nearly full.

 After that we headed off to another church but the people had left as we were over 3 hours late (who could blame them!). The church was now full of kids so my talk was quickly switched for a kids talk. The next church was meeting in the front room of a house. As I got up to preach I looked out of the window just as a man left the house opposite. He proceeded to take off his clothes and bathe in the street! It was an interesting distraction as I shared with the people the story of the paralysed man brought to Jesus by his friends!

It is a privilege to be here, the people are so open to the gospel and Prasad and his family are so hospitable. The film should give you a flavour of the day.

Yesterday, Nigel and I travelled for around two hours over some pretty rough roads to get to the Village of Seethanaragan. We were there to open the Ignite India church. It had been funded from money collected at the Third Day show in London last year. I did the official opening. When I unveiled the stone that commemorated the occasion, Nigel and I were greatly amused to find my name had been spelt Simth!

Enjoy the "official" film of the ceremony.

Nigel and I are getting used to the answer to the question "how far is this car journey Prasad" being "half an hour". Early evening, Nigel and I had a short nap. A knock came to our door. We go changed and whilst drinking coffee, we were informed that the church had been singing for 3o mins. As always the journey was half an hour so we set off. Tonight was my turn to preach. It was a honour to share Jesus with some wonderful people. I preached on John 10 and talked about Jesus being the gate, the shepherd and the lamb. It was an honour to pray for those who responded. Now looking forward to tomorrow!

A good question. Here is the answer!

Today we visited the Gateway School. Originally a vision by Gill James, her and Nigel have spearheaded the fund-raising and development of the Project. Things move so fast in India that in the six months since Gill and a team came out, they have added another floor! Nigel and I enjoyed meeting the pupils and staff. Not only did we visit them in their class rooms, we also played with them in their break. I am not sure who enjoyed it more, us or them.Here are some of the kids we met