Amazingly we have been at our new house in Stepney for over 3 years. That in mind, a few weeks ago, I was getting a bit restless to see things happen on our estate. I didn't know why was feeling angry and a little under achieved. I was impatient for God to do something. How could I get to know people on the estate? I have to say it got me quite down.
We still carried on with life, of course, One day Andrea and I decided we would take a second visit to a country park that we had visited before. This was Wat Tyler Country Park. It was named after a person in the peasants revolt. Here is write up about it:
It is a great place for bird watching. On this day though, it was cold and cloudy and rather windy. Despite that we were still able to name 35 species of birds including a rare sighting of a cuckoo. We were quite pleased with ourselves.
The country park is well maintained and has a visitors centre. We went in there to use the loo.
On entering I noticed a little card advert in the rack by the entrance. The card showed “Messy Church”; I was intrigued. It was advertising an event by Christians for adults and children alike to get involved in doing art in the context of church life.
I could not make the date of the event, but, I did ring them up to ask for more details. To my surprise they told me the church meets there each Sunday in the hall next to the visitors centre. I felt I really wanted to go to find out how they did things and maybe learn a thing or two from them. To see if I could apply what I learned to where we lived.
After a few weeks Andrea and I went along. The drive took about 40 minutes but it was well worth it. They weren't doing the arty stuff( this was normally on a Saturday, and designed to attract new people to come along) but was a Christian service of songs, prayers and preaching; it was just what I needed. All through the service I felt God speak to me. The songs spoke to me, the prayers spoke to me, how people of the church really welcomed us spoke to me, and most of all the preaching spoke to me.
One sone song in particular:
"One Thing Remains" by Jesus Culture
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains
Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me
Because on and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And i'll never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
In death
In life
I'm confident and covered by the Power of Your great love
My debt is paid
Theres nothing that can separate
My heart from Your great love
Check out the video
Then came the message from Galatians Chapter 3. ( I recommend you read it in your Bible).
I realised there was nothing God wanted from me or wanted me to do to gain His love or be effective in my community. That was secure and unchanging in Christ. I left that meeting changed. God needed me to let go, to stop trying, and let Him do what He wanted to do.
Then it all kicked off.
A leaflet came through the door telling of an estate surgery to talk about issues on the estate and what you wanted to see happen on the estate.
I was off work on one of the Tuesday's this was on, so I went along. Little did I realise there was another person was feeling the same thing. Rahela was there saying she too wanted to see change in the community and to have a sense of belonging and togetherness on the estate. Of course the first meeting felt a bit awkward and we were careful not to step on each other’s toes. Since then though we have got on so well. She is a muslim and she knows I am a follower of Jesus. This did not worry her at all. We have gone door knocking to tell every one of our plans and, because she is there, it has opened lots of doors.
Because we got on so well we were able to secure funding from the estate for a Summer Fun Day and a seaside trip. The Funday has been funded to almost £1800 and the seaside trip around £700. We were amazed.
Maybe I have spoken before about a person of peace that Jesus told the disciples about when He sent them out in The New Testament. Rahela, I believe, is that person of peace person of peace for me in this situation..
And it was only this week that we had the Funday. It was a lovely sunny day; much better weather than the original planned day. The contractors were due to arrive by 11am, but, as it turned out, turned up at 10:30. They quickly on with the job of setting up. There was lots to do, there was candy floss, popcorn, a bouncy castle, and gladiator dueling., The face painter was on her way as well. I had to go off and get the speaker system so we could have some music and make announcements. When I returned it was all set up! It all looked very exciting! I was a little anxious that it would go okay, but I needn't have worried, as God was looking after things. We set up a gazebo under which we had the food. On the leaflet advertising this day we had of the residents who were coming they would bring a dish to share with everyone else. I was surprised: everyone got involved and brought lovely food for us to share.
Using the microphone I declared the day open. Everyone jumped on the various activities. The gladiator duelling seemed very popular, and right from the start there were a queues to get on. Straight away the kids went for the popcorn and candy floss but the hot dog stall stayed shut until later. This was to allow more people to arrive and, as the number of hot dogs was limited, we felt it only fair that everyone had a chance to have one.
I have been planning to do some kids club type games, but as none of my church friends we're able to come, I felt I couldn't have carried on on my own. As it turned out though, it was better that concentrated on seeing the day run smoothly.
My friend, Alison Newman (Nee Salmon) came along. She now lives in Leicester and was down in London for a wedding. She said she would come along and have a look. She commented, when she saw me, that the atmosphere seemed very relaxed and I was not at all phased by the days events. Indeed I wasn't, the lessons I had learned earlier about leaving things for God to do, seemed to of helped me relax into the job but seeing the day go ahead smoothly. That's not to say that the day itself didn't leave me exhausted, after it had finished, but I knew God was in this. I was very satisfied with how things worked out.
I am now looking forward to the seaside trip coming up at the end of the August. We shall be hiring a coach and heading off to Clacton on Sea. Hopefully the weather will be fine and we should have a good time.
Things are moving for our daughter SJ who has got engaged and is getting married in June of next year. Her fiance is mark. She has known him quite a long time, since school, in fact. Sarah jane has chosen the venue for the reception: it will be the Oval cricket ground in Kennington.
Talking of weddings, Andrea and me went to a mehndi yesterday. We had such a good time. It is a real privilege that we should be very much part of the Bengal a community. And they should invite us to what really should be a family occasion. The mendhi was for the younger brother of the man I have told you about before who is it in a wheelchair after a stroke some four years ago. The joy of this family occasion was very infectious and we loved seeing all the colourful costumes and smiles on peoples faces. We have also by invited to the wedding which is on next week, Tuesday. I'm looking forward to it.
In news about me, unfortunately the doctor has placed me on an insulin pen. It means every day I have to take the insulin . I will even have to take it on the plane when we visit Richard in Berlin early September. I will have to get a letter from the doctor so that I can take the pen through security. I have had diabetes since 2006. It is quite a long time now and yet although on insulin I'm not really at a degenerated state. I have to watch myself, but generally, I feel I'm doing OK.
The mother of a Bengali family, who we visit, paid me quite a compliment the other day, she called up her son, Ayub, and asked "Where is my son?"
"What do you mean? I am your son!" he replied'
"No where is my son, Steve!" She went on.
She was keen for me to come round for an eid meal. So Ayub came and knocked on my door and told me what mum had said. Andrea and me promptly got ready and went there. When we got there though, we couldn't get an answer from the buzzer. No matter what I tried I got no answer. Are you even tried to get some kids playing on the floor above to come down and see if they could knock the door to get some response. I have left my mobile phone at home so I couldn't ring! What was I to do? All I could do, what's to return home' pick up my mobile phone and ring Ayub. It turns out the the buzzer was broken. She was in all along. She must have been praying so as not have heard a knock on the door by the neighbours. When we went for a second time we saw her waiting on the balcony looking out for us. She was all apologetic and explained about the buzzer.
We had such a good time while there because One of the boys from when we did Kids Club, Shohel and wife and child, turned up. After eating and spending some time reminiscing about kids club and telling mum about what happened recently to us and about our grandchildren, Shohel invited us to see his flat, his new flat, the one he had recently moved in to. It was lovely! It had two bedrooms, a very big lounge and kitchen. He told me that it was a 5 ways swap to get a flat. The council have told him that they knew no one else who had ever had a 5 way swap. But this shows Shohel's determination.
