Month: April 2011

I spent part of the morning in Cardiff. It was a bit strange to be there. I had a coffee and Baguette in Le Rendez-Vous. I worked there full time in 1999-2000, and 2000-2001. The place has changed a lot, the people also. But two people I used to work with are still there, and it was nice to have a quick chat with them. After that I wondered around town before going to catch my train.

The journey between Cardiff and Wrexham is amazing. The sun was shining, and the countryside was beautiful. I managed to finish another book: Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It is a challenging book and well worth a read.

Mark Thomas picked me up from Wrexham General. It was good to get to know him and his family better. His wife Gwawr is Esther’s cousin. One of the most enjoyable part of Deputation is the hospitality, and getting to know my hosts.

The meeting went well, people had a lot of questions, and we had to stop so that we could have some time to pray. Now for a good night sleep. Back to London tomorrow.

When I started planning this deputation trip, I first thought I would hire a car to move around. But as meetings started being planned, I realised that most of these could be easily reached on the train, and decided to have a go at it and travel on public transport. if you plan ahead, you can get cheap train tickets. I bought them on the web, and I retrieve them at the stations on the tickets machines. It is quite cheap (I think slightly cheaper than hiring a car). One advantage is that I can relax and rest. I have been able to read through one of Tim Keller’s books yesterday (prodigal God), and through half of Francis chan’s “Crazy Love” today.

It is working well. I have had a great time with the various people who have given me hospitality. Trains have been on time…

I am in Cardiff tonight where I spoke in the local Welsh Evangelical Church. It is good to be back ‘home’, although a bit strange. It is both encouraging and humbling to realise the support and love we get from home. We thank God for His people and for all the folks behind us in this great work. The meeting went fine, although I did speak a bit more than I hoped.

I had a strange experience tonight while speaking. I would usually turn my phone off when speaking in public, but I didn’t bother tonight since only Esther knows my British mobile number. You guess what happened. the phone rang in the middle of the presentation. it is a “skypephone” from 3 mobile. I get free skype calls on it. A friend from Cardiff (you know who you are), was trying to get in touch with Esther through skype. I didn’t answer, but I guessed that was the reason because I know who was trying to phone. I didn’t answer, and felt a bit silly. Here’s the lesson: always put your phone on silent, even if no-one is going to phone you. I should know, it has happened to me before. I was even thinking about it on the way to the meeting, but thought that was silly, and no-one would phone me. When will I learn?

I travelled on the train today from London to Carmarthen in West Wales. It was a pleasant journey, very straight forward. I was able to read through Tim Keller’s « The Prodigal God ». Great book. I am looking forward to have it translated into French. Anyone ready for the challenge? If you want to be challenged about your faith, that’s a must read.

It was good to have fellowship with the local Welsh Evangelical church. It is a great blessing to be reminded that so many people support us in prayer in our work. It is a challenge to try to give the presentation in Welsh, but the people are patient with me. I am staying with Esther’s Uncle and Aunt, and it is nice to catch up on family news. Our friends Geraint and Magali Lloyd came to say hello with their children in the afternoon, and it was great to see them. It is another Franco-Welsh couple, and the children speak Welsh and French. I am off to Cardiff tomorrow around Lunch time, to speak in the Welsh Evangelical church there.

 

The trip started with a busy day in North London. I preached in Wilton Community Church in North London. My sister in law and her husband came along with me to the morning service. It was a great blessing to be there. People were responsive to the Word of God, and very friendly. The service was simple and God centred. Pastor Chris Bennett invited us to have lunch with him. Since his wife had been unwell in the week, we went to a local restaurant in Muswell Hill, and had good food, good company and good conversations.

Gary Brady from Childs Hill Baptist Church came to pick me up, and I had tea with him and his family before the evening service there. It was great to be in London, speaking Welsh with the Bradys (although we did end up mixing both languages). It was again a blessing to worship God with the brothers and sisters there.

I am heading to Carmarthen tomorrow.