Missionary Man

Missionary Man turned 4 today! So the work with the homeless continues and planning on resuming a discipleship class too. The Lord is at work, and his purposes and will cannot be thwarted. Thanks to Him for providing me with work, opportunity, friends, brothers&sisters and more to do His work reaching out to those in need of grace, mercy, forgiveness, healing, restoration, and hopefully a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. 

Retaliation will not bring peace.

I don’t think that anyone has the right to judge such folk, and I suppose if more focus was shifted to Christians who show real Christ-like love to the disenfranchised, the outcast, the much maligned, then perhaps people may be less likely to have reason to make films mocking such pro-active love, the heart of the Christian message and mission.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. John 3:16

New band Empire of Grace are gigging. Formed with bassist Zdenek from my previous band Secondhand daylight playing some of those songs plus a few newies. Percussionist is Matej, the ex-manager of Zazemi, the cafe bar part of the Czech Christian community Ta Cesta. Matej now works in a school for blind kids and does social studies. 

Reading stories to kids as part of leading a city camp in the Prague 8 district for two weeks. 

Been working as a part-time teacher and more involved at another international church which reaches out to refugees. Because of the sensitive nature of the project there's no photos or more info. In addition the manager of the community centre cafe bar I helped reconstruct and decorate is the percussionist in my new band; "Empire of Grace". He left that job to study social studies and work in a school with blind children. Now I have a "partner in crime" we are hoping for breakthrough with one particular friend. I'm also teaching part-time and working with kids!

Sometimes God takes us to places we would never even dream of, to do a work only we can do. Willingness. I was having panic attacks and a friend who assists nurses (My Angel) knew it was a sign something was wrong, deep depression, in my case partially repressed grief. So I went to a doctor and was hospitalized. God had shown me this was where he wanted me clearly. So I was admitted to a psych ward in a mental institution. My depression was so bad I was Jonah under the tree wanting to die. In hospital i felt like in the belly of a whale. Aslo see Psalms of David - my fave is 22. So there I was being treated for anxiety. God had a plan. Several of the patients were believers but did not have bibles. Soon the had bibles and a Lord’s prayer. One lad was ledt Christ and became a Christian, every morning we were meeting praying, and discussing God’s Holy infallible word. Some had NO visitors so I was a friend to the friendless. See also Job. I knew God had allowed my illness for a good reason. I reached out and made good friends quickly. In the midst of the darkness a strong light shone. I believe I was sent there by God, to a “Ninevah” fora divine purpose. He only wants our humilty and willingness to serve, he does the rest. Today I am literally released and home!!

There was a guy, a peaceful guy with a dangerous message threatening the status quo between an occupying force and the appointed leaders. It was a message of love and peace against the rigid legalistic system of that society, where obeying a law meant more than helping a man up out of a ditch. There was a conspiracy to catch him out, and they chose the most brutal form of execution possible, rushing it thru without due process, ripping his skin to shreds with a whip, pushing nail-like thorns into his head and finally hanging him from a nail thru his wrists on a large wooden construction til he bled and suffocated to death. It's not a nice pretty story. It's quite horrific. The point of this story is why?, and to remember that why? each year, solemnly, as we understand we have all failed, and are in need of help to live a life that actually means something. I believe He is risen. So that He may continue to help us live that life each and every day. 

One of the joys of being part of a community is sharing in those landmark milestone moments in a friend’s life. (Captain) Rex is a leader in my church and today experience the joy of marrying the love of his life, Zuzka. Fortunately for me he decided to share this happy occasion and so i got to witness the start of something truly special. Knowing Rex as I have for the last 3 years i am sure that Zuzka is a very blessed lady. 

It has been an honour and a privilege to lead my church’s weekly Wednesday evening Bible study for the last few weeks. Here you can see a “good week” as in attendance, it’s quite international, the photo was taken by a Hungarian man visiting Prague for work, there’s an Australian, South African, Ethiopian, Welshman (our pastor), American, Indian, 3 Czechs and me! The man sitting to my left (I am front-left) is my friend Michal who has been on quite a journey over the last 8 years since I met him. He is now attending the Wednesday group plus a Baptism preparation course! So encouraging to see! As you can see we always have really delicious food prepared by our host, which is one of my favourite things about this ministry!

The photo shows my two sons Lukas and Adam pulling 2 trolleys containing 50 sandwiches and 6 large flasks of hot tea, plus hats, socks and gloves for the homeless friends we visit each Saturday as part of our church’s You Are Not Alone outreach.

My church IBCP has a ministry called ‘FREEDOM’ which tackles anti-human trafficking. Every week teams go out on the streets of Prague to reach out to victims of modern slavery offering real hope. The teams also create gifts for the women they meet as a real tangible act of love, and these gifts are seriously appreciated. This year the drummer from my band and my 2 boys got involved making Christmas cards. 

Part of my commitment to the International Baptist Church of Prague is being a part of their outreach to the homeless; “You Are Not Alone”. This photo shows my eldest son Lukas helping out packing forks in napkins to go out with around 50 hot meals distributed with hot tea, warm socks, hats and other practical clothing by 2 teams each Saturday. An invaluable piece of social action, in my opinion.

Well I have much sadness for the tragedy in Paris and deepest sympathies to all my French friends. In many ways it is beyond words. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but feels joy in celebrating truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I hope that love will increase, and the hate will decrease. 

I am a member of the International Baptist Church of Prague. Every Wednesday we meet for Bible study and prayer. As a Christian I find it vital for encouragement, support, and a chance to share what God has done for me in my life. Also, what He is doing currently. 2 of the ladies pictured are involved in Prison Fellowship, this means meeting with prisoners in prison, helping prepare them for release, and then supporting them once they are released, including a club for ex-offenders. I am currently personally involved with one certain young man who was in prison then re-offended.