Monday, 14 September 2009
From the Red Light District of Amsterdam
We have just got back from an exhausting and immensely rewarding weekend in Amsterdam. We had a huge impact in two of the largest estates in the city. On Saturday we set up in the park of a very large housing complex that is 60% Turkish. The needs where obvious and the response to the Gospel was very strong with many opportunities to pray with people.
Late on Saturday night we went into the heart of the red light district to carry the Gospel into that notorious stronghold of pain of darkness. I was very apprehensive of what might happen when I preached the Gospel in there but the response was overwhelming. The team were able to pray with several people including two of the working girls. The slavery, the pain and the brokenness where almost more than I could bear and I was physically sick at what I saw as I preached to hundreds of people without a microphone in full view of the ‘shop windows’. It's a far cry from the middle class niceties of my life and an immense challenge to drive on with this vision.
Yesterday we ran a 6 hour event in the Muslim area of Amsterdam and again we were met with heart-breaking need but tremendous openness to the Gospel. We fed the community with a Halal barbecue out of respect for their customs during Ramadan and this was also greatly appreciated.
I'm sure Amsterdam will be a central part of the future as we push into the Mainland of Europe. Thank you so much for the support in so many ways. We need you!
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Amsterdam, Bridgend and Christmas!
Amsterdam is only a few days away and we have heard that the authorities have revoked the permission for the Mainstage to enter the Netherland due to a technicality over the height of the trailer even though we drove through that country enroute to Germany in July! It seems we face constant battles to breakthrough on the Mainland but invariably we win through. I'm confident that will be the case here too but we need you to pray for us. Many churches and organisations are partnering with us across the city so the stakes are high but the opportunity for the Gospel is massive.
Jono and Josh have just returned from Bridgend in Wales with the Mobilestage and had a great time building with Bridge Community Church on the Windmill estate. Please pray for the church and contacts that have been made there. This is the second year the guys have been in Bridgend and, like many other towns, a real partnership is emerging between Miracle Street, the local church and the wider community.
We are beginning to plan and take booking for the Mobilestage Christmas tour that will see us in the shopping precincts and High Streets of many towns. It is a huge opportunity to connect with crowds of shoppers at a time when they are already sensitised to issues around faith and Jesus. We have piloted this project over the last two years are this is the first time we are embarking on a national tour. If you would like more information about booking a date, do come back to us as soon as possible we would love to discuss that with you.
Big breakthrough, big bills and big dreams! Thanks for being part of the journey!
