Two different responses and 150 pancakes

A friend comes in morning of the 6th and he's frustrated - he seems to have a problem with God; bible is unclear about heaven. I show him Genesis 1, 2, 3 and show how the order that God created the world in is disordered by man's rebellion and how they are moved out of paradise - how Revelation 21, 22 is a return to paradise and the original order is restored. He changes from anger to asking for prayer and praying for my family and then he goes on an errand for me!

Another friend claims to believe in Jesus - I suggest that the devil believes in him too - that he needs to build his house on the rock and not just agree that the plans are good. This man is back on the drink again after 8 months of sobriety - I suggest a higher power is necessary, knowing the 12 steps of AA he has been through. We began by talking about how  it is easy to predict human behaviour by knowing their past behaviour and who they worship. I am suggesting that we know how he behaves through who he worships and his history - that he needs to change his history. He in contrast to the earlier chap is hugely negative and un-receptive. He utterly rejects God but in a very typically English civil way. Surprisingly he came back in the following Monday.

Monday is the day when Abimaro has a mums and tots singing class - it is always over-subscribed. Afterwards the mums generally stay and buy tea etc... I got into a discussion with one mum about money and how it makes a difficult place a better place. I said that I believed that a relationship with God was in fact all that was needed - that you could have all the money in the world and still be miserable. Then I had a chance to share my testimony. I have known her for 2 years and been waiting for this opportunity. It is worth holding out - the story had impact since I am well known and a friend of her. It was the busiest day ever! We made a record in sales, which is important to us as we need to know we are doing business well.

150 pancakes!

Tuesday, shrove Tuesday, is apparently quite a big day in the English calendar - people all over the Island know about, and even commemorate the day by eating pancakes. It dates back to a time when the Catholic church had a big influence on the residents. We decided to have another pancake evening in the café as it was such a success last year, and Jolly and I are the pancake chef's! We began cooking at 5 pm and cooked until about 7:30, producing around 150 pancakes! It was another triumphal outreach programme - about 50 people attending, 4 of whom are looking to help out as volunteers at the café. Hanna, my daughter, also managed to invite two of her school friends and parents.

The ability to laugh at yourself is a sign of freedom

In the last week of January, Andrew, Joe and Declan are in cafe and Declan is telling funny stories about how unacceptable he is for military service; how at one stage he was some sort of junior soldier in a youth league and how he fell asleep on his rifle and nearly shot a corporal - huge smiles on his face and a great ability to laugh at himself - a side we are seeing more frequently- way different man from 6 years ago.

One chap comes in who we have been talking to for a while - I have known him for years. When we last talked about 3 years ago he was interested in Zoarastrianism. He has dabbled around in all sorts of beliefs. He now claims to be demon posessed. It is quite a difficult story for any of us to get our head around and we are trying to encourage him. We do not have any real idea of how to deal with the situation, but we have prayed and hung out with him just trying to befriend him and reading the bible together. On Sunday he comes into church and is MASSIVELY improved - far easier to talk with and understand. It is interesting how useful a sermon given by Alan Black has been for me in working through this problem. He was talking about Jesus ministering to the demon possessed man and how when he had encountered Jesus he was 'in his right mind'. This has encouraged me to keep guiding him towards Jesus, and I know it has helped. Also new in the church is a believing family of 4 from India - wonderful.

On Tuesday a church member, Duncan, came in and learned the ropes of counter work to help as a volunteer on Thursdays and Fridays to replace Ruth who has moved back up North! God is good.