People movements

Early Morning on the Isle of Dogs

Well the wait through the winter for some sunshine was worthwhile, it is like a promise that you have to hold onto and the winter was soon eaten up by the appearance of daffodils and crocuses. I always knew that owning a dog was good for my soul and I have really enjoyed being forced to get up and take walks so that I can see the sunrise/sunset. The Isle of Dogs is really a very picturesque place and if you can get that calm on the water it seems as if you are stuck in a picture book, and it can be a wonderful place to be stuck. I have lived here now for 11 years, all the time working at Café Forever. I believe that part of the restoration of others comes from our own stability, a stability that is often challenged and sometimes I wonder if this is my last year, but so far we have not been moved, God is good.

There are some people who rarely get to leave the Island, whether it be for health reasons/physical disabilities or for mental phobias etc... But if you can get people to leave, even for a bit, they really enjoy themselves. I have a couple of friends who occasionally get together to go on a trip. We went to Leeds Castle and the visit went down really well. On the way home they were commenting in the car how grateful they are for Café Forever, how it feels like a safe place where they can just be; they'll not be judged and they feel at home. This was so good for me to hear as it is rare to hear such things, I passed it on to the team as soon as I got back. Many of the locals also get a great escape, joining us on our visit to Oak Hall for our church weekend away.

Patrick and Ella - friends!

Some people are only here for a period, Patrick Webb has now returned to Texas having completed 2 years with us. He is already missed in many ways - he was a great servant here both in youth groups and serving coffee and I have no doubt that he has taken some of what he learned here and is using it in USA. Patrick shared the café living quarters with James Farley from XLP who also is completing his year with them. James was also very involved with us and had a superb rapport with the youth on the Island.
And Tom Carpenter who has worked on the island for 11 years is also going back to the USA. He has always added a charismatic flavour to the events in the park and great teaching in the church services as well as bringing many great ideas for improving the business side of things of the café.

The work on the Island can be very challenging.These movements within the team and in the church are always difficult because the relationships come and go and each time you have to learn to know each other and understand each other and then you function together and then people move on and it is over until the next change. Please keep us in your prayers as team dynamics change.