Homes I have lived in #3

This year I am celebrating my silver wedding anniversary ... Just for something to do I have begun to sketch all the houses we have lived in during that time.

So here is house number #3

On our return to the UK we were faced with the question that faces all people in transition, what next?

For us, we were encouraged by our friends to investigate further training and opted to spend a year with Kerygma ministries. We joined with a group of some 20 other people from various different cultures and backgrounds to join the ministry led by Dr Bob Gordon, based at Drayton Hall near Norwich. We spent one year here, between September 1993 and July 1994.

 Significant events that took place here included:

• Suffered reverse culture shock, as I grappled with the transition from life in a mudhut in Africa to life in the UK in a Manor House! (Struggled with the amount of money being spent on a sign that was being placed outside when compared with the amount of money I knew my african friends were struggling to live on - but the fellowship and leaders very graciously let me grapple with that.)

• Formed significant relationships with a great group people, both other students and staff team, some of whom are still an ongoing and important part of our support network today!

• Had our minds and hearts stretched by some encouraging and, at times, very challenging ministry/teaching.

• Coming from a charismatic background was greatly blessed by the challenge of developing ministry that was borne out of the coming together of the Word and the Spirit, which continues to be a foundation for what I do today.

• Overcame the transition of becoming a Dad, on the arrival of our very beautiful (then and now) #1 daughter. This included me sitting at the end of a bed, holding her in my hands, looking at her and thinking "Wow! What am I supposed to do now?"

• Burnt both my elbows whenever I was on the cooking team over the weekend. I still have the scars to show for it - why anyone would design oven doors that do not open more that 90deg remains a mystery ...

• Was introduced to managing the conflict of cultural differences when doing wash up with a german friend who had a different way to load a dishwasher than I did. It appeared that my way was not the right way ... ;-)

• Got told off, by a visiting speaker, for having a small Bible ... wonder how that person would feel if I got my iPhone out to read from today? (Both at the time and now I find that an amusing tale!)

• Engaged with town-centre evangelism, and the explanation and proclamation of the Gospel, as part of Kings Coaches ministry. During these times I saw God at work in transforming lives and argued a lot with (mainly) religious people who didn't agree with what we were doing!

• Saw God provide an amazing amount of money to cover the fees, in answer to prayer. (Fees reduced in part by my laying a paving stone patio at the rear of the property which, according to google maps, can still be seen if you are interested!)

• Having been brought up in the south-west and then been in West Africa for two years I was ill-prepared for the cold winds that blow in off of the North Sea, across the flats of East Anglia. Brrrr!!

• On the fashion front I developed a rather nice collection of waist coats which went with me to most places. 

This was a very significant launch pad to our future direction, calling and ministry convictions for which I shall be forever grateful. 

Press on!