Pastor On Tour

Hi Everyone!

Well, after months of planning and not a few tears from leaving family and friends, we eventually set off on the 7 week round tour on September1st. I have popped in a short one minute clip of Shelagh and I giving a short message from the plane as it prepared to taxi out from Terminal 5… check it out, and please note the relaxed composure of the “Pastor on Leave”

We connected up with Paul and Dianne Sarchet Waller of The Elim Full Gospel Church in Shatin and had the most incredible time with them. Their inspiration was matched by their enormous kindness and hospitality. The church now occupies the whole 15th floor of a large smart tower block and continues the be a base for Paul and team to minister out to the many nations that they touch. Thanks Paul and Dianne for looking after us, we really love and appreciate you both, and Rachel, it was a pleasure meeting you. Hope the dawn comes at the right time now!

Below are a few snaps from various locations that we passed through, most of them gleaned from a 4 hour tour in a mini bus. Please note* Mike resisted the temptation to buy a DS Lite for £50… do I regret not getting one? do I? DO I?? We had a great flight (Thanks Qantas, and Raymond the Steward who primed us up with key preaching information ref the Adelaide Crows and the Collingwood Magpie match due on the Saturday – I owe you big time!”

Tune in soon for pics and info from the Adelaide Leg.. In the meanwhile, be assured of our love for all and our gratitude to God for such a great family, and wonderful church family… we love you guys!

Nathan Road, Hong Kong, the main “drag” that our hotel was on. Notice the prophetic statement on the advert… “Heart Tonic” What a great name for the Gospel!

Paul in action in his office. Apparently a messy desk in Chinese culture is a sign of efficiency and success. He should be president soon….

View from “The Peak” – Hong Kong Harbour in a mean and moody mode! Paul and Dianne took us along with Rachel their daughter, for a meal at an amazing restaurant that overlooks the harbour.

Similar view from the restaurant, replete with reflections… just to prove that I am telling the truth! Paul and Dianne are such generous hosts. They told us that they wanted to make a memory for us… mission accomplished.

Repulse Bay. Apparently this place was a den for pirates before the British ejected them in 18 something. Now it is a beautiful swimming bay. Note however the shark nets, and look carefully at the orange “dragon” doorway in the tower block!

Shelagh paddling in the same….. Best watch out for those tootsies dear!

Boarding a San Pan, ready for a trip around the harbour. Less than 200 years ago Hong Kong was a small fishing village. Hmmm… look out Newquay, you never know what may happen over the next few years!

The “Jumbo” floating restaurant, in the middle of the harbour. I think it is the biggest floating restaurant in the world.

I was awake at 4 am this morning, through what I presume is jet lag, and as I lay in bed analyzing the ceiling for what seemed hours, and whingeing to God about the fact that He says in His Word that He “Giveth His beloved sleep” I heard that still small voice remind me that I had asked Him to give me time and space for just Him and I. “So, I have woken you, no one is around, how about having some quiet and personal time with your heavenly dad?”

I got up, went downstairs in the quiet and just soaked up relationship with God, totally aware of the three of them being with me (Yep, that’s Father, Son and Holy Spirit) I had been praying, while in bed (by the way, that’s a great way to see if it is God or the other side keeping you awake or not… if it is the other side, he leaves you alone and you drop off, pronto!)

As I prayed I had an impression in my spirit of a women’s love for all things “sparkly” and her desire for beauty. Nothing wrong with that, we are called to make the best of ourselves. But as I prayed I saw an application that kind of gave me a warning, particularly in light of the various revelations from various places around the world of Christian leaders who have slipped and fallen. Somehow I felt the Holy Spirit remind me that we, as the Bride of Christ need to be careful that we do not get too caught up with the “appearance of beauty” and miss the core of our attractiveness to Jesus. “…when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way that the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful” (1 Peter 3:2b-5a)

It’s not about the outer, it is about the inner, it’s not about appearance, it is about essence, it’s not about artificiality it is about integrity, it is not about make up, face lifts, air brushing or plastic surgery, it is about that quiet and gentle spirit of a pure chaste church…

Let’s keep on keeping the main thing the main thing!

Serious love, Pastor Mike