Neil in Ibiza

Gracious gift for all

2011-05-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

Whats also been on my mind this week is God's free gift of grace. Matthew 20:1-15. The parable of the workers in the vineyard. This parable speaks of God’s generous and kind gift of grace to all who would receive it. It speaks of there being no difference between you and I and the criminal who hung next to Jesus on the cross – that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god but God’s grace is sufficient and Gods heart is for all.

His kind and generous gift of grace is for all!

Relish

2011-05-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

“keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” Hebrews 13:5.

Relish what you have rather than resent what you’re missing.

I love this concept and think it’s so true of God’s kingdom and the way Jesus calls us to live.

In this book I recently finished reading, the aforementioned - Colin Creel - wrote of the concept of giving out, not from your cup, but from your saucer. We cant but give out from the overflow of our hearts because God gives us all we need and so much more. Its his loving kindness that compells us to live as jesus did. For he longs to give good gifts to his children (Matt 7:9-11) and he knows what we need before we even ask (Matt 6:32).

So then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (col 2:6+7).

May we overflow with thankfulness for all that we have and all that he gives.

Identity in Christ

2011-05-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

“Without knowledge of self and knowledge of God we are bound to find our identity solely in what others think of us, and that brings disaster. If others define you, you will forever be changing shape until you are just a blob of random traits and habits that were never yours to start with.” From Perspectives by Colin Creel.

comm - unity

2011-05-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

It really feels like the community of people living here and working for 24-7 Ibiza are starting to come together. After 2 weeks of being here I really feel settled and it feels good to be back finding my rhythm and feet in this lifestyle.

One thing that I learnt last year from being here in Ibiza and working as a part of 24-7 Ibiza, was the importance of unity. Brian () shared from Pslam 133 which says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!... For there the Lord bestows his blessing…”. I want to continue to hold onto this.

I guess that any community or group of people needs such unity to thrive.

I think that knowing our value is important to a strong and healthy community. Each part of the body and each brick in the wall is important for the whole body and structure.

I think that knowing our identity in christ plays an important part in the formation of community as well.

From being a son or daughter of our father in heaven and from all that jesus has done for us comes our value and identity.

Jesus as the centre, cement, blood, and firm foundation.

Im loving being in Ibiza and am praying and hoping and seeing and enjoying great unity and community.

first night

2011-05-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

The night before last was my first night out on the streets. It was great to meet up with old friends and familiar faces. I’m really feeling excited about what is going to happen this season. I love the anticipation of things to come that all are feeling at the moment.

I am loving this story that I read recently. A man named Joshua was commanded to lead the Israelites into “the promised land” after Moses had died. No big deal, the leader of all these people has just died and you are to take them forward over the river on the next leg of the journey into the promised yet unknown land.

His words were simple but powerful:

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous…”

I love this and am holding on to the awesome truth that is said to us by our father in heaven. I know that there are many more, deeper and exciting things to come. I’m so grateful that we all have a loving father in heaven who is with us and will never leave us. I for one am going to take great strength and courage from that.

its hotting up again on the white isle!

New Season

2011-04-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

It seems apropriate but unintended to send this out on the eve of easter sunday.

If you are reading this I do salute you.
After 10 months of not touching my blog I thought I should reconnect with this great way of sharing stories.

It is with great pleasure that I will be returning to Ibiza this summer for another season working with 24-7 prayer in Ibiza. Some of my friends still think all I will be doing is drinking marguerittas on the beach for 6 months. No. This summer will be packed with so much more I am sure.

After winter in the UK, after some R and R and some hard work, I very much look forward to getting stuck into the new season. I’m expectant of this summer being even better than the amazing 6 months I spent in Ibiza last year.

I look forward to living with new friends, catching up with old ones, celebrating new marriage, being amazed by our creator, watching out for my neighbour, growing deeper in relationship with Jesus, watching the sunset, living life to the full, hours of prayer, Mediterranean cuisine, living on the same continent as my girlfriend, dancing in celebration of how good he is…

I just can’t help but wonder whether I have slept enough this winter in preparation.

Hoping I can keep a blog going this summer!

Jesus christ is risen ...

Half Way

2010-07-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

here's a blog that covers 6 weeks in one hit. there's no way i could cover it all. its been an incredible summer so far. Half way through my time here. Im expecting the next 3 months to be better than the first 3.

crap to blog in this way - will get back on it.

Since June the work here has been building and getting busier all the time. From now until the end of August San Antonio is at its busiest. There are so many great stories, too many to list them all. Praise be to God that more people have reached a decision to ask Jesus into their lives. We continue to sow seeds of truth, hope and love well aware of the new season that the work of 24-7 Ibiza has moved into.

Living as part of a missional community is great fun and very challenging, rewarding and is a great environment for personal growth. Every week we spend time chilling and eating together, and learning and praying together. Im loving getting to know and working alongside people that are living sacrificial lives for Jesus, seeking first his Kingdom and seeing Jesus bind up the broken hearted.

The prayer wall is really filling up now. Heart cries of primarily those who are not Christians calling out to their father in heaven for help, direction, provision, healing and more. He hears every single prayer and we have seen so many of our prayers answered.

The new bibles that 24-7Ibiza has had printed are being snapped up. Such a great design and the message version is so easily accessible. There are pictures on my blog. Minimum print run of 5000 means we intend to give 2500 away and sell the other 2500 to cover the costs. Not sure of exact numbers but somewhere near two thousand still to be sold at £5 a bible. Let me know if you are interested. There has been hundreds given away already. Heres just one story of many opportunities so far this summer we have had to share the gospel. I cannot begin to tell you the extent of countless opportunities taken.

One night last week, myself and Jessica - one of the short term workers here for 2 weeks - were out on the streets and we found ourselves in conversation with a group of about 5 or 6 guys from England. The conversation proceeded and we explained about 24-7 Ibiza and what we did in the West End of San An. I grabbed an opportunity and took out a bible and one of the group requested that I read some of John to them. Though surrounded by bars with the group having consumed a fair bit of alcohol I read out of John 3 to them.

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his son, his one and only son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a hole and lasting life. God didnt go to all the trouble of sending his son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again”.

They responded well to it and I had an opportunity to pray with one of them there and then on the street. Two of the group took bibles and after a few minutes of further chat in which we shared a bit more about what Jesus has done for us we wished them a good night and they moved onto the next bar.

Later that night when in Garlands at Eden (a club in the west end) with the whole of the team I saw some of this same group on the dance floor. I went over and started to dance alongside them. I introduced myself to them again and they recognised me at which point they pulled out their Jesus Loves Ibiza bibles and held them aloft in the middle of the dance floor. Though they were obviously intoxicated having consumed one form of drug or another, we all danced together for a while as they held the word of God up high on the dance floor. It was great to see the word of God that is so powerful, so full of truth and life in the hands of some guys who really wanted it, loved it and need it.

The centre continues to be very busy. Occasionally I reach the top of the table tennis leaders board but generally maintaining a respectable position. The internet and wii are always being used, so too the chapel. Whether its for a free head, foot or hand massage that one of the longer term team members offer on a wednesday or for impromptu bible study with a group of west african prostitutes who pop in increasingly frequently, or for another worker of the west end to chill for a while.

The church service we run on a sunday has been growing exponentially in number. Last sunday our centre was packed out with 30 people. Such a diverse group of people. West end workers – PR's, strip club workers, bar workers, prostitutes; short term and long term team members and visiters. People from Nigeria, America, Australia, Germany, England and Ireland. It was truly beautiful to see.

Most nights we speak with the prostitutes on the street, most nights we pray with them in the midle of their busy working schedules of performing sexual acts as a source of income. We show love to these truly beautiful women as Jesus did.

Just this week a couple of the girls on our team went into the three strip clubs of san an to pray, chat with the dancers and see what would happen in stepping out into these places to shine for Jesus and share his love. They handed out curly wurlys, chatted with men in the clubs, chatted with dancers and got to tell the dancers how much God loves them.

Some random thoughts and experiences of my life over the past weeks. Honestly im not lying on a beach for 6 months.

The kingdom of heaven is really coming to san an this summer. Honoured and Priviledged to be a part of it. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

jesus loves ibiza

2010-06-15T03:15:00.000-07:00

We are going to be giving away these Jesus Loves Ibiza bibles this summer. The cover was designed by one of the supporters of 24-7 ibiza. The jesus loves porn stars new testament and psalms message version have been much loved by the workers and holiday makers of san antonio in the past! These must be flying into peoples hands on the streets of san an already!

If you would like to buuy one, then the cost is £5 which will pay for yours and pay for another to be offered to someone out on the streets or in the centre. let me know!

I am in the uk for a week for a friends wedding. In Brecon at the moment visitng my family. I love the rolling green hills of south wales!!!

space, dolphins and deep water soloing

2010-06-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ibiza is such a beautiful place. Was able to step out yesterday afternoon for a bit of climbing on some cliffs near to san antonio. After doing a route traversing the coast ranging from 1 - 40 feet above the water we saw a couple of dolphins jumping alongside a boat just 50 meters out to sea. It was great!!!

Me and Bruce went to space opening on saturday night and danced for 11 hours from before sunset until sunrise to some awesome dj's inluding fatboy slim and groove aramada.

Its not all sun and climbing, dlophins and clubbing - thats just a great perk of being here. Im out every night or on call this week in the west end. I love it, but its tiring getting in at 4 in the morning! God is good and his love endures forever!!!

the chapel

2010-05-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

Salvation

2010-05-27T05:03:00.000-07:00

It is incredible to think upon salvation. The fact that God so loved the world that he gave his only son. That through jesus' death and resurrection we have been reconciled to God. That Jesus surrendered himself to death on a cross so that we might be free of sin and live for eternity. That he first loved us and invites us into fullness of life, into a relationship with him.

I love the fact that today Jesus longs to make himself known to those who dont know him, and to love and embrace those who have stepped away from him.

There once was a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, 'Father I want right now what's coming to me.' So the father divided the property between them. It wasnt long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through the country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. That bought him to his senses. He said, “All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am staving to death. I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I dont deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.” He got right up and went home to his father.

When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: “Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.”

But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, “Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast!” Luke 15

Tonight there is a party like this in heaven!

Thank you Jesus that you came down for me.
Thank you Jesus that you died on the cross for me.
Thank you Jesus that you paid the price for me.
Thank you Jesus that you first loved me.
Thank you Jesus for the life you give me.

Night time messiness

2010-05-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

I hope that some stories i share give an insight into what im getting up to this summer.

Last night i experienced my first messy situation of the summer. Myself and Tracy - who lives and works out here year round for 24-7 ibiza - helped take a really drunk girl and her friend back to their hotel. She had been drinking heavily and was petty much unconcious, seni-naked and alone on the street when we received a call from one of our friends who is a pr for a bar. Thankfully we were able to help her and her friend back to their hotel with the use of our 24-7 wheel chair which was well and truly christened.

I am glad that we were there to help her home safely. Im glad im in a position to be able to help those who get into a vulnerable state. I am glad that jesus christ first loved me which is what fuels my passion for this work. I am glad i have a washing machine to wash the chunks and bile from my 24-7 ibiza hoody!!!

27

2010-05-23T02:46:00.000-07:00

Its great to turn a year older and wiser, and be able to celebrate all that has happened this year. Its great to be able to celebrate my birthday in such a beautiful place. But, it is at times like these that you realise how much you miss your mothers home made pies, your fathers whiskies, your sisters crazy stories and your brothers dry sarcasm.

Es paradis opening was friday night. some awesome music and good to be in a beautiful club celebrating. Went rock climbing at es vedra again yesterday. Took damien with us one of our mates who is working here in san an aswell neil who is visiting from NI.

Really looking froward to this year!!!!

festival club

2010-05-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

im loving some of these shots

routine

2010-05-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

i seem to be settling into a routine within my new lifestyle for the summer.

My day starts about 12 noon and ends at 4am. I spend afternoons in the centre, meeting as community, times of prayer or exploring this beautiful island. Our night on the streets start at 10.30 and ends getting home sometime around 3. I cant seem to get to sleep before 4am at the moment. im sure it will get easier to sleep whenever as i get more tired.

This week has been a lot busier. Seen more people on the streets at night and also making use of the centre.

Es paradis opens tomorrow which will be a great way to celebrate my 27th birthday. Cafe Mambo opening was tonight and i watched the sunset which was beautiful.

Yesterday me and claire (http://eatprayrave.blogspot.com/)had a great bike ride to an old ampitheatre and small bull ring. this was the venue of some big gigs and festivals back a few years.

but its seen better days!

place of work

2010-05-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Another day at the office - his mercies are new every day

ibicencan culture

2010-05-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

Went to a medieval fair in ibiza town

Readiness!?

2010-05-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

I think so!

Night Work

2010-05-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

we are now in the second week of being out on the streets at night and its starting to get busier, still no where near how busy it will be later in the season, but its getting there. Its been great getting to know some of the workers and pr's whilst it is quiet. I leave home at 10.30 pm. for the first hour, we as a team will pray and worship and then we go out onto the streets. We are out and about on the streets or oncall for the rest of the summer until october. Its great to be getting started.

We took home our first drunk on monday. she was on the side of the road covered in vomit and blood. we got her home to her hotel safely. At night, aswell as helping those who get a bit drunk or whatever, we tell people about the centre we run, we have some great chats and hang out, and we also offer to pray with people or take prayer requests from people which we pray for in the chapel. Its the start of a busy, tiring, mad and exciting season!!

The Centre and the Chapel

2010-05-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

Being Shaped

2010-05-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Are we prepared to have parts of us, our rough edges chopped off in order to be used in Gods plan for something greater? Are we willing to be changed as people in order to be used by god – to see his awesome kingdom come?

The past 10 days have been incredible, settling into a new home, a new town, a new community, a new team of people people, a new task, a new role. Inevitably, with all these new things comes change personally. Some of this change happens naturally, other changes will be harder and take time to work through. Its an exciting time that im loving every minute of.

After a busy week last week, this week seems a little gentler. Lets hope I can use this time to prepare for the business of later in the summer. Definitely feels like the calm before the storm!!!

Centre Opening

2010-05-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

On monday 3rd May the 24-7 Ibiza centre opened in the west end. The centre is here to provide a place for the workers of the town to network, get 30 minutes free internet connection, play the wii, have a game of table tennis, access to free water, someone to chat with or pray with, use of the chapel and more. The weather was atrocious today, some hectic thunderstorms, heavy rain and lightening – I thought the med was suppposed to be sunny???

Two people came to make use of the centre today, by august the place will be packed so its a nice introduction. One face was an old friend of 24-7's and its been great to get to know him. The other face was new to ibiza and is an example of the people and situations that I will be coming into contact with this summer. An alcoholic who came to ibiza to escape a situation, who has spent all his money in three weeks of being here. How quickly life can hit the bottom. It is an honour to be able to offer some help by means of a free phone call back home, internet use to check out a flight, some water and a chat. However, it is much more of an honour to be able to pray with him, for him and his situation, to be able to offer a place of sanctuary and to place in his hands the word of God which is so powerful in bringing love, hope and freedom!!!

Arrival

2010-04-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

I have arrived in the party capital of europe. The journey was an adventure into the inhospitable realms of flying ryanair as well as crossing europe. Its so fantastic to be here and im really looking forward to the summer ahead.

I have moved in with Bruce who has lived here for 2 years. He is part of the longer term community of the 24-7 team that live here - all year round. we will be sharing an apartment for the summer - and what an apartment it is!!!! Yesterday evening we ate on the terrace with great weather, looking across san antonio bay to cafe mambo and the sunset strip.

This week i have hit the ground running. Its been really busy getting the centre ready, and doing loads of prayer with a team of 6 people that are here for the week to help us prepare for the summer season. Its prayer that i believe really causes our work to be successful this summer!!!

Ibiza town

This whole chapter we really feel applies to the work we'll be doingthis summer.

Isaiah 62: 6

O Jerusalem, i have posted watchmen on your walls;
they will pray day and night, continually.

Sunset strip: San Antonio

These are the prayer team who have been watching and praying for the island and our work this week.

First night of the season clubbig tonight. Pacha - should be good!

community

2010-04-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

One thing about ibiza im looking forward to is living as part of the community.

goldfinches are sociable birds often seen in colonies. i think i saw a group of six in my garden the other day - but there has regularly been a quadruplet.

Ecclesiastes 4:
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
"For whom am I toiling," he asked,
"and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?"
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Preparation

2010-04-22T05:36:00.000-07:00

Having finished work 2 weeks ago i have been resting and preparing for my time in Ibiza. Gardening, canoeing, climing, visiting family, eating well. Its all been great fun, but its also been an important time to get focussed not only in regards to the practicalities of moving country but more importantly in prayer!!!

Have been to brecon, cheltenham and gloucester, back to bristol and am in brecon till i fly. busy but restful if you know what i mean.

glos cathedral

Brecon Cathedral

river wye: glasbury to hay

iconic Bristol image

gardening

The countdown

2010-04-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

In four days time i will arrive in Ibiza. I will be living in San Antonio for the summer; living, working, dancing, and praying with 24-7 prayer (http://www.24-7prayer.com/). It's a big change from life in Bristol, but hey im glad to say the adventure of life goes on.

Blogging on a reglar basis will be a new experience for me. hope you can catch a flavour of what im doing and why im doing it. Photo's, stories and adventures to follow - assuming i get there!!!

An Ode to Neil by James Barber

2010-04-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

A time has come from up on high,
To journey south in three weeks nigh,
And slip the surly hands on work,
Free from patients crying "my venflon hurts".

A new adventure, to a new time,
I have trouble making this poem rhyme,
Good luck Neil may adventures flow,
in Ibiza's capital San Antonio.

Will you miss the early starts,
Nightime working and the other staff,
To save the souls of party life,
The wayward flung and wayward strife.

The best of luck from all of us,
Enjoy and learn this is a must,
Stay in touch and let us know,
Your stories of wayward San Antonio.

And finally i have to say,
I hope you had a fun last day,
May God be with you and do his utmost,
Let us all to you celebrate this tonight.

cheers James, love your work!

how to worship

2009-11-01T09:15:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K4fveLQZZQ&feature=player_embedded

My Sister's Keeper

2009-08-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a fantastic film.
Based on a jodi picoult novel - great film, very emotional all the way.

The story of a test tube baby being born so that an exact match of tissue could be used to save the life of her sister suffering with a rare form of leukaemia.

Part of the film explores the situation of how anna must feel being bought into the world for the purpose of being a farm of stem cells and organs for her sister. She files for medical emancipation claiming her right to choose whether to give her body parts and blood to her sister.
Why would she do that when she loves her sister so much???
Love is exactly the reason why, becuase she does love her enough to let her go when she reaches a place of peace!
And after katie had naturally passed on to better things, anna was left not looking to the horizon and seeing a version of her life where she felt used or unloved or disconnected from her family, but she saw how amazing it was to have a family and to have had a sister who she loved so much.

Which way you look in life makes a big deal.
As the minister explained not so long ago, on a slightly overcast but bright day do you look to the clouds or turn around and look to the light.

well, in a world of pain, anger, hurt, disconnection and disatisfaction i choose to look to the giver of life and wonder at how amazing he truly is.

psalm 103:11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

The Allotment

2009-07-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

Almost three months ago i was shown the allotments at frenchay hospital, and as my colleague pointed to an area of brambles next to his plot he explained that was the only available space. Well im thankful that 14 years of overgrowth didnt put me off as i now tuck into my very own home grown produce. Working the land is hard and satisying work.

Its been an adventure into the unknown of accruing and actioning information about specific vegetables and growing techniques; hard work with a scythe or more accurately (apparently) a sickle; blood, sweat and tears; prayer time; thinking time; relaxation.

long may the courgettes keep coming!

Baptizo

2009-03-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Llyn cwm llwch

Brecon Beacons

7th March 2009

I felt refreshed.clean.new.at peace.chilly.thankful.

As i re-emerged from the water i sensed that i was coming from darkness into light.

I Am A New Creation Declaring God's Greatness

2009-03-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

If anyone belongs to Christ, there begins a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! (2 Cor 5:17)

He saves me from the grave, and loads me with love and mercy (Ps 103:4)

Saturday past was the day of commitment and celebration! A day to remember; a new creation, a fresh start, a cold dip. A day for family and friends to come and hear and see of my declaration to be a jesus follower.

The welsh mist descended, as we ascended on high. High heels, 2 dogs, a guitar and a man on his way for his last bath - the first for another!

The cold shook me to the core, the water cleansed me to the soul. No doves, no visible fire. One man's commitment in faith, in love, one man clothed in christs righteousness.

This is my son, whom i love, and i am very pleased with him (Mat 3:17)

The journey continues...

The start

2008-10-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

... of things to come!!!