The team were invited to local schools to help teach English. By his own admission, the team leader hadn’t thought this venture would bear much fruit, but he faithfully prepared for the lessons. But, as my own experience testifies, schools-work can be very effective even if you can’t openly share the Gospel. Once you make a connection with the local kids, they’ll follow you round for the rest of the mission – like the Pied Piper on mission! You can then invite them to evening ‘outreach’ events. Another bonus is that the local Pastor will often be asked back to the school when the team have left. A great opportunity for godly influence in the local community.

Slovakia: As we speak, 21 people are coming to the end of their mission in Brezno, Slovakia. The photo below shows the Church Planters in Brezno (Peter and Lucia) receiving prayer ministry at the project launch in 2006. The STM team is from Kingswinford, West Midlands. Last year there were 15 on the team, so I dread to think how many will go next year. Having such a large team does present some logistical problems, (can you imagine 21 people trying to get on a bus together?) but these are small potatoes compared to the positive impact the team are having in Brezno. Most days week the team have been splitting into two groups: one group going into schools, and the others working with the local authority to tidy up a community area. They’ve certainly had better weather than we have in England!

On Saturday 2nd June NLI has a Prayer Mission team heading out to Slovakia. Life Church Burnley has four representatives on the team. (Thanks guys: I’m proud of you!) The team of 12 will be visiting all the Church Plants – praying for the Pastors, prayer-walking, and leading 2 seminars on prayer and intercession. This is the first year that the Prayer Missions have been coordinated by the STM department – well, me actually. I’m encouraged and excited at what has been accomplished so far, especially having 12 on the Slovakia team.

One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when someone shouted….”Look at that dead bird!” Someone looked up at the sky and said…”where???”