Hi! More pics soon, but in the meantime....
Saturday evening - four of us had dinner at the Hyatt Hotel near here (my cousin works there). They had a lady playing a grand piano and singing in the lounge area - but she finished at 10.30pm. Having not been near a piano for over a week, I was starting to get withdrawal symptoms - so before I knew it, Liz (who was with us), asked if I could play the piano!
What followed - was two hours of worship songs! Then, a guy called David came over to the piano, and said "was that a Hillsong song you were just playing?" Anyway, it turns out that there was a group of guys from Hillsong (Sydney) in the hotel for a work conference - so we got chatting about the Hillsong conference etc....and a few more Hillsong numbers followed. The girl behind the bar said "the music's lovely - but I don't recognise any of the songs..." So, I explained that I was from England, and went to church, and these were some of the songs! How cool was that?!
Then.....I'd been looking for a church to go to on Sunday..... Anyway, my Uncle and Aunt are having an extension finished here - and on Saturday morning, I met one of the workmen, who happened to be wearing a Michael W.Smith t-shirt. As it happens....him and his wife (who works with my Aunt) had recently been to a MWS concert - so we got chatting, and obviously worked out that we were both Christians. So.....Sunday, they invited me to go to church with them, and we went to Generation Church (run by a great couple who are my age(!) - and used to be Youth Pastors at Hillsong Sydney). We had a fab day - great time in church, had lunch out, visited Pancakes in Paradise - where you eat all the pancakes you can manage (which I did!!) - then we watched the sunset at the beach (Surfers Paradise), and headed back to church for the evening service! The church has been running for six months, has seen 200 saved in that time - and has grown to several hundred! Awesome!
Don't you just love it when God arranges stuff like that? I do!!
Monday, July 25, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
G'day from the Gold Coast
After a WONDERFUL time in Sydney, I flew up to the Gold Coast last Saturday. I'm now staying with my Aunt, Uncle and Cousins, in Hope Island.
Yesterday - we went to Byron Bay (the most easterly point in Australia) - and actually saw a whale off the coast! That was rather cool - and I even managed to get it on video!! (Did you see any at Colchester Zoo Luke?!?)
Although it's winter here - the weather is much the same as England. It's quite funny, because the Aussies all think it's really cold - but to me - it's nice weather (and I haven't needed the thermals yet!)
We're off out now - so I'd better go....
Laters.....
Pen xxx
Yesterday - we went to Byron Bay (the most easterly point in Australia) - and actually saw a whale off the coast! That was rather cool - and I even managed to get it on video!! (Did you see any at Colchester Zoo Luke?!?)
Although it's winter here - the weather is much the same as England. It's quite funny, because the Aussies all think it's really cold - but to me - it's nice weather (and I haven't needed the thermals yet!)
We're off out now - so I'd better go....
Laters.....
Pen xxx
Friday, July 15, 2005
G'day from Balmain
Just managed to have a look at all of your blogs! Great to catch up on the news....
Just a very quick update....from Balmain (Sydney). I met up with Caroline (who I used to work with) and her husband Dave last night - and am staying with them for a couple of days. From their window - you can see Sydney Harbour Bridge - and the sun is shining, so I'm going to take a ferry across to Central Quay and view the Opera House from the water!
Am flying up to Brisbane tomorrow to meet up with family..... Have only just booked the flight - so am living life 'spontaneously'!!
More soon....
Pen xxx
Just a very quick update....from Balmain (Sydney). I met up with Caroline (who I used to work with) and her husband Dave last night - and am staying with them for a couple of days. From their window - you can see Sydney Harbour Bridge - and the sun is shining, so I'm going to take a ferry across to Central Quay and view the Opera House from the water!
Am flying up to Brisbane tomorrow to meet up with family..... Have only just booked the flight - so am living life 'spontaneously'!!
More soon....
Pen xxx
Robert & Amanda - our wonderful hosts! They have really been amazing, and deserve a medal for having eight people to stay during conference week! They are a wonderful blessing!! Huge thanks for everything!!
Robert & Amanda are also great Bible teachers - and Robert's preaching at Hillsong London on Sunday 14th August!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
G'day from Sydney!!
Hi all!
Having an AWESOME time here!! Conference was great (but busy) - so no time for blogging!
20,000 in the meetings each day, 3,000 saved during the week.....great teaching, worship etc! I've also been to Hills Church and City Church, and yes, we went straight to a meeting after travelling for 24 hrs - great fun!
Thursday night was a concert with Michael W Smith - and right in the middle of it, we heard the news about the London bombings - so the concert stopped in the middle, and 20,000 joined in prayer for everyone involved. Thoughts and prayers are with everyone.....
There's been 10 of us all staying with some of the Pastors here (ones I met in India) - and they have been fantastic to us! For all those who have talked about 'God connections' - well, it's really been happening! It's amazing that this week, I've been with six people who I first met on a mission trip in Nigeria in 2000 - great fun!
I've seen a kangaroo, the Opera House (and the Harbour Bridge), met Darlene, and had dinner with Reinhard Bonnke (and the rest of the Hillsong crew)!
I'm finally over the jet-lag, but must confess that I fell asleep in a couple of meetings....we're 9 hours ahead here, so I guess it was to be expected! Am a little tired today, coz some of us stayed up until 2am praying - but had an awesome time!!!
I'm still in Sydney....am leaving here tomorrow, and staying with another friend (still in Sydney) - who I used to work with a couple of years ago. Am then planning to head up to Brisbane at the weekend for the next part of the journey!
Stay tuned!!! Pics will follow shortly (coz I'm not on my PC at the mo)!
Be blessed!
Pen xx
Having an AWESOME time here!! Conference was great (but busy) - so no time for blogging!
20,000 in the meetings each day, 3,000 saved during the week.....great teaching, worship etc! I've also been to Hills Church and City Church, and yes, we went straight to a meeting after travelling for 24 hrs - great fun!
Thursday night was a concert with Michael W Smith - and right in the middle of it, we heard the news about the London bombings - so the concert stopped in the middle, and 20,000 joined in prayer for everyone involved. Thoughts and prayers are with everyone.....
There's been 10 of us all staying with some of the Pastors here (ones I met in India) - and they have been fantastic to us! For all those who have talked about 'God connections' - well, it's really been happening! It's amazing that this week, I've been with six people who I first met on a mission trip in Nigeria in 2000 - great fun!
I've seen a kangaroo, the Opera House (and the Harbour Bridge), met Darlene, and had dinner with Reinhard Bonnke (and the rest of the Hillsong crew)!
I'm finally over the jet-lag, but must confess that I fell asleep in a couple of meetings....we're 9 hours ahead here, so I guess it was to be expected! Am a little tired today, coz some of us stayed up until 2am praying - but had an awesome time!!!
I'm still in Sydney....am leaving here tomorrow, and staying with another friend (still in Sydney) - who I used to work with a couple of years ago. Am then planning to head up to Brisbane at the weekend for the next part of the journey!
Stay tuned!!! Pics will follow shortly (coz I'm not on my PC at the mo)!
Be blessed!
Pen xx
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Hi from Singapore!
Well....just landed in Singapore, after a 12.5 hr flight. Didn't get much sleep - as it was a very bumpy ride(!) Had a few games of Reversi though - but need to work on my tactics for the next flight - as John beat me every time! Anyway....just had coffee and found a free internet connection for 15mins - so thought I'd say a quick hello!
It's 7.35pm here - and next flight is leaving shortly - so I'd better sign off.
Ciao!
It's 7.35pm here - and next flight is leaving shortly - so I'd better sign off.
Ciao!
Friday, July 01, 2005
Off to Oz!
Hi all!
Missing you all already! :-)
Well, I left work last Friday! It was kind of strange....different to leaving any other job I've had before..... I guess because I don't have another job to go to, and this really is a step of faith! All exciting stuff!!
You'd think with a week off work, I'd have nothing better to do than blog all day.... you couldn't be more wrong! It's been a busy week (believe it or not!)...got loads done.... Lead worship in London yesterday...and even there - God was still confirming His Word to me! PTL!!
I think I've covered everything on the 'to do' list - and have now just got to finish packing, go and meet a friend for coffee (tough life!) and then fly out tonight!
We arrive very early Sunday morning - and John did mention that we could go straight from the plane - to two morning services at Hillsong! I'd be up for it!! Conference starts Monday evening - and the days will be long (and busy) - so don't be surprised if you don't hear from me during conference week (although I will do my best to update you all!!) It's gonna be AWESOME!!! I'm signed up for the 'Evangelism' seminars (with Reinhard & others) - can't wait!
I've gotta go and start practicing my Aussie accent!
Keep in touch - and keep smiling! :-)
Pen xx
Missing you all already! :-)
Well, I left work last Friday! It was kind of strange....different to leaving any other job I've had before..... I guess because I don't have another job to go to, and this really is a step of faith! All exciting stuff!!
You'd think with a week off work, I'd have nothing better to do than blog all day.... you couldn't be more wrong! It's been a busy week (believe it or not!)...got loads done.... Lead worship in London yesterday...and even there - God was still confirming His Word to me! PTL!!
I think I've covered everything on the 'to do' list - and have now just got to finish packing, go and meet a friend for coffee (tough life!) and then fly out tonight!
We arrive very early Sunday morning - and John did mention that we could go straight from the plane - to two morning services at Hillsong! I'd be up for it!! Conference starts Monday evening - and the days will be long (and busy) - so don't be surprised if you don't hear from me during conference week (although I will do my best to update you all!!) It's gonna be AWESOME!!! I'm signed up for the 'Evangelism' seminars (with Reinhard & others) - can't wait!
I've gotta go and start practicing my Aussie accent!
Keep in touch - and keep smiling! :-)
Pen xx
