Well we have arrived, just! The day started by meeting at the Fox and Hound at 2:30am and all started well – as well as can be at such a ridiculous hour. The fun started with, not wanting to give the name away, Oli……. were running out of fuel 25 miles before Stansted. Nick and Anna meanwhile decided to switch off their sat nav, and their sense of direction as we drove straight under the M11! After a few frantic calls from the convoy we completed a U turn and huffed and puffed the Oli…… car into the garage. You might think all was well, but little did we know.
The Oli….. car was filled up and off we went for the last 5 miles to the airport. To be more exact, four cars went on to the airport and the Oli….. spluttered about 20 metres before dying in great pain and anguish. Cat piped up, “petrol or diesel Mr Oli…..???” You can guess what had happened. Quick call to RAC, but we did not have enough time to move the car to the Long Stay car park. So Nick and Rory shot back, well Rory overshot onto the M11 (that is another story).
Meanwhile the main party were checking in and filing through security. Over at the Oli…. car the decision was made to leave it at the Premier Inn (if anyone is up for sorting that out, just let us know!) Oli… car occupants went on to the Long Stay car park with Nick and Rory before catching the slow bus back to where we had hoped to be an hour before! As you can imagine the story could go on so to cut it short. Jumped queue, checked in, ran like Forest Gump and made the gate with 4 mins to spare.
Met the team in Riga, ate lunch including the best potatoes in Latvia under the largest stork nest in Europe (check photo). Just when it looked like things were coming together and going to plan the next car broke down, on a dirt road, thankfully 5 miles short of destination.
However, after being rescued again we arrived at the site that would make Centre Parks look like Butlins. Things started to look up. But, alas John and Mark decided to take the Kayaks out on the lake. On the third stroke, the bell did not ring, but John went over a bit like a B movie in slow motion. The rest of the team, rather than diving in like Bay Watch, just laughed (still working on team building!).
The opportunity to pray for a healing came up very quickly with Dan and Katie’s son Jonathan who has been suffering from a bad back. Katie had highlighted to him that the ‘English’ team were arriving and they would pray and probably see a healing. NO PRESSURE! So after meeting him we got a few of the team to pray and he has not felt any pain since! However, we will update you tomorrow before wanting to confirm the first miracle of the trip!! Praise God – the car break down, M11 detour, sweaty run to the gate, car break etc and a soggy John is all worth it!!
In the evening we had a chance to Worship and discuss the plans ahead. Thanks for praying, clearly please pray more as this too much for just one day!!!! We have been shown the high ropes that we may get to on Friday. Very hard to describe unless you have seen Star Wars and the Wookies tree houses. Working on bringing people back to life as we need it! More tomorrow!!!
Prayer
- Joking aside please pray for health and safety of the group.
- Good weather for the construction and that the team can move things forward quickly.
- For the members going out to the Nursing Home and that God will break in.
Pleased to see Phil’s passport arrived in time
Well done you guys – so glad you all arrived safely in the end! What an adventure! Rest well tonight and here’s to more miracles tomorrow! God is so good! x x
Looks fantastic over there, wish I was with you all. Kids and I praying for everyone.
Who’s car, where and will RAC transport home?
Is there enough vehicles to bring you back?
John- those who laughed you are allowed to throw in. (Northern rules ask Mel)
Praise God you got there! My boys will be impressed with the Top Gear style challenge see how far this car can go on fumes! Stansted always seems closer than it every is! What a beautiful place to stay, thanks for the photos. Praying for you all, have a great day.
Great blog and photos Rory – feel like I’m there with you and actually looking at the pictures would like to be!! Really excited to hear about what God is doing through you guys already and am definately praying for the more that is to come.