feeling hot! hot Hot!

yesterday the temperature in benalmadena read 34 degrees, sweat was pouring off me. i have been informed that i haven't seen anything yet. maybe i shouldn't had worn my sheepskin coat.

God is so good!

Yesterday we really felt Gods Spirit so strong in our meetings, people were getting stuff dealt with that had been lingering in their lives for a long time. God is so good and has been meeting with us in dynamic ways recently.

On a personal level myself and Naomi are both very excited about getting married. there is a lot of paperwork to do and a lot of organizing which is not easy when you are on a shoestring budget. we are both believing that, if God is in this he will also provide in which ever way he so desires. please continue to pray for us both and in general for the ministry here in benalmadena.

prayer requests

Youth House group, that those who come will continue too and they will grow in God.
Purpose driven life course: that God will knit that group together
Church: Gods guidance and Gods provision.

Myself: that i dont get too homesick. (thats a preventive prayer) also for more monthly financial support.

i canny complain though God has been good, i´m enjoying getting to know everyone and of course i have a wonderful fiance! so hey "praise ye the LORD"!!!!

Oramos por Espana (we are praying for you Spain)

On saturday we took 4 car loads of people to Spanish capital of Madrid. We attended and partook in a Prayer concert. it was great to see many denominational leaders pray for Spain. We know that God blesses unity and i'm excited as to all that God has for us here in Spain. there were a few thousand there, but when you think Spain has 4o million plus in habitants then you get the picture that there is a lot to be done, But God will have his way with us or without us. Spain is well overdue for a move of God, we musn't just view it as a place for fun and holidays its so much more it so rich in culture and tradition. but even more than that it's a nation where well over the majority of the people will be going to hell unless someone tells them. we don't like talking much of hell because it seems politically incorrect but maybe if we did have a concept of it we would have more urgency and conviction in our witnessing. anyway i'm preaching now better stop, although i plead with you, please don't stop praying for us that our message will be heard and understood and that God will move mightly en Espana.

rules of engagement part 2 scroll down for part one its back to front

So we arrived in London, i don't think Naomi could really believe she was there. yesterday she had assumed we would have had drama group and then a trip to the local park and now she is next to big ben. i informed her we were about to take a boat trip on the thames.

we sat down on this big open top city cruiser, there must had been around 80-100 people on it. I then went off to ask the driver to help me in my quest for her hand in marriage. As we approached tower bridge naomi and myself and got up to get off at the next stop. the driver then said "and now for something special, Dave Hodgson (in an East end accent) has an important question for Naomi Coley" i then went and stood in the aisle and called Naomi to me she went very shy and froze to the spot. i asked her again and my heart felt like it was going to burst out my chest. thankfully she came and i got down on one knee opened the case of the ring and said Naomi will you marry me. she said.........................................Yes!!!!!!!!!!
i looked around at all the other passengers and i said "she said yes folks" and they all cheered and clapped. it was like a rom com film.

we had loads of nice comments from the passengers and the crew. we then bumped into around 20 spanish people who said congatulations, when Naomi replied in andalucian spanish they were amazed they made a big fuss. you can see the photos on my facebook page.

there was a lot more to the weekend but fingers are tired from typing, i will fill you all in. thanks for your prayers and support.

Rules of Engagement

Well, well, well, i better you never thought it! its still hasn't really sunk in with me yet. But yes i am now engaged. So here is the full story on how it all happened from my point of view anyway. the most important aspect of the story however is that Naomi said yes and she didn't need any bribes. i warn you its a long story so why don't you grab a pot of tea and some biscuits, put your slippers on and maybe a nice relaxing John Denver album and chill out.

I booked the flights and arranged the accomadation at my brothers place, i bought the ring from a shop in Spain. i arranged also with Naomi's boss for her to leave work early on the friday. So myself and Naomi's Parents turned up at work place on friday night around half five, we asked her to hand her car keys over as she would not be needing them for a while (Her car was then driven back home for the weekend later on) we then took Naomi on a drive, she thought we were going to Malaga to a nice restaurant. She knew a proposal was inimate because we had both openly discussed it but she did't know the timing all the place, but as soon as we picked her up she knew it was the suprise i had planned.

We then arrived at the airport, myself and Naomi's parents all jumped out of the car and she said do you want me to get out? a resounding yes was the reply. she was then presented with her pre- packed case and her passport, as we said good bye to Sue and Howard i informed her we were flying to England and our previous plans of a picnic in a local park had gone for a burton.

So we arrived in England, we stayed the night at my bro's and then i as i was about to reveal to Naomi our destination for the day (London) Tony revealed a suprise for me, he and his girlfriend had purchased first class tickets so we could arrived at st pancras in comfort. (thanks Guys).

part 2 coming soon

Happy May day

In Spain they take there may day holiday on may the 1st regardless of what day it falls on, this week we had a long weekend with friday as an extra holiday, so myself and Naomi went to ronda a lovely town in the mountains of andalucia. It has a gorge with an amazing deep bridge. i will post some pics soon. back to office today.

We had a fantastic service yesterday, God really met with us. Throughout the week i had a feeling that God wanted to move powerfully in the service, i was speaking from psalm 85 where the psalmist cries "Lord will you not revive us again" we prayed for people at the end and many felt empowered. please pray for more encounters like this.

last week we held a coastwide pastors meeting at the church, around thirty to forty leaders were there, this is kind of unprecedented, so praise God for what he is doing. We are hoping to organize a joint worship time where churches gather together. please pray for continued unity in these times.

Prayer requests: please pray for health and protection for our leaders Howard, Sue, Naomi and myself.
also for ongoing financial provision for the church and for my ministry. thanks for all your support it is very much appreciated. God Bless

feeling better

I'm back! sorry for no posts recently, i have been laid up for a while. i went to the doctors and i have acute gastroan..... (severe stomach bug) it doesn't feel cute either. so i have been wallowing in moans and groans that can only truly come from a man when he is ill, i think Naomi must have a headache now bless her.
i'm starting to feel better now but its not giving up easy.

We did however manage to still do the youth housegroup this week we looked at Jeremiah and understanding that God has a plan for our lives.

tomorrow night we are hosting a Pastors meeting, for leaders up and down the coast both Spanish and english speaking, please pray that God brings much needed unity amongst us.

thanks for your ongoing prayers and support.

p.s my parents are attending the loughbourough elim church and loving it.

It must be strange for my folks to have both of there boys abroad, me here in Spain and Tony is in the big apple, the big smoke or New york New york (so good they named it twice). Tony is celebrating his 30th this week so happy birthday bruv.

the 2nd youth housegroup was a success and i'm about to start preparing my sermon for easter sunday. hope you all got the message in coventry elim yesterday from me, miss you loads. please pray that many come and see the dramas we are preparing for easter sunday.

Naomi is the best, God is good and i have a head ache so all is ticking along. praise God

Great News!!!!

Yesterday my parents came to church whilst visiting me here i s southern Spain, i am pleased to tell all my friends that my mum became a Christian and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. after 17 years of prayer and heartache she has turned to Jesus. Please continue to pray for my dad and also that my mum can receive some sort of follow up back in the UK. praise God from whom all blessing flow.

Update

well this week sees my parents arrive here on the Costa, they are arriving tomorrow and they are staying for five days. i'm looking forward to showing them around and just spending some quality time with them. yesterday was really good we had a guest speaker Juanita Johnson from a spanish speaking church in furengirola, he spoke about living our live's whole hearted and making space for growth both in our own live's and the life of the Church.

On a worldly note it was good to see Ray win dancing on ice, he was the best by a country mile, i went to my lovely girlfriends house to watch it. Naomi is good by the way, she is awesome and God has really blessed me.

this thursday night i start the first ever youth housegroup at 7.30pm please pray that God will really bless that time together and that there is a real unity amongst the youth.

thanks for all your continued support miss you all loads and loads.