"Another Christian!" the Irish backpacker exclaimed after we had been chatting a while. Apparently every passenger she had sat next to, and a number of Aussie companions during her visit had all been Christians. "Maybe God is trying to tell me something?" Indeed. After being delayed 2 hours in Bangkok I was now struggling to make the connection from Heathrow to Stansted to Biarittz. As I ran sweating to my Ryanair counter the flight was displayed as 'closed', but miraculously I was allowed on and saved a day. Shane Sparks was waiting in the queue, "I didn't think you were coming BD?!"
Such a relief to finally make it on standby! We joined 30 others from 7 nations including 6 from Portugal, 8 from Spain, 6 from France plus some from Holland, Ireland, and that surfing powerhouse.....Switzerland. Yep, 4 keen Christian Surfers had driven 12 hours to meet and surf. Swiss surf? River waves and travelling. I must mention a dear brother from Morocco we sponsored and it was a touching report as he said, "I have not been in a Christian meeting like this for 3 years, my country is so oppressive I have to watch myself all the time so as to not arouse the suspicion of the Islamic police."
Phil Williams led us through some strategy sessions, we 'dotted' a map, had some great worship in the Backpackers Hostel and surfed some fun waves in sunshine before the historic seaside resort town that Biarittz is. This is the surfing centre of Europe and I am amazed at the range of surfers who visit Hossegor and these beachbreaks. All the surf brands have offices here.
So many surfers, and yet so few churches. Christophe and team shared their latest about the 'Surf Church' plant in Hossegor. Slow going. Thomas' ding repair business is awesome and we enjoyed hanging out as he chatted to an endless stream of customers. France is a very hard place for the gospel and much suspicion and persecution takes place. "We are regarded as a type of cult because we are evangelicals, and they think we are dangerous for children to be exposed to as we have fundamentalist beliefs."
Back to Bristol with Phil and we caught up with wonder wife Annie and their awesome kids Abi and Joe (they paid me to say that). Had a good catch up with his vicar, and Phil has the magnetic personality that draws so many people to him and then he in turn harnesses them for service. Around 60 volunteers from his church go and serve at the Jesus Surf Classic each year! We headed down to Newquay, the UK surf capital, for our first CSI fundraiser. 46 attended and a great time was had sharing vision, eating great food, chatting with old friends and bidding on some cool auction items. A highlight was Dave and John who head up the UK Pro Surf Tour who attended as guests. Dave advocated for CSUK stating, "Phil and his team have been a great help and a real encouragement to us as they have served selflessly all these years. Our events are better for their presence."
The event raised £1200, as surf products, a couple of my Alaia boards and other items were auctioned by UK Pro Surf commentator Nick.
On to Dave Reynards place in Porthleven and I was transported back 600 years to Olde England and even found myself talking a bit of 'pirate' which is still spoken in these aarrrgh Cornish ports. Cornish pasties are also still eaten and Phil and I engaged in a solid one by Auntie May who has been making them since 1785 and are the best in the world! We headed back via Polzeath and the Tubestation church plant. I am amazed at the innovation by Kris and Henry and team as well as the bold step of faith by the traditional Methodist church to invest in creating a church for the unchurched 21st century. Beachfront building with deck area, cafe, art gallery, a half-pipe skate ramp where the pulpit used to be and 60 attendees from all walks of life now.
Back in Nailsea myself, Phil and Annie have a quiet ale and nosh at the Battleaxe, then its a final day with a community arts and crafts fair the church has partnered in. A heap of supporters join us that night, then sharing in church next morning. It is good to be part of God's global community and I get to say thanks for their support of Phil and CS. Special thanks to Dave and Ally Boddy for hosting me in Nailsea, cheers!
It was a long trip home, but made all the more bearable with an upgrade on my standby ticket to Business Class!! Yes!
