edinbrmission

2004-08-26T14:50:00.000Z

We said goodbye to our last team member this morning - it's been hard saying farewell to all the folks who came from outside Edinburgh and it will take a while to sink in. Those of us who live here full time are all still living together and hanging out until Anneleen goes home on Monday - chilling and dreaming about the future.

We had such a good time and God has opened up a lot for us to think about. We ventured into the world of the Fringe way more than before and found that so many people were really up for us praying with them - we had a number of really great opportunities to serve a number of performers and to pray in many of the key venues - something we really want to build on for next time.

We also saw God really speaking to those in the city who gathered for the 24-7 week - the prayer room becoming a hive of art and passion. Our partnerships with other groups and organisations really took off and we were amazed the power that came from our unity - we have made some really good friends these last weeks.

Our last few days were filled with chats about where we go next and a good bit of chilling out. We went for all 'you-can-eat' Chinese to celebrate and then to a show to kick back - little realising that the Holy Spirit would turn up big time and fall on one of our team as she was engaging in some improv with the guy doing the show, all of which led to a really stunning chat about Jesus being led by the actor himself... we left stunned at how God can turn up and how he loves to surprise us.

The mission to Edinburgh is far from over - our team has disbanded for this year but the call to the city and the gathering of the church continues and we are up for keeping on chasing the Spirit for this city… Bring on the future (after a rest!)

2004-08-20T18:20:00.000Z

As soon as the team arrived, after giving them a slap up Scottish meal, we took them down to the prayer room. the team got to work and were very creative in setting this out. This creativity set the stall for the rest of the week as various groups from across the city and teams in YWAM's Shine team have all got to work praying for this city. One major connection made was working alongside the Portland IHOP guys going round the city praying with them and also hanging out in the prayer room together. We've also seen a couple of non-Christians showing interest in the prayer room this week. One guy that came in randomly off the streets, came in from sleeping rough to enjoy a cup of tea, a chat and shared things he needed praying for.

We went to the meadows on Sunday for Fringe Sunday which is a large municipal parkland in the centre of Edinburgh just south of the centre. This is a chance for various artists and performers to showcase their work for free to try and indulge the vast crowds to come and see their show. Early in the morning we went to this grassland to go and pray and worship. We then went back their in the afternoon having received word from God to look out for 'the one' in the crowd like Jesus did with Zaccheus.

**aside from Pepper on our team. zaccheus was a small man just like that of a performer we saw who juggled to queen tracks in time and goes by the name mario, queen of sheba**

We also felt God wanted us to see performers masks coming down. With this in mind we went to talk to share and pray for people. With lots of opportunity to speak to performers we chatted to these guys as they handed out flyers. In a couple of instances the conversation took us to a point where we could openly pray with these guys on the streets. One guy Emily got chatting to, was intrigued when we asked could we pray for him, we asked what we could pray, and he asked for peace. When Emily then prayed it was like this whole bravado dropped and a mask came down. One could see a tear in his eyes and when he passed us in the street later he seemed amazingly cheery. Jayne and Pete got to work too in the Meadows on Fringe Sunday. They met a man who not only bought a Bible 'out of interest' two weeks prior to meeting, but had been to Northern Ireland shortly before as well. NI is Jayne's homeland! They got chatting and shortly after were reading a Psalm over him were praying for his illness and lack of identity.

From here on, 3 of our team, Jayne, Yvonne and Sue, have all really had amazing connections with various theatre types in one of the venues, the Underbelly. Each day these guys have gone down there to watch shows, hang out with people and see what random acts of kindness they can perform. They plan to get alongside the tired actors tomorrow, and to help flyer their shows.

Please pray that we would continue to be strongly united as a team, and that God would use us powerfully in our remaining time here.

2004-08-10T16:26:00.000Z

The newspapers are full of photospreads and writeups of the cavalcade procession, particularly showing several pictures of a huge foam psychedelically dreadlocked face of Jesus, part of one of the YWAM shows, with the tagline 'the new face of the Edinburgh festival'! Come on.

2004-08-09T19:50:00.000Z

Two days to go until the whole team arrives!
Those of us already in Edinburgh have set up the prayer room (in the Salvation Army which we are sharing with YWAM and which is an official fringe venue this year!) and been praying and playing and planning with friends from different churches and organisations from across the city. God is answering longterm prayers for unity and the acceleration of our positioning in the festival is surprising us. God has been opening lots of doors for churches in Edinburgh to take part in the festival officially this year, hosting art exhibitions, debates, club nights, ceilidhs and even a humble prayer room! We praise him for his provision - of venues, of amazing accommodation and of new friendships.
We have met an actor who is up for coming along to church with us and has also invited Chris to play love songs on his guitar as part of his impro show in the fringe! Pray for the show, for the guy and for Chris as he's strained his voice a little in the past couple of days...
Why? partly because yesterday we took part in the Festival Cavalcade Procession - a riotous carnival which parades down Princes St and up to the castle. YWAM's show -'The Key'- won third prize for their float and stilt- walking costumed characters. Chris, Rachel and I joined YWAM's Brazilian/US dancers - giving them prayer support as we flyered for them. It was fantastic to take part in the procession, past the biggest crowd its ever had (180,000) all the time taking hold of a word God had given us - that he'd give us every piece of land we walked on.
Whilst amazing stuff has been happenin already, we would really appreciate your prayer for good communication on the team, for protection from subtle spiritual attacks - particularly in our thoughts, for more openings into the festival, for wisdom in how to use the spiritual weapons God gives us and for a bold and unapologetic stance for all we know to be true. We are very aware of the bonds of apathy and lethargy that are probably partly linked to all the occultic stuff going on in this city and we are sick of it. We are also aware that God scorns all the lies of the Devil that are sold here, and He is much bigger than them, but we would ask you to pray with us for His mercy on the young people of this city who have been trapped by these lies. We are waging war. With love. Please join us in intercession.
anneleen

2004-07-31T13:36:00.000Z

Hey folks,

Things are really falling into place for our team next month (next week actually!)

Our relationships with YWAM and Eternity (a church mission week) are going really good and we are getting a good idea of how our time is going to work out. As well as praying for the city and meeting with festival goers we will be supporting these other teams and running a 24-7 week. Also the core team (Anneleen, Rachel and Chris) are teaching on Scottish national identity and 24-7 prayer at YWAM’s training days which is very exiting, Chris spoke at the 1st one this week and it seemed to go really well.

We had a great time down in Guildford at the start of the month at 24-7 teams training. We are very exited about our team members – we feel as if God has really enlarged and filled out our vision through these folks. It will be a privilege to lead this team. It was also good to reconnect with the wider movement and see our place in this grand jig-saw.

If you could be praying for us as leaders: We have all had very busy summers so far and are tired. We have felt under Spiritual attack quite a lot as well – we need clear heads and God’s anointing to stand and fight in this time. Pray we might be free and safe from all schemes of the enemy.

Also for our team, as they prepare to join us – for unity and for provision – that all of them can afford to come and know God leading them in this time. Also for their Spiritual well being and protection. That would rock – thank you very much.

Love Chris

2004-06-22T09:44:00.000Z

UNITED PRAYER MEETING FOR THE FESTIVAL - TONIGHT!
Location - Salvation Army Hall, 1 East Adam Street, opp the Pleasance,Edinburgh

2004-06-20T07:46:00.000Z

Less than two weeks to go til missions training! The team is pretty much finalised now and we're looking forward to meeting up with everyone.

Meanwhile - please pray for YWAM, as they try to secure performance space permits for the festival. This would really help us as a team too!

Also thank God for his provision so far - for the links we are making with IHOP, artists and churches in Edinburgh to name but a few.Cheers.

Anneleen

2004-05-19T11:15:00.000Z

We had a great day in St Andrews - young people from all over Scotland showed up and it was encouraging to share prayer, worship and dreams for the places that each person was representing. The network of pray-ers hope to meet up and hang out again, as well as stay in touch between times. If you would like to be a part of this then get in touch with us, and we'll get you on the emailing list. Unity is a powerful and vital lifeforce in God's body here on earth (us!)

TEAM NEWS
There are only a few days left (you've got til the 31st May to get your application forms in). The team members we have on board so far are a really gifted bunch so we are excited to see how God will use those gifts.
Answers to prayer: we've secured the accommodation for this year. Its a great flat with plenty of space and its in a great location, so praise God for his provision of that.
We are also establishing more links with Christians from Edinburgh and from around the world who are coming to the Festival to join in with interceding and promoting the gospel. Its all good!

If you are up for being involved at all, perhaps to visit for a day, or fill in some hours in the prayer room, then please do get in touch. Leave a comment or email us at edinbrmission@yahoo.co.uk

Keep praying - we really appreciate it!
ANNELEEN

2004-04-04T23:10:00.000Z

PRAYER FOR SCOTLAND
At Student Evolution on Thursday, the 24-7 prayer room hosted a prayer meeting for Scotland. Over 25 young people, mainly students and graduates, turned up to intercede and share stories about what God is up to across the country. New initiatives for outreach were birthed, friendships and connections made and at least 4 people felt God was prompting them to suggest a network of scottish students was evolving and that another prayer meeting should be planned. It will take place in St Andrews on 1st May at 11am.

PRAYER FOR 24-7PRAYER MISSION TO EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
It would be great if you could join us in praying for the following:
- the core team will be meeting in edinburgh this week to discuss plans for the summer; pray for wisdom, clarity of vision, strategic goals
-for the links we have with the salvation army, ywam, the fringe organisers, local churches, the university, young people in edinburgh
-spiritual protection and discernment
-God would direct us to suitable locations for accommodation and the prayer room (incidentally, the prayer room will be running for the whole of August, so if you want to take part simply by filling a prayer slot, please get in touch, now or closer the time!)

THANKYOU! anneleen

2004-04-04T22:46:00.000Z

The 24-7prayer room at Student Evolution hosted a significant prayer meeting for Scotland on thursday. Over 25 people with a heart for Scotland turned up to intercede and share stories of what God's up to at universities around the country. It was a time of great unity and for people to link up and support each other. New ideas for reaching out with the gospel in Scotland have been birthed this last week, and excitingly, a network seems to be forming between christian students across scotland. A prayer meeting has been planned for the 1st May at 11am in St Andrews.

There are a number of points that it would be great for people to pray for re the festival mission:
-the core team are meeting this week in edinburgh to discuss plans: pray for wisdom, insight into what we should be focussing on, clarity of vision and strategic goals.
-for our links with other organisations such as ywam, prayerwall (an intercessory group in Edinburgh), the salvation army, the fringe organisers, local churches and young people
-that God would direct us to locations for the prayer room and accommodation

THANKYOU!anneleen

2004-03-24T14:29:00.000Z

MISSION DATES UPDATE: this summer's team will run from WEDNESDAY 11th - WEDNESDAY 25th AUGUST.

Get in touch with us or the guys at www.24-7mission.com for more info

anneleen

2004-02-12T16:02:00.000Z

Hello, this is our blog. In the run up to the summer we hope to put news up here and then regular updates throughout this summer's month of 24-7 prayer