Lynns Musings

19 September 2006

I have just returned from three amazing weeks in the land of my birth, South Africa.

While I was out there, I had a wonderful time being able to connect with my dear friends at Valley Christian Church, Cape Town. From there I went up to East London to spend time with the folk at East London Christian Centre, before travelling back to Cape Town to attend a two day summit with some NGO's [ non- government organisations] who work in some of the poorest sections of Cape Town, which was an incredible privilege...THANKS to all those who prayed for me during that time.

While out in South Africa I had an experience which will stick with me for a very long time! I have the privilege of owning a wonderful Taylor guitar which has been part of my life for the last 8 years and definitely adds a stunning sound to the songs I sing.

Well... en route to East London my guitar was seriously damaged . I only discovered this, however, on opening my guitar case before a meeting that evening and to say I was shocked would be an understatement! I was very aware that airlines don't normally pay out for such damage so, needless to say, when I finally got to bed I didn't have a restful night's sleep!!!

The next day I got up early and decided to take another look at the damage. As I gazed at my precious guitar the thought suddenly hit me..."out of brokenness comes true worship". A number of years ago, a dear friend of mine had painted an amazing picture of a broken guitar which I had hung above my bed to remind me that very thing - but over the years I had become so familiar with the picture that I had forgotten the message. Suddenly, it all came into focus again ; I fell on my knees and through tears began to worship...

Later that day I received a phone call from a lady called Mareyna , who works in the the customer care department of the airline with which I had been flying. After chatting through with her the journey of the damaged guitar, she suddenly said "I really feel compelled to help you - let me see what I can do..."

I felt a deep sense of peace and trust in God fill me and knew, no matter what, that I was on an amazing new journey in my understanding of worship.

To cut a very long story short, the airline came back to me with their decision...to replace my guitar! When I flew in to Johannesburg Airport, I was met by dear Mareyna with a gorgeous new Taylor guitar which the airline had bought for me!!!

Such incredible kindness displayed by my generous Father.

...and so I have returned to the UK , my heart filled with this incredibly powerful truth...

"out of brokenness comes true worship".

And I have a damaged guitar to remind me!

posted by Lynn at 10:23

INDIA - this was my first visit back after seven years and from the moment I arrived in Mumbai my senses were heightened
...such heat
...such pungent smells
...such welcoming people
...such a noise and bustle
...so many cars, taxi's, trucks... people
...such poverty and yet such dignity
...such welcome and hospitality
...such delicious food

...and such an awareness that I needed to be a carrier of Jesus to the beautiful people of this amazing nation!

I spent a day in Mumbai and stayed with a dear family who made me feel so welcome and I even had a bedroom with air conditioning so was able to get a good nights sleep - although crackers were being set off constantly through the night as the Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali, started

There was such an awareness of my need to be hidden in Christ and from there to shine HIS love and kindness to the dear people I met...so many of them needing a Saviour and a Friend...to know the true Light of the world...JESUS

















We then headed off to an area near Pune for the Covenent Blessings family camp. The first four days with the English speaking community and then the next four days with the Hindi speaking community.




























The accommodation was incredibly rustic... I even had a rat share my room for the 8 days...it's amazing how quickly we both adapted to the other!!! And each morning a dear man named Dougal brought me a 5 gallon bucket of hot water from the fire for my shower...I became so aware of how much water I waste!!!! ...it was such a privilege living with so little and being so aware of the Fathers lavish kindness and grace - and being humbled by the fact that for many folk on the camp, compared to the slums where they live, this was 5 star accommodation - it certainly increased my level of gratitude!!!

















I can honestly say that thoughout my time in India I was so conscious of the incredible closeness of God - the protection and favour of FATHER, the embrace and intimacy of JESUS and the wisdom, leading and comfort of HOLY SPIRIT.

Many times during the worship I was impacted by the fact that the One who threw the stars into the heavens and held the oceans in His hand was inviting us into the mysterious Secret Place and I sang, and danced and shouted and cried and yielded along with my dear brothers and sisters to such holy moments!!!!

I loved every moment of my time in India...and so look forward to going back... I not only gave while out there but received in abundance!!!

posted by Lynn at 10:12