Mark and Rachel

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From: "mark crothers" <mc00_uk@yahoo.co.uk>
To: "Jack Mc Kee" <pastorjack@btinternet.com>
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 5:34 PM
Subject: hey

Hi Jack,

Well another eventful week. I had been made an offer for my car from the
insurance company on Monday. Having come off that phone call i had a voice
mail from the police. The Fiesta (my car) had been found in Ballysillian
area.

To make the story short, it is awaiting assessment by the insurance company
but looks like it will be written off. Rachel's car was also unfortunately
written off this week also. We have accepted an offer for her car and the
house insurance today so things are progressing thankfully.

We have had the loan of Rachel's mums car this week which has been a
blessing as well as the fact we are both off work.

Next week however we do not have transport. Do you know anyone who would be
in the position of being able to lend us a car? Or anyone who works for a
hire company and can rent a car cheap?

I know this is a long shot but

Arrival of Chairs

I am reliably informed by Phillip "Kippers" Burns that the chairs will be in dock tomorrow morning (Sat) at 8 am and will at City Life Centre by 8.30 am.

 

We need all hands on deck to off load the chairs from a container and to bring them into the church. They will be set out under the supervision of Gordie Nutt. We would also need to do a quick clean out so the building is ready again for Sunday.

 

The carpet will be going down next Monday; so we will need the chairs taken to the front of the building after the Sunday morning service. This should be the last time as everything should be completed next week.

 

So, don't forget = tomorrow at 8.30 sharp = chairs and clean up.

 

Thanks for all your help and to all who help.

 

Jack

Ps. There was no Weekly Contact last week as I had to do Day 40 Update and a Concert Update. I will do a double on Monday! 

United in Hope concert

United in Hope concert

 

Around 300 people came together for our first event at City Life Centre. My sincere thanks to those who came along to encourage and support us in this event. It was great to see Pastor John Legge and his family with us; Pastor Jim Armour and Billy Bell; Pastor Duncan Hanson from South Africa, his wife Tanya and daughter Nicole; Dr. Cecil Stewart and Robert Robinson, Patron of the Waterford Omagh Peace Choir. Please forgive me if you were there and I did not see you on the night, or mention you, either then or in this email.

 

The New Life Worship Team led us in an amazing time of praise and worship as voices and hearts joined together for no other reason than to lift up the name of Jesus as the one who gives true and lasting hope. They led us in songs like "Tear Down These Walls" and "There's more to be done in this city". God knows there is more to be done, but not only in the city, but also in the church!!! These past 7 weeks have shown me there is an openess for change in the community, but an inability to properly properly embrace change, while the church (New Life included) shows an ability to organise "services" but an inability to serve and to assist change (and yes, I do mean change that's of God). We can sing about; we can pray for it; we can preach it; yet fail to embrace it. I pray God will challenge my heart and channel my actions to see that walls are torn down and that more is done in the city and in the church to unite us in him and to him and to each other.     

 

 

 

                                                  

 

Soon the platform was graced with an awe inspiring group of young people as the Waterford and Omagh Choir stepped up to take the stage. The people were immediately captivated by their talent and their sincerity as they sang and played and shared a little bit of what brought them together.

 

                           

 

Every song they sang was a heart felt song that brought a dynamic that was of God. Every person in the choir has their own individual story that includes not only pain, but a desire to walk with God. The young woman in the centre of the picture on the right above is from Omagh. Her sister lost her eyes in the Omagh Bomb, but her desire is to look to Jesus as the giver of hope.   

 

 

 

May God help us to be salt and light and to be a God influence to our city and beyond.

 

Jack

 

Cross Vigil Day 40

DAY 40: Saturday 24 October

  The last formal visit from Mark & Christine

Well, day 40 is here at last. I had many visitors and many opportunities to speak with people from both sides of the wall. Almost every response was very positive and the impact of those days are yet to be seen, and be seen they will. Colin, who was with me, was great support. He was on a 7 week fast as I stood with the cross. He lost 3 stone (42 pounds), while I put on almost 14 pounds thanks to the muffins, the chicken curries and the Mars Bars etc etc etc! To lift the profile of these weeks I decided to do some other events such as The Human Peace Wall; the Peace Pole and the United in Hope convert. Thanks to everyone who stopped by; to those who sent encouraging emails and to those who prayed. God's favour was certainly on us, and his angels were watching over us. Today was the unveiling of the Peace Pole, which is reported here. I will send a separate report on the Concert later.

The day began with the police stopping by to let us know they would be on hand throughout the day. And true to their word, they never left us. The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People arrived in plenty of time, while the Lord Mayor arrived right on time (right pic above).

The Waterford Omagh Peace Choir started the event with an amazing performance
watched on by those who braved the weather.

Lord Mayor and Commissioner receive some additional cover
from one of our New Life ladies, Lesley Hance.

The Peace Pole is unveiled by the Lord Mayor, Naoimi Long, and the Commissioner, Patricia Lewsley.
Tommy Latimer did a great job of making sure the Pole was covered and unveiled without a hitch. Great job Tommy.

Flowers were presented to the Lord Mayor and the Commissioner. John 3:16 was always there.

The Lord Mayor and the Commissioner both addressed the crowd and complimented us on all we have done for peace within the Shankill and the Falls community. They are pictured here along with the Waterford Omagh Peace Choir who graced the site with their presence and with their singing. This choir was birthed out of the Omagh Bomb that slaughtered 29 innocent people and severely injured dozens more. The bomb was planted by the Real IRA who continue in their twisted attempts to draw us back into the conflict, but the message of the above choir is that their attempts will fail. And so say we all.

And so ended the 7 week Cross Vigil at 3 pm.

Still being a God influence, even though the Cross Vigil is over.

Jack 

Standing Order Form

For those who have asked re; the £25 monthly donation towards the loan, please use the attached form if appropriate. Gareth will have hard copies if you need one.

 

Send me an email and let me know of you are doing it this way, so I know, or if you are making the payment by cash either weekly or monthly.

 

Great morning service; in fact great weekend. I'll send my weekly contact later.

 

Thanks.

 

Jack

Cross Vigil Day 39

DAY 39: Friday 23 October

One more day to go after this one. Mr. Indescribable, Kevin the Muffin, will not be doing his muffin run tomorrow, so this is my last muffin of the Cross Vigil. Thanks Kevin, every muffin was delicious. I want to encourage people to call in to Kevin's FEED Cafe beside the Methodist Church on the Shankill Road and give him some deserved business.

The past 7 weeks have flown in. It is so hard to believe there is only day left to do. I feel like I want to keep this going. Others have said how much they are going to miss just stopping by. But hey, there is much to be done beyond the Cross Vigil. It's time to come down from the mountain!

Fixing the plaque to the base of the Peace Pole. The reason the base is a huge concrete Ballard is because these kind of ballads were all over Northern Ireland during "The Troubles" to prevent Car Bombs being driven up close to buildings. So it reminds us of the past, but the Peace Pole is the expression of better future.

After the Muffin man left there was a delivery of KFC. I got so excited I called it "Kentucky Fricken". It brought by Pastor Jim Armour (not in the pic) and eaten by me and Tommy Latimer. Soon after this my sister in law Sally came along with a pot of home made vegetable soup (maybe I will stay here for another few weeks!).

Left Pic: Duncan and Tanya Hanson and their daughter Nicole from South Africa, but have been in England for the past 3 years ministering. They have been in touch via email during these years and decided they wanted to come over to Belfast for the last weekend of the Cross Vigil. Right Pic: Rebecca and Christine Posing with the Pastor.

Pastor Geoff Feasey from England. Jeff was Pastor in Ballysillan Elim for 5 years prior to me going there for 10 years. Geoff is also a member of the Elim Executive, the National Leadership Team. He got into a taxi in downtown Belfast and told the taxi driver he was looking for a Pastor who is standing somewhere with a cross. The taxi driver drove him straight to me! Geoff was well impressed by all that's going on and by the development of City Life Centre. We were soon joined by Pastor Gordon Graham from our Elim Church in Larne. He brought me a box of Maltesers and a card with an encouraging message. Thanks men. I deeply appreciated your visit.

Jim McAuley did a great job in pasting posters for the concert and the church up in every available spot. Look at the fence behind him! Thomas, alias Boneyard, was the last to visit today. It was another very busy day talking with those who stopped and waving at those who waved and sounded their horns.

Still being a God influence.

Jack

Cross Vigil Day 38

DAY 38: Thursday 22 October

            

Getting photo taken on the Peace Pole for the Irish News. Should in the paper tomorrow.

            

Left pic: One of our slightly older members, Margaret McCurley with her grandson Seth bringing a word of encouragement. Thanks Seth. Right pic: Belfast Pastor, Nigel Brabham who was at the Human Peace Wall last Saturday and was here again today for almost the 3 hours. Thanks for the encouragement Nigel.

           

 Ted trying to dismantle the gates!        A motorist stops and said he had passed by several times and decided to stop to ask what I was doing and why. We had a good chat before he drove off. Another motorist stopped afterwards. The driver invited me into the car. He wanted to share with me that he had become a Christian in his own home at 5 am on Monday morning. I do not know him, but he knew me and wanted to stop and share this with me.

                 

                                        Beauty and the beasts

         

Aaaaahhh! I cannot believe she did that!       Pastor Cameron Crawford and his wife Betty from the Elim church in Enniskillen. We go back a long way (well not that long) and have been through a lot together. They came into Belfast today for three reasons: 1. To see me; 2) To go IKEA; 3) To go to the Gaithers event in the Odyssey Arena tonight. I wonder if it was in that order!

                

                      The Heckler's back today with some friends.

Still being a God influence.

Jack

Urgent Request

Several times I have called in to see how the work is progressing in City Life Centre. I know a few have been there to help (and I could name them - so thanks guys), but several times I have been there and the only person I have seen is Gareth "Spud" Murphy on his own - day time and night time.

 

Hey, it's not over till it's over! If you can help out by giving some time please contact Gareth and just get down there and see what needs done. He needs help with wiring etc. Phone him on 07590544924.

 

CHAIRS: We really need help tomorrow (Thursday) morning to move 300 chairs from Whitewell to City Life Centre. If you can help please met at the Metropolitan Church at 11 am or call Gareth.

 

Friday night clean up: 7 pm sharp.

 

Some people can sing; some people can pray; but it's workers who get things done, at the end of the day!

 

Sorry, I know that was cheesy, but we need workers.

 

Thanks.

 

Jack

Cross Vigil Day 37

DAY 37: Wednesday 21 October

Today was more about the Peace Pole arriving than anything else. It was not due to arrive until tomorrow, but if it had not been for it arriving today Colin and I would have been bored to tears! Yesterday it rained all day, yet it was so busy. Today it did not rain at all, but it was very quiet. So we were glad the Peace Pole arrived today.

Young men from a Training Project who helped build the Peace Pole delivered it to the site. It looks like they are really taking pride in this and are as much looking forward to its unveiling on Saturday as we are. They have invited family members and friends. When Mr. Indescribable Kevin the Muffin Man arrived and I had selected my muffin, he shouted out to the lads and asked if any of them wanted a muffin! I had to quickly stand back for fear of being trampled under foot by the Muffin Mob! About 10 hungry lads lit on Kevin, with some of them taking two muffins. One lad stood with a muffin in each hand and said, "This is the first bite I've had to eat since yesterday".

The Peace Pole is made of steel. It has the word PEACE in English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh and is open to interpretation like "From chaos to peace" or "Steps to peace" or "Building blocks to peace" etc. At the base of the pole will be the words, "He is our peace who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall between us". Ephesians 2:14.

We did have a few other visitors like John here who's having a laugh at my attempt to pronounce PEACE in Irish and Scottish, and Johnny Prentice who came along to join the discussion. Two school teachers from Loughshore Cross Community School came by to chat and to photograph me standing with the cross. They said they had heard about what I was doing and wanted to come by to wish me well. They had several young people with them in their mini bus who were busy trying to roll the bus over on its side as their teachers stood chatting with me. They asked if they could bring a group of young people to City Life Centre to hear about what we are doing and to ask questions. I of course agreed to this.

Towards the end of the day someone competing for the No.1 Heckler spot appeared at the top of the Peace Pole. It looks like we might have a long winter!

Still being a God influence.

Jack

Cross Vigil Day 36

DAY 36: Tuesday 20 October

          Day 36 and counting! A bit wet, but not so bad. Still smiling.

               

Picture to the left: Mr. Indescribable, Kevin the Muffin Man has to wait until Mr. Inexplainable tries to explain.
Picture to the right: Jim McAuley, as the Heckler looks on, shares with me that he and his wife Maureen are just back from the Falls community where they had put up several posters in shops to promote the United in Hope concert this coming Saturday night. He was even in the Sinn Fein office where they told him they knew about the Cross Vigil etc. They took a poster off him. Believe me; six weeks ago Jim would not have thought of going into the Sinn Fein office on the Falls Road. This is how God is providing opportunities and how people are taking them!

      

A tax driver from the Falls Road drove through the gates, not to pick up a fare or to drop someone off; in fact his cab was empty, but to get out and shake my hand and wish me well. He said "People in the Falls are speaking very highly of you". Having done so and having spoken for a few moments he got back into his taxi; turned around and drove back to the Falls. Anna came by shortly after with a couple of very welcome Starbucks Coffees.

Soon after Anna left Johnny came by with another two coffees. We might have been a bit cold on the outside, but we were certainly warm on the inside. The rain did not keep people away. In fact we were quite busy chatting to people for one reason or another; explaining what we were doing and inviting people to the concert and to church.

              

   This taxi driver has come by several times with tourists. This couple is from Australia

 

 The Heckler is popping up everywhere. We can expect more of this during this last week

I know we are told to beware when all men speak well of us; not some men, but all men. It is ok to have some speak well of us. But the fact is not everyone does. One person was challenged after having left the Human Peace Wall on Saturday as to why he was shaking hands and linking arms with "them"! Besides this a top ranking paramilitary commander stood at a street corner watching the Human Peace Wall from a distance. A local "community group", that will remain unnamed dumped our leaflets into a bin. Some motorists drove like they were running the gauntlet. So we can go on. I only mention these few things so you know that it's not all roses out here; it's more like "Guns 'n Roses"! So some of you will be glad to know that not all are speaking well of us, and we could say more, but our focus is not on them. This is why your prayers and your words of encouragement are important and are always much appreciated.

Still being a God influence.

Jack