Photos for the week are all at the end. Meanwhile if you want a short collage of video clips from Jo, here is the link:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtXo4tVKTxd/?igshid=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA==
Sun 4th Jun Ellesmere
Sadly, Chris was unwell this morning, with a
stomach complaint, so he was unable to come with us to the Cellar Church. The
rest of us went without him, and we had to introduce ourselves and explain what
the mission was all about.
The afternoon was spent
chatting to people. What a lot of dog walkers there are in Ellesmere!
We had an informal time
of worship and prayer later, when we were joined by Malcolm and Stephanie
Grey-Smart (BCF) and John Howard (TCC).
In the evening, we went
to the White Hart, where the monthly folk club was taking place. It was packed
out. We sang Long Way Down and Pilgrim. There were a lot of accordions,
melodions and concertinas, and each person led two joined up tunes, so it took
an hour get round to each person. It was great fun. We left at about 1030, but
apparently it was still going at 2am.
No boating today
Mon 5th Jun Ellesmere
Every morning starts with
a time of prayer at 0830. This morning we gathered outside. Hazel wasn’t well,
and Chris was still having problems.
More conversations with
people. John Howard from Cellar Church turned up for a chat. Also, church
leaders Phil and Rob came along later.
No boating today
Tue 6th Jun
Ellesmere
The morning gathering was
on Spirit today. Later in the day we had a barbecue, which was
enjoyable. Hazel was still self-isolating. A covid test was negative – we think
it was just a cold.
We had a visit from a
Cellar Church home group, who were prayer walking, and they prayed for us.
No boating today
Wed 7th Jun Ellesmere
We gathered on Spirit
again this morning as it was chilly. We have had no rain since Birmingham.
Afternoons in Ellesmere have been hot and sunny.
We did a facilities run
on Gabriel, with Andy and Roger on board, with an assortment of
cassettes to empty and water carriers to fill. There were several bags of
rubbish from the barbecue as well. We took advantage of the hot water from
running the engine, and both had showers.
We spotted Cranley
moored opposite the sanitary station, and later, Mick and Suzanne walked past
so we had a chat. They are from Byfleet Boat Club.
A group of Brownies
visited the boats, and heard some testimonies and stories. They were offered a
go at painting canal art roses on paper plates. They sounded as though they
were having a lot of fun.
We personally weren’t
involved as Hazel was still keeping away from people. We had a takeaway from
the Indian restaurant, which was lovely.
We paid the deposit money
to the solicitors for Oliver’s house today.
0 locks, 1 mile. 10
minutes each way.
Thu 8th Jun Ellesmere
Prayer meeting outside
today. More chatting to people. Hazel
was a little better, and came outside for a while.
We went for a meal at
Roger and Mirjana’s, with Chris and Sally, and Andy and Sue.
No boating today
Fri 9th Jun Ellesmere
John and Jan arrived
today. They are staying on Lutra Lutra.
We went to spend some
time in More Than a Sundae, the church café. We chatted to cancer patients, and
Hazel was able to pray with a lady. James had a haircut at Mr Mod. We had a
flypast from the Swiss aerobatic squad.
More chatting on the
towpath. The youth group arrived and enjoyed boat visits, opportunities to
paint canal art roses, and have a go at rope throwing. Their visit concluded
with Roger taking them through six Bible verses which are the basis of the
Christian faith. They were each given wristbands which link to these verses.
We went to the very handy
Tesco and bought a Korean meal to cook on board.
No boating today
Sat 10th
Jun Ellesmere
Outside prayer meeting
again today. Warm and sunny for our fun day. There was face painting, boat
races in a gutter, rope throwing, teas, coffees, cakes and scones. We sang for
two sets of 45 minutes each, 20 songs in total. John and Jan joined us for the
second set. Hard work, as everyone was in conversation. Steve kindly bought
toasties for everyone from the toastie boat.
Very tired. Some had a
Chinese takeaway. We have never seen such huge spring rolls! Others went to the
Greek restaurant, which they said was very good. We stayed put and had some ham
and cheese we had bought from Vermeulens.
It finally rained a
little, although we missed three thunderstorms that passed close by.
No boating today
Sun 11th
Jun Ellesmere
Cellar Church at 10am.
Canal Ministries team reported back with some of the conversations and
successes of the week. We sang “The Man who calmed the Sea” which tied in well
with the other items. John Halford helped me carry our equipment back to the
boat before we all ended up in the Red Lion for a pleasant meal with rather too
many chips.
In the afternoon we had a
canalside service with about thirty people. We led the worship acoustically
which worked OK. One lady became a Christian. Simon arrived at the end. It was
good to see him again.
We managed to get
everything put away dry, including the gazebo, as several rain clouds had just
missed us. Most of the team ended up on Spirit, having cheese and wine in the
evening. We had a little rain later, but not enough. The rain clouds keep
missing us.
No boating today.
Mission summary
This has been an
excellent week, with a long list of people who have been helped, prayed with,
and chatted to. We heard many stories from people, with a range of problems and
life issues, including bereavement, abuse, illness, loneliness. Some people
opened up and told us things even their children did not know, and we were able
to pray into those situations. Some of the team are staying on for a while, and
the Cellar Church will be there for people when we have moved on.
Next: to Llangollen
and back, via two aqueducts and two tunnels.
Rob preaching at the Cellar Church 
Fiona paddleboarding 
Steve 
Sunday afternoon informal worship time 
Music in the White Hart 
Mission boats in the Ellesmere Arm 
Jo trying castles for the first time 
later 
The OM team who joined us 
Conversations 
Mick and Suzanne from Byfleet Boat Club 
Bonnets and braces 
A visit from the Brownies 
Mission boats early morning 
Roger and Mirjana 
Ellesmere sunset 
Swiss team flypast 
Rachel with her art 
These Christians happened to come past and they prayed with us. 
Lee trying his hand at painting roses 
Youth group 
Paul and Sue 
Music from Hazel John James Jan 
Fun day 
Sunday afternoon worship service 
Jo Rachel Sue
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