Alex’s personal musings: unconditional

Our last night.

Mixed emotions for me. In some respects I am pleased that we have reached the end – we have survived and given it our best shot. On the other hand, as Michelle said last night, it seems that we are going home just as we are getting half decent at this!

I jumped at the chance of getting out on the West End during the first hour. I had the pleasure of pairing up with Jess – a recently joined long termer from Northern Ireland.She is a beautiful, multi-lingual prayer machine!

We were walking down near Gatecrasher on the beach and noticed a chap sitting on his own who didn't look as he was enjoying himself. We decided to quickly check on him before moving on.

90 minutes later we left him overwhelmed by our God moment with James (not his real name).

James was pretty wasted and not forthcoming with any helpful information! All we got was his name and that was it. He was not going to tell us whether he was here with mates, where his hotel was and was certainly not going to accept help from us to walk him back to his room.

After about 30 minutes, he started to open up a little. We had explained that we were Christians and out here to show God’s love to everyone. He couldn't understand why we would want to help – not just help people in general but help him.

He went on to tell us that he was not worth bothering with, that there were more needy people out there, and that he had done too many awful things to deserve our kindness.

Man alive – we really felt for him. We gently explained to him that Jesus loved him, that he had a place in this life and that God had a plan for him to be whole and fulfilled.

Note to self – never turn down an opportunity to pray for someone.

Right there on the beach in the middle of the crazy West End world, James had a moment with God. As we said a short prayer for him to know God’s unconditional love,  that he could be forgiven, that he was deserving of kindness and that he was accepted just as he was, he stepped back overwhelmed by what he was hearing and was welling up.

What a privilege to speak directly into someone’s heart and see God move. 

As we parted company, we had a big hug (initiated by James) and left him walking off with a bible in his pocket and details of how he could contact us if he wanted to talk more.

Jess and I headed back to the 24/7 centre praying for James whilst walking on cloud 9.

Please pray that James would have more moments with God in the coming days. Also please continue to pray for the work out here in Ibiza. As the WBC team were decommissioned at 4am the long term team were helping a petrified young woman who had been assaulted. This is a world is serious highs and devastating lows. 

Tonight we have a meal with the whole 24/7 team – an opportunity to reflect on the last few weeks and say our goodbyes.

We will be back in the UK at 0525 tomorrow!

Thanks to all who have been following this blog.

We look forward sharing more stories on our return.

Adios.