The best laid plans of mice and men ...

Holiday over so it's back to work.  The plan for the day was administration - mostly accounts, but things were to turn out somewhat differently.

Around 8.00am I started trying to find out where Monica and David were in Kenya, and eventually tracked them to a Christian Guest House in Nairobi.  Like many others they are unable to get back into the UK because of the suspension of flights.  Having spoken to Monica that then led to a series of telephone calls on her behalf cancelling various engagements she will not now be able to fulfil.

I also phoned the school at Lubenham as I was booked to take an Assembly at 1.00pm but was unable to find out the theme from the diocesan website.  It is now a subscription only service at £100 per term.  I'm not sure how many CofE schools there are in the diocese but that will be generating a significant income.  It was 12.00 by the time the school got back to me with a list of this term's themes and sessions.  That gave me just one hour to prepare and I was already half way out the door on the way to the bank.  I decided to walk from Market Harborough to Lubenham (about 3 miles) - the first significant exercise since my operation.

The scripture passage set was the story of the risen Christ and the breakfast by the lake.  Sadly, while I was taking the assembly, a lorry ran into my car which I had left parked outside our home and office.  Fortunately the incident was witnessed by a pedestrian passing by who noted the lorry details and knocked our door to let us know.  Doreen rang me on the mobile to tell me the news.  So the afternoon was taken up on negotiating for an insurance claim against the company that owns the lorry.  It had managed to score a line across both offside door windows and damage the trim and seals.  It was amazing it did not break the windows.

I finished work at 6.00 and a little later popped out to a shop only to discover seven rapid response police cars that were responding to an armed robbery (apparently) at our local Aldi store.  In addition to the police there was also a press presence.  The photographer informed me that it seemed the perpetrators of the crime had gone to ground in a block of flats at the bottom of our road and less than 100 yards from our home.  I thought you might like to see a picture.

One other development was  a request to write a 90 minute module on evangelism for a discipleship course.  I am delighted to do so and hope to find time later this week to complete this.

Mountain Roads and Red Kite

Much of today was overcast with occasional sunny spells.  We planned a drive over the Cambrian Mountains on a single track road for around 15 miles.  Some of the road was through thick forest; others were through wide valleys.  But for much of the road it was like a switchback with sudden steep rise and falls while all the time the road twisted and turned.  Parts were as steep as 1 in 4 (25%) with sharp hairpin bends that were only manageable by shifting from 2nd gear to 1st at the crucial moment.  Not a road one would want to drive if it were foggy or icy.

We travelled from Newbridge on Wye to Beulah and then on to Tregaron.  We then travelled north as far as Cwnystwyth where we picked up the mountain road back to Rhayader.  Fantastic drive with amazing views.

In the afternoon we went to the Red Kite Feeding Station and saw scores (if not hundreds) of Red Kite, Buzzards and other birds doing some amazing aerial acrobatics.  Really special.  Pictures added to Facebook album and I will try to add them to the scrolling photos on the right side of this blog.

God's creation is amazing!

Tuesday's Travels

Another lovely day.  It took a little while to warm up after a cold night but the scenery is stunning.

Doreen and I travelled south through Builth Wells and onto Llyswen to the north of Brecon.  Here we met up with Graham and Maureen Wise who are old friends.  Graham used to be the Rural Officer for the Baptist Union of Great Britain.  We were provided with a very nice lunch and had a couple of hours happy fellowship through the afternoon before heading north again to the farm where we are staying.

Graham suggested that we called in on the Craft Centre at Erwood Station.  What a treasure house this turned out to be.  They have a range of art and craft from a large number of local talented folk.  Had we the resources we would have had great pleasure in purchasing all manner of good things.  If ever you come this way, we recommend you include Erwood Station Craft Centre on your itinerary.

I am definitely getting used to this relaxing thing!

Importance of a good connection

There has been a considerable gap since my last posting on this blog.  The main reason for this has been difficulty in getting a good connection to the Internet.  It's a bit like prayer in a number of ways.  But communication with God is certainly something that works better where there is a good connection existing.  My mobile occasionally informs me that no connection is possible but apparently I can still use it for emergency calls.  That's like prayer too.  God is always ready to hear the "save me" call even when it comes from someone who has never previously had a connection.

Anyway, time to desist from preaching and share some news instead.  Easter Sunday at Yelvertoft was manageable as far as my health was concerned.  It was also disappointing with most of our regular folk away and no visitors.  Normally I would have been able to get posters and leaflets around but my emergency operation had interfered with those plans.  We used some short clips from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as parables of the heart of the gospel.

Monday 5th was used to catch up on more admin jobs and then we set off for the Congregational Federation's annual Ministers' Conference; held this year at Willersley Castle, Matlock, Derbyshire.  We had some interesting sessions and some excellent Bible Studies.  Our good friend, Suzanne Nockels, led some lively worship times. For me the best element was the opportunity for relaxing fellowship with colleagues and the opportunity to catch up on their news.  I'll probably add one or two photos to this posting but I will put a selection on my Facebook page.

Gradually I found I was experiencing less discomfort.  I had managed the drive from Market Harborough to Matlock OK.  On the Friday we bade farewell to one another, and Doreen and I set off on a week's break.  We were heading for Llandrindod Wells in Powys but planned to break our journey in the Shrewsbury area. On enquiring from the Pontesbury Church Secretary (I had led an away day for them recently) I discovered that they had members that provided B&B.  We arrived late afternoon to discover that their home is a fabulous Elizabethan property.  It had been acquired as a derelict and oft-flooded building but hard work and wise development had rendered it dry and restored it to much of its former glory.

Knowing that I was going to be staying with them I had been asked to conduct the morning services at Pontesbury and Minsterley in  order to support a visiting preacher, Mr John Butterworth, who was represeneting the European Christian Mission.  I offered to include a solo and chose to sing "Thank you for giving to the Lord".  It proved incredibly apposite as it precisely picked up on the preachers final point.  I had not been informed what he would say and he had no idea what I would sing.  But both parts fitted perfectly without any need for adjustment.  It was a happy Sunday morning with both services taken.

Sunday afternoon saw us on our way into Wales.  Today we drove around the beautiful Elan Valley.  Do go to the facebook page and look at the photos.  Hopefully, you will be able to see these even if you are not on Facebook yourself (try googling facebook and Barry Osborne".  If you are on Facebook, hopefully you are already on my friends list.

So there we are up to date, though I have missed out some interesting parts rather than take up too much of your time.  We are able to post once again - and do much more beside - as a reasonably decent connection now exists.  Note to self: ensure communications with Heavenly father are OK!

I am now at the end of the second week of official convalescence.  The operation wounds are healing nicely but I still have significant discomfort around the top wound (four are made for the keyhole surgery).  Running to catch the outgoing post on Wednesday clearly did not help!

I have used the time to catch up at least some of the jobs I can do by sitting at a desk.  More orders for the No Ordinary Man project have come in and the first 100 copies are now all out.  I pray that more rural church leaders will grasp the opportunity to use them within their churches.  It really is an ideal opportunity to help people come to know Jesus as Saviour.

Yesterday evening I attended a Maundy Thursday service at our local Congregational Church in Market Harborough.  This morning Doreen and I joined with Christians from local churches for the annual Open Air Witness in the town square.  Last year we were beset with wet weather.  This year they had organised a large trailer to serve as a covered platform.  Sadly the sound system was hopeless and much that was said and sung could not be heard.  The singing was led by a great guy called Steve on a keyboard.  The problem was that once people started singing we couldn't hear the keyboard.  Fortunately there was an excellent puppet show which got the message across without the need for words.

There were a few other rough edges.  As an experienced evangelist and one who trained others for many years on how to conduct such events I find it frustrating not to be invited to help!

I am now about half way through the first draft of my autobiography.  It is not an easy story to share but I continue to feel that it is a story that should be told.