Matt Barlow
01 August 2008 at 02:54pm

Wow I’ve just finished the most amazing four days away on one of our Discovery Breaks. It is such a privilege to take away some of our clients who for one reason or another have not been able to afford a holiday or even a short break away from home. I feel so personally challenged having just come back from ten days camping in France and looking forward to a week camping in Pembrokeshire that I take my holidays for granted. There are literally millions of families who won’t get away at all this summer and for these 25 families, four days in the Hayes Conference Centre will have given them a summer they’ll never forget. It’s humbling isn’t it?

We’ve had an amazing few days, great activities including canoe polo, pamper sessions, a circus for the kids and not to mention a day out to Alton Towers. All of this has been interspersed with some challenging talks, discussion groups all helping people either connect or grow with God. During the break 24 people connected with God for the very first time.

One lady told us that she was anorexic and yet since coming away had felt so peaceful that she had eaten and enjoyed every bit of it. Many people talked about feeling the tingle of God’s spirit as we prayed for them, it’s just amazing. Truly good news for the poor and hope for the brokenhearted. When you come on these breaks you realise how rubbish life is for so many people and you’re reminded of why Jesus spent so much time hanging out with those who didn’t have it all together and sorted!

John Kirkby
10 July 2008 at 11:25am

Well, here I am about to board the plane to New Zealand to visit the CAP team out there. Yet again I find myself thousands of miles away from home, but I'm 100% focused on what God is calling both me and CAP to do.

I’ve just spent an incredible time with the CAP Oz guys! They really are going from strength to strength and are doing great things. The number of clients we are helping is increasing every month, we are opening more centres and the whole team are on fire for what CAP is doing in their country. The CAP Australia staff conference of the last few days was truly spectacular! We spent time worshipping, praying, listening to God’s word and just having fun! I feel so blessed to be working with such an amazing group of world changers.

So I'm off to NZ. I have to say that I am so impressed with what Heather and Gareth have achieved. We now have two CAP Centres and have three new employees working at Head Office. God has truly blessed our work and I am excited about what the next few days will hold.

Catch ya soon, John.

John Kirkby
03 July 2008 at 10:22am

I did it... I finished the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. The weather was atrocious, but nevertheless I ran it in 6 hours 15 minutes! Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored me and it's still not too late (visit www.justgiving.com/johnkirkby2).

My next challenge, although it doesn't involve running, is just as important and exciting! Today I leave for Australia to spend seven days with the CAP OZ staff at their annual conference. I then go over to New Zealand to spend six days with the CAP team there. Pray for all of us as there are going to be lots of great opportunities and, as always, a few challenges.