No T-shirt No Problem

I've been in Ibiza for a few weeks, and it's all been pretty amazing except for one bit...The Jet Lag! 

While my body is still adjusting to a new time zone, there's still work to be done! I've been back out on the streets of the west end, and it's been pretty fantastic. I've been loving the chance to reconnect with people that I've known through out the years. Seeing those familiar faces always feels good.  

Today I wanted to share a fun story that happened while I was out on the streets last week. Towards the end of the night, my partner and I were approached by two young man. neither one of them was wearing a shirt. One of them had his top slung over his shoulder, while the other didn't have one at all. They asked if we spoke english and when we said we did, their story came spilling out. 

The boys had been in a club dancing when one of them decided it would be a good idea to take his top off and swing it around over his head. In a moment of excitement he decided to let his shirt go. They tried to search for it, but the shirt was pretty much lost forever. 

A lost t-shirt seems like a minor issue. But it became more of a problem when the boys needed to get a taxi back to their hotel. Taxis here in Ibiza can be pretty strict. And one thing they won't do, is let you in unless you're wearing a top. So these boys were wandering around the west end looking for a solution. We tried to help them find a shop, but the issue was that it was nearly 3AM which meant that shops that sold t-shirts were closed.

We started chatting and pretty quickly our conversation turned towards God. One of the boys was in disbelief that God could even be in a place like the west end. We assured him he was, and when we asked if we could pray for them they agreed. 

I prayed they would find a t-shirt quickly and that when it happened they would remember this moment. They would remember that we prayed and asked God for help, and he answered. 

By this point in the night it was time for my partner and I to head back into the prayer room, and the boys were ready to continue on their way. Once we got back into the center, we realized there were actually some spare shirts in one of the cupboards. We grabbed one and proceeded to run back out to find our shirtless friend. When we found him we were surprised to see that in the four minutes since we'd left them he'd already managed to find a t-shirt. 

We all had a laugh and the boys thanked us for coming back out to help. 

The whole interaction was kind of frantic and funny, and throughout it I was reminded of how often I see God answering prayers in this place. Sometimes our interactions and conversations with people are deep and God filled. Other times we're aware of those moments when we get to plant seeds. Moments when we get to remind people that God is in the places they least expect, and that he's listening.

I'm still raising funds for my summer of missions in Spain. Click here to donate! 

You Already Know What Time It Is...

 It's 2022 and we're back at it again! 

If you haven't already guessed it, I'm heading back to Ibiza. 

I started this blog in 2009, just a few months before I headed off on a missions trip to Ibiza for the first time. It was an eventful experience. Over the years I've been back several times, and God continues to call me back to serve and to pray. 

I'll be headed back to Ibiza this summer for a few months, so get ready for more blog posts and other fun. 

I'm currently raising funds for the summer. If you're interested in donating, check out my Go Fund Me. 

In other fun news...a few months ago I actually got to have a little mini Ibiza reunion here in the US. 

I was at a 24-7 Prayer leadership conference in Tulsa with Brian Heasley and Anna Lukes. I've spent many nights in the prayer room in Ibiza with both of these rockstars! It was great to reminisce and to catch up. 

I think that's all I've got for today. I've got some fun things in store for you all, so stay tuned for more! 

The God Who Sees Me.

She was standing against a wall as we first approached. We'd been called over by the police to make sure she was okay. The closer we got to her, the more she looked like she was trying to disappear into the wall. She was crying, and before long her story spilled out.

She can't find her husband, she's alone...and she's scared. I was out on the streets with Nick, and we do our best to try and calm her down. She tells us the name of her hotel (which is close by) and we start walking her home. As we walk, she keeps saying one thing. 

"Please don't leave me alone." 

We assure her over and over again that we won't leave her. We promise to get her back to her hotel, and as we walk, I'm praying that we some how stumble into her lost husband.  

Before long we have her back in her hotel. As we get her room key, the man on the front desk informs us that her husband is upstairs in bed already (yes!). 

After we were done we head back into the prayer room and I couldn't stop thinking  about a two things:  

1. I was ready to walk past her. When we initially turned the corner, she looked like she was fine. Just a woman standing in the west end. I couldn't see that she was paralyzed with fear. But our God is the God who sees us (Genesis 16). And he saw her. He knew she needed help, and with a small nudge he pointed us in her direction. It's a reminder to me that God is actively pursuing his children in this place. 

2. Her simple request. 

"Please don't leave me alone." 

I wonder if I sound like that to God at times? He's promised me that he won't ever leave me (Hebrews 13:5), but am I listening? Am I believing him? Every time she started begging us not to leave her, I just reassured her that we weren't going to do that. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I want to have a faith that trusts the things that God says. 

We sang "Yes and Amen" by Housefires in the prayer room tonight. I love the bit that says 

I will rest

In your promises 

My confidence 

is your faithfulness.

You have been so faithful in my life God. Let my confidence rest fully in that! 

Weekend Streets

A Week in the Life: Day Five

I was on the streets tonight, and it was definitely a night to remember.

On the weekends our rhythm on the streets is a little different. We start the night with 30 minutes of prayer and worship, and then we head out from midnight - 4:00 AM. The format is a little loser on the weekends. Sometimes we'll go inside a club to chat to the bar staff, or we'll grab some food. The goal is to be present in the west end even on the weekends. 

Tonight started with cheesecake. 


via GIPHY

There's an amazing little spot near the west end that makes a new flavor of cheesecake each night. Tonight's menu included Reese's peanut butter cup. *See GIF above for my approximate reaction :)

After cheesecake a few of us were standing outside the restaurant when a guy literally stumbled up to us. He was not doing well, so we offered to walk him back to his hotel. One of the first things he said to us as he walked up was "Do you guys know Jesus?" He was so drunk I'm sure he had no idea what he was saying, but we loved it and were happy to tell him that we did in fact know Jesus!

Once we got him safely back to his hotel and in bed we headed back out. We made our way down by the water, where we stumbled upon a group of friends in a strange situation. We could see one of the guys laying on the beach while a few people stood around taking photos of him. He wasn't moving, and we weren't exactly sure the people surrounding him were his friends, so we wandered over to make sure things were okay. Turns out he was among friends. In the group of four guys, two had taken drugs, and were in the midst of their high,. The guy in the sand was conscious. I'd though he was lying still, but he was actually in the process of digging in the sand. He informed us that he was in fact digging a hole to china. The other high friend transitioned between trying to go for a swim in the sea, and giving us all hugs. I recently heard that you need 12 hugs a day to thrive, so I was happy to receive them! The only downside to the hugs was that he was covered in sand. We sat with the boys for a while, but the two sober friends assured us they had things under control, so we left them to it.

As we headed back towards the west end we could see that it was closing time. Once all the bars and clubs close at 3:00 AM, hoards of people stream out of the west end as they head back to their hotels. We saw a fight break out and stopped to pray peace over the area. The fight broke up, and we continued on.

Then, the Bat-phone rang.


 via GIPHY

The Bat-phone is a mobile phone that people call us on if they need help. We call it the Bat-phone because just like Batman responds to the bat signal in the sky, we respond when we get a call! We get calls from workers, the police, and even the local medical center. This call was from a few workers who'd found a young man who'd been in a fight. When we arrived this kid was covered in his own blood. His friend had punched him in the nose, and he'd bled all over himself. He assured us he and his nose were fine, and he just wanted help getting back to his hotel, and so we helped him clean up a little and walked him back to his hotel.

The Bat-phone rang once more and we headed to another bar in the west end. The bouncer had called us about a guy sitting outside his bar. I prayed as we approached that God would help the situation to be a simple one. In less than a minute of chatting with this guy we found out his hotel name and were on our way! By the time we walked him back to his hotel it was 4:00 AM, and our night was done.

We love making sure people get back to a safe place. Sometimes we get to do that ourselves, and other times we have to trust that friends are going to take care of each other. We love showing kindness to people in the west end because we believe our God is kind. We want to be a reflection of him in everything we do!  Some nights are full of deep God chats and praying for people, and some are full of helping people back to a safe place. We really believe that God works through everything we do!

Now it's late and I'm going to bed. See ya tomorrow!

Bossa

A Week in the Life: Day Four

After a late night last night, waking up to my alarm at 1:00 was a little difficult! I eventually got up and made my way to Play d'en Bossa, which is on the other side of the island. No matter if you're rich or poor, there's a place for everyone in Ibiza. While San Antonio appeals to the young budget traveler, Bossa is for those with a little more cash. The area is home to some of the most popular clubs on the island, including Ushuaia and Hi*. 

*side note: Hi, used to be home to SPACE, the best club in the world. I'm still not over it. Let's continue...

 For several years now different people from 24-7 Ibiza have been praying about how we can best serve the community of Playa d'en Bossa. This season a group of people have been meeting every week to prayer walk through the area. Everything we do here is fueled by prayer. In prayer we're asking God to show us the way. I believe God already has a plan. In prayer we wait and listen for God to reveal that to us! 

A lovely girl named Ellie has committed 6 weeks of her summer to come to the island specifically to pray for Bossa. I'll be spending some of my time praying with her, and I must say I'm a bit excited. 

While we were prayer walking today I had this verse in my head.

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG)

 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

 I must say I love the message version of this section of scripture.  This was my prayer as I walked today. That we would be salt and light in this place in whatever way God leads us to do that. 

Bring it On...

As of today, there are only 8 more days until the season begins. Our first night on the streets is April 30th, and I must admit that I'm excited.

We're not alone, as the whole island is getting ready for the influx of people that will be coming to visit this summer. A lot of businesses in Ibiza are closed in the winter. Now all those places are cleaning, painting, and getting ready to open.

The true sign that things are getting ready to kick off, is that the Burger King inside the Ibiza airport has re-opened. It's an unofficial sign that it's time to get to work!

The last few months have been good. I've had a chance to settle in, and I've been able to be a part of the winter rhythm of prayer. I've gotten to experience a little of the quiet before the storm, but now it's time to get to work!

Easter in Ibiza 2018

Happy Easter everyone!

Today we gathered as a community to have Easter service on the beach. 

Today was also baptism Sunday. 

In baptism we are publicly confessing our belief in Christ. As we go down in the water, we are letting go of our past, and as we break through the surface we are raised to new life in him!(Romans 6:4) 

After church we had a barbecue, and it was just a great time to relax and get to know people better.

I can hardly believe that I've already been in Ibiza almost 3 months. The time is flying by. Our first missions team will be arriving within a few weeks, and the excitement is building as we get closer to the beginning of the season.

Construction Zone

The season is getting closer, and in preparation we've been giving our center a makeover. There's been painting and hammering and nailing, and things are starting to come together.

The more work that gets done, the more excited I get about the coming summer season. This past month has been full of planning meetings and prayer sessions. Every week we get together to pray over the different areas of ministry we do here, and I love it. Through construction and prayer, we're getting ready!

God in the Details

A few weeks ago I had a pretty amazing Sunday afternoon. One of our friends from Spanish class works at a really nice restaurant here on the island. Ibiza really does have a little something for everyone. There are the cheap spots, and the not so cheap ones. The place our friend works fits in the "not so cheap ones" category. He encouraged us to come, and even though my budget was laughing, I went. In my head I figured I could splurge on a glass of juice or a smoothie.

One of the things I love about the work we do, is that we get the opportunity to share our faith in different ways. One of those ways is by building genuine friendships with the people God puts in our path. The hope is that as we do life with them, they begin to see the difference that Christ has made in our lives. And as our friendship grows, we get an even stronger platform to share the gospel from.

So we get to the restaurant, and let me tell you it was freaking beautiful. It's on a beach overlooking a magnificent view. Our friend was so excited that we'd come. And after he seated us, he proceeded to spoil us.

I'm sitting with my €10 orange juice (about $13 US), overlooking the view, and just enjoying life! I was there with Barbara and Stephen, and we all felt super fancy. 

Barbara, who's my housemate, is Dutch. She noticed that the couple sitting closest to us was speaking in Dutch. At one point she tells Stephen and I that this couple is actually having a conversation about God. About 30 minutes later, the couple finishes eating and comes to sit next to us in the lounge area where we're sitting. Barbara greets them in Dutch, and then the conversation starts to flow. Turns out they speak English as well and soon they're asking us why we live in Ibiza. 

We quickly learn that they're Christians, and that they love Ibiza so much they visit 3-4 times a year. Before long we've exchanged information and they've promised to come to church next time they visit. We chatted about life and God, and as we got up to leave they insisted on paying our bill. 

Later that night Barbara got an email from the couple saying how encouraging it was for them to meet us, and to hear about the work we do. 

It was another reminder that God is all about the details. I really believe that we were all there at the same time because God orchestrated it. And because of that we were able to encourage one another! It challenges me to keep my eyes open for those opportunities. 

I've been in Ibiza for almost 7 weeks now. The time is flying by! I feel more settled in everyday, and just wanted to let you guys know that I'll be stepping up my blogging game. You can expect at least one post per week from me. 

Thanks for reading! 

Ibiza Missions Teams 2018

The 24-7 Ibiza Missions Teams are open for 2018!

There really is something for everyone. If you can come for 5 days, or two weeks, or longer, there's a spot for you! Click on the link above to read more about each team, and the work you'll be doing if you decided to join us.

My first trip to Ibiza in April of 2009 was as part of that year's prayer team. Those 5 days had a major impact on my life. I highly recommend it! Plus you get to come hang out with me. You can't go wrong! :)

Poppy Has Landed!

So excited to finally be in Ibiza! 

After 3 flights and 17 hours, I finally made it. I was lucky enough to be met at the airport by several people who are also here to work with the 24-7 community.

The last few days have been all about settling into my new apartment and trying to get over my jet lag. From my past experience, it's probably going to take my body a few weeks to catch up with my new time zone. For reference, Ibiza is 9 hours ahead of Las Vegas time. Just typing that makes me want to go take a nap!

On Sunday It was great to attend church, and to get a chance to meet everyone else. There was a little welcome lunch for me after service, and I must admit I'm feeling the love! 

That's it for now! I'll be working on sending out my January newsletter soon, so make sure to sign up if you already haven't. 

Poppy in Ibiza 2014 - April Newsletter

Raising Funds...Like a BOSS!

You may have noticed that I posted a countdown clock on the right sidebar of the blog. As I type this I see that I've got 32 days 23 hours 33 minutes and 32 seconds...

31...

30...

You get the idea! As I countdown the days until I leave, I'm also working to raise the rest of the support I'll need to go. My airline ticket is an expense that's getting closer and closer. I'll be leaving for Spain on April 19th, which means I'll need to buy my ticket in just a few short weeks.

In an effort to raise the $1500 I'll need for that I've created this cool little airplane graph:

There are about 300 squares. Each square = $5. What I'm hoping will happen is that people will purchase a square or two (or five or ten!) and before you know it my ticket will be paid for!

If you're interested in donating towards my ticket, just click the donate button on the sidebar or check out my How to Donate page.

I've got some savings that I'll be using towards my time in Ibiza this summer as well, so I'll be covering $500 of my airline ticket cost. God has been so generous to me, when it comes to Ibiza that I believe the rest of my ticket cost will be provided as well!

Joke of the Day: 

What does a nosy pepper do? (scroll down for the answer!)








Get jalapeño business :)