One Crazy Thursday Night...pt. 2

Check out part one of this post HERE

When we'd last left off, the team and I were getting ready to head home when we ran into a couple of workers that I'd gotten to know during the summer...

One of the biggest things we do in Ibiza is build relationships. The workers in Ibiza are young, and predominantly British. They work hard, for very little money...mostly so they can spend the summer partying in Ibiza. When you meet a worker out in the streets, you never know how long they're going to last. Some stick around for a few weeks, some a few months, and others the whole season. When I say they work hard, I mean it! It's not uncommon for them to work 10 hour shifts 7 days a week with the occasional day off. We try our best to just love on the workers when we can. The 24/7 Ibiza center that we have is open Monday - Friday for workers. It's a place that they can come and get free internet...we have a wii, table tennis, and some big comfy couches. They get to relax, and it's a great opportunity for us to get to know them better.

To be able to afford to live in Ibiza for the summer, a lot of workers shack up in apartments with 3 or 4 people living in one bedroom. So the center also becomes a place where they can get some space away from home. Through out the years several workers have found salvation and discipleship via 24/7 Ibiza.

 I'd met these two workers one night towards the beginning of the summer. I was out in the streets that night with someone from one of our short term teams. We were stopped by one of the workers because he wanted to tell us that he thought God was trying to talk to him. He tells us that he doesn't really believe in God, but he thinks that God gave him a vision the night before. We get a few minutes to chat with him about his vision, and in the end get to pray with him, and give him and his friend bibles. I feel like the Holy Spirit is leading me to read a specific verse for one of the guys, so I do that, and underline it in the bible I give him. While we chat, he tells us that back at home in the UK, his boss is a Christian, and is always inviting him to church. I leave the encounter knowing that I'll keep praying for him, because God is obviously pursuing him!

So when I get to run into them again, I'm excited. I get to chat with them for a few minutes, and learn that they've met another Christian on the island, who's giving them bits of scripture to read. I've been praying for them, and God has been moving...

I wrap up my chat with them, and then with the rest of my team finally get into the van to head home.

Our journey doesn't last long. The rule is that we don't stop working until the van is parked at home. If we see someone in need on our way home, we stop.

Someone spots a young man asleep in a doorway on a dark street. So we stop to help him. He's been drinking a lot but we manage to wake him. He's so embarrassed, and can't believe that he's fallen asleep in a doorway. While we're chatting with him, one of our team members spots the couple who declined our help earlier. They are in big trouble.

While the boyfriend is actually still stumbling along the sidewalk, we find his girlfriend lying in the middle of the street! The scary thing is that it's a dark area, so it would be easy for someone to simply not see her, and run her over. Since our van is so close we manage to talk them into letting us take them to their hotel.

When we take someone back to their hotel who is really drunk or high, we usually leave a bible and our card on their nightstand. The next day we get a call from the boyfriend. He didn't remember much from night before, but he found our card and just wanted to say thank you. When people call back the next day, it's a great opportunity to get to chat with them sober! I remember once during the summer I helped two girls one night, and the next day, they came by the center to chat and say thank you.

God gives us so many opportunities to share his love and the gospel with people.

Well that's the end of my crazy Thursday night in the West End...I'm hoping there will be many more to come!

One Crazy Thursday Night...pt.1

If you read this blog regularly, I talk a lot about what it's like to be out in the streets of the West End at night. Here's a quick video, of someone taking a stroll up the West End on a summer night. (Warning: There are a few brief shots of scantily clad women...but that's the West End!)



I wanted to share in detail about one of my favorite nights in the West End of Ibiza. It was crazy, wild and totally unpredictable!  I remember after this particular night when I got home, I wrote about it in detail in my journal, so that I wouldn't forget anything!

It was a Thursday night...at around 4:30am. We were actually done for the evening, and getting ready to head home. There was a 2 week mission team working with us, and we'd just sent them back to their hotel for the evening. After they left, we got a call on the batphone. During the summer, we give out cards with our number to workers from the local bars and clubs, and to people we meet on the streets. Usually if we get a call on that specific phone, it's someone calling for help. It was a simple call, so 2 of the team headed off to solve the issue, while the rest of us waited. Once they returned, we locked up, and prepared to head home.

On our way to the van, we were stopped by a group of prostitutes. They'd found a woman passed out in an alley, and pointed her out to us. We were able to wake her, and determine where her hotel was. It was in walking distance so we helped her up, and proceeded to walk her back to her hotel.

On the way, we bumped into a young lady named Jenny. I'd never met her before, but she worked in one of the bars in the west end. She pulled me to the side, and just wanted to say thank you. She'd seen the work that 24/7 Ibiza had been doing, and she wanted me to know that she thought it was great. As we were chatting two of her friends joined us. A girl and a guy. That's when the conversation got really interesting. The guy really wanted to know why I was there doing what I was doing. And he wasn't just asking in a flippant way. He really wanted to understand what my motivation was. So not only did I get to tell him why I'd come all the way from America to work with 24/7 Ibiza, I also got to share my testimony with him and the two girls. We spent about 15 minutes talking about God, Christianity, and the Church.

During our conversation, a few of my team members managed to get the girl we'd found in the alley back to her hotel. And now they'd returned. My conversation with Jenny and her friends was winding down, when suddenly chaos broke out.

Several things happened at once.

A group of 5 ladies ran buy us in a hurry (we think running from the police). There was lots of screaming and yelling, and as we glanced down the alley to see what all the commotion was about, we see two people take a pretty hard fall into the street. They'd been accidentally shoved by one of the girls who was running. We rush down to see if they're okay, and there we meet a couple that's on vacation. They've both taken drugs and are pretty out of it. Eventually we'll determine that they've taken ketamine, which is a pretty popular drug on the island. It's not a pretty sight. We find out where they're staying and ask if they want help getting back to their hotel, which isn't far. The boyfriend tells us they're fine, and that they can make it on their own. But it's very obvious to us, that they are not okay...

We hang back a bit watching from a distance. The girlfriend is in a really bad way, not able to stand, and her boyfriend is really in no condition to help her. At one point he is walking away (towards their hotel) and she is left sitting on the curb. We try again to help, but they decline, so we have to leave them. I really hate this, but we can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped...

Little do we know that we'll run into them again very soon...

Since there's nothing else we can do, we decide to head home. On our way back to the van, we run into two workers that I've gotten to know pretty well over the summer...

To be continued...

Human Trafficking

(Source)

There are so many different types of people in Ibiza. When you're out on the streets at night, you never know who you might meet...
 
Some of my favorite people to work with are a beautiful group of African ladies on the island. They are brought to Ibiza during the busiest time of year to work as prostitutes.
 
They are the victims of Human Trafficking.
 
These beautiful African women, are promised the possibility of a job as a house cleaner or a nanny in Europe. So they leave their homes in Africa, hoping for a better life. Once they get to Europe, they learn the harsh reality. All of a sudden the person who's been "helping" them find a job, tells them that they owe a debt that must be paid off before they can go home. I met one lady who was told she owed $94,000! They are then told that the only work available to them is prostitution. Here are a few shocking facts about Human Trafficking:
 

An estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labor as a result of trafficking.

43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, 98% of them are women and girls

An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year

95% of victims experienced physical or sexual violence during trafficking

In 46% of cases the recruiter was known to the victim

Estimated global annual profits made from trafficking -$31.6 billion

(Check out UN.GIFT for more info)

We actually have a Sunday evening service  in our center in Ibiza, that was started because several of the African ladies told us they wanted to go to church. There were many Sunday nights, I found myself in the back of the room trying not to cry, and wondering how I ended up getting the chance to love on these daughters of God. Their situations are despicable, and there are times that I feel completely helpless. But I know that God sees them, and loves them, and that I am to do the same.

Just one of the amazing things I get to do in Ibiza...

Lamentations 3:22-26

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord."

Have a little Faith...

It's been quite a week! I've been dealing with some last minute visa issues, and trying to stay calm through out the process!

Long story short, I got a letter from the Spanish Consulate telling me I needed to submit documentation to show that I was qualified to be a missionary. The fun part, was that the request came from Spain, so the Spanish Consulate here in the states couldn't give me any idea as to what documentation I should submit. And to top it all off, I have to submit it within 10 days...

My first instinct was to freak out.

As I've gotten closer to leaving for Spain, I've felt more and more that God has been challenging me in the area of FAITH. I think my little human mind thought he was getting me ready for life in Spain on a missionary budget. That seemed the likely area to have a little faith growth in, don't cha think?!

Now I'm realizing that maybe those lessons of faith aren't just for Spain. Maybe they're for my everyday ordinary life also. Because Lord knows I've been relying on some faith this week! Over and over I've been reminded of God's faithfulness, and of the things he's been teaching me these past few months.

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."  - Hebrews 11:1

I was reading Hebrews 11 today, and it's filled with examples of men and women of faith...Like Noah, who built a boat and filled it with animals, because God told him to...even though I'm sure most people thought he was crazy! And Abraham and Sarah...I love that Sarah's included in this list. If we go back and read her story (Genesis 17), we're reminded that she didn't get the faith thing right at first! When she first heard that God was promising her and Abraham a son, she actually laughed at God. And if we keep reading, we learn that at one point, she even tried to take matters into her own hands! But here's what Hebrews 11:11 says about her...

"It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise."

It was by her faith...not faith in herself, or her own ability, but her faith in the fact that God keeps his promises.

I should have all of my original letters and the translations by Friday, and once I get them I'll be shipping them overnight to the consulate.

I'd love if you kept me and this situation in your prayers this week.

I believe that God called me to go to Ibiza, and I believe that God keeps his promises....

AMEN!

My Ibiza Journey...

Have you ever wondered how I ended up in Ibiza? If so, today is your lucky day! This post is the story of how Poppy ended up heading to Spain.

In late 2007, I started reading a blog called Curious in Ibiza. It’s written by Brian Heasley who, along with his wife Tracy, was the leaders of 24/7 Ibiza.

On his blog, Brian shares stories about the things that happen out on the streets in Ibiza. He shared stories about getting to pray with people, of building relationships with prostitutes, and the more I read, the more I was intrigued. The ministry sounded so unique, and I loved the thought of being out there in the trenches armed with God’s love. I became a blog stalker! From reading his blog, I knew 24/7 Ibiza offered opportunities in the summer for people to come take part in 2 week mission teams. In the back of my mind I thought it would be cool to eventually get to do that.

Then in the spring of 2009 Brian posted a blog that included the dates and descriptions for all of the mission teams they were hosting that summer. I noticed that the very first team was an intercessory prayer team. Here’s the description:

April Team

Before the busy summer begins, we plan to spend time praying, giving the season over to God, preparing the way for the summer months ahead –

We'll pray as we walk quiet streets, beaches, bars and clubs that will soon burst into life and activity.

We'll pray in significant and beautiful places on the island.

We'll pray in our centre – for the work and the people that we will meet.

We'll dance at world famous Pacha and worship, pray and celebrate life and music.

We'll pray that God would drench this place with his presence, that people would be touched by his love and that they would know God's truth which sets them free.

Dates: Mon 26 April - Sat 1 May

After reading that, I instantly knew that I was supposed to go. I freaked out; because I knew I didn’t have the money to go. It was actually my pastor at the time Randy Woolstrum, who encouraged me to calm down, and have a little faith. Before I knew it, God provided the money, and in April of 2009 I headed to Ibiza for the first time.

I spent 6 prayer filled days on the island (Check out my trip report), and I fell in love. I fell in love with the people, the work, and with the heart of 24/7 Ibiza. When I left, there was no doubt in my mind that I would be coming back. But to be honest, I was thinking more along the lines of doing another short term trip.

Boy was I in for a shocker!

On September 9, 2009 (I remember, because I wrote it down in my journal!), I was going to bed when God rocked my world. I was praying when in the middle of my prayers, this thought came to me…”Poppy, you need to go to Ibiza.” I remember I sat straight up in my bed because this thought had literally just come out of nowhere! Not only that, it was so clear. After that I was wide awake, and for about an hour I prayed as my mind began to race with the possibilities. After some prayer and confirmation, I reached out to Brian and Tracy. I remember I felt a bit like a crazy person. Technically I had been to Ibiza, but I had never been during the busy season when they actually do most of their work. They suggested I come for the summer, and we would take it from there.

So in the summer of 2010, I headed back to Spain. As a US citizen I can use my passport to stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa. That summer I stayed for 88 days! I had an amazing three months, and by the end, I was even surer that God was calling me to commit to the ministry on a more long term basis.

So now, I’m working on trying to move to Ibiza to work with 24-7 year round. I really don’t know if I can express in words how excited I am at the prospect! Mostly because I feel so privileged that God has called me to go join with the work that’s being done there. I’ll also admit that I’m a little scared. Mostly about the amount of money I need to raise to be able to stay in Spain. But then I remember my first trip, and the way that God provided, and I know things will be okay.

So, that’s it…that’s the story of my Ibiza journey.

...like a bird in a cage

I just read this great poem by theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, that sums up how I'm feeling as I wait. Here's my favorite bit...

Am I really that which other men tell of?

Or am I only what I myself know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat
yearning for colours, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
thirsting for words of kindness, for neighbourliness,
tossing in expectation of great events,powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
faint, and ready to say farewell to it all.

Who am I? This or the Other?
Am I one person today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? Hypocrite before others,
and before myself a contemptible woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army
fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine!