I’ve been coming here to Colombia, and Cali especially, for 21 years now, this is visit number 79. It truly has become home away from home: MORE home than many homes I’ve had in my life. Those who know me well know my love, passion, and heart for this wonderful country, and, again, more especially this city, Cali, and Tulua, a cit a couple of north.

As I invariably bring teams here, to come and bless people with prayer for all sorts of things: to bring them to ‘drop them in it’ to do things I believe they can do, even if they don’t at the time of asking them (!!) – like preach, pray for the sick: and to get people to experience the atmosphere here, the ‘open heaven’ that almost everyone who comes feels even as they get off the plane…

It’s never been my plan, anywhere, to burden the lovely local Christians here by asking them to accommodate a team: many of Christians are way below the ‘affordable living’ income, and, if I’d spread the team out over various houses over the years, I’d have told each person to give their hosts a sizeable gift towards their keep. What has happened for about the last 12 years, is that I’ve rented short-term apartments, say 3 weeks a time, and everyone has paid their share of the rent. It also means that, logistically, the team are together, which has both a practical and ‘bonding’ benefit. In a city of nightmarish traffic, to pick people up from, say, 4 different houses, could take 2 hours: the same to drop off. Maybe 4 times a day.

I’ve also never wanted to assume that the amazing pastors here would want me back ad nauseum. I’m conscious that the workload on the main pastors I work alongside is big, and to organise a schedule for me and 4 or more others, is no small task. I’ve organised ‘missions’ in the past, and it can be difficult to fit dates/meetings/personnel together. So the rental apartment has worked well, but it’s getting more and  more expensive for short term rental in Cali, as more and more businessmen and tourists come here.

What God has been doing this trip I’ve spoken about a bit in previous blogs: there’s an honouring that I feel totally undeserved of, from EVERY church – ones I’ve known a long time, others not so long, and some just recently – all saying stuff that’s brought tears to my eyes, blushing….all wanting me back as soon as possible. The day will come, I feel sure, when I’ll live here: that time, I don’t think, is now, but talking to a senior pastor this morning, it seems to be a right move to find a ‘permanent’ apartment (on a one year rolling rental) that would be my ‘home’ here, provide a permanent base rather than ad hoc apartments every visit, and in which teams could stay when I bring them, which is at least 3 time a year, possibly 4 this year. Paying the same rent as they would for a short term rental apartment, a team of five for 2-3 weeks would cover about 10 weeks rent of a long term apartment.

The local pastors encouragement this trip has been such a blessing. I’ve just heard from Edwin Suarez, whose church I preached in on Thursday. Here’s what he said in Spanish and English:

• Edwin Suarez: Gracias amado pastor le bendecimos y deseamos q la unción del Señor le acompañe por donde quiera q pase, recuerde q esta es su casa su familia su iglesia; le amamos en Cristo gracais por su amor y por su disposición para con esta iglesia, eres una súper bendición. Te esperamos pronto ???

• 

The amazing translation of Edwin’s message above…. Thank you, dear pastor, we bless you and we want the anointing of the Lord to accompany you wherever you go, remember that this is your house your family your church; We love him(you) in Christ, gracais for his(your) love and for his(your) disposition towards this church, you are a super blessing. We’ll see you soon..

It’s been the same in every church: ‘your home, your house, your family. I truly can’t remember a church that I’ve been a member of since this journey began, ‘localised’ in the England in ’79 until ’87, and then international from then, where I’ve known that not only does God seem pleased with my pathetic offering in his name, but the churches do, too. Honour is SUCH a Biblical concept, and I’m only too aware that the shift in dynamic, on this trip, to a place of being more honoured, has been a significant part of this miracle that I’m living through, with my knees…. I want other people to know that place of honour – people who regularly come with me, and who, mostly, are asked after constantly when they’re not here with me for a while. It gives people who come here opportunity to use their gifts and ministries which are so often stifled by church in the UK, not recognised, no room on this or that ‘team’ in their church…. and my belief is that God wants us all to be using what we’ve got, and if I can facilitate – even for a week or three – them having that opportunity, I’m a happy bunny. God wants us prepared and ready: not something that ‘screams’ at you in a lot of churches in the western world.

What’s God saying to me? It seems to be coming clearer, chatting with my dear friend Hein Hoere here today, he agrees that a long term apartment is so much more sensible: he and Teija are planting churches in Bolivia, where they can be 3 months a year, and they have done exactly the same in La Paz, and got a car there, too. It’d mean carrying a lot less luggage every time (!) – and anyone who’s travelled with me knows I don’t travel light…. that’s because I cater for the team, too – with things like extra foreign plug adaptors, plasters, diocalm (!) and laxatives (!!), extension leads, even things like USB cables… I already have some stuff here – from coffee machines to toasters to cutlery to towels to clothes to Spanish Bibles….

And maybe there’s another ‘take’ here that I hadn’t thought of:

Long-time close British friend, and church leader, Graham Coyle, wrote this the other day: Just read your ‘knee healing’ post and struck again by your sense of being so honoured in Cali on this visit. I know you suffer from an ‘honour deficit’ in the UK, and that is not helpful to a full release of your own gift and anointing here (that is not to mention the need for the church here to increase in faith and trust). Anyway, I just had this thought about getting the church there to ‘send’ you as a missionary to the UK I just wondered if it might lead to a greater freedom for you personally.

After 21 years of coming here, it seems that my shelf life/sell by date here hasn’t expired, in fact, just the opposite, so here’s to the next 20 years of seeing God do, through his open heaven, what he does best: and then, best as I can, taking it out of Colombia to other parts of the globe, and seeing God’s kingdom come in France, Sweden, Romania, Autralia, and the many other places filling my ‘pending invitations’ file on my computer….

A brief post just to let you know that your prayers have been answered, that the rain DIDN’T stop, but, because of Thanney’s determination to work into the darkness, he arrived home Friday exultant! Pictures in daylight to follow tomorrow, if you’re interested!!

Foundation Building Sage One FINISHED!!!
Thanney came home this evening elated, as the first phase of the El Abrigo Foundation building project was completed, against all odds, to be honest – it rained hard ALL morning, and when Thanney arrived, the guys had raised one truss the wrong way round….BUT, it’s all done! Victory! Thanney HAS done an amazing job: the picture is Juan Carlos, Orlando, Thanney, and Famor, who all did wonderful sterling work, with just a few hiccups!

The structure is solid as a rock, no movement, and ready to go in July…..

Just a progress report for anyone interested…. last night, at the church ‘El Vive’, they meet upstairs (not the esiest of stairs, either 😉 ) – a fact that would have, not so long ago, had a bearing on my preaching somewhere or not…. last night, Wilmar was shocked! I think I was, too: I went fast… like ‘normal’ people go upstairs, not both feet on the same stair and a long pause to let the pain go down on each one…. and standing, preaching, only leaning occasionally on the reading stand, rather than supporting myself on it for the duration….

Yes, there’s soreness, but the muscles, ligaments, tendons – you name them! – haven’t really been used for a decade or more, as they were designed to be used: yes, there’s some discomfort – but NOW, that’s mostly from my feet, which have changed ‘shape’ considerably the past 16 years – flattened (no arches), my shins (I look like John Wayne’s just got off his horse after 30 years in the saddle!) which are bowed….so some straightening up to be done by the living Lord Jesus, new arches… but it’s incredible being able to walk, SUCH a miracle. As the muscles get stronger, less inflamed, the feet straightened, and the horse I’ve been ‘riding'(!) consigned to history, it’ll get better and better. The ‘breathlessness’ that comes with struggling to walk under duress, is going: along with the sweating that often produces….

THANK YOU, all of you who have faithfully prayed for me, for many years. You have no idea what your prayers mean to me: please don’t stop! – I’d love these feet, and shins/calves, to be ‘normalised’ too, it’s still part of the miracle. All I can say is that your prayers are BEING  answered big-time, and the ‘double-whammy’ blessing of finding almost a new place of affirmation and honour here in Cali, has totally and utterly blown me away. My passion for this city increases with every visit, and while home will be nice from Tuesday night, back in Bangor, I know I’m leaving an even bigger part of my heart here than ever before, as this trip – you can imagine – has a significance for me like no other, personally….. July, and back here, can’t come soon enough.

Those who I’ve talked to, and who have talked to me, about coming here this year, if you haven’t confirmed or otherwise yet, could you do that pretty soon, please? Especially for July…as accommodation needs to be booked: and the October/November trip currently has 12 people confirmed and/or nearly confirmed…..

If last night’s report from the church doesn’t make you want to be here – with everyone healed, or well on the way, I don’t know what will! Can’t imagine what you’re looking for from God if that isn’t enough….for now!!!

It’s been quiet here on the blog for a few days about the building project, not because nothing’s happening, but you probably might not want to read that lots more steel arrived, was cut up, and welded…. or, perhaps, should have been, a little bit more than it has! Thanney has been a little short of ‘skilled’ local manpower to assist him, and so he’s worked in over-drive to try and keep this trip’s schedule for the construction on course. It’s been hampered, too, by ‘waterfall-like’ rainfall – Andean rain is something to behold (it’s causing many social problems in the mountain communities, with mudslides and so on). When it’s not raining, it’s often 35°C – and up on an exposed roof, that translates into a ‘body-feel’ temperature of over 40°C – and, because of the rain, too, it’s massively humid (mucho calor!!).

Today, Wednesday, COULD – please pray! – see the first truss go up: a major breakthrough, as it will mean that it’s possible/probable that the roof can go on by Friday…. Thanney truly HAS worked his fingers to the bone, arriving home black from steel dust and tanned from the temperature – so black and brown together means, until the shower, he looks like a walking bruise 😉 !!

We’ve been hampered somewhat, too, by the (understandable) need for clearance in paperwork back in the UK, to get a quite substantial donation for the work through. It is vital that the necessary clearances from HMRC etc., are approved before money comes here – so it’s known it’s not being laundered for other purposes!! Between us, we’ve tried to cover what’s been needed, but have nowhere near enough personal resources for it all, but God seems to have stretched money to the extent that Thanney’s got by without that specific gift….. it MAY come through in the next day or so, but it’ll be for the July trip here then. At which time, we’ll need a whole lot more money…..a the internal ‘fabric’ of the construction gets underway.

When you think what this construction will achieve when it is complete, it’s astonishing: maybe another 150 kids or more looked after, in a place where they are so vulnerable to the early ‘assault’ of disreputable people who’d want them hooked on drugs as early in their lives as possible so they can be ‘used’ by the drug dealers sooner rather than later.

We’ve been here 2 weeks now: it doesn’t seem possible, it’s gone so fast: just three more working days counting today (it’s 0755 am here as I write, 1355 UK time). Thanney was raring to go at 0600 this morning, and planning to work through, rain permitting, until 2000 this evening. 14 hours working on a roof in these temperatures is NO joke, but he – we – are committed to seeing this trip fulfil ALL we came for, both in respect of the Foundation, and the local churches. I’m covering the churches alone for the next few meetings, it seems, as Thanney needs to work: so the joy – but pressure, and incredible tiredness that personal ministry causes – are my responsibility. I’m glad though, that Thanney’s had great opportunity to see a good few miracles up until now: if he has a ‘supernaturally God-charged’ day today, and gets done everything he needs to, maybe it frees him up before Saturday to see God do some more through him.

What he wants as his ‘legacy’ from this trip, is a roofed-walled enclosed building, ready for phase two in July…..and loads of miracled people!! Please pray over these next 3 days that God gives Thanney, and the people of the Mision El Abrigo church, who run the foundation, the desires of their hearts for this March sojourn in this wonderful city, and amazing country.

While I’ve ALWAYS believed that God will heal my knees, constantly seeing others healed – which is an incredible, indescribable delight and privilege – can ‘chip away’ at the ‘when is it my turn, Lord?’ thought process. And when successive medics all say the same thing, it’s hard to stand alone against the pressure to ‘go on the list’ for surgery. One orthopaedic consultant told me mine were so bad, she gave me her personal mobile phone number, said ‘call me when you can’t take anymore, and I’ll put you at the top of my list’. Ireland’s a bit different to England, in that respect! MANY times the ‘temptation’ has been there… The doctor I saw here on arrival looked at the x-rays of these knees, and said, ‘You only have one course of action, Paul: we can do both, you’ll be back walking normally in 6-8 weeks, and it’ll only be US$7000’…

When I pray for people for healing or a miracle, I look for a ‘deadline’ – a near-doctors appointment, a surgery date, a consultant visit…. deadlines are good, as there’s something ‘concrete’ to pin a healing ‘time-frame’ to: nothing nebulous and unknown vaguely somewhere in the future.

Here in Cali, Colombia – which I DO regard as a genuine home, spiritual and otherwise (Home is where your heart is, and all that!), I’ve always been blessed to be ‘wanted’ back: 21 years coming to Colombia, 20 to Cali (this is my 79th time here), but this trip has seen a real acceleration in my being ‘honoured’ for being here, welcomed in many churches as ‘my home’, ‘part of our family in this church’ – which I have to say I find so incredibly humbling. I’ve been in tears many times this week. These are ‘key’ pastors in the move of God in this city and nation, and it totally blows me away….

Danny Silk, from Redding, California, wrote a wonderful book on ‘The Culture of Honour’: personally, I love to honour people, build them up, drop them into things they think they can’t do, run with them while they do it. Many years ago, my friends and mentors Clive and Ruth Calver did that for me in my early years of salvation and ministry, and it rubbed off on me (including my introduction to Indian food, with Clive: he started me OFF on a vindaloo…..). Honouring others is NOT just words: it’s a lifestyle, it releases incredible waves of God’s blessing and power into the person being honoured, so that THEY believe they can do what they couldn’t do – and do it. And it brings healing. And immense blessing to the ‘honourer’…..

10 days ago, the lovely church, Mision El Abrigo Internacional, in my spirit my ‘home’ church, even from 6,000 miles/10,000 kms away, spontaneously got round me as a church, and prayed for me. I felt humbled and blessed, but didn’t feel anything physical, nor at all that Sunday, or even Monday. Still in pain, walking has been an ‘issue’! Then, the prayers kicked in. If you want to see them, they’re not long – about 3 minute and 1½ minutes, they’re here:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utaX5lLQBYE&t=108s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOK-r5QYqPw&t=6s                          (you’ll probably need to copy and paste into your browser)

By Tuesday, having thanked God every conceivable moment I could, for the prayers, affirmations, and the miracle that ‘I’d believed but had not yet received’, the change was dramatic. I COULD WALK!! I could bend my knees. I couldn’t quite keep up walking with Thanney, as he’s got long legs, and I have little trotters, but I wasn’t far behind. Yes, there’s still soreness: but it’s diminishing. Yes, the bones still crack, but a lot less, and nowhere near so excruciating. I’m ‘taking care’ of them – looking out for ‘unseen’ steps, dips in the pavement, taking stairs slowly – not step-step, though, both feet on one stair – I can do stairs like normal people right now!

THANK YOU, LORD JESUS!! I want to declare it – rather than ‘give it a few weeks to see if I keep it’ – which I believe is the quickest to LOSE it. The man at the gate of the temple, in Acts 3, didn’t slink away quietly into the background, after his 38 years, saying, ‘Let’s give it a month, see if I can walk, leap, and dance then….!’ – he took off. So thank you, Jesus, for this miracle I’m living in right now – still ongoing, but it IS just that – ongoing. I can actually SEE the shape of my kneecaps now – the swelling has begun to go down… might not sound much to you, but to be able to get out of a chair, stand up, and walk away – without using the chair to get up, standing still for about minute, to let the pain subside and get balance, and then hobbling away – is a joy!!

I don’t plan on entering the London Marathon in a few weeks, not this year anyway…. but this is the answer to hundreds of my prayers, and countless of those of other people….

Thank you, thank you, Lord Jesus!!!