RACHEL IN IBIZA

The story so far…

In my early teens I heard the popular trance anthem ‘Adagio for Strings’ – a remix of a famous piece of classical music. Where the classical music drops surrounded by the fast paced beats, I sensed for the first time God giving me insight. Streets. Clubs. Ibiza. The sensation overwhelmed me. My initial response: “Me? But I’m too scared to even step outside my own front door, how can you expect me to do anything like that?”

It is only by the Father’s grace I am where I am now.

I didn’t always understand all that Jesus did for us. By the age of 13, I was paralysed by lies believing I was unlovable and that God hated me. I detested myself and I was alone. Then, as the hope I did have of anything getting better faded, the most peaceful and loving voice cut through the darkness to my rescue. What happened in that one encounter changed my life. I was never the same again. I began listening to the Lord whispering his truth to me: how He’s always loved me from the start, how Jesus willingly died for me to give me a full life and an eternal relationship with Him.

WHY IBIZA

The Spirit of the Sovereign lord is on me,

because the lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners

Since then, He has revealed and broken my heart for the countless hurting and burdened people. The Father loves them too. He treasures the broken and shuts no-one out. We are called to walk alongside them as Jesus did.

Isaiah 61: 1 (niv)

Ibiza is a Spanish Mediterranean island known as the party capital of Europe. It is home to some of the world’s largest nightclubs, some with a capacity of up to 10,000 clubbers. Amnesia, Eden, Es Paradis and Privilege, to name a few, are typically open from 11pm and close at 6am (officially).

Half a million holidaymakers, predominantly British and between the ages of 16–35, visit the island to drink as much as they can and ‘escape’ as much as they can. Open drug taking, binge drinking, people vomiting and collapsing in the streets, fights, nudity and people having sex in public places are all common. The Guardian newspaper reported that around 40,000 ecstasy pills are sold there per day.

Yet in all this God longs to be gracious to us and show His compassion, reconciling us to Him. These broken people need to be cared for and deserve a chance to experience God, who loves them unconditionally.

THE ISLANDTell me more…

24/7 Ibiza is about taking prayer onto the streets of the West End of Sans Antonio, asking people if there is anything they would like prayer for. It’s about being intimate and involved, sharing Jesus and showing God’s love through serving others. We will seek to care for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people that we meet by:

– offering to pray with people– cleaning up someone who’s vomiting– helping vulnerable people – drunk, drugged, injured or alone– listening to someone’s story or frustrations of the day– celebrating good news and happy times with people– taking someone who’s been injured to the medical centre– sharing our faith and stories of God with those keen to hear – seeking to bring calm to agitated people and situations– asking God to lead us to specific people He wants us to talk to and to give us the words He wants them to hear

THE MISSION4–17 September 2011

“…we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works…”Colossians 1: 9–14 (msg)

I am trusting God for finances, and ask if you would please prayerfully consider supporting me in this area. I am hoping to raise £1000 by mid-July. Below is a breakdown demonstrating where some of the finance will be used, excluding transport and living costs. Any extra finance will be donated to 24/7 Ibiza.

Deposit £150 Mission £385 Flights £94.48

All donations will be deposited into a Trust Fund. Please speak to myself or Harvey and Jo Crook if you feel you would like to support me financially, and we will provide you with further details.

PLEASE JOIN MEPray for me, finance me

Thank you for letting me share with you what the Lord is doing and for all your encouragement, prayers and support so far. I really look forward to being able to partner with you in any way you can on this journey.

God bless,Lots of Love,

Feel free to contact me:rachel_painter@hotmail.co.uk07967835923

If you would like further information you may find these links helpful:www.24–7shorts.com/prayer-as-missionwww.24–7ibiza.com

Picture Credit: Mixmag, April 2011And special thanks to Hannah Griffiths for the portrait photography