Monday 10th June 2024
Well, there we were just leaving the Kings Arms in Ninfield
where Mike and I had a spot to eat (I happened to choose a
burger. Mike chose a carvery, I then noticed that burgers were
50% off on Monday so mine only cost £5.75. The anointing
continued when on leaving the pub (they were closing not long
after 7.00pm for staff training!!!) we spotted an elderly
gentleman trying to sort out a flat tyre on his vehicle, so we
stopped and asked if he needed any help. Although he said he
was ok, he could hardly walk and had difficulty standing, so
he obviously did need help, so Mike immediately stepped
forward and grabbed the ‘jack’ and laid down on the pub
forecourt to locate the ‘jacking point’, while I loosened the
nuts.
Meanwhile the gentleman went round to the back of his car to
get something from the boot, where he virtually collapsed. I
saw him going, so quickly got between him and the ground,
stopping him just in time. By this time we were joined by a
couple (Jack & Lynn) so Jack was also able to help me get
the gentleman (Charles) upright.
Before starting to jack up the car, Mike asked if the
handbrake was on, and the gentlemen replied ‘yes’ although he
should have said ‘no’ because the car moved forward off the
‘jack’. So, we started again. This time Mike and I swapped
positions; it was my turn to lay down on my back to place the
‘jack’ in the correct place, while Mike got all dirty
manoeuvring the spare wheel.
Car jacked up, wheel replaced, jack removed, and a clean-up
operation took place as it was touch and go whether I would
allow Mike back in my recently valeted car; he may have had to
get a taxi home. Jack thankfully had copious amounts of ‘wet
wipes’ so Mike was eventually declared ‘clean’. By then Lynn
noticed that the spare tyre was also flat, however Charles
(the old gentleman) had a foot pump, so we took it in turns to
pump up the tyre. Now unfortunately Mike and I are a little
hard of hearing, so we merrily took it in turns to pump away,
but while doing so Lynn heard an audible ‘hiss’, oh dear
another puncture!!!
Now what to do. It transpired that Charles lived in Battle,
Jack & Lynn were due to have dinner in the Kings Arms,
which was now closed, but even so they offered to take Charles
home to Battle. In the event, we recommended to Jack and Lynn
that they should perhaps go and have dinner in the White Hart
in Catsfield, and Mike and I plus the spare wheel would take
Charles (and his dog) home, which we did, all setting off.
Obviously while all this was going on our Jesus Loves Bexhill
testimony leaflets were distributed. Charles, it transpired,
had only moved to the area some 6-8 weeks ago, his daughter
living in Manor Road, Bexhill, but he didn’t know anybody in
Battle. He was so very grateful for all that we did for him,
and we explained that God was obviously involved and
encouraged Charles to go to Battle Baptist Church, where we
know people would come alongside him, and if he needed further
help to ring the telephone number on one of the leaflets we
gave him; meanwhile Mike would telephone the Kings Arms in the
morning to explain the position. We left one very blessed
Charles, the dog and the spare tyre, and set off back to
Bexhill, but decided to stop at the pub in Catsfield as Mike
wanted ice-cream (it was like having a grandchild in the car)
and I was ok for another beer.
On entering the pub, we spotted Jack and Lynn finishing their
meal (who by now would have read the testimony leaflet we gave
them), so stopped for a chat. The couple were ‘blown away’ by
what we did, and I guess it must have been a very funny sight,
with two old geezers, one lying on his back on the ground
trying to change the wheel for another old geezer, who could
hardly stand, never mind walk, with his dog looking on from
the front passenger seat. While I went to order and open a
‘tab’, Mike told them all about Jesus Loves Bexhill, what we
do, and why we do it. They appeared very interested. Mike and
I then sat down and we enjoyed our victuals and after a while
I was about to go and pay, when the waitress came over to tell
us that a young couple had paid our bill!!!! Apparently, Jack
and Lynn were so touched by what we did, and what we do, that
they wanted to pay our bill. We then both joined them and
chatted more, with particularly Lynn expressing an interest in
joining our litter picking team on our next outing; Jack would
also have come this Saturday but is working. He is a fully
qualified carpenter also doing building work, who recently
moved to the outskirts of Bexhill, and also started his new
business, so it’s full on for him at the moment.
Who would have thought that just going out for a quick meal
would bring about so many opportunities? Sharing the love of
Jesus doesn’t just bless those who put God’s word into
practice, but also the recipient and bystanders.
On returning home we were able to telephone Kevin Terrell the
Bexhill MacMillan Busker, who also goes to Battle Baptist
Church, to share our story and to ask if anyone from his
church could go and see Charles. Kevin immediately emailed two
friends who live near Charles in the hope that they would
visit him on Tuesday, but if they couldn’t he said he would go
and see him on Wednesday. All this after Kevin had recently
discussed with his Pastor the need to effectively follow up
after their various outreach activities!!
Don’t you just love it when God steps in and uses you in His
plan?
One afternoon I was waiting for a bus opposite my house to go into Bexhill town. I was wearing a Jesus Loves Bexhill tabard as I was going to meet a friend at a coffee shop - something that a number of the Jesus Loves Bexhill team do; we adopt a coffee shop, two or three of us meet there regularly and we pray and trust that we will get to know the owners/staff and have opportunities to witness there. Some good conversations have opened up.
At the bus stop on this day, a friend I know very well came to chat with me and, on seeing the Jesus Loves Bexhill logo on my tabard, she asked me about what we do. I told her about the litter-picking and other activities we have been involved in and how we always hope to be able to share the good news of Jesus; then later that day I put a couple of our testimony leaflets through her door.
A few months later this lady’s husband was very near the end of his life and one day she put a note through my door with my name on and JESUS LOVES BEXHILL, asking if anyone could go and visit her husband and pray with him, which I was able to organise. She was very appreciative
When I went to see her husband, I saw that she had left one of our testimony leaflets on her husband's bedside cabinet that anyone who went into the room couldn't miss seeing.
Since her husband passed away, I've had much more contact with her; she has been quite open to talking of Christian things and often thanks us for our prayers.
All praise and glory to Jesus!
We don't often get to hear of what happens in a person’s life after God has sown a seed during one of our conversations, and we all go our different ways, but we did hear of an occasion at a bus stop when a member of our 'litter picking' team stopped to chat with a number of people waiting for a bus (this happens a lot).
After chatting with one particular person for a while, the team member encouraged them to go to church and recommended one in their area. So they did, the church members came alongside, and after a number of weeks they even got baptised.
What a wonderful, encouraging story! Just think of all the stories we haven't yet heard about!!!
As a leadership it has been obvious to us that whenever we
made a decision that we felt was right, but did not have the
means or the ability to carry it out, God seemed to step in.
Organising a “Dinner with Vinesong” event for 100 people was
one such step of faith, and then with all the opportunities
that we felt were before us, 
we decided that it would be right to purchase a
gazebo which could be used as a base during special litter
picking adventures, but not just a plain ordinary gazebo, one
with our logo on it, and which clearly said “Jesus Loves
Bexhill” on it. Within a few days of making that decision we
were approached by our town council to be involved in some of
their activities, so with that encouragement we looked for a
supplier who could provide a good quality structure and with
sharp clear print emblazoned on it. We took advice from a
local group who use a gazebo quite frequently and approached
their supplier for a quote, not skimping on anything. It
subsequently turned out that we will have to find £1300!!, but
then someone came forward and said he would pay the VAT, and
then by chance we saw that despite not being a registered
charity we could apply to our local town council for a grant,
and as the gazebo was to help us in our litter picking
adventures, we ticked all the required boxes, applied and a
few weeks later received a payment of £500, no fund raising
needed whatsoever, with cheques of £100 and £200 turning up.
We now have a gazebo
with the words “Jesus Loves Bexhill” all over it, and people
are surprised and delighted that we are encouraged to display
it and participate in many events on the seafront, nearby
street markets and in nearby parks, but as good as it is, we
didn’t have a display stand so if people were drawn to our
gazebo, they could find out all about us and what we get up
to.Then one day while we were investigating the possibility of
spending another £200 plus that we didn’t have, one4 of our
ladies telephoned to say that she was at the Eastbourne Refuse
Site shop and that there was a display stand available for
£10.00!!! God is good all the time. Vital to be in God’s will,
because then He leads, and we just do what He wants, and
everyone gets blessed.
As a young man, my older brother joined the Fleet Air Arm to
become a pilot, and spent many years flying helicopters, both
during his time with the navy and then contracting to many UK
and overseas companies, mainly flying to oil platforms out at
sea and in the desert.
During off-duty hours, and away from home, too much time was
spent in the officer’s mess, or some local hostelry, so a
dependence on alcohol started to take its toll. Purchasing a
pub and running his own brewery didn’t help, and in his later
years dementia also took hold, eventually leading to him
having to go into a care home.
His condition quickly deteriorated and during my visits
entering into a conversation was difficult, if not impossible.
Most days were spent hunched in a chair and unable to feed or
look after himself. His speech was 90% incoherent mumbling,
and that was how it was the three times I had visited him
between December 22 and March 23. I always mentioned Jesus
though, working on the assumption that, whilst he could not
communicate, his hearing was very good and just maybe his
brain would register some of the things I was saying, and that
is how it was until I visited him in May 2023.
I found him asleep, with his head right down, chin on chest;
he has been unable to lift his head for many months now.
Several attempts to wake him, over about 45 minutes, failed,
and I was feeling desperately unhappy. I knew I had to connect
with my brother in a real way and I cried to the Lord within
me “surely it can’t end like this!” (Friends at home were
praying for Peter to be lucid and receptive and for the Holy
Spirit to break through the barrier of dementia). I now
thought I was wasting my time being with him. Then he suddenly
lifted his head, clearly recognised me and said, “Oh hello!”,
and we began a conversation. I talked about a number of things
that I thought might register with him. I spoke about their
garden, and Peter responded that ‘Sue is not really into it’
(which is true at the moment), as well as the fact that our
wives were visiting Southwold, to which he said how much he
likes it there.
The conversation continued, with Peter asking me “What do you
do?” I spoke of my retirement in Bexhill, about our teenage
years in Bexhill, current activities like litter picking and
chatting with people. Peter said, “But what work do you do?” I
spoke again about my retirement but also my involvement in
Jesus loves Bexhill etc. I told him the story of a lady I knew
and the circumstances around her, and what happened when I
told her what Jesus said in the bible, “I am the way, the
truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me”.
I then suggested that I might pray with Peter to invite Jesus
into his heart and his reply was incoherent, so I said we
should pray and if Peter agrees he should squeeze my hand,
which he did straight away! I led him in the sinners’ prayer,
saying sorry for wrong things done, at which Peter became
agitated in a positive way and kept hold of my hand. He
repeated my “Amen“at the end of the prayer and I am sure he
meant it; Peter would not accept anything unless he wanted to.
We continued with a good lucid conversation, looking on Google
maps to see where Sue and June were. I fed him his lunch, as
he is unable to lift his hands to his mouth. It was not as
difficult as before as this time his head was up and his eyes
were open. When he was offered one of two puddings, I asked
which he wanted or if he wanted both, to which he brightened
up and said “Both!” He enjoyed his puddings and we had a bit
of fun.
After lunch, I suggested we go and sit outside in the
sunshine, and Peter was very keen on the idea. Then I wondered
about taking him out in the car (something that hadn’t
happened since he was in the home). So I spoke to the doctor,
who said she had watched me waking Peter and talking with him;
she agreed and offered staff help to get him to the car. Peter
was very keen to have a car ride and followed all my
instructions. As I was helping him out of the building, the
staff were wanting to take over, but the doctor told them to
leave it to me, saying that I obviously have a way with him.
Together we got Peter into my car and comfortable. (Until
recently, I had a low car that would have made it much more
difficult, if not impossible, to get him in and out of, but
that car was given a terminal diagnosis, and could not be
driven safely. Of course, God had a plan, and within 48 hours
of the car’s diagnosis, my cousin at 96 decided to give up
driving and gave me his good-as-new vehicle, a more upright
and accessible car, which made it relatively easy!)
We drove to find somewhere to park within view of the sea as I
thought this would be most meaningful for Peter. 
in the Fleet Air Arm and a
helicopter pilot flying out to oil rigs.
While we were out, I phoned first June, then Peter’s wife; he
said a loud, clear hello and bye to each of them. I have a
great photo of Peter in the car with his head held up and his
eyes open – he obviously enjoyed his trip. Back at the home,
and helping him out of the car, I lifted each of his legs out,
then took hold of his hands and said “Now Peter just push down
on your legs and stand up for me” when he clearly said “I’ve
still got my seat belt on”. I was amazed. I took him inside,
talked to him for a while but he was clearly very tired and
needed to sleep, so I decided to leave. Peter seemed reluctant
for me to go.
Back at my sister-in-law’s home I told June and her all about
what had happened, explaining everything: the prayer support
that I had before my visit and the prayer Peter and I prayed.
My sister-in-law, while being amazed, wasn’t sure what to
think and felt upset that she hadn’t experienced any of what I
experienced that day.
The next morning, Peter’s daughter made a video call to her
mother, and they talked about the photos that I had taken. She
was also amazed by them and declared “But he never lifts his
head up!” Sue’s response was that the hand of God was
obviously on him and that it was a miracle. What happened that
day was so very obviously God's intervention, there cannot
possibly be any other explanation.
When I used to live in East Grinstead I made a point of at
least once a week walking into town, and going to the same
cafe for a coffee, as well as sitting on a nearby bench for a
while with Zoe my chocolate Labrador. 
People would often ask to stroke her, and Mum's
with their children would ask if they could stroke her to
overcome their children's fear of dogs, so of course I would
say yes, and if it was possible for me to mention and talk
about Jesus I would.
One day a lady by the name of Olive came and sat next to me
and asked if she could stroke Zoe, and we started a
conversation, I learnt about her 'wing walking' adventure, and
her later life in Cyprus, we talked about God's beautiful
creation and seeds were sown and a relationship started, we
got on very well, and when she got up to leave, she let out a
little sry of pain, and I asked what was wrong. She explained
that for many years she had constant pain in her left knee, so
I had the opportunity to share about my own personal
experience of God healing my left knee, and asked if I could
pray for her, saying that I would simply place my hand on her
shoulder and say a quiet prayer, and she accepted. 
Three or four days later I
received a very excited telephone call from her saying that
since I prayed she has had no pain at all. She was so excited
and sounded as it she had one the lottery, and went on to tell
me that she had telephoned her daughter and told her son the
great news at what had happened, and it later transpired that
her son and his family were Scientologists!!!
She then started to come to our church and after a couple of
weeks accepted Jesus as her personal saviour. Being patient
and open to being led by Jesus is very rewarding, and like the
bible story about the persistant widow, she didn't give up and
neither should we.
It started off with Anne and I having a lovely encounter
with four deaf people who were enjoying a coffee one sunny
morning outside Kerry’s; Anne had a conversation using the
sign language she knew, after which we continued on our walk.
Halfway along Devonshire Road we came across a chap who we had
met before, and who is quite confrontational, he likes to try
and get under your skin! After a few minutes of him chipping
away at us, and us being cool, calm and collected! he suddenly
said that he wanted to go to hell. This we were not
going to take easily, and we let him know that we were very
upset by such an outlandish statement, that he obviously
had no idea what he was saying, and we explained why. Seeing
that he was in a bit of trouble and now getting defensive, he
grabbed a passer-by in the hope that he would be on his side
in the discussion, but the gentleman simply went up to him,
pointed his finger at him, and told him “You need Jesus!”
The antagonist was asked to go away and seriously consider and
reflect on this encounter, which was so obviously a “God
moment”. He then quietly left to catch his bus back to
Eastbourne, and we look forward to meeting him again. The chap
who was grabbed turned out to be a retired vicar, and we spent
some time with him talking with and praying for him as he had
recently lost his wife.
Talking to people about Jesus, and keeping close to Him whilst
doing so, is so much fun and very rewarding.
The above links display accounts of
how God has clearly used situations that we have found ourselves
in and taken the little "mustard seed of faith" we have
for bigger and better things. God does use us if we keep our eyes
on Him, it's just that sometimes we don't know it!
It's all
about Jesus.
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There are so many lovely people in Bexhill, but when going out shopping, or going to a specific place, like a café, we all walk past each other, barely even sharing a smile. However, put on a Jesus Loves Bexhill tabard and start collecting litter around our town, and so many people stop to talk, many just to say thank you, and occasionally we have a good chat. I have never met anyone who was not friendly or who didn’t respond to my smile or my greeting. I have many a good conversation with people waiting at the bus stop or just taking a breather as they do their shopping. It is an honour to serve our community in clearing away some of the litter that blights our town, and an honour to serve our Lord Jesus as we lift His name high in Bexhill, and occasionally have the privilege to tell our fellow Bexhillians, how much Jesus loves them and wants to be a part of their lives. |
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| As I passed Coffee & Co where I saw Rahel the shop owner serving some customers, so I went in to say hello. He was very warm and friendly. I told him that I had been praying for his business, and he was very thankful for that. As we chatted, he mentioned that some of his staff were not good, and that he had to come to manage the shop himself (his normal job is driving instructor) so I told him that I’m a barista and I could come and give some help. So, in the end we decided that I would go in and work with him for an hour this Saturday afternoon after my work at Coffee Box that morning. I’m not looking for work, but just want to be a blessing to him. Paul says in the bible that He would be all things to all men. I want to live that out too. God has opened a door for us to make friends with the people at Coffee & Co. |  |
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Recently, I went armed with a pocket full of our leaflets, to the funeral of my 86 year old cousins wife. As I was asked to conduct the service I had the opportunity to talk about the love of Jesus, and to explain the gospel to all there. Later at the reception, my wife and I had so many positive conversations with people, and handed out a number of our testimony leaflets for them to read later. We have tried to keep in contact with those who live nearby, and many new relationships have begun. It is always interesting and encouraging when someone spots our logo and identifies with us, and many lovely stories have been shared as a result. |
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I joined the Jesus Loves Bexhill group’s prayer support team (they cover the litter-pickers in prayer while they are out and about) due to my impaired mobility; I cannot get around Bexhill too easily. So we meet and pray as the more agile members meet people in the town, share their faith and comfort many people they encounter. At first, I was tentative about wearing my cap and tabard with the logo on them but I was encouraged by one of my prayer partners to wear my cap as I went around Bexhill as people sometimes are curious and will ask what it means. She was right; I had someone saying to me ‘I met you in the cafe and you and your friend encouraged me’. We do the sharing and leave the main work to the Holy Spirit. Some senior students from Bexhill College saw my cap and said it was cool. My grandson told them that to obtain one they have to earn it; that is a work in progress. I now proudly wear my cap and pray as I get around on my scooter hoping to have more God encounters. It takes strong faith and a boldness to advertise one’s faith, and that keeps growing. May God bless this arm of His mission. |
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At the start of a recent litter-pick after we had prayed, it started to rain, just a brief shower, but I made a dash for the bandstand to keep my scooter dry. A lady had hired the bandstand to sell children's books and I asked if I could go in; she said yes, and other people followed me in as well. Once we were all in out of the rain, they asked me what our tabard was all about, so I explained that we are Christians who just want to follow Jesus Christ's example. I told them we come to bless and serve our community by litter-picking and talking to people, just as Jesus served His community by healing the sick, praying for them and talking to them. I asked if anyone had any questions and one man asked if I enjoy my faith, so I said I do and if I didn’t, I wouldn't do what I do. It's Jesus heart to love and that’s what we do too. |
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| Who would have thought that picking up litter and
talking to complete strangers would be so much fun and so
rewarding! Each time we venture out we never know who we
will meet and what opportunities there will be to share the
good news about Jesus! There was the man who was gardening who said he was a Christian, but he never went to church or met other Christians. He said he was lonely; we invited him to come to church and make some friends. He accepted a testimony leaflet and we prayed for him as we went on. We have had so many encounters like him. There are many people who are just lonely and so much value a chat. Many people thank us for our litter picking; our quiet witnessing, wearing our Jesus Loves Bexhill tabards, gives a powerful witness. |
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We had met this man before on a number of occasions, the first time we met he explained that his wife had died on the bench where he was currently sitting some three weeks previously. We listened and shared the love of Jesus with him, but he beleived he was a lost cause, and didn't want prayer or anything, although he did take a testimony leaflet! Every time we were around the place where we first met him, we would always look out for him, and chat for a while. Barriers were gradually being broken down, and on one occasion he mentioned that he was having severe pain in his left hand, and this time he accepted prayer, and yes the next time we met him his hand was fine! The last time we met him he started to enquire about what church we go to and has accepted an invitation to come when he feels well enough. God is definately on his case! |
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