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Hope–filled farewell …
Wednesday 11th July 2012 @ 12:17 am

Farewell to the Heasleys …

There is no doubt it was always going to be a night that produced tears and laughter. Brian and Tracy Heasley who developed 24–7 prayer as it is recognized now in Ibiza, and their two very cool teenager sons, Ellis & Dan, had a surprise party to help them on their way from these sandy rhythm–soaked shores. They are moving back to the UK in a week’s time, and they leave a behind not only an incredible story of how God gives dreams and answers prayers, they also leave behind a narrative of ‘church’ that needs to be told … make sure and buy their book when it comes out!

The evening itself was lovely. It was genuinely surprising – is there anything better than organizing a surprise party when the recipients are genuinely surprised? The night was full of memories. It was full of hope. It was full of thankfulness, and it was full of celebration. Charlie and Abby who have taken over responsibility for leadership here now did a fantastic job in pulling things together for this important occasion …

But what struck me was something I think is incredible …

I have friends in ministry in Ireland who over the last month will have had ‘leaving do’s’ as they have left ministry in one church and moved to another. I have no idea of any of them were ‘surprises’ … (I certainly remember a highlight of my childhood was my dad’s surprise leaving do from Knock Methodist – those guys have always been good at a bit of drama) … but I do know that many of those final services etc. will have been full of gratitude and thankfulness for ministry well done. They will have experienced church stewards, stalwarts of the congregation, and possibly colleagues talking with deep appreciation of their ministry.

Last Sunday night as we gathered to celebrate ministry well done, we not only had folks present from the small Spanish–English church, but we also had bar managers, a drug dealer, other bar staff, several ladies who make a living through prostitution, and other representatives from the crazy community that is San Antonio, Ibiza. And not only that, but the representative chosen to say a few words of thanks from the industry people spoke most eloquently and meaningfully about what 24–7 has done from his perspective – saving holiday makers (or their parents!) thousands of euros by saving them from possible distorted, and expensive, medical care, and by dealing with the people they (the bar folks) are most irresponsible with, and, to finish with “I’ve no doubt if you looked deeply into it, you’ve actually saved some lives as well.”

Seven years ago the Heasley’s sat in their first home here and thought ‘what on earth is God calling us to do – what can we do to impact San An with the grace of God?’ I think it speaks volumes that when they leave, lining up alongside the local congregation and 24–7 volunteers who have become the Heasley’s extended family, are the bar owners, a drug dealer and prostitutes to echo the words, ‘well done, good and faithful servants …’

 

Indeed.


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