Jonas Centre Blog 2017

The weather is beautiful and so is Yorkshire. You could just stand and stare at Penhill all day, but there's work to do! Most of the children have chosen to work today, filling potholes, painting more fences and carrying rocks. Speaking of rocks, Duncan set the tone for the day with the parable of the man who built his house upon the rock. Encouraging us to do our best work, but also a reminder for us to live our lives on a strong foundation of faith.  Today, there's been more weeding, watering, painting, fence-building - and a small group of children, teens and adults worked through prayer on a Prayer Walk. They prayed for every part of the Jonas Centre, enjoying its peace as they blew bubbles of the Holy Spirit across its beautiful land. 

It's been a wonderful day at the Jonas Centre starting with Harry's creative prayer activity this morning that showed us how our different skills are of great value here. We have been painting, sanding, building, gardening, cooking, clearing and moving rocks to name a few tasks! The children have been helping with these and having lots of play time too. The beauty of God's creation is everywhere. Even the showers have been welcome in encouraging our seedlings to grow, all on good earth we hasten to add - no thorns or rocky ground here.

We're now stretched and energised and ready for work! There's lots to do, so thank you God for making us good at different things! 

So we're all here at The Jonas Centre, and it's truly beautiful (even in the rain). The children are loving the freedom of running around, seeing the animals, and eating ice cream, strawberries and chocolate sauce for pud. Simon and Emma have briefed us on our week ahead and also why we're here. Sharing Christian fellowship and also helping to maintain this amazing place, so that other families, families in real need, can have a holiday. We've unpacked in our cosy cabins, Debbie and her team have fed us a delicious meal - and our final challenge of the day is getting our children to sleep!

Only one more sleep until the Jonas Centre and the sunshine continues to shine. Some families have headed up north early and are enjoying what North Yorkshire has to offer. Today we're in 'Yorkshire's food capital' Malton for the Malton Food Lovers Festival 2017 with our friends who live locally. James Martin owns a restaurant here but haven't spotted him yet nor new 'Great British Bake Off' judge Prue Leith who's rumoured to be headline speaker - I think she's still not a patch on Mary Berry (or Debbie Bowles!) See you Monday!

The week's countdown has now begun AND the sun is shining at the Jonas Centre (it's reaching a balmy 22C towards the end of this week). So as well as your wellies, fleeces, woollies and waterproofs, you might just need your sunhats and shades. Hooray!

The week's countdown has now begun AND the sun is shining at the Jonas Centre (it's reaching a balmy 22C towards the end of this week). So as well as your wellies, fleeces, woollies and waterproofs, you might just need your sunhats and shades. Hooray!