Last week I hinted towards a big change for 24-7 Prayer International and UK that was both sad and full of hope for new opportunities. That change is... the loss of the basement that hosts the City of London Boiler Room and the UK and International Offices :( An incredibly generous Christian Business man gave us the space to host a prayer room, meeting rooms, all our merchandise and resources, our offices, an art room and a dreamed of future Boiler Room community in the heart of the City. That (at times damp, mouse infested, though greatly loved) basement held great significance for us as we discovered it was also the site of Wesley's foundry and he probably preached right where we meet (though the building was probably quite different). Our base on the corner of Worship and Tabernacle street seemed eerily fitting for an international prayer movement concerned about the poor. Did something go wrong? Did we not seize some opportunity we could have? I don't know but I can't help wondering...
Practically we're not leaving because we did anything bad. There's a very practical business reason why the part of the company that owns that particular building is closing down and all within her are shipping out. The generosity of our good friend within the company is continuing as they immediately offered us many alternatives to make our new home and that's where my curiosity and hope is peaked. Where might we end up? Which location around London could we choose? Who will we meet when we get there? Where will be working, laughing and praying next? I guess I might find out on Wednesday when I pop back up to London to help pack up the moving vans. As I packed up boxes on Monday I walked into the art room and was stopped in my tracks by the years of painted prayers that had built up in there. I had to nip back and get my camera to snap some shots before I started to strip the room. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do...