Well I must be getting old! Sat while Taste are soundchecking for the gig thinking ‘ooh this is a bit loud!’ But its great and once the venue is full of young people it will be fine! We’re in Herne working with the Fishermans Office who we’ve worked with before, being very well looked after!

Yesterday was a fairly relaxed day. We visited a school to view their facilities for an event later on in the year which Taste have been invited to play in. A really nice school, quite different to most schools in Germany-the kids have a lot of freedom and the chance decorate their own ‘learning space’-this seems to create a much greater sense of respect and want to look after things than we often see in England! One of the venues at the school is a drained swimming pool which has been converted into a cafe and where La Roche will be djing at the weekend in November. In the picture you can see the team having a practice! We had lunch out and then a meeting about ‘Konficamp’ – an event in October which Taste are taking part in. The meeting was half German and half English-a chance for me to see how much I can remember and understand from my GCSE days! Andy and I then headed into town for a trip to our favourite shops in Herne- ‘Woolworth’ (similar but definitely not the same!), ‘New Yorker’ (sort of a cheap H&M) and the Euro Shop (i.e. a pound shop!). There was also some live music and entertainment in the centre of the high street…we had to stop while Andy drooled over the digital sound desk! The evening consisted of a trip the the Bavarian Inn which we have been to before-the infamous litres of Bavarian beer. I upped my game from last years 0.3l to 0.5l this year, while the boys went for the whole 1l! We had lots of fun and laughs as a team and a late night McFlurry trip!

Today we had a lie in and then headed to the Lighthouse to set up and then a gig tonight.

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We’re mid way through the gig and its very very hot! About 40people all jumping around and enjoying the music and our attempts at speaking German! Jonny does a bit of singing in the next couple of songs so i’ll be let loose on the lights!

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Second break is for sausages! Then La Roche is doing a dj set, while my wonderful Andy is on lights, having just drummed very well!

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Back at the hotel after a great gig. Tomorrow we’re off to church in the morning and then Taste are doing some acoustic songs in a service at The Lighthouse in the evening. It’s now definitely time for sleep!

Back now after a fantastic week at Plockton High School. We met some awesome kids with challenging stories to tell and who were actively sharing their faith in the school. Plockton High has around 300 pupils, from a catchment area of 400 square miles. Dave Mockett is the SU worker there and worked us hard! It was quite a unique situation for us in that Dave knew most of the young people, the majority of them had some Church contact and many of them attended youth groups. The school was very supportive of what we were doing, including the RE teacher who is a strong Christian. The community had been praying for us and for the week for a long time and it really felt like we were part of the long-term picture.

We were staying in a holiday house belonging to the Harvey’s (everyone knew the Harvey’s when we mentioned it!) in Glenelg which is over an hour from the school through the most amazing mountain scenery.

This is a viewpoint on the way to school (although we didn’t see it very often as we mostly travelled in the dark!) of the snow topped mountains The Five Sisters.

We did a lot of travelling and were out every night so were on the go from 7am til 10.30pm which was exhausting but great at the same time. We saw each age group at the school more than once – taking RME, PSE and Music lessons. I got the opportunity to share my story several times and we performed All About Abi 3 times. The young people were really friendly and welcoming and we got to know some of them quite well, especially as we were visiting youth groups in the evenings too. The evening sessions were led by Dave and were looking at 1 Peter 3:15 ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.’ Dave gave a short talk, 1 or 2 of our team shared their story and then the young people were encouraged to think what their story is and chat to one of us about it. We ended with a 60 second prayer time (which they do on a Wednesday breaktime at the school and regularly get around 20 pupils) where you sit in a circle and pass around a ‘holy item’ (e.g. Bible, mousemat, holepunch…!) and then each person can either pray for upto 60secs or pass the item along. It’s brilliant!!!

At the gig on Thursday night about 80 young people came, 23 of which responded that they would be interested in finding out more through a ‘Check It Out’ course that Dave is going to set up. For me, it was one of the best weeks we have done and that was largely due to the support from the community, and Dave’s passion for helping the young people reach a better understanding of God. On Wednesday we went to a prayer meeting with members from local churches which was well supported and great to see people passionate about praying for the young people in their community. Dave had also put a quick video edit of lessons we had done so far – songs, links, All About Abi and my story. Great, but embarrassing to see me up on the screen!

As a team we all get on really well, despite the fact we have quickly learnt who the most gullible member of the team is and exploit that at every opportunity!! Joy did well stepping in to sing, Andrew was a hit with all the girls, and Jonny did really well learning tech and performing in All About Abi. It was a really long journey back and we had a welcome few days off – but it was definitely all so worth it!

I’m now back at base catching up with everything I’ve missed and getting stuck into preparations for the upcoming Christmas events. This Sunday Keel is being baptised at Sawyers Church, Brentwood which is very exciting. Please pray for him this week, especially as he’s not feeling too well at the moment.

Thank you for all your support, please keep in touch!

Last week went well, managed to sort out my hair for the photoshoot (last minute curling in the tech office!) – photos to come once Simon has sifted through and picked out the best ones! We had a great time on Wednesday morning going through one of the lessons with the guys, getting them to pretend to be 12 year olds! Our day with Den was fantastic – despite having done the session with him before, it was so good again! Looking at the Bible and how it fits together – in 2 hours we got to the beginning of Exodus! I had a really lovely time with my cousin as well, we had dinner at Prezzo and then went back to my house. We chatted non stop and I found out loads that I didn’t know and generally a really good catch up. The weekend was busy but i always love spending time with my sister and the children, babysitting was good fun, even being woken up on Sunday morning by a very excited Maddie and Emi bouncing on my airbed! Was also treated to Mum’s Gammon Roast Dinner and home-made apple crumble…yum!

This week began with a bit of sad news; Tom Tonks decided that Taste wasn’t for him right now and so unfortunately won’t be continuing with us this year. This has big implications both for us and him and we’d really appreciate your prayers for him as he seeks what is right for him, and for Andy and Joy as they make decisions about the future. For now Andy is swapping back to guitar, Joy is singing and bass is on backing tracks. This is as temporary measure for the events coming up.

So this week…

• Monday: We had a session with Beth Powney (Rich’s mum) on surviving spiritually which was very good and challenging, then more rehearsals in the afternoon.
• Tuesday: This morning Keel and I took Andrew and Jonny to McDonald’s for breakfast and a chat about office etiquette and host housing…we made it fun! This afternoon has been Abi Rehearsals and admin.
• Wednesday: Planning meeting for ‘More Than A Story’, Media meeting, more rehearsals and then a trip to Lakeside in the evening woop!
• Thursday: Photo shoot for All About Abi visuals, writing and more rehearsals.
• Friday: Day in the barn for rehearsals and set up practice.

Sunday is Taste’s first gig in Gorleston. Please pray!!! Andy, Joy and Andrew are rehearsing frantically to be ready in time. Keel and I are going along to help with tech.

I read this yesterday and was really encouraged:

1 Corinthians 3: 5-9
⁵What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. ⁷So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.⁹For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Actually it’s not down to us to make people ‘grow’, to ‘make Christians’ – it’s only God that can do that. We’re all called to our own individual tasks, but ultimately it’s God working through us.

I got to the end of last week and thought ‘What did I do this week?’. I thought for a long time and literally my mind was blank. I couldn’t think what I had done, but I was busy all week! I guess nothing especially stands out but there were lots of good meetings and conversations. We had a great preparation meeting for our Christmas Event ‘More Than A Story’  and the training session with the guys went well (in my opinion!).

Friday night Keel and I travelled to Braintree (ugh A12 rush hour traffic) and made it home in time for a yummy roast cooked by my lovely mummy, then we headed to Braintree Arts Theatre for ‘The Journey’ by Teen Challenge. It followed the story of a drug addict and his journey to find God. There were great use of stage and visuals, and lots of songs. The production was interesting, I didn’t like all of it but glad I went! Stayed at Sarah’s on Friday night and woken up bright and early by two little girls..! Saturday afternoon was my housewarming party back in Billericay which was great. Went out in the evening with Emily, Paul, Dan and Jeni, was great to spend time with them and catch up. Sunday was church and a lazy afternoon catching up on X Factor!

This week is busy. I think that’s the running theme from now til Christmas!!

• Monday: Today was a couple of meetings and All About Abi rehearsals
• Tuesday: Some writing for Christmas, need to write an action plan for Abi rehearsals next week, have an Abi tech meeting, Simon is taking headshot pictures at some point (argh what to wear and how do I do my hair?!) as well as general admin bits and pieces.
• Wednesday: Rich is leading a Bible study in the morning, we’re teaching the guys some of the lessons that Taste will be doing in schools,and I have more rehearsal time with Jonny
• Thursday: We have a day at The Barn with Den who is now back from America. He’s doing a session giving an Overview of the Bible, which I’ve been in before and is brilliant! Then have another strategy meeting, then in the evening I am meeting my cousin Annette for dinner which I’m very much looking forward to, haven’t seen her in a long time.
• Friday: We are all heading to Witham to set up in a church. Taste will do some rehearsals and then go home, then a select few, making up a unique ‘Taste’ line up are rehearsing for a wedding they are playing the next day. The line up consists of Claire Parry, Jo Hobson, Luke Capon, Andy Clark and Andy Keel.

I’m currently reading through Romans and being massively challenged by that. This morning was Romans 12, quite a famous passage. There’s so much to take from it…here are some highlights for you, taken from the New Living Translation.

Verse 2: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Verse 9-10: Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Verse 16: Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Last week two very exciting things happened…our new Taste team started, bright and early on Monday morning! This year we have a boy band made up of Andy Clark on Bass, Tom Tonks on Lead Guitar and Vocals and Andrew Kidby on Drums. Jonny English joins as technician and actor!

Jonny, Andy and Tom

The other thing is that I got a new laptop!!! Hurrah! Sadly it’s not a mac. I’ve got a Toshiba and it’s so nice and fast! Why didn’t I get a new one earlier?!

The month of October consists of rehearsals and training for Taste which I am partly involved in. Whenever Taste are rehearsing, Jonny is either being trained by Keel on technical things, or working with me on learning All About Abi, which has had a bit of a refresh for the new year.

Last week  I led a Bible Study on The Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37), the first one I’ve ever done which was a good challenge and experience! We had a whole team retreat day at The Barn which our team organised and led. Ed spoke on Ephesians 4: 2-7 which was very interactive and challenging. We did a treasure hunt around the grounds which resulted in everyone having very wet feet but was lots of fun!! After the retreat we went bowling with the new team…I had bumpers so got a fairly respectable score! We then all went back to mine for dinner with Claire and Karen.

The guys are very enthusiastic and getting on together well so I think they are settling in nicely! As it stands at the moment, Andrew Kidby is only staying til Christmas as his family are moving out to Australia in the new year, so your prayers for him and for the formation of Taste after Christmas would be much appreciated.

I had a relaxing weekend (including sun bathing yesterday – crazy British weather!!) so ready for a new week of opportunities!

This week has lots of different things happening…

• This afternoon Jonny and I are rehearsing All About Abi.
• Tomorrow Sam La Roche and I are running a training session entitled ‘Telling My Story’, about the importance of our personal testimonies and practically how to go about working out what it is and how to share it. We also have more Abi rehearsals in the afternoon.
• Wednesday is preparation for our Christmas Event – More Than A Story including a planning meeting and content brainstorm. Please pray for inspiration!
• Thursday I have a meeting about Junior Solid at 10am which will get some ideas going of how I can be involved in that in July.  I have some prep to do for the production of All About Abi and then we have a strategy meeting at 4pm (looking at how the different ministries can use Sam, Keel and myself in upcoming events).
• Friday…my diary is empty which is worrying! But by then no doubt I’ll have lots of things to do as a result of meetings! In the evening Keel and I are travelling to Braintree to see a production by Teen Challenge called The Journey which I am really looking forward to!

Please keep me in your prayers – especially for my financial needs. I love hearing from people as well so feel free to email me with thoughts, questions, comments, encouragements or just to say hi! laurabayliss@vizaviz.org

Thanks!!

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