Mike Rutter’s Weblog…….

As I mentioned in my last post, we went to hear Heidi and Rolland Baker last weekend. They work out in Mozambique, in fact they are the only ‘relief organisation’ allowed in there at the moment. They work for Iris Ministries and basically exist to help the poor and in particular orphaned children in the country. Their schools achieve the highest academic results in the country and considering where the children have come from this is some achievement. Have a look at their website for more details.
Pip went on Friday night and I went on Saturday. Heidi had left by then so it was Rolland that spoke. There was some great worship to start with and then Rolland got up to speak. He is so excited by what God is doing through him and Heidi that it is infectious when you hear him speak. They have seen some pretty bad things happen out there and have come under a lot of opposition. Despite this he has a real joy at knowing that this is what he is meant to do . What s interesting to me is that they are seeing some amazing things happen. People being healed physically and emotionally. The miraculous stuff comes out of the pratical hands on caring stuff. I like that. I like the way that they really care for and love the children out there by providing for them practically and that whilst this is going on, God seems to do miraculous stuff as well. The two go hand in hand. I have to admit that my tendency to think everything through often finds me struggling with some of the claims that are made, but I cannot refute the outcome of their work out there – that being changed lives. Lives that were literally ‘hellish’ being turned round and given hope again. Because of this, I am much more able to believe the miraculous stuff and get excited about that also.

Every now and then I have to go in to school to do an open day. Some of them are good and there are loads of people – today isn’t one of them. Pippa is at home with the 3 kids and I am sat here twiddling my thumbs. Plus I went out with Dan into York last night so had a fairly late night. Oh well – just half and hour to go.

Going to go and hear Heidi Baker speak tonight in Sheffield. She heads up Iris Ministries in Mozambique which works amongst orphaned children. She is a eally inspiring person to hear … I will let you know how it went.

Have you seen Twittervision? My friend Christian put me on to it. It is one of those clever web ideas that is quite pointless but also fascinating. Have a look…..

We went swimming today after church. Don’t do it often but we should because the kids love it. Beth has no fear…she just bobs about in the water grinning. Joel spends all of his time trying to drown me and Matt equally has no fear. He wandered off into the ‘serious swimming pool’ and just plopped himself in. Fortunately I saw him as he went in and went to rescue him as bemused adults looked on. He just grinned at me and told me it was too deep.
The real fun was when we first went in to the pool though. we had just stepped in and I turned round to see Matt with his trunks round his ankles and happily weeing into the pool. For a brief moment I was so tempted to deny any responsibility for him……….

I had the afternoon off work today. Mum and Dad normally look after the kids on a Wednesday and this morning they came through as usual only for Dad to fall down the dorrstep whilst holding Beth. In his efforts to protect Beth (which he did) he twisted and ended up in a heap on the drive. Not knowing what he’d done and with the potential for him having broken something an ambulance was called, much to the excitement of Joel. Anyway – he hasn’t broken anything, just ripped some ligaments. He has a leg brace on and has been told he has to rest it regularly. Unfortunately Dad doesn’t know the meaning of listening to the doctor’s advice and is already talking about being up and about in a week (the doctor said 4 weeks). I have just waved them off as they set off back for Hull with Mum driving and Dad looking nervous……….

Joel also dressed up as Jack Sparrow for his World Book Day event. He won the prize for the best fancy dress. I think he probably looks more convincing as a pirate and judging by your comments I would think you probably agree!