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kaiju-z · 3 years

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Seon Adventures, Episode 37: The Client

When last we left off, Akar’Niel showed himself before the adventuring party, the Cultbusters for the 2nd time in two weeks time, after their group finished the most important part of their dungeon delving quest within the Tomb of the Fallen King.

With his re-introducing words of “Did you miss me?”, Akar’Niel takes the stage.

And there he was, leaning on a pillar.

Face to face again, this time before rest would overtake them, Akar’Niel makes himself known to the party. The Half-Elven man is met with a mix of intrigue from Jun and Luck, distaste from Mournimar and Belli and a careful study by Malak.

Morgan surely would be by his partner’s side due to the surprise appearance, while Arryn? Arryn was taking a well needed rest, oblivious to the conversation that was transpiring.

With the semi-hostile atmosphere coming from the party, Akar’Niel reveals to the lot of them that he is the client, who requested the fetching of Ena, currently in Luck’s possession.

From the initial interrogation, it’s hard to tell much about his intentions with the blade, aside from keeping it gathering dust in the tomb, or a museum to just be gawked at. However - Belli and Mournimar gather that he’s asking intently about the sword, but based on his physique, there’s a reason he’s not trying to wrestle it off. And Jun?

Jun knows he lied and knows who River is. There’s an eyebrow twitch, when Luck asked why it mattered to him. He’s very emotionally invested in this artifact.

Furthemore, he tells the party he is of the Circle of Shaksban, the exclusionary spellcaster guild in Crystalgate. To try and gain the party’s trust, Akar’Niel offers himself to be placed under a Zone of Truth spell and willfully fail his save.

Belli casts said spell and a question and answer series begins, wherein he re-affirms he is who he is and what his intentions for the sword are. To hand it to the Darksbane Army for use, specifically, as they are considered by many, in different tones, as “the noble sort”.

During the talk, while Belli slips up and mentions that there’s only one human in their party, despite Luck wearing his disguise, Jun takes note of something about Akar’Niel. She can see his eyes have a bit of a yellow flicker that moves like a vine in the wind. Furthemore, There’s almost like a faint breeze going through his hair, despite there being no wind?

The conversation carries on for about as long as the Zone of Truth permits, with an air of tension being raised from a half-suspicious and half-amicable side of the party. And Ena herself speaks to Luck, when he asks her what her take is on this arrangement.

Ena finds the party’s client a smug man, but is indifferent in who wields her, as long as blood can be shed. A bit unnerving, if honest answer from the weapon of a late king.

A deal ends up being struck, where the party agree to return Ena themselves, rather than hand it over at this moment to Akar’Niel. And that whenst he checks on the group the sound of wind chimes will follow.

With his departure, the six go to sleep, taking a long rest.

And in the morning? Luctan brings out the Dragon Skull for Malak to question. After debating what the questions should be...

Malak casts Speak With Dead. And for flavor and more amicable conversing, he asks in Draconic:

- 1. ”What were the names of you and the other dragon that attacked?”- “I’m Izyr. Lord of the Sands. My companion is Zamberrut , the Barbarian.”

- 2.“What destroyed the dwarves and dragonborn?” – “A magic not even I know.”

- 3. “Do you know who cast it?” – “The wizards. The magic users, who enforced my brother and I.”

- 4. “Do you know any of their names or locations?””I don’t know their names. They gave us fake ones.”

- 5. “What were the names they gave you?” – “We met with a man, who called himself Nehren and a woman, who called herself Seriza.”

Curious.

Very curious. And requiring further questioning.

Malak would ask again, after sharing his findings with the party.

- 1. “What did they use to compel you and the other dragon?” – “The same thing it always is. A fuck ton of cash.” They were bribed!

- 2. “What did the people that compelled you look like?” – “Well, the tiny one had a weird face, gray hair. Very old. And the woman, a heavier set woman. Human?!”

- 3. “Where did you first meet them? At the mountains, a little bit north of here. Right near the border.”

- 4. “Were they wearing any identifying marks? Jewelry, anything. Special cloaks.”- “No? I don’t think they did. This was like five years ago, man. One of them had this three headed dragon guy, which I found weird.”

- 5. “Did he have 3 heads or a symbol with 3 heads?”- “A symbol.”

Interesting info. They were hired. But it wasn’t clear if it was the work of the council. But one of them was a Fornas worshippers, the little graying man. A 3 headed Dragon symbol meant just that.

Why though? Why would a Fornas worshiper do this sort of cruelty?!

The party once again agree to proceed to Guan.

And so begin the days of travel once again.

On the first day, they go north and come across what one can tell are the remains of a town, just based on the slight shapes. There are visible peaks of what was once the town of Hertis. The travelers could hear faint whistling as they’d pass through. A jaunty little tune.

How jaunty? Jaunty enough that it slaps!

Following around a corner of the remains of a building, the group finds themselves in front of a lone tent. A campsite. This here seems to be a homemade farm with tomato plants in buckets. And the whistling is coming from inside the tent.

As though we are heard, the tune carries on with it’s performer stepping out to see their guests. And it is a female Kenku, 3ft tall and carrying firewood in her arms.

Most of them hadn’t seen one since the tournament, from the team of rogues, but as she speaks in a variety of intriguing voices, Luck and Belli remember hearing of this particularity of the Kenku before. They were cursed to not speak in their own voices, so they learned to mimic others’.

“Well hi!” Zooter would say in one voice. (which we later learned OOC was of the gril from session 3 or 4, who flirted with Belli).

From what the group can gather, Zooter, as she introduces herself, is a lil’ survivor, making a life out here for themselves.

The Cultbusters and the lone citizen, Zooter exchange pleasantries and foods. With the party giving her dried meats for a potato, much to her delight. To a point where she even states that if they ever need a safe spot to rest the night, she will offer them one.

(Seriously, Zooter has such a cool mix of voices. Scorpion among them.)

Surprisingly, from the corner of their eyes, Luck, Belli and Mournimar can see the inside of the tent. What the surprising thing is the small shrine to Ebriosus, which eventually also comes to Jun’s knowledge.

And she reaches into her wares, pulling out tens of platinum coins, which she hands Zooter and the two bond over their connection through Her.

Excited, Mournimar buys of the plant that would grow into the intoxicant “Steam Root” and through some big brain thinking, decides to plant it in the pot Malak bought for him.

(And many weed jokes were had.)

“You know? I loved you from the moment I saw you.” Zooter would say to Jun in another familiar voice, which she herself would specifically and only her recognize.

Later down the line, the group would carry on with their journey, parting ways with Zooter, the friendship made that day cherished forever.

And some good progress is made in travel.

On day 2, nothing really happens. If there’s any nasty shit in the desert, they see and avoid it. But that night, as they settle down, take their usual watches and the like, Jun has a dream to herself.

Day 3. That evening comes to a close and on the next day it’s very open dunes. They travel on more rocky/mountainous terrain. Very hilly. (And they are alive with the sound of music). Their awareness of our surroundings is good enough to where we’re safe. They sleep and nothing happens.

Day 4, the sand is less and the rock is more. Still wasteland, still no water They come across small streams at least once a day.

On the evening of the 5th day, Malak has a specific dream as well.

On day 6... They climb to the top of a little canyon that’s going on. Because they’re higher up, there’s no risk of danger. They get a feeling that for the next few days they’ll be pretty safe.

The 7th day comes and goes and on the 8th, Luctan has a dream. A promissing dream.

Then comes Day 8. Smooth as fuck.

Day 9. They march and march on through and Arryn informs his travelmates that at this point today? They’ve been in Guan for a few days. He didn’t want to mention anything, ‘cause he didn’t want to jynx the group when they passed the border on day 6.

On day 9 the travelers come across to a barely a settlement. A few tents. Some lizard folk, the occasional kobold too. No farms, but there are caravans. We can tell they’ve been there for a while. On the outside, there is one Lizardfolk, more beefy than the rest. And he is digging a hole. Diggy-diggy-hole.

He welcomes the party and proclaims that they are coming through in a good weather season. “Isn’t it lovely?“ Sand storms and humidity. Yep. It’s been wild.

He introduces himself as Eknam, the town burrier. So essentially, he is the undertaker of this settlement. Low on town people, but he’s optimistic that things are turning around. One of their ladies is swollen. So, it might be a big clutch!

They lost their town location, but what’s left of them, they’re called the Gromlets. Eknam’s idea was Bog Creatures, but they have no bog.

They’re trying to find a place that’ll support them and the water supply isn’t tainted?! Aside from the side effects, there’s the whole limbs dropping off if you drink water 2 years in a row?! Due to their resistances, it takes longer for the Lizardfolk to be affected, but for others? Much-much quicker.

Malak offers help and eventually clears the water for several days with Purify Food and Drink, while speaking to the settlers in draconic: “Hello, I’m the water technician. I’m here to clean your pipes.”

Greatful, Eknam welcomes the lot of them to Guan.

Eknam notes, upon us mentioning where they’re headed, that they’re going in the right direction of the capitol. Only have to go east and if they don’t get to it, they’d go north.

After some more directions, regarding going through the canyons, Eknam mentions that if the party bring them anything interesting they’d enjoy, they’d welcome the Cultbusters into the family.

While the directions are given, Jun shifts into a lizard folk and searches for the pregnant lady, whom she finds in an open tent, resting comfortably, big and next to an egg that had recently been laid by her. Bless her.

Jun congratulates her, before going off to search for the strongest camp person. Who would be Eknam in this case. The expecting mom’s a bit confused about the congratulations, but is grateful.

It is then that Jun talks with Eknam.

She asks him to keep her safe and sound from any harm. Eknam would ease her concern for what could be by stating how she is their highest priority. Always watched. Noting how every settler in the area kept a close eye on her tent.

“She is always our priority.”

Before the party leave, they give them some stuff to help them along with the developement of their settlement. Clothes and the like.

With goodbyes being made, the party would carry on to the next leg of the journey.

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yukimuraseiichi · 7 years

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Tenimyu Challenge!

Tenimyu 30-day Challenge

1. How did you first come across TeniMyu?

It was back in late 2010/early 2011. I had just learned about the wonder that is tenipuri character songs and was browsing YouTube for more tenipuri material when I stumbled across a video of 1st season’s Do Your Best. I found it odd, to say the least, but the songs were very catchy and I recognized Shirotan from clips of the live action tenipuri movie so it got me curious. That led to more tenimyu videos, including clips from Imperial Match Hyoutei, Dream Live 3rd, and by the time I found a clip of the Rikkai’s medley on Dream Live 7th, I was completely hooked. (Massu is the PERFECT GODLY BAD ASS YUKIMURA.)

2. Talk about a performance/show that gave you a lot of feelings.

Oretachi no Aikotoba from Dream Live 6th. My precious 4th cast babies were all crying, some even admitted in their speeches that they didn’t want to stop playing their characters and leave tenimyu. how can I not cry

3. Favorite Seigaku cast? Who’s your favorite member?

I’M TORN BETWEEN 6TH CAST AND 8TH CAST. BUT.

I LOVE YOU, ZAIKI TAKUMA

4. What kinds of TeniMyu merchandise do you have?

So far I only have clear files of Seigaku 6th cast and Rokkaku from 2nd season’s Seigaku VS Rikkai. Looking to get my hands on that Seigaku VS Rikkai DVD soon mhmm

5. Favorite Shitenhoji cast member? Which cast do you prefer and why?

Shiraishi actors are all perfect

6. Which TeniMyu song would you cover?

I’m pretty sure I don’t have the vocal range to sing it correctly, but I’d love to sing Yudan Sezu ni Ikou in karaoke.

7. Shuffle your TeniMyu songs on your iTunes/music player. Choose the first five. What’s your opinion on them?

At the moment I only have 2nd season’s Seigaku VS Hyoutei, Seigaku VS Rikkai, and 3rd season’s Seigaku VS Hyoutei

Ranking (3rd SvH) - I don’t really like how it sounds like a hiphop song?? I tend to skip it when I’m listening to this playlist.

Oretachi wa Blizzard - I love this so much, especially Miura’s solo part. It’s such a catchy song.

Samurai - This one’s kinda meh, I’m not really that into it

Mirai e - I don’t know how to express my love for this grad song in words. It’s just. perfect.

Tomorrow for You & I (2nd SvH) - MY TEARS. I love this cast, and I especially love Wada Takuma, and you can hear his voice faltering and just crying and just BABY DON’T CRY

8. Favorite Dream Live?

Dream Live 7th, hands down. It’s the Dream Live that got me hooked. They have adlibs, my beloved Rikkai and Massu, my favorite Echizen, Shirotan, and even 1st cast.

9. A song you feel indifferent towards and a song you hate. Why did you choose these songs?

Idk its title, I just really don’t like the Burning song with Kabaji yelling “BAU!”

10. Favorite Rikkai cast and cast member. Why did you choose the ones you did?

Why do you do this THIS IS SO HARD. I wish I could include 3rd Rikkai here already because I heard they’re amazing, but the DVD isn’t out yet.

11. Do you actually stalk any TeniMyu actors (e.g. their twitters, blogs)?

Mostly just 3rd Rikkai’s Tateishi Toshiki for pictures of his dates with Shogo, Shogo for his cute selfies, and Takuma Isawa, my love, because he’s just so damn handsome and he tweets in Chinese (which I can’t speak but it’s still adorable <3

12. What’s your opinion on the Rokkaku and Higa casts? Do you have a favorite moment or actor in them?

I can’t remember them much because it’s been years since I last watched 1st and 2nd season and they didn’t really leave much of an impression except for 2nd Saeki and Luke C.

It’s actually amazing because I hated Kite in the anime/manga, but Luke C. makes him impossible to hate.

2nd Saeki had a pretty voice and a pretty face. I can remember watching this Shounen boyband thing that he was in back then just for him.

13. Who plays the best Tezuka? The best Shiraishi? The best Ryoma? The best Fuji?

ZAIKI TAKUMA THE BEST.

He’s the Tezuka actor who looks the part the most, acts like Tezuka in the sense that he seems rather strict, and honestly, when he sings, he looks like how I’d imagine Tezuka would look like while singing. His movements are graceful and perfect, he always stays in character and keeps a straight face, and when he finally does smile, it’s just so beautiful I could melt. He’s a Tezuka to the core.

Sasaki Yoshihide is super graceful as Shiraishi and crazy fun backstage. Love him.

I only like Echizen (only in Tenimyu) thanks to his actors but most especially because of Takahashi Ryuuki’s performance in Final Match Rikkai 2nd

Furukawa Yuuta is probably my favorite Fuji. He has an amazing voice and beautiful dancing skills.

14. Favorite song and actor from any St. Rudolph cast.

2nd season’s Erabareshii Elite, was it? That was a beautiful song with beautiful choreography, and I absolutely LOVED Mizuki in that one (who doesn’t??)

15. Favorite song and actor from any Fudomine/Yamabuki cast.

3rd Yamabuki’s Sengoku has the most charming smile!! I love how he keeps winking.

16. How many TeniMyu songs can you sing along to (50-100%) by heart?

The Prince of Tennis, Do Your Best, Yudan Sezu ni Ikou, Ikki Uchi, Yume wo Tsunage, Koori no Emperor, Season, Kiken na Game, Petenshi daa nanto demo ie, Kourin Suru Ouja, Omaera Gakeppuchi Girigiri, Kimi wo Shinjiteru, Mou Mayoi wa nai, Oretachi no Jisho ni Haiboku wa nai, Remember Hyoutei, Hyoutenka no Jounetsu, Koori no Sekai, Heavy Rain, Oretachi no Aikotoba, Sanrenpa ni Shikaku nashi, Highlight, Boku wa Dare, Dead End, Kore de mo owari kai, FGKS, On My Way, Tenimuhou no Kiwami, Mirai e, Tomorrow for You & I, etc.

17. What’s your opinion on the Hyotei casts? Do you prefer one over the others? Why?

I adore Miura Hiroki!!! Tiny ballet Atobe is the best Atobe

18. A character you like in TeniMyu but don’t like/feel indifferent towards in The Prince of Tennis.

Echizen Ryoma, Kite Eishirou, Mizuki Hajime

19. A character you like in Prince of Tennis that was ruined by an actor’s portrayal of it in TeniMyu (could be from any cast).

idk... none for me

20. Top three favorite songs from TeniMyu.

why :(

I’d say Oretachi no Aikotoba, Do Your Best, Yudan Sezu ni Ikou

21. A cast you’d want to hang out with for a day.

???? 6th cast? 8th cast? Or 3rd Rikkai cast!!!

22. So far do you prefer the first season over the second season? Or is it a vice-versa kind of situation?

Although the production of second season had a huge step up in quality, I still prefer many of the first season songs and casts over the second season ones.

23. Favorite backstage moment.

any moment with crying babies

24. Favorite stage moment.

For a whole song performance, I can’t choose between the Atobe solo in 3rd Seigaku VS Rokkaku bc MIURA, but there’s also the 1st Petenshi daa nanto demo ie with the perfect Niou and Yagyuu.

For a single moment, I love the short part in between 神の子～DEAD END where Yukimura raises his racket and the Rikkai regulars surround him, kneel, and raise their rackets to him.

HAIL YUKIMURA SEIICHI OF TEAM RIKKAI, FIRST OF HIS NAME, CHILD OF GOD, KING OF CHAMPIONS, THIEF OF SENSES, MOTHER OF DEMONS, BREAKER OF TENNIS HOPES AND DREAMS

25. If you could see any past TeniMyu performance live and front-row, which one would it be? Would you change anything about it?

3rd Season Seigaku VS Hyoutei, and I’d like to change what happened at senshuuraku because it’s a very special day and I don’t want it to be ruined or dampened for Zaiki (and ofc I don’t want him to get hurt).

26. Somehow you manage to get a whole day to “date” your favorite TeniMyu actor. Who is it and which TeniMyu song would they serenade you with?

Love

Zaiki

Takuma

27. What was your favorite cast when you first started watching TeniMyu? What is it now?

1st season Finals Rikkai because Massu, Okki, and the old cast

at the moment it’s 8th cast because ... Zaiki

28. Honest opinion, who’s the worst singer of TeniMyu? The worst actor?

:( idk

29. The best singer of TeniMyu. What about the best actor?

Onoda Ryunosuke (Rikkai B’s Yagyuu) is Chris in Miss Saigon so ...

Best actor for my biased self is Zaiki because he is Tezuka

30. Who’s in your ideal Dream Live performance? What songs would they sing?

All Seigaku casts!!!! or all Rikkai casts or just 8th cast + 3rd season’s Hyoutei + 3rd Rikkai singing 1st cast songs and I want SanaYuki + TezuFuji or AtoTezu fanservice songs lol

#tenimyu #prince of tennis #tenipuri

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encensibiza · 6 years

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Encens 2017

3 days of continuous worship in Ibiza.

In October 2016, God woke me up on just another Tuesday morning. Luke, He said, three days of worship in Ibiza. And that was it.

The words hung in my mind for a second and then dropped, sweeping away the night and throwing back the curtains onto a world of diamond cut clarity. Three days of worship in Ibiza. It rattled through my head again as I burnt my porridge and struggled to comprehend why I had never thought of this before. I told my wife. She looked at me wide eyed, silently nodding as it dawned on her as well. We hadn’t long returned from a prayer trip to Ibiza and we knew what God had said out there too. I pulled on odd socks and a t-shirt that clashed and stumbled out to the car. Three days of worship in Ibiza.

The vision played out before me throughout a distracted day. God was speaking. Something simple, excellent, without agenda, in the opposite spirit, no vip, no billboards, no big lights, just authentic pursuit of Him, cascading with creativity, art, music, totally Jesus focused, heaven bent upon transformational spiritual business, uncompromisingly Ibicencan and all baked in glorious sunshine. Three days of worship in Ibiza.

I promptly and embarrassingly did very little. The world crowded in, my confidence lapsed and for 2 months I flirted with an idea too big for me. Christmas rampaged through routine and then festively dissolved into that strange no-mans land of lost time and cold meats before the New Year. It was on one of those long, meaningless days I picked up my bible and turned to Jonah. And God spoke again.

Luke. About Ibiza. I wasn’t joking.

I paused as conviction flooded in. Jonah legged it from the task in hand and it really didn’t go too well. I felt God raise a fatherly eyebrow.

It wasn’t a joke.

There was clearly no escaping this. But God, I protested, how? I mean, how? I don’t live in Ibiza, I’ve no professional contacts, I wouldn’t know where to start….

Message Sara, He said. Share your heart with her. A week later she Skyped in from Ibiza. Luke, she said, we’ve been planning a worship event for the last few months. In October I had a dream about you at the event here. What you shared of your vision is worded exactly the same as our vision. I think the Holy Spirit is speaking…..

Roll forward 10 months and I find myself arriving at a villa in the middle of the Ibicencan countryside. The preparations had been extensive, the emails literally server crippling, the prayer at times quietly desperate. People were flying in from all over Europe. There was a buzz on social media. Money had been sown, time had been sacrificed, expectations were high. We had DJ’s, worship leaders, creatives, artists, prophetic ministries all on board. And I had no idea what I was arriving to. But this was happening. For better or for worse, Encens was happening.

I stepped into a courtyard of olive trees and peace descended. Unbeknownst to me, I had just crossed the threshold. The setting was startlingly beautiful and reassuringly authentic; flagstone floors and white walls leading us through into clean, rustic spaces beyond which a tree laden garden unrolled itself in lush green diversity. It was a venue as perfect as I had imagined, more so if possible. However, as wonderful as it was, the event that proceeded to play out amongst the vines and terraces proved the more heavenly comparison. The next three days I can only describe as the nearest experience to Heaven on Earth that I have ever witnessed. It’s going to be impossible for me to recount every detail but let me try and summarise.

On Thursday we prepared the site together, a group of international strangers that became family within minutes. Different strengths and gifts were deployed and encouragement and joy began spreading through the trees of the garden, resonating between the white walls of the finca. Creativity began to unfurl, ideas caught the breeze and impossibilities became journeys. We used what we had and discovered that we had so much more than we thought. We worked hard and with unparalleled peace beneath a cloudless ocean. No rivalry, no complaints, no self, no strain. The garden sang with the sound of skilful fingers and wise decisions as it gradually transformed into a sanctuary, a haven, a home. Unashamedly bohemian prayer spaces sprung up beneath the trees, lined with exotic rugs and furnished with patterned cushions. Festoons and fairy lights clambered amongst the palms, dripping glowing beads over the flowers beneath them. Inside the villa, many hands turned a master bedroom into an intimate space for prayer, lovingly decorated with drapes, lights and scripture. The entrance to the finca became a sweet shop, tastefully built around a cast iron Singer table and trellis. In the outer reaches of the garden, a simple wooden cross was planted and hidden amongst an orchard of ornamental trees, waiting unobtrusively for those seeking a moment of quiet reflection. A scrap heap of wooden pallets and metal poles became a gold mine of essential resources, including a rustic DJ booth and a truly critical electrical earthing cable. As dusk encroached upon us, the venue rang with the arpeggios of creative minds set free in the purity of Spirit led expression and all pulsing to the indescribable delight of unity.

Into this righteous soundstage came the children of God. The Friday morning sun had barely begun to lift the dew before a solitary flamenco dancer, with arms raised heavenwards, launched Encens with the dignity, passion and devotion of a dance worthy of a King. Voices began to rise as we drew swords with our instruments and declared war over the island in song. DJ’s stepped up, laden with musical class and spiritual ingenuity, stirring us to dance to the Lord without shame. Prophetic words arose, joyful prayer was released, spontaneous songs lifted us higher in ever evolving revelatory repetitions. Art was being created and exhibited around the site whilst children danced, coloured and drew in the shade of the terrace. The catering team, smiling and busy, served up relentless coffee, pastries and cake to hungry volunteers and guests taking shelter from the strengthening sun. And into this whirlwind of worship, adoration, joy and service came the presence of God; completely peaceful, strangely tangible, inexplicably wondrous, and all consumingly addictive. I understood the psalmist better than I ever have before when he said ‘better is one day in your courts, than a thousand elsewhere.’

As I looked out from under the stage canopy, I witnessed prayer happening spontaneously, friendships being etched into reality, laughter, tears, hugs. There was freedom and yet somehow, there was order. Nothing was chaotic, irreverent or inconsiderate. Liberty hadn’t arrived at the expense of self control and conversely the rotas hadn’t compromised the flow of the Holy Spirit. People were free to sit, to kneel, to recline, to swing in hammocks, to bury themselves in the prayer rooms or to launch themselves in wild abandon to sampled preachers bellowing over tech house. God’s people, many hurt by oppressive religiosity and pulpit dictatorships, were allowed to breathe. Some took tentative steps into the forests of freedom, unsure, waiting for orders that never came. Others simply ran into His arms.

At night, the villa hummed to the sound of passionate song, tuned to the devotion of hungry worshippers who seized whatever instrument they could find lying around and subsequently lifted up praise in Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan and the language of Heaven. At 6am I fingerpicked my way through gentle love songs as three of us reverently spent time with Jesus whilst the sun rose over the pine shrouded hills around us and exhausted friends slept beneath heavy rugs. Fresh coffee brewed in the kitchen as a silent congregation began to arrive and take their seats on the cushions. Tiredness was gnawing at my flesh but my spirit was totally indifferent. Being with Him was too tempting, too precious, too sweet. Sleep became an afterthought, His presence became a necessity.

Backs were healed, strongholds were dismantled, futures were cemented, pasts were erased. A young lady arrived because she heard the music and was curious. She left that evening, prayed for, encouraged and declaring it was the best afternoon she’d ever had. Elsewhere, the pool became a temporary baptistery and communion arrived, served typically without a trace of religious formality, with the promise of healing for all who needed it. Above us an eagle caught the thermals and the wind rushed through the trees in gusts of praise. Creation, it seemed, approved.

Three days in, the gathering thundered to a close. With a cry as loud as we could muster, we raised our voices in a roar of victory and adoration, hands clasped tight together, tears flowing freely as we chose to believe our God for the impossible. Salvation, redemption, restoration and hope for Ibiza. The last chord rang out, we gathered to de-brief and then exhaled, letting the intensity of the weekend sink in. I looked around dazed at the emptying site. What had just happened?

It’s a good question. I know what happened in the natural. I saw the Kingdom of God in its righteousness, peace and joy unleashed upon a consecrated people. But behind the scenes, we believe in faith for the spoils of war to be gathered in. 2 Chronicles 20 describes the famous victory of Israel, orchestrated by God over a soundtrack of worship by those trusting in His power to bring them victory. We know that worship is the forerunner, the act of faith, the only true response to God’s plan for Ibiza. We believe the strongholds and forces behind this island’s economy and culture are being shaken, redeemed, dismantled and laid waste. We believe the oppression of the people, the corruption of the politics and the mentality of greed are all sliding on turning tables. Worship and celebration are the obvious predecessors to those who walk by faith and not by sight, believing that restoration is coming for Ibiza. Enemies will turn against each other in wild confusion. The blessings will be gathered by those whom God has redeemed. Our worship has simply heralded what we’re believing God is doing in this place. And He’s worthy of all the praise.

So we rest together, blessed, totally full, satisfied, excited and hopeful. Three days of worship in Ibiza. I’ve been overwhelmed by the labour, skill, organisation and hospitality of the Ibicencan team. I’ve been astounded by the unity of churches and believers, not only from across the country but throughout the world. I’m at a loss to describe the love and compassion on display between people who may have only just met. I’m inspired by the anointed musicians, singers, DJ’s, artists, dancers all of whom followed the leading of the Holy Spirit with such humility, wisdom and grace as He wielded each individual’s gift for His glory. And above all, I’m in awe of my God who planned, enabled and delivered a moment of history beyond anything I could have conceived and somehow found the grace to let me join in with His plans. Three days of worship in Ibiza. What really happened? I believe our Heavenly Father inhaled the incense of our praise and worship deep into His mighty lungs, pausing just a second to savour the sweet aroma of His redeemed people. And then, with ultimate authority, absolute finality and total sovereignty, He roared His righteous decrees over the land.

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