The delay was not because we’ve been slack – we’ve been working on loads of other important projects and tasks during this time, in fact it would be fair to say that the work undertaken over these past years has been totally transformational, and loads of people would agree! But seven years is a long time and it needed to be addressed. So we decided, we would tackle and decorate our front room.

 Now before you start thinking I am making a big deal out of a little decorating job you need to understand we do not have an ordinary house. As soon as we moved into Mulberry House, seven years ago, the challenges started. We had to move out again immediately because we discovered that many dodgy improvisations had been incorporated into the house’s wiring – including lawnmower flex! This turned out to be just the first page of a catalogue of dodgy building deeds that were hidden in our house. The list included central heating that was not central nor did it heat, builders rubble chucked under floorboards which allowed damp to slowly seep into floors, walls, joists, etc., death trap cast iron guttering that was attached by single short screws and fell with killer force – it’s a long list! Every room, every task, uncovered jaw-dropping incompetencies which cascaded into a load of other jobs, impacting other rooms and filling us with deep, deep joy! We very quickly understood that “it’s Mulberry House” was a standalone phrase that explained every unexpected building horror. Over the past seven years we have tackled every room in the house, addressing the associated nightmares and healing the scars left by the re-wire – “it’s Mulberry House” being said many, many times. Now we faced the decorating the last untouched Mulberry House room! And it lived up to its name.
 Task one was to remove the wall paper – a task that should have easily been accomplished in a day – but we quickly were reminded this was Mulberry House! As we peeled off the wall paper choices of previous generations (very odd time the seventies!) we discovered that one ‘considerate’ owner had thought gloss paint was cool! Now for those who don’t know, gloss paint has the effect of creating a water-proof seal over everything it covers. So all the previous wall covering choices made in the 60s, 50s, 40s…probably back to when the thing was built in 1905 were sealed in place. The wallpaper steamer was rendered useless and we had to spend the next few weeks peeling off postage stamp sized strips, bit by bit the task was completed.
 During this task we discovered damp again – on an internal wall! A number of bricks were chiselled out revealing anther handy stash of rubble and sand. This compromised the damp proofing and so for years allowed the wall to soak up water (not good) and as an added Mulberry House bonus, this problem was cleverly concealed behind water proof gloss sealing paint! But finally we were done. Well, we thought we were. Just before Shaun our incredible plasterer turned up to make everything look smooth and new Cathy noticed a little two inch strip of wall paper underneath the window we had missed. Cathy understandably gave the paper a little tug to remove it and the wall came with it! A new air vent was created, one which mere plaster could not fix.  What joy filled our hearts, songs of praise rose – the chorus ‘it’s Mulberry House!’ could be heard!
 Shaun sorted it, painting followed, carpets and furniture to finish – by the time you read this the last room in Mulberry House will be finished – hopefully! It will be great.
 When it comes to our Christian journey as individuals, small groups and as a wider church there are times when we are challenged to face and deal with some major tasks and issues. It may feel a lot like the Mulberry House experience I just explained – it can be tough, disheartening and you may find yourself asking why in the world you ever started it in the first place! But it is worth it. When the room is done, when life refocuses on living rather than fixing the problem and you can enjoy a job well done – it’s a great place to be. Can I encourage you to stop and think back over some of the major challenges you have worked through with God as an individual, as a small group and us as a wider church. There are some great things to celebrate and thank God for!
 There are also some big tasks ahead of us – the building project being an obvious one. This will require time, energy, effort and sacrifice from us all. But I want to highlight something really important. In the midst of rebuilding our front room the rest of the house did suffer. We had to temporarily pile up furniture and things in other rooms as we prepared for something new. Previously sorted rooms needed extra attention to prevent them losing all the benefit that was previously gained. As a church over the years we have heavily invested in a number of areas; understanding serving releases blessing, the importance of worship, of meeting together in small groups, that Jesus passionately wants to reach those far from him. We have invested heavily in Alpha, Blue Moon, children, youth, families, seniors, developed strong partnerships with Hope Now in the Ukraine, Hands at Work in South Africa – many ‘new rooms’ to celebrate. However we need to remember that every ‘new room’ we start impacts the rest of the house – so extra care and attention needs to be invested in the work already achieved. As we journey together as a church, new things will require effort, but let’s also keep an eye out, pray, help, invest, highlight, and care for all the good things God has already achieved in and around us.

Mark Madavan