Just a short blog today as I am lamenting England’s loss to Croatia last night. It was all set to be a fantastic night as I was watching with my wife Caroline and also Joffy Girling, Mustard Seed Songs’ Musical Director and Alex Knox who sang the part of John on the Risen! The Musical CD. Alex and Joffy have been staying with me for a couple of days recording the sequel to Risen! The Musical – The Acts of the Apostles – Part One “Fire!” We were also joined by Sam Martin, another musician who plays French Horn in the Royal Marines Band. Alex is an avid Tottenham fan – Sam, Arsenal – so for a few hours at least there was peace from this infamous rivalry! Everything was ready for the perfect celebration of England’s entry to the World Cup Final – the full version of “Football’s Coming Home” ready to be sung at full volume-the pre requisite barbeque with a few beers etc- everything in place but unfortunately Croatia had other ideas and we have to wait another four years before trying again to emulate the wonders of 1966 courtesy of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks, Bobby and Jack Charlton, Alan Ball, Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson, George Cohen and Roger Hunt. Never mind it was a great run and with the brilliant weather we have been having the whole country has been uplifted.

Meanwhile in Nigeria the building of the Risen Christ Central Chapel, one of the current Mustard Seed Songs’ projects which I mentioned last week continues. You can see from the pics that the building has come a long way but that there is also a long way to go. It was to fund this church that Mustard Seed Songs produced the recent Portsmouth Gospel Concert of which today’s video clip is another extract.

If you would like to support the building of this church in Cross River State, Nigeria then please visit www.mustardseedsongs.or.uk where you can purchase or download the Portsmouth Gospel Choirs’ CD “How Great Are His Signs” with all proceeds going to fund the church build. You can also visit http://mydonate.bt.com/events/portsmouthgospelchoir/452133 to learn more of the Risen Christ Central Chapel and to make a donation.

Quote for the week:

Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others

Robert Louis Stephenson