Thank You God For Bletchley

Today marks the end of another eventful chapter in the life and times of Christopher Dryden and the Dryden Family.

This post has been written a few hours in advance. By this time we should be well on the way to completing the packing of the removal van and our own vehicle as we close the doors for the last time on the place of residence that has been home for us since July 2010.

As the Bletchley Lessons series should have outlined, I’ve picked up one or two things in my time here.  It has been an essential stop on the journey of life to deal with a lot of unresolved issues.  I had no idea what would happen in our time here, and I had no idea how long we’d be here.  That we’ve been here longer than anywhere else previously is a positive sign on how well we settled and built relationships.  That leaving has been so emotional for the family proves the depth of impact we’ve made in our time here.

I’ve enjoyed living here.  It’s a pleasant town – even if it is now a part of the concrete monolith that is Milton Keynes.  Bletchley has a lot of endearing features – it’s not a loud town, it’s easy to get around, there are a number of splendid spots for enjoying walks and apparently it has a claim to fame for helping in the Second World War effort.  The mission opportunities are plentiful in the area, and it was a pity I wasn’t able to explore that more in my time here.  But even that has been very informative about what might happen in the next step.

I worked in Milton Keynes itself for the best part of a year and came across different characters who unwittingly shaped my view of humanity and relational engagement for the sake of the gospel.  Coming across young people in need of developing skills for employment and training continued to open my eyes and inform me just how deep the work is to see lives changed and how woefully inadequate ‘education’ is to what is required.

Of all the people and experiences I’ve had in my time in Bletchley, the most significant individual who shall remain a pivotal part of the Christopher Dryden story is the minister of Spurgeon Baptist Church, Chris Bell.  His outstanding efforts at relating to me, understanding me and allowing me to walk with him saved my life.

He is an inspirational preacher – and the best one I’ve ever heard not for his masterly scholarly work, or his extensive grasp of the English language, or for the passionately charismatic nature of his delivery. He is the best because he is brilliant at revealing deep things of Christ in a real, vulnerable, transparent, human way.  It has never failed to convict me of one thing or another, and that is the work of the Spirit, and that is the work that was allowed to take place because Chris opened himself to be used in this way.

I will definitely hanker after listening to him preach live again.  More than that, however, I will treasure the relationship that developed over the year and its impact in helping me get back to God.  He is a terrific man, a solid character and most importantly a child of God desperately seeking to follow His ways for His glory.  These are the hallmarks of a man worth following to get an idea of what it is to follow Christ.  I thank God for that experience in my brief sojourn here.

There is also thanks going to old friends who were very helpful to me here in Bletchley even though they lived elsewhere, namely Andy Kind, Rob Simmonite and Ritson Shields.  These men were very good to me in so many practical ways, I owe them much, but offer a token in thanks.  Also grateful to some new friends made here in Bletchley – Ricky Rew and Sue Buchanan were people with whom I began conversing  and made the start of what might have been truly blossoming relationships.  These are still much appreciated.

Thanks go to my brother, David, and his family who were big reasons for us moving down here in the first place.  In as much as there is a time and a season for everything and I don’t regret moving, I still think I might have missed an opportunity with my brother in my time here.  I wish I could have invested into him and his family more.  Nevertheless it was still brilliant visiting him from time to time and spending quality time with the man who remains the most important in my life.  Also engaging with his son, Joshua-Nathan was a delight.  With a beautiful wife in Nicola, David’s family is a precious part of ours and I certainly know that when the going got tough at times they were there for us like no other and I’m very much grateful to God for that.

It has been a fascinating time in my life here in Bletchley.  Plenty of memories and lessons to take with me for the next step.  But as I take that step I do reflect on God’s goodness to my family and to me here, and I offer much thanks for His goodness and faithfulness.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd