New

“Oh, how good, how pleasant is for Brothers to live together in harmony.” Psalm 133:1

It took weeks (in a London heat wave) to prepare for the 7th ICDF Conference about which I was very excited. It would be my first on home territory and this time I would not need to worry about excess baggage. I expected this conference to be similar to the other four at which I have been invited to teach and I believed I would be very busy with several sessions a day and no time to take on board the blessings I knew would be available.

Due to the fact that my teaching sessions were lighter and I actually had the free time I was able to soak in the atmosphere of over 300 excited worshippers all gathered in one hall. Some have said that they liked the 20 minute walk from the residence hall to the classroom because it afforded them time to fellowship. I preferred to share a cab with others or wait for a ride, but this made me a little late for one of the courses which I was keen to attend for the first time I five conferences. Sadly I was not allowed to attend the class due to being late and as I left I prayed that no one else would experience the disappointment if they too were late for a class because of the distance.

The music in my opinion was the best ever. Since my cultural style is Messianic I am often not touched by ‘choruses’ etc… but the music in this conference was so interesting, and I found myself wanting to sing along with the unfamiliar words. It’s hard to read an OHP while trying to lead Messianic circle dance! There was even a percussion section (requested by one of the teachers for her class demo). This was amazingly appropriate since this year my Network has taken Tambourine into its title and I got to ‘jam’ with the band, not only with my tambourine but also with all the Latin type instruments they had with them. Having played percussion with a Latino band in NY decades ago I not only knew what the instruments were called but how to play them and it ‘blew my mind’ to have the opportunity. I heard that the drum session touched many of the worshippers. Thanks CDBF for your choice of musicians.

The conference had opened with the only rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ I have ever enjoyed. Sorry, but I usually find it quite boring. Their arrangement of it had me wondering where they were going next and it was a musical adventure! The greatest blessing was that due to this great worship time I strongly felt the LORD’s presence and found myself being challenged with yet another area of my life that I needed to surrender to the LORD and grow closer to Him (does that ever stop?) So even right at the start I knew something special was happening to me and also to others as I have been told by many since the conference.

Almost as soon as I had returned I had a call from a dear man who had attended my classes and asked me how to get Men involved in Messianic Dance. I invited him and another member from his fellowship in London to stay with Paul and I and attend my NJD rehearsals and workshops to see our seven men already doing this! Bill and Emily had been greatly blessed by this conference and did not want it to stop. We had a wonderful four days together and they plan to come down from Northumberland often to continue their training to take Messianic Dance Worship all over their area.

I was particularly blessed by the Native American dancer. I have always identified with the suffering of ethnic peoples and on the last day she thanked the ICDF who gave her the opportunity to use her gift of cultural dance which is now discouraged among her people. I loved her joyful presentation dance and pray that she will continue to ‘sanctify’ it and teach it as worship of the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob instead of the gods for which it was originally intended (Deut 6:4). I know there were others who felt the same way.

I have received countless new ‘Facebook friends’ who have attended classes of mine and other teachers, and they too were blessed by the way the Conference was run and the intensely worshipful atmosphere, not only in the hall but all up and down the main street in St Andrew’s where the classrooms were situated. I have one comment for a ‘Steward’ who was so tired that she said all she wanted to do was sit on the beach nearby and regain her strength to go on. G-d encouraged her to attend my class and she said it did just that and she was blessed. It’s not about the class or my teaching but I always believe it is the heart of worship in all the attendees along with the scripture and Messianic music that makes this happen. When His presence is felt it is a combination of all these things. It brings the room to a standstill as they openly weep and pray on their faces before the LORD. This often happens when we do the dances I have with Tallit (prayer/worship shawls).

Thank you CDFB for so many opportunities to be part of these awesome moments and to make such good friends in the Conference.

I have also received many requests for the choreography notes of the dances not just from the classes but the evening presentations from dancers wanting to present them in their churches etc… in several countries. I am so excited when these ICDF and other Conferences allow people to take fresh ideas all over the world and spread the blessing. For those who were disappointed that I ran out of Messianic CDs of Chuck King and Israel’s Hope please contact me as you may be able to order then from me.

I expect, as with other conferences to hear from other worshippers for many years who have been trained and inspired by what they have seen and learnt and have been teaching themselves ever since. Satan hates ‘Praise and Worship’ and will do everything in his power to prevent it. The ICDF Conferences are doing an amazing job of promoting that very thing, Praise and Worship, and blessing worshippers all over the world.

‘Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit, says the LORD. (Zech 4:6)

Messianic Dance? Again?

There is forever the age old question of ‘what IS Messianic Dance?’ Even when I am not at a conference with hundreds of worshippers I get individuals asking me ‘online’, in phone calls and now on Facebook.

Of course I am not the last word on this and am biased. How many times I have gone to ‘Messianic’ meetings, fellowships, all day dance events where I have shared teaching and found that in my opinion the input was more Christian than Messianic. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if it’s advertised as Messianic I believe most would expect a Jewish or Hebraic feeling. That is why when I see a majority of Church (gentile) songs, dances & choruses at a Messianic event, although some like it (and why not) I feel G-d’s nourishment of the original Jewish ‘root’ has been diluted and those that have come for this particular nourishment, will go home hungry. (This is based on what I have been told many times).

I know of well-established and loved Messianic dance groups, yet when I share events with them or allow them to ‘show’ their dance at my workshops I have been embarrassed that I saw no Hebraic style dance or music at all in their offering, nice as it may have been it did not belong at a Messianic event.

That is why I stand by my somewhat biased opinion that Messianic dance must have a Hebraic flavour. I do not think I outlined it quite this clearly in my other letters or lectures. I am personally more blessed and touched spiritually by things of my culture (a theme the ICDF will understand?) Our music is ‘straight scripture’ and means so much more to me than the ‘feelings’ of a songwriter about his or her relationship with the LORD. I know there are others who feel as I do so I will always promote the Messianic dance and tambourine Network as something that has a Jewish theme. However I am aware that there are those who do not share this idea with me and it is their right to have their own opinions.

Tambourine Network

Some will not be aware that we now have Tambourine in the Network. In 2004 I felt the need to jog! (I KNOW! I don’t believe it either!) I do not use this word often but I HATE jogging with a passion, not an easy revelation for a mother of a U.S. Naval Officer marathon runner. Bottom line (no pun intended) I have to lose weight. I have given up my job as fitness Instructor, refused to pay gym fees and had to do something to keep fit. To ‘survive’ my jogging I started to pray. As I prayed I kept getting ideas of aerial patterns with Hebrew names! My arms and hands started to join in with the jogging. When I got back to the house I drew the picture and gave it a name. I ended up with about 16 patterns. My dear ‘long suffering’ husband purchased some software for our computer and after an entire summer of painstaking work we had the first ever Messianic Tambourine Book!

I have to give credit to the CDFPR (Puerto Rico)! Two years earlier I had taught with the help of our son Wilfred and his then fiancé Sarah (who translated from the Spanish for many American teachers in the Conference). A local teacher Luis Tolentino (Papa Pandero) took his class on the stage and floor in front of the stage, to show a routine based on the traditional patterns created by Margrate Yap. To see 150 men and women of all ages in their national dress of South American countries hitting their tambourines and spinning (on the spot), kneeling and jumping gave me ‘goose bumps’! (For those learning English… you know when something is so good that you get little bumps on your skin and ‘shake’ a little? We call that goose bumps!)

I knew immediately I HAD TO DO THAT! I was given a pattern book in Spanish and started to include those patterns into the presentation dances of my New Jerusalem dancers. The names of these patterns are Covenant, Joy, Trinity, Full gospel, Hope etc… There was one called Candelabra. I translated that not as candlestick but Menorah, making it ‘Jewish’. I believe that is when I go the vision of Messianic patterns with Hebrew names. But who’s got time for that? When G-d gives you a Vision he makes time for you to develop it! Hence the jogging. But thank G-d it didn’t last. My poor back couldn’t take it. I stopped once I got the patterns and guess what? I was given a bike right after that and have been a passionate all weather cyclist ever since, which really keeps me fit.

OK, so now you know. If you want to learn Messianic Tambourine patterns and get other ideas just get in touch. I actually taught these to a group of twenty four in Malaysia who were familiar with ‘reading’ the patterns and they astounded me by learning the dance by the second session (to Danza como David) and all of the ten patterns I used! We demonstrated on the last night. I’m sure if you want to see that dance the CDFM could help you with a DVD? Alternatively I am thinking of preparing a DVD if there is interest. The books are available now, see enclosed Order Form for details (or online on the NJD website).

Hebrew song on Snowdon

I have got a story that I was advised to include. It is also related to the CDFPR Conference! Immediately before flying out to Puerto Rico my family had a holiday in Wales. Our US Navy son had flown in from Annapolis, Maryland and was keen to run up Snowdon and back. Normally Paul and I would climb up at our own pace but I knew I would need all my energy for PR and did not want to have lactic acid build up (leg pains and often cramps) before I even got there. So reluctantly I took the little train. I noticed a man with a backpack with ‘IDF’ on it. I asked if he was with the Israeli Defence Force and found he was a Navy Pilot (exactly what our son was training for).

He and his wife and two sweet little girls were Yemenite Jews and since I was still working on new dances for my classes in PR, I had yet to attempt translation for a lovely Israeli dance called Tzur Michelo. The pilot’s face lit up and he told me it was a Shabbat dance. Loosely translated, ‘It’s Shabbat we have eaten our Oneg (fellowship meal) we have chatted and laughed and prayed, NOW LET’S DANCE!’ How appropriate!

Then as I hummed the tune all four of them started to sing this lovely song in Hebrew. We were travelling up one of the most beautiful mountains in the world taking in the beauty of His creation. After I told them about the CDFPR and that I was teaching there soon. Of course they asked ‘Why was a nice Jewish girl like me teaching at a Christian conference? What an opening! I carefully told them of my faith in the Jewish Messiah, but that I continued to be Observant to the Tenakh, keeping the Biblical Feasts including Shabbat, and that I had a Mezzuza on my door and our sons had their Bar Mitzvot at thirteen years old. Usually I would have been ‘cut off’ and asked to move away but I did not find that they were offended by this. I have often prayed that the conversation had an effect on their lives to seek the Messiah Yeshua.

Dance Notation

I have put this off for many years because I knew it would be time consuming but it will not go away! You keep asking!

First I can’t believe that there is not a recognised form of notation in use, however I have not seen this anywhere. What I have seen in other books, both in Israel and Messianic, is a mishmash of untidy sentences and steps from which we are supposed to learn a dance. My attention to detail is extremely developed but I have always had to re-write the notes in order to understand them. The MOST annoying and useless aspect is (if you can believe it) there is no timing offered!

What I mean is that in order to know how many beats that particular step requires you need to see a series of 8 counts down the side (or 3 for a waltz). I’ll give you an example. In Israel to dance a ‘hora’ step (not the 6 count dance) is 3 quick steps that you complete in 2 counts (step-ball-change). If there are no counts on the side you have no way of knowing how many beats you should fill and the whole dance will be off time and a mess. In my opinion anyone who makes money from a dance book WITH NO COUNTS are stealing from anxious beginners who will be completely lost. Sorry to be so severe but I have several books that I purchased at Conferences in the States and when I got home they made no sense at all, and I am an experienced and trained dancer! Even some of the ‘professional’ Israeli dance books I have are pretty useless for this reason. They are secular and simply for entertainment and fun. When it is in order to teach Worship it puts the need in a whole different category. Time used in the Kingdom to promote dance worship is precious. (Oy vey! don’t I know that!) and I/we have not got time to waste on books that just frustrate and do not bless. Not even to mention the waste of money!

Since the 2000 ICDF Conference in Australia, Cathy Wright has wanted a method of dance notes that works. Sorry for the delay Cathy! I have learned many recognised Messianic Interchangeable dances from the choreographers at Messianic Conferences in Philadelphia in the early ‘90’s and scribbled the moves down on note books in my own way. That is before I ever knew what Tcherkessia, Mayim, Hora or Yemenite steps are. (We weren’t even told that, no verbal cueing just a demo). It surprised me that I understood my notes when I got back and have since seen that it was correct because I later bought videos. At this time I will not ‘wax eloquent’ about videos where you have to be a contortionist to observe AND dance at the same time because they shot the teacher facing the camera instead of back to camera. I have even seen this in expensive highly professional videos from both the UK and USA.

I humbly offer my version of dance notations. Please let me know if you find it helpful. I do this in confidence because so many people have already said that they have understood my books and Videos so easily. Without that I would not have the confidence to do this. I already have two A4 pages of Messianic Dance Vocabulary which I have included in a recent newsletter, two dance books and my new Messianic Dance information book (all of these are available on request).

The following dance is one I use for Paul Wilbur’s ‘O Yeshua’

4x8 Introduction for sax
1x8 Rock R-L-(3 left crossovers) R/L (that means of course ‘right over left!’
1x4 Rock R-L-fwd R-bwd L-
5x8 feet tog. bend knees, cross wrists, click (all x2)
Chorus
1x8 Rock R-L (turn ACW) limp (like cross overs)
1x8 R chasse(step-tog.-step-touch)-L chasse(all x2)

Something else that helps which I have never seen in anyone else’s dance book is verbal cueing. This is verbal Cueing for ‘O Yeshua’

Right Rock Left cross and cross and cross and
Right Rock Left front back together and click
Chorus
Right Left cross turn cross turn cross turn
Right together Right touch Left together Left touch

In my opinion, when you teach without advanced verbal cueing you can’t possibly know what is next unless you are very advanced and have a well-developed ‘Neuro-muscular Response Pattern’. It is so simple. Just say what the step is or what the feet are doing. I receive many comments about how easy the books are mostly because of the verbal cueing! I had no idea it would be so helpful. It is due to my qualifications as a Fitness Instructor and class preparation and control courses. It works with Messianic dance too.

When I gave up a well-paid job to devote all my time to the family and the New Jerusalem Dancers and my workshops, I had no idea why we had sacrificed on a missionary salary to pay so much for these qualifications just to give it up after five years of teaching and management at a YMCA in London. Then during prayer one day I heard it SO clearly (I refuse to say ‘G-d told me’, sorry but I am always suspicious of those who love to throw that around). I heard ‘Because I want you to look after My people (worshippers)’ I am teaching safe warm up for Worshippers in many conferences (and languages!). So I hope this helps.

Past Events involving Messianic Dance

This year started with a TV gig which we were enjoying until the presenter interrupted our one hour session on the mike. He said we should repeat our last dance and the audience should join in our six minute dances to Paul Wilbur’s ‘Shouts of Joy!’ It’s all high impact and has several different things going on at all times! Er….NO! Moving on….

It was fun dancing at the birthday party of one of our newest members, Jonathan. His wife Ruth and daughter Hannah are also members. In fact I believe for that event Rachel and Daniel also danced with us. That’s the whole family. During our rehearsal the girls had worked with our granddaughter Chloe who like her Mother ‘decades’ ago is now dancing with us.

In May 2008 we enjoyed another Multi-Cultural day of Dance in Ashford, Kent. A secular event but most of the group have church connections. The hardest part was that we were to follow a ‘Christian Heavy Metal band’ (yes you heard me) with our beautiful Isaiah 53 Dance, which clearly shows the Messiah’s life and death in a sensitive way. As we sat with our fingers in our ears, (which incidentally did nothing to block the awful intensely loud torture). I had tears in my eyes praying about how I could bring the atmosphere back to one of worship (of the true G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). I could only see two in the vast audience sitting mostly on the grass, that were enjoying the Band as they excitedly banged their heads against a wall. One of our newest members echoed my heart by suggesting, with hand movements since we could not hear, a Bible reading. Our Narration book with all of Isaiah 53 was open on the podium, but since the words in our music were so obvious I had not intended to read it at the event. I knew most of the crowd were church goers because of their enthusiastic appreciation of what we had so far danced.

Now I am very funny about who reads our narrations and I always rehearse them before each event. Jonathan had not read for me before but I wanted a strong male presence and our other men are not comfortable reading in public. I offered a quick ‘Holy Telegram’ (G-d help us!) and went up with Jonathan as soon as the ‘band’ left the stage.

After a long pause for effect I said, ‘And now for something completely different’. They laughed and I said ‘Oh you CAN still hear then?’ I introduced Jonathan who gave a most beautiful reading of the scriptures while we were holding hands and praying backstage. The dance is ‘in yer face’ evangelistic and we had hoped to point the audience to the Messiah Yeshua. He ended the reading by suggesting they do not clap afterwards but quietly consider the words and message. (It’s in the narration page!) We completely ‘had them’ and no-one moved during our dance except to wipe tears away. Oh the power of anointed music and scripture! Not only did they clap but got on their feet to whistle and shout as we all fell into each other’s arms off-stage thankful to G-d that He was with up ‘spinning around in joy’ (Zeph 3:17) as we worshipped Him.

October of course brought the High Holy Days and for Sukkoth we were invited to one of my favourite London places. The ‘Tree of Life’ congregation have been friends of ours for many years and since it is close to where our daughter lives, Chloe came again to dance. They had erected a lovely ‘Booth’ and we had great fun entering the stage from under the Sukkah. Many joined us in our communal dances before and after the session, including Chloe’s brother Joshua.

2009

If you have read my last letters you will know how much I love working with other ethnic groups of the UK, especially Spanish Churches. Our dear friends the Giraldo’s held a celebration for the feast of Esther in March and we led communal dance and did several presentation dances and I got a chance to teach in Spanish again. Most of Paul Wilbur’s music is also in Spanish and I have copies of it all. It helps when you do not have to stop to translate all the words and they can clearly hear the scriptures in the song. We had with us Shira Sorko-Ram of the Maoz ministry in Tel Aviv. It was good to see her again and hear of the great work they are doing. We have known her for nineteen years.

In October actually on Simchah Torah, which is my favourite of all the Biblical Feasts, NJD danced in a local church Sukkoth celebration. This time we erected the Sukkah out in a courtyard. Halfway through one of my ‘readings’ about the Feast I remembered why it is not so easy to sit in a Sukkah to eat in the UK. A strong wind gushed and took the Sukkah up! It then crashed on its side and stayed that way till the end of the day. Our UK representative of Maoz, Dan Delap danced in his Chasidic outfit with our scrolls on his shoulders as the men danced around him. Just like the ‘Kottel’ (Western wall) in Israel we women danced on the other side.

Finally in 2009 our daughter had arranged a ‘Chrismukkah’ party at her Vineyard church in Essex and we joined the celebration with several dances and communal worship. After the dancing there were all the usual Hanukkah games and lots of good Israeli type food.

In between all of this was our normal monthly workshops, plus many varied workshops all over the UK and at least four annual overseas teaching trips, mostly to Venice. I have been working with a friend of many years, Lidia Gaiduk. She is bringing Dance Worship and her New Jerusalem show to Northern Italy and I enjoy my time with her and her co-worker Lena very much. In 1995 I went with Dan and Helen Delap (of UK Maoz ministry) to Milan to bring Messianic Dance Worship to Italy for what we believed was the first time. Later I think it was Maria Pia Flamini, the ICDF representative for Italy that continued to promote her style of Prophetic Dance (sorry I do not yet know what that means, but I enjoy watching her!) Then I had four invitations to Firenze with the memorable Lorenzo Lippi of Fede Esperanza Amore Church and their dance Conferences. Now there is a wonderful work going on all over Italy of Dance Worship!

I am always looking for reports from others involved in Messianic Dance. It will be included in the next letter so get your news to me!

May the TRUE LORD of the Dance Bless You!

Vera Chierico.

Previous Newsletter 2008

I am frequently asked about my travels and teaching and this will cover some but not all. However they have been a blessing and all are special.

The biggest challenge with every event has been that we have so many of our ‘long-term dancers leaving for several reasons and so many new dancers, most of whom have yet to learn our frequently used pieces. I will give a brief report on a few of our favourites. It is always special to be involved with Jews for Jesus because it is with them that I first experienced Messianic Dance.

In September 2005 we were invited to dance at their Rosh Ha Shana (New Year) celebration in London. We also got to meet again so many of our old friends from the past that do not live locally but try to attend J for J meetings. I was however slightly concerned that in their following mail out they showed a ‘photo’ of NJD dancing our Yemenite piece to ‘How I praise you’ (a track by Liberated Wailing Wall). The photo showed two of our older women and none of our then seven men or our younger dancers, all of whom were in our other dance to ’Isaiah 53’. I feel that dance should not be seen as something only for older women, but should encourage men and the young equally. However we will be pleased to dance for them again.

In November I taught again in Seville. It was so good to be with my friend Maite and her dancers again. I taught them on Friday night but on Saturday morning as we climbed the steps for the main workshops we were greeted by ankle deep water which even covered the plugs and wires. All who arrived automatically grabbed a mop, bucket or brush or went to local shop to get some and started mopping up. It took hours but I played Paul Wilbur CD’s in Spanish of course and we sang as we cleaned. After lunch we omitted the customary siesta to start dancing but soon a very drunk young man came in asking for money. I told Cesar that a man should deal with him not the women. He did just that as we waited for the Pastor to arrive. The rest of us prayed for the man. I prayed that G-d would break his heart and fill him with His Spirit. A few minutes later he broke down crying loudly. At that time I played Paul Wilbur’s ‘Kadosh (Holy) and we danced to it. Later I was told that he cried because he felt the presence of G-d from our music and dance!!! The ministry is never simply about just dance.

I loved the twelve hour train ride to Barcelona for the next event. It was even more special because Paul was flying in to dance with me and preach in the Sunday service In 2006 we gave a half hour presentation at Paul’s church in Peckham for an Israeli Evening Celebration. We had a great time also getting people up to worship with us but we all felt after that the message to ‘pray for the peace of Israel’(Psalm 122) did not get through, also the scripture about dance as worship.

Having lived three and a half years all over Italy I was overjoyed to be invited to teach at a church in Florence. I was a little concerned that since my Spanish had become so familiar I would not flow easily in Italian but as soon as I arrived it all came back. There were several teachers of all styles and aside from my Davidic classes I choreographed an Hebraic style dance for a production of a dear friend Lidia Gaiduk called New Jerusalem. It was amazing to see a church in Catholic Italy that was so familiar with Dance Worship. Also I finally met Maria Pia Flamini the ICDF representative for Italy who had arranged it all.

I have included a CDFB article on the ICDF conference in Malaysia. However it does not speak of the hassles I experienced with the Hotel due to the ‘Star of David’ on all my sales products. My table was quickly dismantled while Arabic men with their four or five wives stood watching me with hate in their eyes. I had to wheel my products from room to room for days as I taught until the organizers agreed I could safely display in the main auditorium. I had expected some issues since it is a Moslem country but it was good to have the support of many at the conference. It was attended by a leader of a Messianic Congregation in Indonesia who then flew with me for workshops in Jakarta. These were cultural experiences I will never forget and if you have ever been to SE Asia and know of the Durian fruit which you can smell a kilometer away I want to go on record to say I loved it!! My local friends were amused that I was eager to eat it since most westerners couldn’t stand the smell.

In September of ‘06 we danced at a weekend event organized by Ginny White called ‘Beyond the Fire’. We love to be with Ginny and her dancers and it was a pretty powerful time. I have included a report from the speaker of the event. It was also featured in the ‘Tent of David’.

A dear friend of ours gave Paul and I a trip to Israel in October and we taught our dances to the group on the shores of the Kinneret (Galilee). It was a highlight for us both because we do not often travel together in ministry.

In February 2007 I was so excited to be involved with a wonderful Spanish speaking church right in the heart of London just off Oxford Street. Or course I got to teach the workshop in Spanish, which I love to do, and I got the help of our contact London City Missionary Jose Dominguez with our Narrations which he read translating into Spanish. We just loved their Latin rhythm worship songs and got to lead our Messianic dances to it at the front but also around the room. I loved it so much I went back to visit them weeks later, if they were closer I would go often. After that event I had several bookings of dance and speaking in churches but as mentioned in the personal page I kept most of the summer free for my family.

The High Holy days brought three bookings of NJD presentations within three weeks of each other. It was a very stressful time of organizing and weekends away but all were Messianic events and so vital to our visions.

At this moment NJD are having intense discussions about our future due to both Paul and I having more commitments that are taking us away from home. I anticipate getting more help from the group in the next three booking we have to see if we can continue if I do get that help. The heart of the work is in teaching others to worship not in presentations although we do have a vital role in that area in the UK. I want NJD to attend and present at the ICDF conference in Scotland next year so that they can experience what I have since 1997. It is awesome to be with 500 or more dance worshippers for 8 days in these events and it is the closest since I have been involved.

I hope to see you there.

Personal Page

Although some have questioned the need for this page, I still get calls and emails asking why they have not had news of me and the family for so long. Therefore if you have no interest, skip this. That way I may please everyone. I can no longer bear the guilt of two years without communication!

In 2006 I seemed to travel almost every month, then spent two weeks unwinding and catching up with my expanding workload, then the next two weeks preparing for yet another completely different ministry trip. I even suggested to NJD that I might need to ease up on our presentation bookings. It was a blessing that they refused to allow that and offered to take on more responsibility to ease my load. I am so blessed by those who have done just that.

I will pick up where I left of in summer ’05 when our whole family and many on Paul’s side, from several states came together in Annapolis for the graduation of our eldest son Paulstephen from the United States Naval Academy. It was made even more special by his wedding to Peggy Ann the next day.

In April ’06 our fourth grandchild was born to our youngest, Wilfred and his wife Sarah who live in Liverpool where he is a policeman. We got up there to see Grace after a few weeks; she looked just like her father when he was small.

In December ’06 I had surgery related to my lifelong IBS problems. At that point and after a lifetime of investigations no one could tell me why I was having problems. I couldn’t do much for a month or so and it was made worse nine days later when Paul’s on and off knee pain was so bad that it swelled to almost twice the size. Neither of us could deal with basic needs like shopping, laundry and housework. He was in two separate casts for months. With slow improvement he was able to once again ride his bike to work, which strengthens it. Then he slipped on a step at London Bridge. For that he spent almost all summer on crutches. Due to the Warfarin (blood thinner) he takes since his ‘valve replacement’ in 1999 surgery is always the last option.

Then followed much sickness in 2007; with our son in hospital in the Canaries, and the same month his ten-month-old daughter in hospital in Prague. Then I got the results of a procedure, which showed that I have Diverticular Disease; (an advanced version of Diverticulitis, which is quite common.) After decades of pain I now know what to do to prevent discomfort. It means I carry certain foods with me when I travel, which is a great help.

In February ’07 Paul took on a new job, this time at HQ of London City Mission. For most of the year this required him to be away from home often 3 to 5 days each week all over this beautiful country and he felt the only way we can survive is if I go with him. My bookings are 6 to 8 months ahead so at first we hardly saw each other. This was sad because in August we were to celebrate 30 years of marriage not to mention a ‘big zero ending birthday’ for me. For that all our kids, spouses and grandchildren came together for the week of my birthday, which was lovely if not somewhat stressful!! It was necessary for the first time in over ten years to keep July and August free of ministry for the celebrations. Our kids presented me with an iPod. It will be such a blessing because of all the music I need when I teach overseas.

The same summer I got to spend a day as a judge for ‘Penge in Bloom’ because I had been nominated by neighbours for my gardens and won 2nd prize in 3 categories. The front is beach inspired and the back is a food producing ‘kitchen garden’. I then took my ‘Italo Americano’ husband to his ancestral homeland for eight days to celebrate our anniversary. We visited Florence (for art), Rimini (for the Adriatic) and Venice (for Venice!!) It was the trip of a lifetime and we will never forget it. After many Messianic events I am finally back on my bike, a ‘Specialized Rockhopper’ and getting back in shape for the many gigs ahead.

In December, I finally got referral to a specialist that I have been pushing for and found that I have Osteoarthritis. He is sending me for an MRI (scan) to see why I have experienced spasms and cramps for so long, more than 20 years. I am determined not to live on painkillers and plan to keep as active as I can. Cycling, dancing (a weekly Salsa class) so I can continue the ministry and care for my garden. We still enjoy having our grandkids over for one or two ‘sleeps’ when we can.

In November we visited my mother who is 90 and lives independently in Blackpool. After that we drove to cook Thanksgiving dinner for Wilfred’s family. Since our kids and their children are all U.S. Citizens I have always celebrated this lovely holiday with them. When we got back I did it all over again for Natasha and family. They live one hour away in North London. Natasha is spending more time with horses now that David (4 ½) is in primary school: The same one as Chloe (10) and Joshua (8). Wilfred will be very busy this year since Liverpool is ‘Cultural City of 2008’. They will need to Police so many events and he cannot get time off. He and Sarah will however visit California in March to see his ‘bro’. Finally Paulstephen, who is now with the ‘Seabees’ in California as a Lieutenant junior grade will be deployed in April. He will spend 6 months in Iraq, after which he and Peggy Ann will come to the U.K.

We all look forward to that great day.

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Remember G–d loves to see His Children
living in Harmony. Psalm 133

Blessings and Shalom,

Vera Chierico

New Jerusalem Dancers, c/o Vera Chierico,
38 Kenilworth Road, London
SE20 7QG
Telephone (020) 8778 9333
E-Mail; vera@chierico.com
NJD Website – www.angelfire.com/ia/njd

Check out the ICDF website too! www.icdf.com

Jerusalem Christian

Dancers Dance