tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357881972011-12-08T14:10:44.734ZRob, Joanie, Holly, and Katie Dingman are Calvary Chapel missionaries, living and working in London, EnglandRob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.comBlogger871100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-21975866033326367782011-12-08T13:58:00.001Z2011-12-08T14:06:43.134Z

The apple tree is behind the chair. At the end of the season we can store the apples outside. The birds don't peck them and the ants don't find them. In the center: the apple known as The Cannonball. I put other things around it to give some size perspective. But my camera has a wide-angle lens and makes it look smaller. Believe me, it was massive. We have a mess of an apple tree in the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-15994215114096515512011-12-08T13:50:00.001Z2011-12-08T13:57:57.846Z

We tried to look large and protesty on the street opposite the Iranian Embassy. We did what we could, but what effect did we have? The Lord is the one who can save life and bless obedience to the death. Here on the backstreets of Knightsbridge is a quaint house and a hot car. Makes you curious who lives there, doesn't it? It was nice to have a place like the Catholic Cathedral to sit in

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-29909992272482635972011-12-08T13:42:00.001Z2011-12-08T13:49:24.025Z

Joanie begins cutting the birthday feast. Our friend Alexandra invited the family to her place for my birthday. She cooked, we talked together, we had a wonderful family time. Then we had to get going to be home in time for the prayer meeting. Alexandra is almost like a mother to us. We really appreciate having family away from home. 

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-4332196750808316902011-12-03T11:26:00.001Z2011-12-03T11:43:23.498Z

We parked the car on the lane outside Osterley Park and walked in to the house. The front of the house is impressive, but you enter through a little door in the cellar on the right side of the house. An attendant in purple explains the Chinese junk model to the girls. My sweethearts took a break on a bench in the stairwell. The strain is already taking its toll on the young ones.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-91534555597132345422011-12-03T10:56:00.001Z2011-12-03T10:59:30.027Z

There's no way to really get a sense of how big this bass is.The neck is like a baseball bat. When Joanie went to the Surrey Arts Instrument Hire to pick up a cello for Katie, she saw a plethora of violins, violas, and other string instruments, stacked on racks to the ceiling, and leaning in corners. “My husband would be very interested in those double basses you have,” she told the young

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-20632904397224293812011-11-04T15:08:00.000Z2011-11-04T15:08:13.727Z

Joanie looked through the gates leading to the main entrance tothe castle. That's as far as she got. Holly and Katie made themselves at home on the warm grass. Not a bad little place to throw some Frisbee. This is us beating a hasty retreat before it rains on us again.  It was right here before the gates of Windsor Castle that we all found a place to rest, to lie down, to play for a

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-66505415310582470312011-11-04T14:57:00.000Z2011-11-04T14:57:11.317Z

As we walked along the streets of Windsor looking for the park, we passed this brick house painted blue. Everything else looks historic, imperial, England-y. And then there is this house. Someone evidently said, “I want this painted blue!” And so it was. Actually this is the nation that gave the world Hobbits. There is a strong streak of individualism, of marching to the sound of a

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-57380269720640216382011-11-04T14:55:00.000Z2011-11-04T14:55:15.928Z

The daughter of a friend in Siegen, Germany, came to stay with us for a couple of weeks in September. We looked at what we could do. One of those things turned out to be checking out the scene in Windsor, where the Queen has a castle.  When we got to Windsor, we ate lunch. The only place we could find with a table was a kiddie playground. The table was very low to the ground. So low was

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-52402871557377073942011-11-04T14:53:00.000Z2011-11-04T14:53:34.205Z

Elliot sets the mic for Mike' vocal, as Mike sits and plays the cajon. Here’s a quick pic of what typically goes on during a church setup. Elliot Wilsher (left)is the soundman par excellence: he takes as much pains to make sure the sound is right for the musicians as for the congregation. Mike Ragrag (right) sings and plays cajon with one group, and leads another group with piano. 

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-85837495067381152952011-11-04T14:50:00.000Z2011-11-04T14:50:14.025Z

Joanie shows Liz and Zeebondeh photos as Yvonne, Alexandraand Helen wait for their turn. The 25th of August was our last night to have the Bible study at Stone Willy’s Pizza. It came to a sudden end. That very night Reza told me the restaurant was sold, that night was the last. Even then we experienced miracles. Somehow I had forgotten to bring the PA head with me, that would amplify the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-53705239124747479492011-11-04T14:46:00.000Z2011-11-04T14:46:24.613Z

Joanie grabs a quick phone shot of Bob and Jeanneon the grass in front of the house. Bob & Jeanne Claycamp came to visit us the weekend we got back from Austria (August 21). He started a Calvary Chapel in Phoenix, Arizona some thirty years ago. He recently turned it over to his son and joined Poimen Ministries, a group of similar pastors who have retired from their churches and now travel at

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-12485248645515737242011-09-22T13:13:00.000Z2011-09-22T13:13:42.935Z

Joanie and I were looking forward to the fellowship and input from the Missions Conference. It started directly after Creation Fest, so we came home early, did some laundry, and repacked.  We flew to Munich, Germany, to pick up a rental car and drive the rest of the way to Millstatt, Austria. This first picture is Holly and Katie at a rest stop before one of the five-kilometer tunnels

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-89404121751126658842011-09-22T13:10:00.003Z2011-09-22T13:10:35.073Z

We got to stay in a local bed and breakfast for the conference. The girls got their own room, but had to sleep in the same (huge) bed. They moved happily into the large wardrobes from their suitcase.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-46344240626522667432011-09-22T13:09:00.000Z2011-09-22T13:09:14.658Z

Right outside our bed & breakfast window was Lake Millstatt, the Austrian Alps, the amazing houses and a lovely morning. This is not to say that it was placid the whole time. The weather changes often and quickly. So while you have a chance, take a picture.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-22359681641292438862011-09-22T13:07:00.001Z2011-09-22T13:08:02.566Z

Joanie reads her Bible in our slightly palatial room. Not quite Motel 6, by a long shot.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-90807344196284655622011-09-22T13:05:00.000Z2011-09-22T13:05:44.279Z

The owner of the bed & breakfast was learning to sing opera. He had two Bösendorfer pianos in his house. That means he takes his music seriously. He performed a concert for several of the guests during the week.  Holly got a chance to try one out and see if she liked it. Her verdict?  She wouldn’t mind if someone gave her one.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-26097216857747433632011-09-22T13:03:00.000Z2011-09-22T13:03:07.726Z

During the week the men and women were split into groups. Joanie helped with the women’s meetings. Rob taught one of the men’s sessions. The men also had time for certain ones to share about their work, how God led them, so we could pray for them. Here Dave Sylvester is about to introduce another speaker. As we listened to the men share about what God is doing with them, we marveled. It

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-33694672267606309412011-09-22T13:00:00.001Z2011-09-22T13:00:43.206Z

The missionaries meet mornings and evenings for worship and teaching. Both Joanie and I did some of the worship. Others involved were Riley Taylor, on piano and guitar, and his brother Nick on bass. Pictured here is one evening when Riley had arranged for violinists to augment his ensemble.  The musicians are standing on the infamous platform in the meeting room. The back wall is curved,

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-92094059072354787592011-09-22T12:58:00.000Z2011-09-22T12:58:12.027Z

One thing that can happen at a missions conference is that a pastor is ordained. There are enough pastors there to pray, and it’s a good time while we are all gathered together. Daniel Flores and his family have started a work in Lyon, France. Before he did that he had worked with Pierre Petrignani in Nice (on the far left), and came out from Wayne Taylor’s church in Seattle (Wayne is

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-68652563751474419032011-09-22T12:48:00.001Z2011-09-22T12:48:14.052Z

Did we have fun at the conference? Sure we did! Right up until the last leg of the drive to the airport in Munich. Then time stopped, and we crawled along in traffic, while a whopping storm blew up. It was right over the airport, and we would fly right into it. We kept watching the time, praying for God to split the traffic like He split the Red Sea. While not as dramatic as in Exodus, God

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-48343923741063627732011-09-22T12:44:00.001Z2011-09-22T12:44:55.267Z

Yes, sunny skies, tranquil, with a gentle breeze. But wait! This is Heathrow Airport in London! Are we really home?  Well, as I said earlier, when it’s nice, you take a picture of it. The weather was deceptive. Even though it was nice, we came back to work like crazy, like the hill went straight up. A reminder that what we do is essentially warfare, and not a Fabulous English Vacation.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-49982363422948123142011-08-12T22:13:00.000Z2011-08-12T22:13:20.367Z

We arrive to inspect our home for the next week. How does it work, honey? Our friends the Kottmans stayed in a tent. We were glad we had steel walls for this dark and stormy night. Katie, left, dances with Karissa and Bethany. Inside it was a tight fit, but we could make good use of the space for hanging out at lunchtime. When the weather was good, it was VERY good. And when

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-37950663206066128732011-08-12T22:01:00.000Z2011-08-12T22:01:03.794Z

I sold books, but by far the biggest sellers were the glow sticks for the kids. The reason we went to Creation Fest was to volunteer to help. A group from our church was going to work as the Welcome Team, right at the entrance to the Fest. Another group headed by Joanie was going to man the Information Table at the entrance to the Shed, the large main building where the groups would play.  I

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-24622396969446101772011-08-12T21:57:00.000Z2011-08-12T21:57:43.353Z

I snuck backstage to get closer to Gungor. One group stuck out to me at the Creation Fest this year. With a name like “Gungor”, you don’t know what to expect, maybe a bunch of barbarians? I was intrigued when I learned people had come to the Fest because they heard Gungor would be there. During the sound check I was at the Information Table around the corner from the main stage. I heard a

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-92167677914981886642011-08-12T21:55:00.000Z2011-08-12T21:55:00.111Z

Katie and Holly try to acclimate our bird Sparky to the great out-of doors. At least we didn't lose him. Like every family, we have our good sides and our bad sides. We like us a lot. That’s good. We don’t know what to do for a day off. That’s bad. I think it’s genetic. I know I’m fun-impaired. But even Joanie and I can get out of the house and DO something. Many times our girls don’t want to

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-3283210703584938002011-07-19T16:02:00.000Z2011-07-19T16:02:29.806Z

Mike, Ian, and Austen at Stone Willy's, while regular customer Phil looks on. He eventually stayed the whole night. It was a great time of making contact with people. From left, Mike on cajon, Allie on vocals, Ian and Austen, guitar and vocals. On the street in Twickenham. I used to play in a ministry band called Robert Case Band. We travelled a lot. That’s how I got out of the United States

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-40680169804703553732011-06-17T15:22:00.000Z2011-06-17T15:22:01.604Z

The Bible study regulars quickly adapt to a new format. It’s funny how things develop. A friend convinced me to start a Bible study in Maidenhead. Then I started doing the same book (Revelation) in Hampton. Then I thought, “This book is hardly ever looked at in England. I would love to go public on this.” That led to moving the study to the Hampton Methodist Church and putting up signs around

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-38425118709803028262011-06-17T15:02:00.001Z2011-06-17T15:03:59.681Z

The patient calmly awaits the call to do the procedure. He is correctly wearing the hospital gown. My father in law noticed what I thought was a slow healing wound on my neck. “I think you ought to have that looked at,” he warned. It was January; I was in Seattle. It would have to wait until I got back in February. Back in England, I made an appointment for an examination, and learned that it

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-22006979772854528282011-05-13T18:03:00.000Z2011-05-13T18:03:30.161Z

Nice day, nice girls. Joanie had a women’s retreat in Siegen, Germany, May 6-9. And that meant I was Parental Unit for the weekend. Which I did not mind in the least. I love my girlies. We had fun just sitting out in our therapeutic backyard, soaking in something so uncharacteristic for England: sun. You can see my right shoe at the bottom of the pic. We also did errands, walked around Ashford

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-21047790399006848402011-05-13T17:57:00.000Z2011-05-13T17:57:43.629Z

Holly and Dave wait for dinner in the backyard. My older brother Dave got to visit us for the second time this year.  He works for an engineering firm that makes hardware to function with its intended software. He had meetings in Dublin, so he thought he would first fly to us and get over jetlag. So for five days, April 27-May 1, he visited and basically relaxed around the house. I think it

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-74327980984880508282011-05-13T17:53:00.000Z2011-05-13T17:53:34.662Z

My office: effect pedals, amplifier, guitar, yes, and some books. All my guitars are a miracle. God found them for me.  Look at that left-handed guitar there in the picture. It was given to me by Luis Toro, guitarist for Universal Royalty. Somebody gave it to him. He said wow, thanks, and then noticed that it was left-handed. He couldn’t play it. He said, this guitar should go to Rob Dingman. 

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-49720366130442854242011-04-14T12:30:00.002Z2011-04-14T12:50:47.822Z

Colin enjoys his after-study chat with Andrea, while Melvin wraps his Bible in a bag and Adam listens in. Rebecca tells Joanie about her upcoming US trip. Colin Smith has long wanted a Bible study out in his area, which is Twyford. He lives in a great nether region between London and Reading, north of the M4 motorway that heads west from London. He wants to drag people to church to hear the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-63659129261988713722011-04-13T16:07:00.001Z2011-04-14T12:33:10.802Z

I said earlier we went home to do our weekend thing. That means church, but my weekend was not the usual thing. After a full service I went home, ate lunch in ten minutes, and got in the car to drive to Norbury. That’s out Streatham way. There is a Calvary Chapel there, and the services are done in Punjabi and Urdu. Its pastor, Ilyas Mughal, had asked me on Friday to teach for him. He had to

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-43543460424610141832011-04-13T16:03:00.001Z2011-04-14T12:46:03.990Z

Creation Fest planning meeting at my house. Just last week Brian Brodersen visited England. He had a packed schedule; he likes to see as many people and do as much as he has time for. So he went to Oxford for the Teach the Word conference. Monday he visited Bristol, where a new work is being planted. On Tuesday following we met for a Creation Fest planning session. That evening he taught the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-43147759967658813312011-04-13T15:51:00.000Z2011-04-13T15:51:35.942Z

I forgot to add: after we were sworn in and became real Brits, we went out to celebrate. Where did we go? Why, where real Brits go to celebrate, of course. We went to a French patisserie. Mental, innit?

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-61054127374554005802011-04-13T15:44:00.000Z2011-04-13T15:44:05.462Z

On March 2 Joanie and I attended our citizenship ceremony to be sworn in as British citizens. The girls had already received theirs. The government does not require minors to take an oath. We waited some time at the registrar’s office in Richmond until the start of the ceremony. Then we were ushered into a room large enough for us to sit in the front and guests to sit behind us. The official

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-51609704064155150712011-04-13T15:39:00.003Z2011-04-14T12:36:14.882Z

I’m still trying to catch up with life since returning to England in February. I gave up trying to post the whole US trip here. I put the pics with a little commentary on my Facebook page. So let's move on with some February news. One of the things that made it easier to return was knowing my brother Dave was going to visit us soon after. He had a trade show in Barcelona to attend. After that

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-6608349668392098012011-03-05T13:16:00.000Z2011-03-05T13:16:10.712Z

When we got in to Seattle, we went to my parents' house. Christmas is also my mother's birthday. Two years ago we tried to arrive early enough to actually see Mom on Christmas day. This time we made it.  She was in good spirits and so-so health. During the January visit she was in the hospital three times. But she keeps plugging. She is fragile on one hand and resilient on the other. She is the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-42005158618237011292011-03-05T13:11:00.000Z2011-03-05T13:11:14.328Z

Bellevue is the city of my youth. I can tell you it never looked like this when I was a kid. Our first time to drive through town revealed several buildings serving Microsoft and a Neiman Marcus next to the Louis Vuitton store. "Upscale" is kind of a weak word for it. Not that we shopped there. But we did get some things while we were in town. Part of a missionary visit is shopping for things

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-1190000524247033932011-03-05T12:56:00.000Z2011-03-05T12:56:31.589Z

We're going to catch up on things in December, January, February, and also March. The week before we left for Seattle in December we had a snow that shut down Heathrow Airport for several days. There was some question of whether we would fly, but December 25 came, and we flew on schedule. We were even upgraded to business class, a nice Christmas present from British Airlines. Here a lone

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-85881440034514183172010-11-19T17:26:00.000Z2010-11-19T17:26:52.386Z

One reason I haven't written is there is nothing visible going on. I have been marriage counseling, visiting terminal patients, and teaching guys to read, pray, study, meditate on Friday and Sunday nights. I'm getting people ready to take the church while I'm gone in January. It's just nothing you can take a picture of and say, "See? This is what's happening." Just me at the local Tesco

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-1743234856347801262010-11-19T17:24:00.002Z2010-11-19T17:24:50.819Z

Joanie and I met Andrea Kölsch in 1989 as we were doing outreach with Robert Case Band to help start Calvary Chapel Siegen. She was a student in a high school. When we moved to Germany in 1990 we found she was part of the Bible study group. When I started teaching the midweek study, she was one of nine young people listening. She was musical even then, and was already playing the guitar. As we

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-38997142545564596742010-10-22T11:33:00.000Z2010-10-22T11:33:30.258Z

It was sunny, but it was cold in Bushy Park. Joanie adjusts Katie's hat to keep her warm. Holly zips up. Like I said, it were cold. When I got home from South Africa Joanie and I went to a coffee shop and began downloading. When we got home we began a hugfest that continues two days later. We are deliriously glad to be together again. So much so that we went to Bushy Park just because it was a

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-53511877793306404082010-10-22T11:18:00.000Z2010-10-22T11:18:07.108Z

Flying over AfricaEach time I have been to South Africa I have been like those who dream. I thought I was lucky just to be there. It has worked out that each time I have been asked to contribute, though I was not part of the official schedule. I show up, I do whatever I'm asked to do, and I think, "That was great but it'll never happen again." So I was amazed to be asked once more to contribute

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-73459672117169394482010-10-02T11:18:00.006Z2010-12-03T11:47:59.724Z

Stefanie Sugdon at her baptism in February of this year. Our friend with advanced Parkinson's Disease hadn't been to church in five weeks. When I got back from Mallorca I determined I would visit her and see how she was doing. She told me through her vocalizing device that she had been in Dorchester Hospital for a week with pneumonia. Harry, her friend who had been helping her come to

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-10418647499768370572010-10-02T11:09:00.002Z2010-10-02T11:18:50.321Z

The Mallorca Bible School students and faculty, on our day off. Rafael Manzanares called me up Monday: "Man, I could use you on a plane here tonight." Rafael was asking me to teach a concentrated class on Philippians at the Bible School at Santa Ponsa, Mallorca. He had lost a couple of teachers at the last minute. He also had fourteen paying students signed up for Philippians. His plan was

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-21734511260516876152010-09-16T16:06:00.002Z2010-09-27T17:32:56.049Z

I've been on the Spanish island of Mallorca for the last two weeks, teaching Philippians. While I am gone I've been in touch with the girls via Skype. When I have time in the morning I get to see my loves. I finished the class today. I think the Lord blessed greatly. Tomorrow I fly home to pick up the pieces of my life, what I should have been doing while I've been filling in for another

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-64278084531761462832010-08-20T15:07:00.001Z2010-08-20T15:12:49.493Z

Right in the center, Vicki has entered, and Ben steps forward to receive her. They were married under a Jewish canopy, which turned out to be a good thing for them. See those clouds? They are minutes away from letting loose. Ben Romaner is Jewish, newly come to faith in Jesus the Messiah. His fiancee Vicki Warren is Gentile. It caused some tension and concern in Ben's family. Wanting to

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-1124729846290433572010-08-20T14:48:00.002Z2010-08-20T15:09:03.022Z

The bandwithnoname rocks in the Main Shed. Lots more people attending than 2009. Creation Fest 2010 involved a lot more volunteers than last year. A team from Calvary Twickenham came to staff the Welcome team at the gate and also the Information Desk in the Main Shed. Everyone had a great time, and they worked very hard to make things happen. Colin, Adam and Alan, the Welcome team, worked some

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-35848030300988852932010-08-20T14:25:00.005Z2010-08-20T15:15:46.757Z

It's evening time. The girls play as Joanie harvests more vegetables from our garden in the back. We have a pumpkin, and some beans, tomatoes, raspberries, and apples, both cooking and eating. The big tree in the back is the cooking apple tree. Now it's the next day. Here's the other end of the garden, with the eating apple tree on the left, almost ready for harvesting. Give it two more weeks

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-55231082637710789532010-07-23T16:22:00.000Z2010-07-23T16:22:42.139Z

Out in the front of the house is a hill on which a fort was built in the Iron Age. Our friends in Seattle, Kurt and Deb Oglesby, were following their youngest daughter on her trip to Wales with the Seattle Children's Chorus. The Chorus was competing in the Eisteddfod, an international music festival in existence since 1947.  They asked us if we would want to come along and travel with them. Yow!

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-27427968318390799922010-07-23T16:05:00.000Z2010-07-23T16:05:25.523Z

Antonye, left, surveys the wondrous load with Landon, center, and David, right. July 5 the container packed in the US by Antonye Holyde was delivered to my house. What does a family take with them to a new country? Many musical instruments, including a grand piano and a double bass. It was a time for rediscovery, having forgotten most of what he had put into the container months ago. How do you

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-55290256094741399172010-06-26T16:09:00.000Z2010-06-26T16:09:33.457Z

Now that Colin McLean is in England, the organization of the Creation Fest is in high gear. From Launceston, Cornwall Phil Pechonis called a conference to inform us Londoners of the latest developments, and what things needed prayer. We were going to have a Skype conference, then decided on iChat. At first I was going to be at home. Then I got the chance to be over at Elliot Wilsher's. For the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-4697747656147532292010-06-26T16:05:00.003Z2010-06-26T16:10:03.055Z

Every month the Calvary pastors in London meet to pray with and for one another. We meet at the Starbucks at London Waterloo station at 8:30 on a Saturday morning. We wait till 9 till everybody shows up. Then we go across the street and down a ways to a Church of England called St John the Evangelist. They have been letting us pray there for more than a couple of years now. It's a quiet place, it

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-61478366106430838062010-06-26T16:02:00.000Z2010-06-26T16:02:17.270Z

Katie was playing with scarves while we reading bedtime story a few nights ago. She was giggling over this foofy hair style she came up with. I put the book down to document one evening's silliness and one pretty girl.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-20166923645157070632010-06-26T16:00:00.001Z2010-06-26T16:22:36.742Z

I was out on the Common reading my Bible in the morning, and I saw the clouds sweeping across the sky to my right. The blue sky replaced the clouds, the sun came out behind me, and I marveled as a sunny day took over from the overcast. Summer just showed up.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-68705368908482400852010-06-03T18:31:00.000Z2010-06-03T18:31:32.745Z

Most people celebrate Christmas in December. When Joanie's parents visit, it's like Christmas as long as they are here. However, all good things come to an end. They leave for Seattle tomorrow, and all the fun will be over. For our last trip together we visited Eastbourne, south and east of London. The drive was an hour and a half. We first came to The Long Man of Wilmington, a hugh hill figure

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-33196317754004999972010-06-03T18:16:00.000Z2010-06-03T18:16:25.216Z

Left to right: Peng, Audrie, Simone, Rob, Philomena, Gwen, Alistair, Marshall, Dan, Deb, Debbie, Rehe, Justin. Last Friday I taught the final Study and Teach class in Canary Wharf. The inconsistent attendance made me question what I was accomplishing with this series.  I know several of the students were truly touched and encouraged by the Lord. One student has made real improvement in her

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-69054751085291725972010-06-03T16:44:00.000Z2010-06-03T16:44:14.172Z

Mr. Buckmaster demonstrates the new song for Holly to learn. Holly had been plunking out some songs on the electric keyboard we have, teaching herself to play. Finally we asked if she would want real lessons. She did, and after prayer and inquiries we found Philip Buckmaster, a Baroque musician who lives in the area. She has been going weekly and has been learning steadily. She practices at

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-5598784776668498712010-06-03T16:39:00.000Z2010-06-03T16:39:03.888Z

Katie aims high while Holly is temporarily sidelined with a jammed finger. The girls have wanted to shoot hoops for a long time. As we were looking for summery things for the girls at a Sports Direct store in Kingston we saw a drum full of basketballs. We got one. When Joanie was away at the pastors' wives retreat the girls asked if we could go and shoot baskets. We took off on our bikes to go

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-33376278176212994912010-05-21T18:22:00.002Z2010-05-22T15:40:49.595Z

Antonye calls his bank in the U.S. after they freeze his account for unusual and suspicious activity. Somebody was using his card in London, England, of all places. It didn't help that he told them what he was doing before he did it. You can't beat a modern bank for service. For two weeks I have been helping Antonye Holyde, his family, and his team get established in Hampstead, a northern part

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-45996790610734941552010-05-10T16:31:00.002Z2010-05-10T16:34:28.424Z

Joanie's parents came Thursday, May 6. It's like Christmas to have Dick and Helen with us. They help with the cooking, with the church on Sunday, and they are just fun to be around. On our day off we had lunch at the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park. This park has 200-year old rhododendrons, ponds, streams, ducks, and lots of plants in bloom. Katie is using my old Nikon point-and-shoot

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-46086161935471297082010-05-10T16:26:00.001Z2010-05-10T16:27:35.003Z

Spring is coming slowly this year, after the coldest winter in 50 years. This was taken out in our backyard last night. Looks warm, doesn't it? But it's still cold enough to freeze you in the morning.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-77936671608055529462010-05-10T16:24:00.001Z2010-05-10T16:32:56.489Z

Monday, May 3, we helped the Antonye Holyde family land, store 16 checked luggage, and get to their hotel. They have moved to England to start a Calvary Chapel in the Camden Town area of London. We had their daughters Chanté and Ruthie for the weekend while they looked for a house to rent. Sunday they came to church. Afterwards we invited them and a few friends over for food at our house, making

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-44882289764401119742010-05-10T16:21:00.000Z2010-05-10T16:21:02.060Z

Last Wednesday I met with the leaders of Creation Fest for a planning meeting. New site manager Colin McLean (pictured left) had come from the U.S. the week before to see the Royal Cornwall Showgrounds, where the Fest would take place in August, and meet with workers for the Fest in Cornwall and in London. The last meeting took place at the Calvary Chapel Radio offices in Bromley, on the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-61251791376443623642010-05-10T16:16:00.000Z2010-05-10T16:16:53.462Z

Prior to Joanie's parents' coming we had to get some things at Ikea, nobody's idea of A Grand Day Out. Holly is giving me the "Are we done faffing around, Dad?" look, while Katie can have fun anywhere.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-10036106332352985572010-05-10T16:13:00.001Z2010-05-10T16:13:43.944Z

The significance of these jet streams is that they were the first seen in the sky since the airspace over England was shut for the Iceland volcano. I came out of the house one cold morning and it blindingly announced: "They're back!"

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-37737406668930990582010-04-21T21:48:00.001Z2010-04-21T22:02:23.587Z

After a day of getting things accomplished, Sveinbjörn had a relaxing lunch at our home. Last Friday was the men's meeting. The first man came right on time at 7:30; he is definitely old school as far as being prompt. The second came about 8:30, straight from work with dinner. He ate and we talked. At 9:20 the doorbell rang again. Who in the world would come to the meeting this late? I opened

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-39902993725434777082010-04-05T16:35:00.005Z2010-04-05T16:51:51.476Z

I was so busy teaching the material I neglected to take a good photo of the class. We meet in the prayer room in one of the buildings of Canary Wharf. The students discuss and clean up the room after class.This particular day I was taking a roundabout way to Canary Wharf. The easiest way was shut down for engineering works. I had to take a train, an underground, and the Docklands Light Railway to

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-36967048161831141072010-04-01T12:13:00.004Z2010-04-01T12:38:55.199Z

Last Friday I began teaching the Study and Teach the Bible class at Calvary Docklands, in the Canary Wharf area of London. It's a big financial district, with skyscrapers and lots of money. Getting there was a bit of divine preparation. The previous week I had gone with Dieudonné Lumbi to his practical exam in ophthalmology at City University, located in a part of London called Angel. In so

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-3046547736741038862010-03-11T13:55:00.009Z2010-03-11T14:50:45.781Z

A panoramic view of the End-Times Evangelism class.Saturday, February 27, we had Alan Weston show us his method of sharing the gospel using the end-times prophecies. He says it's just one way of many to share about Jesus. 19 people came out to learn. I think that means there is a hunger in the church to be fruitful. This last Saturday we went out on the pedestrian zone in Hounslow to do music

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-75331862769642592622010-02-26T14:02:00.003Z2010-03-02T14:13:42.372Z

I have a handful of water, ready to baptize Stephanie in her wheelchair.The baptism last Sunday was everything it ought to be: a public witness to Jesus, and a joyful time. It had the added excitement of a love story. I baptized a young couple newly engaged. They had been going steady for some time before either one of them were Christian. She became a believer first. Part of her conversion

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-7885044039413951432010-02-19T13:32:00.004Z2010-02-19T13:55:51.213Z

Michael Graham, one of the heroes of this post, looking very much like himself, with that grin. Job 3:25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me. That's how I felt on Sunday. I had committed to pick up Stephanie, our friend who has Parkinson's disease and has no help to come to church. I figured that I could manage it with all the setup and

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-83902011571369325842010-01-29T16:32:00.006Z2010-01-29T21:47:36.231Z

Calvary Chapel pastors from all over Europe met at this three day conference. This is one of the side rooms at Calvary Chapel Siegen.In June 1990 Joanie and I started being missionaries in Siegen. Holly was born there. After we left for England in 1997, the pastors' conferences held there were a good way to stay in touch with our friends and with the church.Four years ago we changed up the

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-12696345621416706622010-01-08T16:16:00.005Z2010-01-08T16:43:31.831Z

"So much for global warming," said my next door neighbor on her way out her door. We have had snow in abundance since Wednesday. I had to cancel the Bible study that night. Today I got a call from Whitton School telling me the school is closed for the weekend because of the snows forecast. So we are nixed for Sunday as well. I wanted to have a service somewhere, but any other place would also

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-88649295115098900332010-01-08T16:11:00.003Z2010-01-08T16:44:19.988Z

I was amazed at these excerpts from Charles Spurgeon's Commenting and Commentaries (1860). He sounds a lot like a Calvary Chapel guy....Nowadays since expository preaching is not so common as it ought to be, there is the more necessity for our commenting during the time of reading the Scriptures. Since topical preaching, hortatory preaching, experimental preaching, and so on - all exceedingly

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-1675227820195450672009-12-14T20:54:00.003Z2009-12-14T21:28:48.432Z

Letting agent Jeremy Brown shows Joanie the kitchen in the new house.The global financial meltdown caught up to the church and to my family. September 12 the church board recommended that we move to save the church money (they help us out with rent). That was Saturday. The following Tuesday we saw a house. Wednesday we made an offer. Thursday we were accepted. Though our contract said we had to

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-43568136602198477972009-09-03T16:06:00.003Z2009-09-03T16:26:56.968Z

Pastors and missionaries fellowship on the dock like it was a contact sportJoanie and I had not been to the conference in four years. It seemed necessary to go this year and plug back in to the fellowship of missionaries. For me the conference was life and death. The messages were speaking to me about my discouragement and the direction of my ministry. I had been considering a change from London.

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-51103395042415918592009-09-03T15:51:00.006Z2009-09-03T16:04:37.652Z

Scott Cunningham leads worship in the Main ShedThis year the free concert / teaching festival was expanded from a weekend to a week. Elliot Wilsher and I roomed together for the time I was there (five days - I had to fly to Austria after that). The Fest was greater than before in every way.The Bible teaching was more central to the event. The bands enhanced the teaching rather than compete with

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-25602289836690260272009-09-03T15:18:00.011Z2009-09-03T16:12:41.700Z

Brother Dave Toro gives his testimony on the pedestrian zone of HounslowThe band Universal Royalty (hereafter known as UR) and me got to know one another at Creation Fest, and we kept saying we ought to work together. July 24-26 we finally got to do outreach. The great thing about UR is their willingness to serve Jesus. Their first day was traveling five hours to reach us. They arrived just as it

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-74460240577151254042009-07-18T09:02:00.003Z2009-07-18T09:36:40.201Z

Joanie and Holly got sick on Monday, July 13. By Thursday it was time for us to get out of the house and move our bones. Joanie knew a place near Shepperton with a walk along the Thames River.We saw large boats moored next to huge mansions. Rustic wood houses sat alongside glass minimalist homes. I saw Katie running along the river in time to photograph her against the summer sky. When we got

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-67925022025042727582009-07-17T13:47:00.002Z2009-07-17T14:11:03.938Z

Back in March I got an email from my pastor Wayne Taylor in Seattle. He was going to take a trip to do outreach in Germany and Austria during July. Before he returned to Seattle he wanted to meet with as many Calvary Fellowship missionaries as possible. So he set up a retreat at a YMCA hostel in Southern Germany from 14-16 July. We would fly in to Salzburg, Austria and go to the hostel just

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-76352658333147296152009-06-25T11:13:00.004Z2009-06-25T13:16:56.252Z

In order to study the Bible you need a set of tools to take it apart and analyze it. Here's another great tool: your pen.A great way to begin observing a text is to write it out. Take a sheet of paper and write the scriptures out on one half of the page. You pick the side depending on if you are right- or left-handed. Since I'm a lefty I use the right side. I write each verse as a paragraph. Then

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-64583477513736267252009-06-23T11:15:00.007Z2009-06-23T14:45:05.274Z

In 1989, anticipating buying a computer, I taught myself to type. On a typewriter, even. But the computer didn't happen when I thought it would and I didn't keep the typing up. When I eventually got the computer I was reduced to typing with two fingers and a thumb till this year. In desperation I bought a dictation program so I could get more done. But the dictating was as much work as learning

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-82690549727482747952007-08-21T15:55:00.000Z2007-08-21T17:34:03.405Z

Bible teachers communicate ideas. We don't make these ideas up. They are already there in Scripture. Those ideas are packaged in words. If we are going to accurately dig out the message of scripture and accurately deliver that message, we need to know what we are reading and saying.That's where Your Friend, The Dictionary, comes in. You can take any word in Scripture or your Strong's concordance

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-1164275014802778712006-11-23T08:22:00.002Z2009-06-23T12:07:58.091Z

It is said of Martin Luther that when he died a scrap of paper was found in his pocket with Latin and German written on it. The Latin said: "No one can understand the Bible who has not walked with it for one hundred years." In German was written: "This is true. We are all beggars."If it's that daunting, why do it?For me, it is a necessity. The first time I heard the Bible taught in a

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35788197.post-1160474666842932772006-10-10T09:53:00.000Z2006-10-10T13:31:46.093Z

This is going to be a place where you can find out how Rob, Joanie, Holly, and Katie Dingman are doing as we live in England, working for Jesus at Calvary Chapel Twickenham. Lord willing I can keep this updated so it's a useful means of communication.This blog is not just about us. It's also about the work we are here to do.Our work here in London is teaching the word of God, and teaching others

Rob Dingmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12636013365394135599noreply@blogger.com0