Vampires, Prostitutes & Elvis in Ibiza

Published: June 23rd, 2009

When you live on the party island of Ibiza, dubbed ‘Sodom & Gomorra’ by British Tabloids, normality is a strange thing.  What does it look like to love your neighbour on a strip of road with the highest concentration of bars in Europe?  The 24-7 Ibiza team, four years into making their home on this Balearic Isle, give us a glimpse of what an average night in the West End of San Antonio looks like and how they are being salt and light to Vampires, Prostitutes and Elvis…

“The guys were all sitting around the kitchen table yesterday discussing the previous evening's street work.” Writes Brian Heasley.  “Tracy and Bruce helped a Spanish guy being held by two British guys accusing him of stealing their money. It turns out he hadn't but was naturally very upset at being falsely accused, so they brought him into the 24-7 Ibiza centre. It turns out he has a little spiritual background but it got a little weird as it emerges that he believes in vampires, maybe even thinks he is one! As he leaves he says to Tracy "Your blood smells very sweet"; we’re guessing he’s a fan of Twilight!

Meanwhile James and Christine were with some prostitutes chatting while they hid from the police - not James and Christine the prostitutes! When the police leave, the prostitutes move on.

Later James and Tracy walked a couple to their hotel.  They talk about God and faith as they walk.  Suddenly the guy said "Do you want to see my gift?" Tracy and James said yes and he then proceeds to do the most perfect Elvis impression they have ever seen – Jailhouse rock with the voice and the moves!  That is his gift; God has gifted him with the ability to impersonate Elvis...

Another two of our girls had a worker trying to kiss them both and making lewd comments about their body shape, which isn't so pleasant. He did it to try and freak us out. I plan to talk to him about it, but while I mulled it over and we prayed for him, he had a complete turn around. The next week he protected the same girls from another lewd group of guys, then asked for prayer and left with tears in his eyes.

The team also had another great chat with two girls who were very disillusioned with life.

People repeatedly stopped and thanked the team for the oranges that they had given out on the beach that afternoon.  One worker friend bought two of our guys some chips; someone else comes over and assumes that because they had been giving out free oranges, they were giving out free chips - he helps himself, they let him...

I could go on, this was just one night, 5 -6 hours.  One night of prayer, conversation and loving the neighbours God brings our way.   People often ask us why we are here, why would we give up comfortable lives in the England to spend our nights looking out for people in the West End of San Antonio... Today, in reply, I would say: "We are here to calm down Vampires, listen to Elvis and hide from the police with prostitutes!" 

To follow more of life in Ibiza stay in touch with the team through their website or Brian Heasley's Blog. 

Brian Heasley is joint leader of 24-7 Ibiza with his wife Tracy; he is also on the International Council of 24-7 Prayer. Brian is dad to Ellis and Daniel and they has lived in Ibiza since 2005, establishing a permanent 24-7 base on the island. They work predominantly in San Antonio, one of the most hedonistic night spots in Europe. Brian loves food, Liverpool Football Club, eBay and buying clothes from thrift stores.  You can contact Brian and dialogue with him on his blog. Brian also owns over 20 pairs of shoes. 

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