Llanfachreth near Dolgellau, Wales

Llanfachreth near Dolgellau

The settlement is an ancient one three miles north east of Dolgellau and it takes its name from a Celtic saint, Machreth. It is thought he had a prayer oratory in the woods above the village, known locally as Coed-cwm-yr-Eglwys, eglwys being the Welsh for church. This is one of the many tiny hamlets and villages in this area of Wales, which start with ‘Llan’. We felt drawn to pray here. The village is very well kept and dominated by the church on its 'llan'. I've not seen one quite like this as it had two tiers of walling around the enclosure on one side.

Sitting in the church I have a vision. In it I am walking with Jesus and he leads me to sit with him on a wooden bench looking down on a sparkling blue glacial lake far below. Mountains surround it and I am reminded of the Alpine region of Switzerland, although I know it isn't there.  I watch three bald-headed eagles soaring in a circle on the thermals. For a while they captivate my vision, when all of a sudden and unexpectedly, the face of a pigeon comes up close blocking my view. It is completely distracting and I can’t see the eagles because it is filling my vision.

The meaning is clear to me, the mundane and busyness of every day life has blocked my vision in the prophetic.  I need to soar again with the eagles, to get that birds-eye view from the heavenly places. Oh how my heart longs for this during our Welsh pilgrimage which is just beginning.