diff --git a/broker/src/init.rs b/broker/src/init.rs
index 5cc2744..d019526 100644
--- a/broker/src/init.rs
+++ b/broker/src/init.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,21 @@ use vls_protocol::model::Secret;
 use vls_protocol::{msgs, serde_bolt::WireString};
 use vls_proxy::util::{read_allowlist, read_integration_test_seed};
 
-pub async fn connect(tx: mpsc::Sender<ChannelRequest>) {
+pub fn blocking_connect(tx: mpsc::Sender<ChannelRequest>) {
+    let init_msg_2 = crate::init::make_init_msg().expect("could make init msg");
+    let (reply_tx, reply_rx) = oneshot::channel();
+    // Send a request to the MQTT handler to send to signer
+    let request = ChannelRequest {
+        message: init_msg_2,
+        reply_tx,
+    };
+    let _ = tx.blocking_send(request);
+    let res = reply_rx.blocking_recv().expect("couldnt receive");
+    let reply = parser::response_from_bytes(res.reply, 0).expect("could parse init receive");
+    println!("REPLY {:?}", reply);
+}
+
+pub async fn _connect(tx: mpsc::Sender<ChannelRequest>) {
     let init_msg_2 = crate::init::make_init_msg().expect("could make init msg");
     let (reply_tx, reply_rx) = oneshot::channel();
     // Send a request to the MQTT handler to send to signer
diff --git a/broker/src/main.rs b/broker/src/main.rs
index 91f4db9..8b4eba1 100644
--- a/broker/src/main.rs
+++ b/broker/src/main.rs
@@ -60,16 +60,16 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     } else {
         let (tx, rx) = mpsc::channel(1000);
         let (status_tx, _status_rx) = mpsc::channel(1000);
-        let runtime = start_broker(rx, status_tx, "sphinx-1");
-        runtime.block_on(async {
-            init::connect(tx.clone()).await;
-            // listen to reqs from CLN
-            let conn = UnixConnection::new(parent_fd);
-            let client = UnixClient::new(conn);
-            // TODO pass status_rx into SignerLoop
-            let mut signer_loop = SignerLoop::new(client, tx);
-            signer_loop.start();
-        })
+        let _runtime = start_broker(rx, status_tx, "sphinx-1");
+        // runtime.block_on(async {
+        init::blocking_connect(tx.clone());
+        // listen to reqs from CLN
+        let conn = UnixConnection::new(parent_fd);
+        let client = UnixClient::new(conn);
+        // TODO pass status_rx into SignerLoop
+        let mut signer_loop = SignerLoop::new(client, tx);
+        signer_loop.start();
+        // })
     }
 
     Ok(())