Happy Independence Day!
It was interesting to celebrate American independence while living in England. Often we're a bit quiet about our patriotism, trying hard not to perpetuate the stereotype of loud, arrogant Americans. But on this day we loudly let everyone know that we love our country.
There are lots of Americans at Lifehope, so I assumed we would have a big party. However, we seem to be a disorganized bunch, since no one actually planned anything for the whole group. Instead, five of us got together for a BBQ.
England did its best to rain on our party, but we defied it. Fortunately we had a covered patio to grill on, so we went ahead with our celebration.
I've been very happy to have Amanda here for the past few weeks. We've been busy sightseeing and chatting and just enjoying each other's company. Early tomorrow morning we head off to Scotland for a five day camping trip with a friend. Should be an adventure!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Off Balance Easter
Once again I was caught off guard by little differences in culture. Easter here is not quite the same as at home. I should have expected that by now.
No rousing choruses of 'Up From the Grave' or the song with all the alleluias. No bouquets of lilies in church. None of the women had springy new Easter dresses. In fact, people were hardly dressed up at all. On Palm Sunday, they didn't hand out palm fronds, so I couldn't fold them into crosses to give people. Instead we have Cadbury cream eggs and hot cross buns and gloomy, rainy skies.
All these little things. Individually, I wouldn't say they were significant. But when you pile them on top of each other, they are ( at least to me). It leaves me feeling sort of off balance, likes it's not quite actually Easter.
Of course, the message of Easter is still the same. Sometimes we need all the familiar things stripped away before we remember what a holiday is acually about. It's not about songs or lilies or dresses or chocolate or sunshine. Those may be the things we associate with Easter, that make it feel like a holiday for us, but they're not the point. Jesus is. He died and rose again because He loves us so incredibly much. I hope your Easter was alive with that truth, regardless of weather or food or any of the external signs of the season.
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| It's not Easter in England without hot cross buns. |
All these little things. Individually, I wouldn't say they were significant. But when you pile them on top of each other, they are ( at least to me). It leaves me feeling sort of off balance, likes it's not quite actually Easter.
Of course, the message of Easter is still the same. Sometimes we need all the familiar things stripped away before we remember what a holiday is acually about. It's not about songs or lilies or dresses or chocolate or sunshine. Those may be the things we associate with Easter, that make it feel like a holiday for us, but they're not the point. Jesus is. He died and rose again because He loves us so incredibly much. I hope your Easter was alive with that truth, regardless of weather or food or any of the external signs of the season.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
English Weather
9:00 AM. Pouring rain.
9:30. Sunny and not raining. (It's not unusual for it to be sunny and raining at the same time, so that's why I specified.)
10:15. I leave to walk to church. Raining very lightly, but enough to warrant a raincoat. (It nearly always is windy when it rains, so I don't usually bother with an umbrella.)
10:25. Still walking. Rain turns to hail. Small pellets, but coming down hard and fast.
10:30. Arrive at church. Hail stops.
Halfway through the service I look out the window and see that it has now become sunny and dry again, with all the appearance of a nice spring day.
12:00. I was afraid that as soon as I stepped outside it would start to rain again. That didn't happen, but the wind had picked up and my damp coat made it quite a chilly walk home.
9:30. Sunny and not raining. (It's not unusual for it to be sunny and raining at the same time, so that's why I specified.)
10:15. I leave to walk to church. Raining very lightly, but enough to warrant a raincoat. (It nearly always is windy when it rains, so I don't usually bother with an umbrella.)
10:25. Still walking. Rain turns to hail. Small pellets, but coming down hard and fast.
10:30. Arrive at church. Hail stops.
Halfway through the service I look out the window and see that it has now become sunny and dry again, with all the appearance of a nice spring day.
12:00. I was afraid that as soon as I stepped outside it would start to rain again. That didn't happen, but the wind had picked up and my damp coat made it quite a chilly walk home.
Friday, February 28, 2014
My Church: Hasbury Christian Fellowship
Since I've been in the UK, I have tried 5 or 6 different churches, looking for the right one for me. It wasn't until the very end of December when I tried Hasbury Christian Fellowship that I decided I'd found a church home.
Hasbury is a small non-denominational church here in Halesowen. It's the closest church to where I live now, which is why I started attending when I did. I'm not good at estimating, but I'd say there's around 40-50 people in the service on Sunday mornings, nearly all of whom are much, much older than I am.
It was the atmosphere that attracted me to Hasbury. People there are very welcoming and friendly. My first week, lots of people noticed there was a new face in church and made every effort to greet me and make me feel welcome. British people are very friendly, but they tend to be a bit reserved and stand-offish until you get to know them. So the openness I found there really appealed to me.
It's also very relaxed, like a group of friends hanging out to worship God together. Services often include audience participation in a game or quiz that pertains to the message. There isn't a full-time pastor, but there are many experienced leaders who take turns preaching and leading the service.
Tonight was the annual church meeting, coupled with a fish & chips supper to encourage people to come. It is a testament to how small the church is that my name made it into the church report, in the paragraph about welcoming new people to the community.
Hasbury has many ministries and is very active for a small church. They've partnered with Lifehope in the past and a few OMers attend regularly as well. If you want to check out their website to get a feel for what they do, it's www.hasbury.org.
Hasbury is a small non-denominational church here in Halesowen. It's the closest church to where I live now, which is why I started attending when I did. I'm not good at estimating, but I'd say there's around 40-50 people in the service on Sunday mornings, nearly all of whom are much, much older than I am.
It was the atmosphere that attracted me to Hasbury. People there are very welcoming and friendly. My first week, lots of people noticed there was a new face in church and made every effort to greet me and make me feel welcome. British people are very friendly, but they tend to be a bit reserved and stand-offish until you get to know them. So the openness I found there really appealed to me.
It's also very relaxed, like a group of friends hanging out to worship God together. Services often include audience participation in a game or quiz that pertains to the message. There isn't a full-time pastor, but there are many experienced leaders who take turns preaching and leading the service.
Tonight was the annual church meeting, coupled with a fish & chips supper to encourage people to come. It is a testament to how small the church is that my name made it into the church report, in the paragraph about welcoming new people to the community.
Hasbury has many ministries and is very active for a small church. They've partnered with Lifehope in the past and a few OMers attend regularly as well. If you want to check out their website to get a feel for what they do, it's www.hasbury.org.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Toolkit, the Second Time Around
The last month has been chaotically packed with things to do and new people arriving. We just finished Toolkit, the same 3-week training programme that I did when I joined. Except this time, instead of participating, I was heavily involved in planning it.
My responsibilities included:
- making the schedule
- organizing trainers to teach classes
- printing material for and putting together binders for new people
- making sure people received their pocket money
- handing out wet weather gear for Adventure Week
- getting people to return that gear, clean and dry
We had over 40 new people join Lifehope, from 20 different countries, on a variety of different programmes and jobs.
I am looking forward to a couple days off this week to relax and recover, since I've been going pretty much nonstop for the past five weeks. I almost don't know what to do anymore if nothing is urgently demanding to be done. I will also have time to get to know the new people better, which I'm excited about.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
I'm on the website!
I'm on the Lifehope website! http://www.lifehope.om.org/index.php/about-us/whos-who
They're in alphabetical order by last name, so I'm about halfway down the page. As you can see, we're a diverse and interesting bunch here.
While you're there, check out the 'News' page (under 'Get Inspired'). There's some great stories of different Lifehope ministries and how God is using them.
They're in alphabetical order by last name, so I'm about halfway down the page. As you can see, we're a diverse and interesting bunch here.
While you're there, check out the 'News' page (under 'Get Inspired'). There's some great stories of different Lifehope ministries and how God is using them.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Firsts
It's 2014 already! 2013 has been an amazing year of growth, with so many firsts for me.
Similarly, I have no clue where I will be come 2015. I know God has something cool planned for me, but He hasn't told me yet what it is. I could be anywhere next year. That's an exciting thought, but a little scary as well.
I would appreciate your continued prayers for this new year. I expect it will hold many more new experiences, some of which will be wonderful and some which will be challenging. I don't know what my future holds, so I am praying that God will give me clarity, wisdom, and assurance of His direction.
I hope that your New Years was bright and filled with hope for the days ahead, because of the trust that you have in our great God.
- leaving North America
- flying alone
- riding a bus and subway
- having friends from other cultures
- being the only native English speaker in a group
- living in a different country
- eating real fish and chips
- embracing my God-given gifts
- and so many more!
Similarly, I have no clue where I will be come 2015. I know God has something cool planned for me, but He hasn't told me yet what it is. I could be anywhere next year. That's an exciting thought, but a little scary as well.
I would appreciate your continued prayers for this new year. I expect it will hold many more new experiences, some of which will be wonderful and some which will be challenging. I don't know what my future holds, so I am praying that God will give me clarity, wisdom, and assurance of His direction.
I hope that your New Years was bright and filled with hope for the days ahead, because of the trust that you have in our great God.
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