Youth Outreach Concert

The big November event is officially finished! Tonight was the big night. The youth concert with LZ7 and Govna B. Two Christian artists whose music border lines as secular. The goal of this is to attract listeners from all backgrounds and have the music play on secular stations so that they can experience positive, Christian music without having it be all churchy worship like.

All week, we have been working along side LZ7 going into local schools. Here they put on assemblies and announced the free gig we put on tonight. Each school had a personality of its own. It was so much fun going between Christian, secular, private, public, all girls, and co ed schools. We saw such a mix in faiths and personalities, but one thing every school had in common was LOVING LZ7. By the end of each assembly all the students were bouncing and singing and booking their free tickets for the Saturday night concert. One school even started mosh pitting in the middle of the crowd! Just crazy!

The concert sold out of online tickets a few hours before the show started. This was super exciting as well as scary. We didn't want huge crowds of kids being turned away at the door and causing trouble outside. But this wasn't an issue at all, as we had about 2/3 of the booked tickets show up. So everyone was able to get in, and the room was still very full.

Everything ran so well! We had a few local pastors and youth leaders volunteering, as well as church members from the group of churches who organized this event together. Everything was organized and ready to go. There were no injuries, no accidents, no big dramas. Just a lot of fun! And most importantly, when the leader of LZ7, Lindz, talked about Christianity, and then gave the opportunity to become a Christian TONS OF HANDS WENT UP! It was amazing! Dozens of kids! Afterwards, they took those kids to the next room to talk with them more and give them some resources to get connected. The room was packed! Here is a photo I snapped quickly while Lindz was talking with them.

Overall it was such a great night and so worth the months of planning it took! We are hoping and praying that those who heard the gospel tonight will go home changed, and will seek out a youth group to get connected into. We also gave out fliers for our youth club, as well as a follow up event in December. Please be praying for these kids! 

Here is a photo of the interns, Lisette (my line manager at Jubilee who headed up this event), and two of the members of LZ7. 

Zoobilee Holiday Club

Holiday club! It is half term this week, which means kids don't have school because it the middle of their term. Usually during half term we don't do our toddler groups or youth clubs, so that the children's workers and youth leaders get a break too. But not this half term. This week we are running a three day holiday club. It is along the same lines of VBS. We spend all of Tuesday decorating our church with zoo-themed creations. It was a day of painting, gluing, and sticking to the extreme. I am most proud of my giraffe creation, Geremy. I worked with another volunteer for 80% of the day on this guy. We used a child sized table, a microphone stand extended as far as it would go, tons of cardboard, tons of paper, and even more duct tape and paint.

After about 8 hours of decorating and planning, we were ready to go! The next morning we had about 15 children show up. We have done everything from puppet shows to story times, songs to games, and even live animals. The kids have been loving it so much! Today was day two, and we had about 20 children show up. Most of these kids don't have church backgrounds, and know about this event through toddler groups or people in their schools who have invited them. For parents, we have a Zoo Cafe. This is a place for them to stay and hang out as long as they want while their kids enjoy the holiday club. We offer them free teas and coffees, and of course cake. Because every good English event must have cake. I have eaten more cake this year than every other year of my life combined! (Not that I am complaining!) The church leader and other church members have been joining parents in the Zoo Cafe and trying to talk with them and make it a friendly and inviting place.

Tomorrow is going to be our last day, and we will end it with some form of a baking activity with the kids. I have really enjoyed it! It will be sad for it to be over, but as long as Geremy stays up for a while longer I will be okay...

With Halloween next week, I have been surprised by England once again. It is a whole new culture shock when it comes to holidays in this country. The churches in England very strongly oppose Halloween. This is so different than the way I have grown up. Halloween has always been one of my favorites because you get to dress up really silly and eat candy. So this will be my first ever Halloween that I will not be celebrating. I have no costume and no plans. Most churches don't do anything, but there are a few in my area that I do some work with that do "light parties". This is supposed to be the opposite, Christianfied version of Halloween. One is having a glow party, and another is doing a superhero party... I understand their reasoning for not celebrating but it is very different than what I am used to. Don't even get me started on the lack of Thanksgiving here. That will be something I will have to face next month...

Autumn

I am back to my "normal" intern life after the craziness of the summer holidays and a short trip I took to Germany! After a day in Enfield doing our weekly training I stood crowded in the center of an isle on the train home during rush hour. Rush hour takes on a whole different meaning in London. Too many people get crammed together into a train because there are not enough seats or space for everyone to sit. Everyone stays in their own world, not acknowledging anyone around them, sucked into their own virtual lives. This is the perfect place for me to be nosey without others realizing because everyone has to stand in such close proximity to each other. I easily peer over the shoulder of the man sitting below me who is texting a friend, joking about a woman he should date. The man standing next to him goes from reading the political section of the daily newspaper to looking at a crossword puzzle. Behind me is a man reading an article on how to save battery on the new iOS update, beside me is a man peering over the shoulder of someone beyond my view. He is probably doing the same thing I have been - seeing just a tiny portion of someone's day. Seeing who these strangers are on our train ride at the end of the day. Nobody speaks. Nobody goes outside of the comfort of being silent and antisocial. THIS is London. This has become a part of my weekly routine. Every Monday I take this train home and people-watch to my hearts content. I am often torn between feeling like a local, and knowing that I am a foreigner to this fast-paced and crowded city. This has become my home in so many ways. These insignificant train rides don't seem special now -in fact they are often more tedious than anything-  but in a few months when I am back in America and stuck in traffic by myself, this will be something I miss...

I am starting to get to the point where returning home is looming over me. The counting down app on my phone continues to make me more homesick the nearer I come to the comforts of home. This whole year the idea of going home has been in the back of my mind and seemed so far away. But now with only two months to go I am getting more and more excited. I have so many things I am looking forward to and I have already started making plans for my return. I am also becoming aware of everything I will miss about England. Just next month will be a month of lasts: last toddler groups, last youth clubs, last sublime training days, last time seeing people I have spent this year working with...

It is going to be so bittersweet! Although all of this is constantly on my mind, I am still working hard to be present at my placement and for what is happening right now. I have returned to my weekly groups in the church that I help at which has been so great! My placement church also got its new sublime intern last month. She is one of the 6 new German interns at Sublime. It has been a lot of fun getting to know a fresh batch of interns. It is so odd being the one who knows my way around. But their excitement to be here has really encouraged me to appreciate the rest of my internship. I often have to stop and remind myself how awesome God is, and how much He has done to bring me here and how much more He has done throughout the year. It is so difficult not to fall into routine and miss what God is up to. So I am trying to be very intentional with the rest of my time spent serving in London.

Thank you all for your continued prayers! It has really made such an impact. Please be praying for my placement church. In the last few months a few families in our congregation have lost their mothers/grandmothers, including the grandmother of my host family. Please be praying for God to continue moving and doing good in this time of loss for so many.

Summer Holidays

This summer has been a whirlwind! In the months leading up to summer my line manager was nervous I would be bored over the summer. Most of what I do each week with the churches comes to a close for the summer, so I understand why she was worried! But as summer approached, my calendar began to fill up! And I feel like this has been the first mellow week I have had all summer!

In July, Sublime did Walk the Walls! This was a 100 mile prayer walk around the greater London area. It was 6 days of sleeping on church floors, lots of walking, and for me, accompanying our wonderful van driver to pick up food for lunches and coffees (mostly just to take a break from the walking). We stopped at various places along the walk each day to pray for the area, and the issues going on in that place. Each night we stayed at a new church on the way. The churches provided our team of about 15 people with dinner each night, and then we would have a worship prayer event for the community. Each night looked a little different, simply because each church we went to was different. Some had about 20 people attending, others had closer to 40. It was really interesting seeing the different church cultures in such short distance!

After walk the walls (and a few days of recovery) I served at a Holiday club that one of my local churches was putting on in Bromley. This is similar to a Vacation Bible School we would do in the States. I spent two mornings passing out fliers on the high street. Then 3 days serving at the actual event which was manic! It was Minion themed, and there were SO MANY KIDS! To my knowledge, most of the families were not involved with church. We had many craft options for kids to choose between, loud music, a bible story time, and drinks and snacks afterwards. There were many people from the church involved who were engaging with parents throughout the week. My main job was supervising a craft table, and assisting kids who needed help with the difficult tasks of gluing and sticking!

In the beginning of August, my fellow intern and myself were sent into one of the secondary schools in our area. Secondary school is for young people between the ages of 11 and 16. So it is similar to middle school and high school. This was a Church of England school, which means Christian affiliation is okay, but not mandatory. They were running a transition week for the incoming 11 year old students, giving them a chance to get used to the school and to new classmates before school starts in Autumn. We were asked to run morning worship at the beginning of each day for two weeks. So we were given slide shows and themes for each day. We prepared a short talk for each days theme, such as letting things go, being kind, and facing challenges. We subtly related these themes to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. After our talk, we had an art/discussion activity that related to our topic. It was a lot of fun! There was about 100 students in total. It was new for me to lead so many students in that type of context, and I really enjoyed it!

At the end of August was the legendary SOUL SURVIVOR. This is a well known camp out that I have been hearing about since BEFORE I arrived in January! Our youth group joined with another youth group from one of the local churches. All together there was about 30 of us on our campsite, and about 9,000 in total on the camp ground. It was huge! There was a GIANT tent set up that fit over 10,000 people in it, plus a stage. It was incredibly impressive. We were there a total of 6 days. On the first night, three of our youth became Christians for the first time, which was a very exciting way to start out the week! Each day was filled with seminars, worship and prayer sessions, and many events to keep the youth going. I was able to get to know the youth a lot more, and have some really good conversations with them about things they were stressing about, about their faith, and about being a Christian. By the end of the week we were all exhausted, but it was a really great time!

As we returned to Bromley, the last two German interns were flying home. It was very sad saying goodbye! So I am officially the sole intern left. But, Sublime will be receiving six new German interns in the beginning of September, one of which I will be working very closely with. I am officially "the old intern", but it will be nice being able to show the new guys how everything works, and help them get adjusted to England.

A photo of most of our group at Soul Survivor, saying goodbye to Yee-Sol!

Halfway Through

I am now about halfway through my internship. The first half has flown by, and I am sure the second half will be even quicker. It seems like so much has happened since I first arrived in England back in January. I have made countless friends. I have adjusted to a new culture, accent, family, church, food... The list is endless. I have had moments of feeling completely lost, as well as moments feeling completely at home in this foreign land. I have worked on countless projects through the churches and Sublime, some of which I have began to see the outcome of. I have served probably over 1000 cups of coffee and tea, and washed probably over 2000 mugs.

Now that I feel I am fully adjusted, I am determined to make the most of the rest of my internship. The youth at my church are now at a point where they know me, and they actually talk with me. Over the summer months we have a few youth events and camp trips, during which I am going to try to take on a role of trying to encourage them and build them up in their faith. I have also begin to do some personal studies to begin to learn more in depth about the Bible, and different styles of Christianity.

As summer approaches, all the interns I have become close to this year will be going home. As they are preparing to go, I can feel my eagerness for home to grow as well. There is so much I miss from home, and can't wait to return to. With so much happening back home that I am missing, I have moments of homesickness. There are many things I wish I could be home for, such as weddings I am missing, babies being born, and also just the everyday events in people's lives that I have missed. But I know I will be home soon enough, and God has me in England for the next 5 months for a reason. And I am excited to see what He has planned for this time!

Ireland

I am on my way back to England after a three day adventure in Ireland with two other (awesome) GEM interns. We decided to use some of our holiday time to travel together, and what better place than right across the way to Ireland!

These are two girls who I had the wonderful opportunity to get to know during our departure training in January. Since then, we have been able to stay connected through Facebook, as well as the GEM intern reunion we had in London in April.

It has amazed all three of us how much has happened in the past 5 months. We have all experienced trials, excitement, and how incredible God is. Even though our placements and our experiences have been different than each other's, we were able to once again connect with each other, and encourage and share with one another while exploring Dublin.

Our trip was short, but so full! We landed in Ireland on Wednesday afternoon, and the adventures began right away. After getting to the city centre, we stopped for a late lunch at one of the many pubs. Our waiter was hilarious. Due to the fact that we are all on an interns budget, we ordered tap water with our lunch. The waiter (as well as a few people siting near us) gave us a hard time for ordering water (not beer or cider) in Dublin. So my friend made a joke saying if we could have a drink for free, we wouldn't mind it. The next thing we know, our waiter brings each of us a half pint of cider FOR FREE! It was a hilarious way to start off our journey.

The people in Ireland are so friendly. Everywhere we went, we were greeted with smiles and conversations. An Irish lad came and sat with us after his dog ran up to us. And for the next hour we all chatted about Irish culture, why we are in Ireland, and what we are doing in the UK, as well as constant joking around and laughing. During our tour at the Guinness factory, we sat with a German couple also on holiday, and had similar conversation with them for about 30 minutes. Almost everywhere we went, we made friends with the people around us. 

The atmosphere was so different to England. When I walk around in England, people will avoid even making eye contact with others. It was a breath of fresh air for all of us. And it made our three days of holiday an opportunity to represent Christ in a casual way with the people we came across. During each of our conversations, we could tell them how we met through GEM, and about the church and community work we do in England. Even though we may not have been intentionally trying to build up long term friendships or trying to convert people, the three of us prayed that the people we came across saw something in us, that will spark something in them.

Ireland has been my favorite country I have visited yet. The people were great, and we stayed in a home right next to Howth (pronounced Hoet) , a beautiful beach town right outside of Dublin. I really loved it. I feel like Ireland would be such a wonderful place to serve, where you can so quickly connect with the people in friendships.

Now I am on the flight back to England. And I am so ready to be back at my placement after a few weeks of being in a wacky schedule because of events, taking time off to be with my parents, and this trip to Ireland. It will be nice to be back to my normal daily groove at my church and with Sublime.

Please keep me in your prayers, as I have recently acquired information that requires discernment and confidence. I am also trying to know God in a deeper way through biblical truth.

Me in Howth at sunset our first night.

Significance

Spring has come to England! I have been enjoying sunshine far more than I thought would be possible in this rainy part of the world! The temperature hasn't passed 70, but I am still so grateful for not having to be in my jacket constantly! Life here is feeling a lot more like normal life than I expected it would. I am kept busy with routine weeks of helping at the churches and Sublime. I have started to miss having friends close by. Plus, I have been craving REAL Mexican food for about 2 months now...

Despite the very mild homesickness, I am still loving my role here in London. I am beginning to realize that what I am doing is actually more significant to those around me than I previously thought. I am caught between the two extremes of trying not to get a big head about what I do, and acknowledging that God has made me to be an important person in His plan. I want to remain humble, but I need to learn that God has created me to be significant, and that He can use ME to make a difference in the people around me. My leaders here have been so encouraging, and they regularly compliment my work and the qualities I possess. Yet, I always feel uncomfortable when they do this, or when anyone does this.

This week I began reading The Supernatural Ways of Royalty, by Kris Vallotton and Bill Johnson. It is on our "homework" list from Sublime. Within the first 30 pages I was on the verge of tears as I read about how feeling insignificant is damaging to the ministry God calls us to do as Christians. I am beginning to see how true this is in my own life, and how I have acted poorly because of it. Not only here in London, but in all parts of my life. I still don't have it all figured out, and I still have another 200 pages to go in this book! But even just realizing that this in an area I need to be working on is really eye opening! Though it is going to be a difficult road, I am excited for this challenge of realizing more of what my identity in Christ is. I want to completely give myself to God for His purpose. And that means dealing with stuff that I otherwise wouldn't acknowledge as a problem!

I have many events coming up with my home church and Sublime! I will hopefully be posting more updates with the specifics of the events as they happen! Please be praying for all the summer events we are in the midst of planning, and for God to continue to strengthen and equip our team!

Holiday and the X-Bus in Action

What an amazing few weeks I have had! Two weeks ago I traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic, Vienna in Austria, and Bratislava in Slovakia. Me and two other volunteers (who I hadn't met before) decided to take some holiday to go see more of Europe. It was incredible to go and see the history throughout Eastern Europe, and a lot of fun getting to know two girls while traveling together. What was really crazy though was coming back to London after five days of traveling. Once we got out of the airport and into the city, I had the feeling of being home. It took me by surprise. It wasn't the artificial "home" feeling any more. And I wasn't thinking about my host house, but the city as a whole, being somewhere I now feel comfortable in. I hadn't realized this feeling until I had actually left on Holiday and come back.

After being home just a few days and getting back to work, I had the weekend off in order to spend time with other Greater Europe Mission Interns. Eight interns who are serving in all different places like Romania, Germany, Scotland, and all around England, decided to all come together in London to meet and catch up. It was such a wonderful time of fellowship and friendship. It is incredible how close we became as a group in a matter of 4 days of training in Colorado. Seeing everyone was like meeting with old friends. We were able to share what our placements have been like, the struggles we have each been facing, and what God has been doing all around Europe. Many of the challenges we are facing are so similar, so being able to talk and relate with one another was really encouraging! We spent two days together doing all the touristic spots in London for those who had never been. It was a lot of fun to be a tourist instead of trying to not be touristy like I usually do!

Today I was back to my regular schedule. I went to my weekly training at the sublime office, which is always my favorite day of the week. First, we spend time praying and worshiping, then we honor one another by throwing a Disney Frozen Anna doll at each other (spinning off of how British people say honor as "honah") and acknowledge something positive about each person. Then we have a speaker teach us about something. This week we learned about what worship looked like in the gospel, and why the gospel is important for worshiping. After the teaching session we head out to run the X-Bus. But because the bus has been broken, I haven't been able to see it in action yet. But today, for the first time I was able to go out on the X-Bus! It was great! We drove out to a spot near a park and some apartment buildings and parked. The moment the bus stopped there was kids waiting to get on, as well as parents. We had over 20 kids between the ages of 3 and 16 come hang out on the bus. We have two laptops for use, an Xbox, a wii, a movie playing, music playing, card games, coloring, bracelet making, and nail polish all on board our double decker bus. It was quite impressive! And the kids were great! Loud, but great. It was was not what I expected. I didn't realize how young some of the kids would be, or how many parents would hang out on board or right outside the bus. It has some serious potential for great Jesus-centered conversation with both the kids and parents!

After this weekend and today, I feel newly pumped! I am so eager to see how God is going to continue working in my placement, and how He will continue to lead me to His will for my life. Meeting with the GEM interns and finally seeing the X-Bus in use brought me a new wave of excitement! Even though I should be tired from how busy I have been, I feel more energized than ever. 

When the train doesn't come...

Today was my day off! Originally a few of the interns had planned on going to Oxford for the day, but the plans fell through last minute. I was intent on doing something! Most I my days off so far have been spent sleeping in and watching Netflix (something I can easily do at home). So I texted another volunteer from he organization Time for God. I am friends with her on facebook, and she will be one of the two girls I am traveling to Prague and Vienna with next month. I hadn't actually met her yet so I figured today was as good as any, and so we planned to meet in London. On the train over I sat behind some men from Ireland. I had no choice but to overhear their conversation which eventually turned to a dumb American woman who worked in this guys office who didn't know what the Netherlands were, or that Amsterdam wasn't a country. This sparked a conversation about many stupid Americans... Some who thought that Iceland wasn't real, others who didn't know where Ireland is. Oh and don't forget, ALL Americans are obsessed with the royal family! It was really funny to hear all the stereotypes of America coming out the mouths of people who had absolutely no idea an American was in fact sitting behind them.

 Once I met up with Bren, the other intern, we walked around London for a bit, saw Big Ben and London Bridge. We decided to head down to Baker Street and went through the Sherlock Holmes museum, and we also walked passed where the queen lives. As it turned out, Bren was heading to a party later in the evening that a few of the other Tie for God volunteers were throwing. She invited me to tag along since I too am a volunteer and I hadn't had the chance to meet anyone else yet. We got to their flat, which they shared between four girl volunteers, and soon there was about 20 people all from different countries, and different organizations in this tiny flat. We danced and played some games, and ate lots of sweets! It was so much fun meeting and hanging out with people me age! I haven't had the chance to go out and meet new people much since I've been here, besides the small group I work with at sublime.

Bren and I planned our trips home wisely. Not waiting until the last train just in case we miss it, and leaving the party early in order to make it in time. We took the underground for a while before Bren got off on her stop, and I continued on my own. At this point it was probably about 11:30pm. I got to my stop and went over to the national rail station to catch my train home. It said it was delayed due to someone being hit by a train at another station earlier in the day. So the group of us waited, and waited, with our train update on the screen continuing to say delayed. That is until the train totally disappeared off the screen entirely. One of the men standing waiting pushed the button for information. The operator told us the train would be there at 12:02am. Ok fine, so we waited some more. After 12:02 came and went, still no train came. We called again, and they gave us a new time to wait for, which of course, wasn't correct. After a third call, and about an hour in total waiting for this train that disappeared, the new operator said that the train didn't show up in her information... She said maybe we missed it... Because the 8 of us standing and waiting together could have possibly missed it... With the realization that the train wasn't coming, we all left the platform.

At this point in the night the tube stations were closed, and we were in a really dodgy part of London. As I walked to the nearby bus stop with one of the other people who had been waiting for the cancelled train, I could hear a fight taking place in an alley I passed through. A night club was next to the bus stop and there were crowds of drunk people yelling and bustling about. I studied the bus stop to try to find the night bus that would take me home, and nothing. I was in the wrong part of the city for my bus. I asked the young man who had walked over near me from the train station, and he had no idea either. We began discussing possible routes that could be beneficial for the two of us, and I told him I needed to get to Trafalgar Square. He said that might be a good place for him to find something as well. We studied the bus stop for a good bus to get there, and again, nothing. So I asked if we were both going to the same place, if we could split a cab. He was up for the idea, and I REALLY didn't want to be walking around this area alone and lost looking for a cab! So I was glad he was willing to be my travel buddy!

We introduced ourselves. His name was Richard, and he too had just moved to London about two months ago to study. After walking a short distance we passed an open cab. Thank the Lord Richard was with me because I couldn't have afforded the journey to Trafalgar Square alone. I didn't have much cash on me! After discussing our dilemma with our cabby, Richard came to the realization not even night buses would take him all the way home. But still he came with me in search of my night bus. And he kept me company all the way up until my bus picked me up. I know Richard was a stranger, but he was so considerate! It would have been so dangerous for me to walk alone in those areas. I decided to trust a stranger to better my chances of not getting in any bad situations and it worked!

I was so stressed and scared, not having a way to get home, and being alone in such a huge place! It was good to have a kind person give up his time to help me, with nothing to get in return! For all the moms reading this worried about stranger danger (and for my mom) I know Richard could have been a creep as well, but he wasn't, and I was safer with this one stranger than I would have been on my own! And I was still very cautious. Once I was on the bus taking me to Bromley I was able to relax a little bit, and no longer feel like I was on the verge of stress-tears while also trying to look confident and not lost. It was over an hour to get into Bromley on the bus, and then I had to switch buses in Bromley to get to the right stop. By the time I got home it was almost 3am. But I am just thankful I made it home -- and safely!  Richard on the other hand settled for finding a 24 hour McDonald's to hang out in until the morning train could take him home!

It was a scary adventure. Not one I want to do again!

College Pastors

Today was a nice relaxed day. I was able to sleep in, or in London lingo: have a lay-in. I was then picked up by one of the local pastors and taken to Bromley College. College here is equivalent to 11th and 12th grade of high school, but you have the choice to go, and you can choose something to specialize in (e.g. Electrical work). I could b wrong, but I least that's how I think it works!

At this college we went strait to a portion of the school designated for people with special needs and learning disabilities. It was lunchtime, and we were there mainly to just hang out with them, play board games, and talk. One girl had us help her get a hold of one of the bus garages to try to locate her missing Oyster card (travel card). Another guy came and played four in a row with me a few times. Despite my competitiveness when it comes to games, I went very easy on him. The local pastor had told me before that us letting them way gives them a chance to win something, where otherwise they might now get the opportunity. Plus, it can help boost their confidence.

After about an hour or so it was time to go. It was a very quick and mellow outreach. They have a group of people who do this a few times a week every week, and they have been doing it for two years now. The local pastor was telling me that it has taken a lot of time, but now that these kids know them and trust them, a few have started to open up and talk about their own faith. And other times, the college pastors have had the opportunity to work their faith into conversations. But it is not a very evasive ministry at all. We didn't preach, or read them the bible, we just hung out. It's a new type of style of serving for me, but it has been interesting seeing how even just befriending people in the community will over time lead them to Christ.

After we left the college, I had the rest of the day free. Being Saint Patrick's Day, you would imagine that there would be some events or celebrations, but there wasn't. I didn't see one shamrock beaded necklace or green hat anywhere. It's funny that England, being so close to Ireland, doesn't give one bother about today. Whereas America, on the other side of the world, goes crazy about it!

Instead of Irish food and green beer, I joined my host family to a birthday celebration for their cousin. We enjoyed a few games and delicious food! For every family birthday they get together the day of to celebrate with the whole family. It's really lovely how close they all to each other, which makes it possible for this to happen! This is my third family gathering I have attended with them in less than 2 months! The grandmother of my host family always gives me a "mothers kiss" when we say goodbye "because my own mother isn't here." The entire family has been so great to include me so much and try to make me feel at home (even if we don't kiss each other when we say goodbye in America).

Unexpected

Saint Patrick's Day in London! Boy oh boy was it crowded! My friend and I (another intern) decided to go to Trafalgar Square to see the Saint Patrick's Day festival. We missed the parade because of church, but there was still plenty of excitement to go around! We saw many Irish nicknacks far to over priced, lots of Irish food made into fast food, and a LOT of Irish beer.

 Me being the California born and raised type, was wearing four layers, a scarf, thermal pants, boots, and gloves. While others were strutting around in booty shorts and tights! Crazy! The weather was just as to be expected -- cold and rainy. I don't regret my four layers at all! Even if I looked a bit ridiculous!

After going around the booths and exploring the festivities (and after sampling all the foods multiple times) we took a walk around the  nearby art museum. It was my first time going to a museum in London. The best part, it was free! Most museums in London are free! Which is just amazing to me!

Being the wimps we are, after a few hours on our feet we decided to call it a day. I was determined to get sushi! Someone recommended a place to us a few days before so we thought we'd give it a try. I am missing my favorites from from. ESPECIALLY sushi and Mexican! I was quite disappointed to discover that all the sushi in this shop was pre made and packaged up. The avocado was browning and the salmon was thin enough to see through it! This was not how my dad (the ultimate sushi master know it all) taught me how to eat raw fish!! Plus, it was cold outside and something warm sounded better anyways...

We decided to head back to bromley to get dinner there. We weren't starving yet, and it would be cheaper to get something outside of the city. We stopped in a pub near our train station at home and enjoyed a two for £7 meal deal that was delicious, fresh, and warm! God had planted a high expectation for sushi in me, because at some point during our meal the conversation turned to theology. The next thing I know we are discussing the creation story, the roots of sin, the story of Satan, what evil really is and how it came to be considering our creator is perfect, and many other topics that were incredibly detailed and important! My friend had some odd ideas that were rooted in a quote from Einstein, instead of the Bible. After hours of sitting in this pub discussing scripture and our thoughts, she began to understand what I was explaining. I am so blessed to have been filled with such wisdom from my leaders back home! To many of her questions I was reminded of different sermons and series that I have already been taught. It was so great to be able to sit down, and share our beliefs and opinions in a way that was encouraging to one another and uplifting!

Here are 3 of the 5 pages of notes we took!

I thought that a year abroad on mission would be a constant spiritual high of craziness, miracles, excitement, and reaching nonbelievers. To my surprise, it hasn't been. It has been a lot of office work, dishes, and helping with preexisting groups that serve the community. I realized a few weeks ago this mission work isn't going to be what I expected it to be. Tonight, I realized that I may be here to share and build up current believers, just as much as I am trying to build relationships with nonbelievers. I don't know everything God is planning to do this year in England, but whatever it is, I am excited for it!

Please be praying that I am able to build up those I am getting close within the Christian community here. There are many people in many different places in their walk with Christ, and I want to do everything I can to steer those around me closer to Him! Also be praying that I can continue to grow in closeness with the Lord, and that I don't burn out or get lazy!

God bless!

Public Transport, Day 1

Today was an adventure. The day I've been concerned about since I got here... Traveling alone and confused throughout the city for the first time. Well, I was only ACTUALLY alone for the first bus ride... Then I met another intern also traveling up to northern London. Yet for the past three days I've been obsessing over this journey (not out loud of course) and the stops I would be using.

I was out the door surprisingly on time -- just proof that I was nervous about missing my train! I had my entire journey written out on both my wrist for safe keeping, and a piece of paper for practicality. Plus, an alternative route just in case. Prepared and pretending to be confident, I was walking to the bus stop. Only about a 10 minute walk from my host home. I made it there about 5 minutes earlier than my bus was scheduled. There I was standing in the cold London air in silence with a group of strangers who never seem to make eye contact... The minutes passed and soon it was 9:01. Uh oh. No bus had pulled around the corner. Pretending to be relaxed I sat clicking around on my phone -- pointless because I have no internet currently. The minutes ticked on. I could tell the crowd around the bus stop was starting to grow more irritable than usual. 9:05, no bus. 9:10, still no bus. Had my online trip planner failed me?? Did I miscalculate something? Maybe miss a warning of a bus strike? (which are quite common.)

A woman walked up to the bus stop quickly, you could tell she knew what she was doing. She informed the crowd of us waiting that the bus drivers were trying to switch from the night shift to the morning drivers, and the drivers hadn't arrived. Great... She continued on walking, not waiting for the bus to arrive. Panic. I am set to meet my fellow intern just in time for our train! About another 5 minutes passed, and with a silent sigh of relief the bus rounded the corner. Phew. Now I will make it! Maybe not on time but I'm on my way! The bus quickly took us to the train station. I had 5 minutes to spare!

I met the other intern and together we boarded our train. Two stops ahead another intern joined us and off we were. It was a peaceful journey in. We had our own seats, and switching from the rail to the underground and back to trains went simply. Bless London for making clear signs! We even had some time for reading on our last train. We made it on time and walked up to the Sublime office.

A young man walked in a few minutes after us. He had come to talk with us about prayer walking, and prayer and intercession. We did a few worship songs and prayed, then we began our discussion. It was so interesting to hear what this guy had to say. He (and just about every other Christian I've met in London) is much more on the charismatic side than I am used to. We talked about the power of prayer, God speaking into us, us listening to that and not doubting it is God, and hooks for how to hear from God more. I am definitely out of my comfort zone here, but I know God is growing and stretching me with all of this new experiences and new teaching and worship styles.

After, the group went off to prayer walk around an area we will be serving, and I went off to meet my mentor. She was very kind. It is kind of funny to be assigned a mentor, who really is just a stranger connected to me through church. I'm not always the quickest to pour out my thoughts and feelings with people, but I am open to building a relationship with this woman, who after today I know she knows her stuff! She had some great things to say, and some great pieces of advice for any Christian to abide by. Which is great because I spent most of the afternoon just nodding in agreement without having much to add in.

On the way home I was absolutely amazed at how PACKED the trains and the underground were! It was myself, and another intern traveling together back to southern London. Our first train was a breeze, we got on at one of the first stations so we both got seats right away. But as we got off the train and walked through the station in Central London, I quickly realized what 5 o'clock looks like to Londoners! They don't call it rush hour for nothing! We found our way down to the underground station we needed. As we turned the corner onto the platform, we were greeted by a four foot wide WALL of people from the edge of the yellow line and back. I was shocked! As the tube pulled up, the other intern and I laughed and shook our heads. The tube was already full! A few people got off, and three times that amount squeezed themselves on before the doors shut just inches behind them. We had to wait THREE TUBES before we were able to be one of the lucky few to squeeze in while hoping not to be squeezed by the shutting door! Each tube that pulled up was as full as the last, and we had to inch our way closer to the golden yellow line of hope --only those whose toes were touching it could manage to get on!

Once on, I was lucky enough to share my personal bubble with about 5 strangers while awkwardly bending my arm uncomfortably to hold a bar for stability. The last thing I wanted was to fall as the tube stopped into one of the strangers sharing my bubble! Each stop people pushed their way past to get off, and a new bunch shoved their way in. When the time came to get off I was thrilled! Past the part of my journey needing to share my space. Wrong. As we approached the train taking us the final way of our journey, I was delighted that it was just as full... Except with less handles and bars to hold onto to prevent falling during the quick stops! We crowded in the door way and stood, huddled together unwillingly and waited for the 15 minute journey to the first stop in Bromley to come. After that, it started to clear out a bit. Eventually I got a seat just before arriving to my final destination.

During this journey I realized what a crowd really was. I thought of the cliché image of "going against the crown". I could see here how easy it would be to literally be washed away in the crowd. If I was trying to go the opposite way as these people, I would never make it! It was hard enough moving 6 inches, never the less walking the opposite direction! Thank the Lord that was not the case.

I made it home just in time for dinner. God is so good! The first time traveling alone for two hours across London was behind me! I made it through with minimal stress, and no fatal mistakes. Now I get to look forward to this journey every Monday! Despite the crowds and confusion, it really is not a bad journey. It gives me a chance to hear strangers, talk with new people, and see London in its packed to the brim glory!

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Unpacked

I will keep this update short. I am very sleepy after a few very eventful days.

Today was my last day of sublime training. Thank the Lord training has finished! Don't get me wrong, I've loved training. It's been a great time building relationships and learning new things and new perspectives. But after 10 days of training, two planes, a hotel, a hostile, and a temporary host family, I am a bit worn-out.

After our final bit of training for working with youth and bible study combo, and sharing our testimonies, I was off to south London. A leader at sublime graciously offered to drive us. It would have been very difficult to take the train with all those suitcases! But driving from one end to the other at 5 o'clock is not a quick trip! After about an hour and a half, we finally made it to my host church! There we were greeted by my host dad/church leader and the woman who is coordinating the intern schedules and directly above me.

Soon (after some tea and biscuits --aka cookies) we headed to my host home. I was met at the door by my host mother and their two daughters (both teenagers) and one of the daughter's friend. They quickly grabbed my luggage for me and took it up to my room for me. I offered to take it myself, but they kindly said no to me. It is so odd being the one who is receiving the service! I feel bad not helping, but it was just a part of being new in someone's home I guess...

After dinner I was given a tour of the house. I could feel myself getting a little overwhelmed. As we toured the bathroom I was washed over with relief! A real shower! All week I had been using a bath shower combo that didn't have a curtain to keep water from splashing out -- extremely difficult to use! We finished the tour in my new room, and I was left alone to settle in. Again, I began to feel the emotional overwhelming sensation. I was unpacking my belongings in a strangers house. I am going to be here the rest of the year. I was told to make myself at home, and the family is so kind and seem very easy going. Yet, I felt like a mouse in this new place.

I am thankful that I was placed with a family with girls semi near my age. I would have been so uncomfortable alone with just a couple (as most interns are). I am sure after some time the mousy feeling of being a guest will fade. But for now in this strange pink room lying in this bed that's not my own, I am a bit homesick.

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Chaos

Training with Sublime had been great. We've been busy but our schedule hasn't been busting at the seams which is nice! We have had time to slow down and talk and relax a bit. I have spent a total of four nights with a lovely couple as my temporary host family. They have been so kind to me and the other intern staying here. We have had dinner here a few times and it has been home made traditional English food, yum!

Yesterday after our training, some of the sublime leaders took the 6 of us interns down a beautiful walk past a "river" to one of the shopping streets in northern London. There we were meant to open a bank account for me, and top up our SIM cards to have prepaid minutes with our new UK number... Neither of which happened... We first stopped by a bank to open an account. Well, that didn't happen. We hardly walked in the door by the time a woman started explaining the process that was needed to open an account... An appointment, a letter by a business, mail with my name on it from a specific place to prove my residency... The list went on! I had most everything needed, but I was missing the bill with my name... After a ten minute explanation, an appointment being made for two weeks time, and a list of requirements, off we went to deal with my phone. I thought that my SIM card wasn't accepted by the phone I have, and when we went to the phone shop I realized I had left the phone and the SIM back at HQ... So the guy wasn't able to help me much. He told me it was probably locked onto a contract, and that I should just sign up for a year contract and buy a new phone. Uhmmm, a bit out of my price range! Plus I would need a bank account for the payments, which clearly hadn't happened yet. But on the bright side, after explaining my bank situation, he told us of a bank that was less tedious for people like me. His wife was from the States and had had the same issue. So off to another bank we went! After walking up and then down the street looking for this bank, we finally found it! And... It was closed... Sigh... So off to coffee we went to meet the rest of the team! These details will just have to wait for another day. 

Today was just as confusing but in a whole new way! Sublime leaders arranged for a city wide photo scavenger hunt! We picked names at random and sped off across the city to get pictures at various locations and pictures using many types of transportation; each worth one point. Being new to both the city and public transportation, I was not of much use. Plus, I had no phone to look up addresses or maps... But it was still great fun!  We got very creative with our different types of transport! Everything from walking, taxi cabs, and the underground, to railways, bicycles, and scooters. We even took a picture on a broomstick (as if it would fly!). At the end of our time, we met at Kahaila, a local Christian-ran coffee shop. To our surprise we won! Our prize: dignity.

We returned home (a thirty minute train ride, and a short walk) and had dinner, only to be off again to attend a prayer and worship night being put on by the church of a sublime leader. It was incredible! Our two guy interns led worship. Nothing fancy, yet powerful. Even the fact that two young men whose first languages are not English led English worship! It was a great few songs, and then some people got up to share their testimony or something that God was doing in their life. Next we broke off into groups and prayed for each other, and then prayed all together for the upcoming event that this small newly-planted church was putting on. Then we sang another few songs. During this time I was in awe of how incredible our God is! He was so clearly a part of the lives of the people in the room with me. There was less than 30 people, most of which had gray hair or hardly any hair at all. Yet here we were... Multiple generations, people from over 5 countries, all having different experiences and stories, and here we were praising Jesus. It was incredible. Each of us completely different, connected by our savior. He came down for each and every one of us. Wow.

London is such a busy, fast-paced place. Walking the streets filled with noises, advertisements, and chaos, even as a Christian on mission I find it difficult to focus on God. Yet each and every person I pass, the millions of people walking around this chaotic city, God loves each of them intimately and personally. Please pray with me that God transforms this post-Christian city. That He will use my time here to affect the individual lives of His children. That He will open their eyes to this overwhelming agape love He has for each and every one of them.

God bless,

Marissa. 

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Training, Training, and More Training!

What an incredible week of growth! Shortly after landing in Denver, Colorado I was met at the baggage claim by two people from Greater Europe Mission. I was the first intern to arrive. Throughout the next few hours interns began arriving. We were each greeted with a bag of a few essentials for training: notebook, water, lotion (for the dry Denver weather) and of course gum and mints and such. By the late afternoon we began training. Notebooks and bibles spread before us, we dove in. It was a constant downpour of information, knowledge, and preparation for what is ahead.

Everything said was absolutely captivating. God was using those from GEM and their experience to prepare us interns. We spent 3 days learning about GEM, each other, and even ourselves. Thursday came far to quickly. The team of interns quickly bonded with each other, and though we were excited to leave for Europe, it was sad knowing we wouldn't be together anymore. Each of us were on our way to different locations of serving.

On the plane I sat with my new friend Kaci (not Kacy). I quickly realized we were outnumbered by those with British accents. Everyone who spoke seemed to make us more and more excited. None of it felt real, as if this was a dream and I would wake up back in California. Unfortunately, that was the closest to dreaming I would get on that plane. It was about an 8 hour plane ride. We left Denver just after 5pm and landed at 9:30am. After I was finished bouncing in my street, I kept myself busy watching movies and trying to sleep (which means listening to music).

When we landed we were picked up by a bus which drove us to the entrance of the airport. We were quickly on our way to talk with border patrol about our planes in the UK and then off to get our bags. Kaci and I went nearly strait to the bathroom to brush our teeth and freshen up. Gabe and Jesse (two interns who were also traveling with us) went to the coffee shop in the airport where we were meeting those picking us up. Soon enough they arrived and we were off to our hotel for the next few days of our journey. My first time on the tube was exhilarating! Everything looked SO European and the thought that this is my home for the next year was unimaginable. I spent the entire way looking out the window or studying the posted tube map. (I am trying very hard not prevent getting lost!) 

Another three days of training flew by. We learned a few English terms such as nippy, and cheers, we practiced holding our forks on the left flipped over, and one night we got a tour of a few of the big tourist hotspots such as Big Ben and the London Eye. Learning how to use money again was an odd experience. It's not something I have had to think about in so many years!

On Thursday, I met with a few people from Sublime. It was so nice meeting people in 3D and not through a video call! I had to leave the last of the GEM interns, but I was greeted by an intern who will be serving with me this year in Bromley. After some tea and scones, I was off to bed at my temporary host home.

Today, I met the other five interns who are currently serving at sublime. Four from Germany and one from Brazil. We had a few ice breaker games (two truths and a lie, I briefly convinced them I drove a Prius!!) and then continued with some training and information about what this year will hold for us. This group was a little bit slower to warm up to each other than the GEM interns I had been with last week. It was took some time but at the end of our long day we were able to laugh instead of sit in silence... Everyone seems nice and it has been so interesting learning the ways of a new country with others. I was informed this afternoon that I was doing the dishes wrong... And it has been an interesting time getting used to saying toilet instead of bathroom...

All in all it has been an incredible start. I am ready to be past training and on to meet my permanent host family! God has continued revealing to me different things I need to work on in my own life. I have always gone to churches that are extremely similar in theology and styles of worship. This year I will be experiencing a range of Christian churches that vary in many styles. I know it will be difficult for me to get past my own stubbornness -that does not glorify Christ- and into the mentality that I am there to serve and support the local churches as I have been called to do. A saying I have heard about 200 hundred times this past week is "it's not wrong, it's just different". I am excited to see how God stretches me past my comfort and grows me more into He has created me to be.

Please continue keeping me in your prayers. Many challenges are ahead and I need my Lord and Savior guiding me every moment of it!

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