Saturday, March 21, 2015

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!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

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).

Sunday, March 15, 2015

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!