We bid Ponty High Ta-ta today after another 5 lessons on the Bus. Becca got to stay for the whole time and even did a lesson herself. She's so great. Next week the Bus is in Caerphilly. I enjoyed it a lot and I will be able to work at 3 more schools with it in a few weeks. Now all that is left for that area is to do the event tomorrow night. Should be good. Pray that we have a good turnout. But after we packed up the Bus and sent it off, we both got dropped off at Claire's so that we could go with her to the Kid's Club in Caerphilly.
The Club was loads of fun. It is basically a weekly Vacation Bible School Session (Holiday Club in Wales) and it was great. I met lots of the children and we were able to have a really great time. I have been helping out with so many different churches and they are all so different! But it is so much fun. It reminded me of 2011 when I worked with that church all week. It was such a good time. I am still so very glad to be back in Wales.
After Club we headed up the mountain for the PCY Wide Game. PCY is a youth group which draws from many of the local churches, so many of the people that I have worked with were there! It was so much fun. The Wide Game is an annual event. Essentially it is a game of capture the flag on a mountain with blocks of wood hidden all around (Alun's doing). Then you go and try to retrieve bricks (varied points), pull socks to capture people (10 points, 50 for captains) and, of course, capture the flag (1000 points). The flag never did get captured. Both teams did a great job of hiding them, so it all came down to the bricks. Jon (A Rhyd Friend) and I were wandering around looking for the flag together looking for the other flag. We scoured their territory and then eventually we found something quite fortuitous. Three 100 point bricks that the opposition had hidden for later. So we took two and I re-hid one and went back for it later. But a chase ensued in which a boy, who I found out was born in LA chased me all around the mountain. Eventually it came down to an uphill footrace with him and Becca (who I'd gotten out once already) chasing me up the mountain. I won. Jon got his block and I returned to capture the third. The final score. Them: 1050. Us: 1250. Stash raid for the win. It was a good time. I ran through a few nettles along the way though. Nasty stinging plants. They are annoying, but don't hurt too bad. Somewhere between normal thorns and a sunburn.
After the game we headed back to Claire's to relax. We ate. We drank tea. We watched British Comedy Programs. It was great! Faulty Towers is especially good, but apparently got cancelled because the main guy had a breakdown. Not surprising given his character...
I had a dream last night. And there was a voice. It told me that I should stop wasting my time doing all of this mission work. It told me that I should change my ways and really start to enjoy life apart from all of the service and ministry. Funny enough, I prayed for protection in my dreams last night. It's not an uncommon request for me as I tend to have very vivid and sometimes very bizarre dreams. This one was such. It definitely affected my attitude as I woke and immediately the day started negatively. Everything was negative and late and going wrong and BAH! But I realized that something was amiss. I checked my attitude. I recalled my dream. I recalled my prayer. I said another. God did not grant me protection from an encounter with evil, but he did protect me from being overpowered by it. The day moved on and things got better as the morning went on. I prayed and I was very conscious of what I thought and said. We prayed as a team. I prayed with Becca. Things just changed. The concept of Spiritual Warfare has always been very abstract for me, but today was very real. I don't believe in coincidences. Too many things made sense. It probably sounds pretty strange, but I think that the Devil was trying to throw a wrench in my gears. Good. That means that we are making an impact. Lest he would not care. But He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world and so I will not fear.
It has been a crazy first week. I have met so many awesome people, done so many great things and learned so much already. This time last week I was scared. I don't know why I was in a panic about things over here. I guess it was just a hard transition between Erskine and Wales. Those of you who know me well should know that I don't tend to get freaked out easily. But the idea of coming here and of all of the efforts that the Church went through to help us just weighed on me. I didn't feel big enough. This is God's mission, His work. And who am I?
But God is good. In my weakness He has proven himself to be strong. My doubt, His faithfulness. My fear, His power and love. It's hard to believe all of the time that we have got left to live and learn in Wales. I am excited to see what God does. Thanks for checking in.
God bless.
Friday, 7 June 2013
Thursday, 6 June 2013
June 6 "Up A Tree I'll Be"
I got to see my Becca today! It was so fun. Her and Brian actually beat us to the Bus, but they waited for us to start everything...well...we had the keys. Anyway, it was a good day. Still working with the same system and with a new batch of kids each day. We were supposed to do five groups today, but a few errors (not on our part) meant that we only got to do three. No matter. We got to leave a bit early and I got to do some good journal work in my down time. And I got to surprise Becca with a pack of Reese's Cups. She was thrilled. She also tried a Crunchie. I think she prefers the Cups.
After school we headed back to the house and I hung around until supper. Becca had to go back for a meeting, but came back over for dinner! I think we had like 20 people over. It was so packed. Fun, but very packed. We had a great meal and cake! It's Granny Jean's 88th on Sunday (Elizabeth's Mum) so we sang and celebrated a bit for that. After dinner we went down to the playground and threw the Frisbee for a while. It was not quite as impressive as the one from yesterday, but they did have a good merry-go-round. There was much dizziness.
After playing for a while we packed in Claire's car and drove back to Caer for a youth club at Pete and Kath's house (Gateway people). On the way there Rosie, Claire's oldest, convinced her friends that we were French. I may have complemented it with some French gibberish, but they believed us until we came clean. Funny stuff. We made it to the house, huge and beautiful as I remember, and hung around while people arrived. The night was spent playing games and eating pizza (some of which I was able to take with me- score!) Then to wrap things up, Pete gave an intro on the topic of Jesus. It was interesting. There were some things in his presentation (built for semi-churched middle schoolers) that I hadn't thought about. It is definitely very different here.
After the meeting we were playing in the front yard with a Frisbee that Rosie had won in the games and Raph got a hold of it. Poor, poor Frisbee. He threw it (he's Brazilian...more of a soccer player- though excellent at American Football) and it landed on just about the highest branch of the tree. So all was lost...BUT WAIT!!! Bobby to the rescue. Shoeless, I scaled the tree and made it to the uppermost branch. Pete and Kath were kind of protesting from a distance- something about the branches having fallen earlier in the week. Woops. I had already gotten so close, and it seemed a shame to turn back. I have been climbing trees as long as I can remember, so I guess I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I hope that I didn't scare/offend them, but nonetheless I kept at it. One long stick and a few minutes in the tree and 'Voila!" Frisbee rescued. I felt like a hero. I also boosted Sam up when we got back to their house so that he could get his Nerf rocket off the roof. Someone should pin a medal on me.
At the Hughes residence we watched a bit of rugby (England v. Wales rerun- great game) and chatted in the lounge until the game was over (Wales 30 to 3- old news) and it was time to come back home. And here I am. Tired from a long day and ready for tomorrow. I'm not sure what Friday's here will feel like since not much changes in the weekend. It's all such a wonderful, hectic blur!
Anyway, as we wrap up our time in Ponty High, please be in prayer that the children will have taken some good away from this. Seeds have definitely been sown, but there is a lot of darkness and a lot of hardness of heart here. We are having an event on Saturday evening for the students to come to on the subject of "What am I worth?" I've been given a time to speak and so please pray for me, but apart from that pray for them. There is nothing that I could say or do that would change them without God's blessing and provision. Pray for the children of Wales. They need to know their Savior.
Almost a full week in the country! 10am tomorrow will make it a full week in Wales. Praise God! It has been so fun and so full of joy so far. Pray for my energy, my patience, and my faith. It is an exhausting experience in a lot of ways, but God is good. Thanks for keeping up.
God bless
After school we headed back to the house and I hung around until supper. Becca had to go back for a meeting, but came back over for dinner! I think we had like 20 people over. It was so packed. Fun, but very packed. We had a great meal and cake! It's Granny Jean's 88th on Sunday (Elizabeth's Mum) so we sang and celebrated a bit for that. After dinner we went down to the playground and threw the Frisbee for a while. It was not quite as impressive as the one from yesterday, but they did have a good merry-go-round. There was much dizziness.
After playing for a while we packed in Claire's car and drove back to Caer for a youth club at Pete and Kath's house (Gateway people). On the way there Rosie, Claire's oldest, convinced her friends that we were French. I may have complemented it with some French gibberish, but they believed us until we came clean. Funny stuff. We made it to the house, huge and beautiful as I remember, and hung around while people arrived. The night was spent playing games and eating pizza (some of which I was able to take with me- score!) Then to wrap things up, Pete gave an intro on the topic of Jesus. It was interesting. There were some things in his presentation (built for semi-churched middle schoolers) that I hadn't thought about. It is definitely very different here.
After the meeting we were playing in the front yard with a Frisbee that Rosie had won in the games and Raph got a hold of it. Poor, poor Frisbee. He threw it (he's Brazilian...more of a soccer player- though excellent at American Football) and it landed on just about the highest branch of the tree. So all was lost...BUT WAIT!!! Bobby to the rescue. Shoeless, I scaled the tree and made it to the uppermost branch. Pete and Kath were kind of protesting from a distance- something about the branches having fallen earlier in the week. Woops. I had already gotten so close, and it seemed a shame to turn back. I have been climbing trees as long as I can remember, so I guess I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I hope that I didn't scare/offend them, but nonetheless I kept at it. One long stick and a few minutes in the tree and 'Voila!" Frisbee rescued. I felt like a hero. I also boosted Sam up when we got back to their house so that he could get his Nerf rocket off the roof. Someone should pin a medal on me.
At the Hughes residence we watched a bit of rugby (England v. Wales rerun- great game) and chatted in the lounge until the game was over (Wales 30 to 3- old news) and it was time to come back home. And here I am. Tired from a long day and ready for tomorrow. I'm not sure what Friday's here will feel like since not much changes in the weekend. It's all such a wonderful, hectic blur!
Anyway, as we wrap up our time in Ponty High, please be in prayer that the children will have taken some good away from this. Seeds have definitely been sown, but there is a lot of darkness and a lot of hardness of heart here. We are having an event on Saturday evening for the students to come to on the subject of "What am I worth?" I've been given a time to speak and so please pray for me, but apart from that pray for them. There is nothing that I could say or do that would change them without God's blessing and provision. Pray for the children of Wales. They need to know their Savior.
Almost a full week in the country! 10am tomorrow will make it a full week in Wales. Praise God! It has been so fun and so full of joy so far. Pray for my energy, my patience, and my faith. It is an exhausting experience in a lot of ways, but God is good. Thanks for keeping up.
God bless
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
June 5 "Crunchies and Coke"
Another beautiful day in Wales. Rumor is that the Americans bring the good weather with them when they come. That has been true so far, but I'm not going to count my chickens just yet. It is the UK after all. But today was sunny and gorgeous. It is always a bit chilly in the morning and then a bit hot in the car in the afternoon, but once 2 or 3pm rolls around it feels PERFECT outside. And apparently this is what Welsh summer always feels like! Well...when it's sunny.
We spent another glorious day on the Bus. Today was a bit different because Alun had to go and do a school assembly (an activity that I can tell more about once I start doing them). So it was Brian, Elizabeth, Maggie and I manning the fort for most of the day. It was also different because we had Year 6 students who came to Ponty High for transition day. They are still in primary school, but came over to see what it is like. So 3 out of 4 scheduled appointments were with them. And it was great. We had to rush through them a bit, but all in all it went very well. And then at the end of the day a 5th group, of students that we hadn't seen decided to come to the Bus! Because they wanted to! They basically got the teacher to switch their class time! And then after school we got a lift with Sarah and she told us that the students could not stop going on about the Bus! We might have gotten scolded slightly for the 3-D glasses that we gave them, but who cares! I am so happy. For whatever reason, these students are excited about the Bus. Hopefully whatever is driving them to want to be on the Bus will continue and that may help for some of this to stick. That's the hope. Pray for it to work!
After school we headed back and we hung around waiting until Rhyd Church's Kid's Club. We ended up going to a park in Cardiff (never been there before!!!) and we took 6 children and 2 little ones with us! I made so many new friends. It was a great time. Welsh playgrounds make American playgrounds seem like a big plastic waste of time (except maybe for Martha Rivers). But they had a 30 foot tall robe pyramid thing to climb, and a sideways spinning circle thing, and a 30 foot slide built into a hill, and a tower to play on! It was great. I may or may not have tried most of those things I just mentioned. Except the slide...there was a line...and I would have gotten stuck...maybe next time. It was a good time and then on the way home we saw a fox! Right in the middle of the city. We were all so shocked. It just ran across the road and into some bushes Very cool. I got to ride with Kath and a bunch of little girls (Kath is Brian and Elizabeth's youngest daughter). Good times.
After we got back from that I decided that I needed a walk. So I walked down to the store and bought a Coke and a Crunchie (delicious Welsh candy) and then I just walked. I walked up the hill trying to find the top, but kept getting dead-ended. It was a good time to just be quiet and think and enjoy God's creation. It was in the middle of the city, but the rolling hills still popped over the houses and glowed in the setting sun. I think I may make a habit out of it.
It was a busy day. But very exciting. And tomorrow I get to see Becca!!! She gets to come over and help on the Bus and then we are all having dinner here. I think that makes like a dozen people all crowded in this house. We struggled to fit 8 the other day. It will be interesting.
There is so much good going on here in Wales. But there is a lot of hurt as well. Pray for these churches and pray for these people. And while you're at it. Pray for America too. I hear the older people talk about the attitude that put Wales in the position that it is in and I've got to tell you, if America doesn't begin to change its direction, we are going to face this same spiritual decline. We have got to stop taking God and His Church for granted. We claim to be a Christian nation, but what does that mean? Wales still refers to itself as a Christian nation. The same teacher that spoke of our presentation as a valid opinion among many even said so. Yet less than 5% of the people are in Church. It's nominal. It's meaningless. Pray for us. Pray for them.
God bless
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
June 4 "The Power of Prayer"
What a day.
We got an early start and I had a bit of toast just before we had to be off to the Bus. We left early because we had a full day of classes today. Five in all. It ended up that Alun and I each did two and then Brian did the final one. Funny thing was that he wanted to do the last one because he was told that it would be small (5-6 students). About 25 showed up. But he did a fine job, probably better than either of us on our first go. He has learned from the best however. The tone on the Bus today was so different. All of the meetings seemed to go so much better. The children were attentive, with the occasional disruption of course, but all in all it was just a very blessed day. They even asked some really good questions, not hostile jabs, genuine inquiries. The only thing that was really different was how we started the day...with a group prayer. It's amazing how God provides for His people. There were no radical conversion experiences, but it was so much more positive. AND we gave out all of the fliers for our event on Saturday. Hopefully a good number will show up to a place where we can really give them a clear presentation of the Gospel. That would be a good thing to be in prayer about.
After school, (I'm still spending my day in school...) we got a lift home and spent a few hours relaxing here before tea (that's the evening meal). We had fish n' chips!
Then Alun came to pick me up to head over to Coedpenmaen Baptist Church for a Youth Club. It was a good ride and we got to talk about Alun's adventures in the states. Turns out that he has been to Erskine, Bonclarken (Worked Horizon and Quest) and just about everywhere else on the East Coast. When we got to the church we stood around and chatted among ourselves with a few young men drifting out. I met a few of them...but I am so lousy with names. It'll take all 8 weeks to learn them in all likelihood. Aled found me on Facebook though, so if a few more of them do that, then it might just help. After a few moments of hanging out and letting people come in, I helped Alun gather up the chairs and then took a seat to listen to him speak. He got up, welcomed everyone and then introduced the speaker for the night. I was shocked! I thought he was speaking. But he got up and introduced him...some poor fool named Bobby. Now I am sure that yesterday he clued me in that I would be talking with them. As a matter of fact, I think that I might be in charge of that quite a lot in the future. But I found myself completely unprepared. And so I got up, all smiles (and all nerves) and just went for it! I gave them my testimony briefly and a good bit about how I got into missions. Basically my story from birth to Wales. I think it went well...I don't really know what to think. But they listened and I spoke and I know that God can work through those sorts of things. I will say this. For all the awkward silence at the beginning, I got a resounding send-off when I had to leave early.
I left early to go with Tim to the Rhyd Church prayer meeting. All of the people from the church met up to talk about prayer and to do a bit of a study. It was so good! I have been amazed by the power of prayer these few days and now it was good to sit and think about it a bit. We had a good bit of fun there at Tim and Sarah's and then Kath and I headed back here.
And now its time for bed. I am once again, tired. And tomorrow we do it all again! Thank you for your prayers! God bless.
We got an early start and I had a bit of toast just before we had to be off to the Bus. We left early because we had a full day of classes today. Five in all. It ended up that Alun and I each did two and then Brian did the final one. Funny thing was that he wanted to do the last one because he was told that it would be small (5-6 students). About 25 showed up. But he did a fine job, probably better than either of us on our first go. He has learned from the best however. The tone on the Bus today was so different. All of the meetings seemed to go so much better. The children were attentive, with the occasional disruption of course, but all in all it was just a very blessed day. They even asked some really good questions, not hostile jabs, genuine inquiries. The only thing that was really different was how we started the day...with a group prayer. It's amazing how God provides for His people. There were no radical conversion experiences, but it was so much more positive. AND we gave out all of the fliers for our event on Saturday. Hopefully a good number will show up to a place where we can really give them a clear presentation of the Gospel. That would be a good thing to be in prayer about.
After school, (I'm still spending my day in school...) we got a lift home and spent a few hours relaxing here before tea (that's the evening meal). We had fish n' chips!
Then Alun came to pick me up to head over to Coedpenmaen Baptist Church for a Youth Club. It was a good ride and we got to talk about Alun's adventures in the states. Turns out that he has been to Erskine, Bonclarken (Worked Horizon and Quest) and just about everywhere else on the East Coast. When we got to the church we stood around and chatted among ourselves with a few young men drifting out. I met a few of them...but I am so lousy with names. It'll take all 8 weeks to learn them in all likelihood. Aled found me on Facebook though, so if a few more of them do that, then it might just help. After a few moments of hanging out and letting people come in, I helped Alun gather up the chairs and then took a seat to listen to him speak. He got up, welcomed everyone and then introduced the speaker for the night. I was shocked! I thought he was speaking. But he got up and introduced him...some poor fool named Bobby. Now I am sure that yesterday he clued me in that I would be talking with them. As a matter of fact, I think that I might be in charge of that quite a lot in the future. But I found myself completely unprepared. And so I got up, all smiles (and all nerves) and just went for it! I gave them my testimony briefly and a good bit about how I got into missions. Basically my story from birth to Wales. I think it went well...I don't really know what to think. But they listened and I spoke and I know that God can work through those sorts of things. I will say this. For all the awkward silence at the beginning, I got a resounding send-off when I had to leave early.
I left early to go with Tim to the Rhyd Church prayer meeting. All of the people from the church met up to talk about prayer and to do a bit of a study. It was so good! I have been amazed by the power of prayer these few days and now it was good to sit and think about it a bit. We had a good bit of fun there at Tim and Sarah's and then Kath and I headed back here.
And now its time for bed. I am once again, tired. And tomorrow we do it all again! Thank you for your prayers! God bless.
Monday, 3 June 2013
June 3 "First Day of School"
Maybe it's jet-lag, but Monday doesn't quite feel like Monday over here. I am tired, but it is a good kind of tired. A busy day and well-deserved sleep soon kind of tired. And tomorrow is even earlier. Bring it on!
Alun and I worked with Brian and Elizabeth on the G-SUS bus today. We went through three Religious Education Classes at Ponty High and I was even allowed to teach the last one! Tomorrow there are five to teach and I imagine that I'll be teaching a few of those as well.
So tomorrow will be fun. Alun and I sort of ironed out my schedule a bit more today as well so I now have a better idea of what Ill be doing these 8 weeks. But you'll hear all about that as it unfolds. I've got some decisions to make about how I will spend my time, so pray for me in that.
Wales is definitely a lot different than America. For some reason we are allowed to park a bus full of computers on school grounds and teach a class about Christianity. The lesson basically details different scenarios dealing with common problems (Fear, Forgiveness, Rejection) and then gives the children different sources for giving advice on how to solve the problems. It is subtle, and it is innovative. The way that the teacher closed the meeting was interesting though. She basically gave a call for learning about other people's opinions, since that was what we had presented. It's pluralistic religious education. We see it as being a bit more than that of course. The bus are going to be here for 4 weeks in my area and then in Becca's for 2. If just one of these children comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ then it will be worth every morning of cold questions and grumbling. Pray for us that these ministry efforts would bear the fruit that the Welsh so desperately need.
Thank you all of your prayers and support! I might not say it as often as I should but I am so grateful to everyone who has been with us on this journey.
Alun and I worked with Brian and Elizabeth on the G-SUS bus today. We went through three Religious Education Classes at Ponty High and I was even allowed to teach the last one! Tomorrow there are five to teach and I imagine that I'll be teaching a few of those as well.
So tomorrow will be fun. Alun and I sort of ironed out my schedule a bit more today as well so I now have a better idea of what Ill be doing these 8 weeks. But you'll hear all about that as it unfolds. I've got some decisions to make about how I will spend my time, so pray for me in that.
Wales is definitely a lot different than America. For some reason we are allowed to park a bus full of computers on school grounds and teach a class about Christianity. The lesson basically details different scenarios dealing with common problems (Fear, Forgiveness, Rejection) and then gives the children different sources for giving advice on how to solve the problems. It is subtle, and it is innovative. The way that the teacher closed the meeting was interesting though. She basically gave a call for learning about other people's opinions, since that was what we had presented. It's pluralistic religious education. We see it as being a bit more than that of course. The bus are going to be here for 4 weeks in my area and then in Becca's for 2. If just one of these children comes to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ then it will be worth every morning of cold questions and grumbling. Pray for us that these ministry efforts would bear the fruit that the Welsh so desperately need.
Thank you all of your prayers and support! I might not say it as often as I should but I am so grateful to everyone who has been with us on this journey.
Sunday, 2 June 2013
June 2 "Fish n' Chips"
Sabbath tour complete.
We started the morning in Rhydyfelin at the Methodist Church and Becca almost made it on time! Worship was good. Turns out that they are working through the book of Acts and watching videos that correspond to the chapters. Fortunately I read through Acts each time I go on a mission trip, so I am on the tail end of the book myself.
After worship with RMC, we all headed back up the hill to Brian and Elizabeth's house for lunch. The Rhyd church has signed up to have us over for dinner each Sunday and we have already filled every week! We are popular! This week we had a wonderful meal of sausage, chicken, roast and mashed potatoes with carrots, peas and corn. Then we had pudding (dessert for you Americans) with chocolate brownie, ice cream, jelly (Jell-O) and raspberry cheesecake. I had the brownie a-la-mode. Then tea. Lots of tea here. It's great.
After lunch we sat around in the lounge for a bit before Becca and I headed off to explore the village a bit. I'm living in Church Village in Tontag right outside of Rhyd. So we headed to the store to get some soap and then after we dropped off the supplies we walked the town a bit. We saw cricket practice! I think I'm actually beginning to understand the game a little.
After our walk we went to Caerphilly for their evening service and had a great time there. They are the church that I worked with last time and so it is good to see them again. As excited as I am to be working in Rhyd, the Gateway Church will always be special to me. After worship we headed back the Claire's house for a while and I played Baseball (arguably superior to Cricket) with the children until dinner. And it finally happened. Honest to goodness Welsh-style fish n' chips. Glorious. I'm about stuffed to sickness right now. So good. After dinner we watched an episode of Hawaii-five-0 (apparently a big deal for these kids) and now we are watching the end of the Brazil v. England game. Good game so far.
Tomorrow we start work with the G-SUS Bus and so I will fill you in on the particulars of that when I can.
Wales continues to amaze me! Maybe it's Wales, or maybe it's just the work that I'm doing but it just feels so great to be here doing what I'm doing. God has been so good to me in His providence for this trip and it has already proven to be such a good experience and I've not even gotten into the bulk of the experience! Looking forward to what the Lord has in store.
(2-2 Draw for football)
We started the morning in Rhydyfelin at the Methodist Church and Becca almost made it on time! Worship was good. Turns out that they are working through the book of Acts and watching videos that correspond to the chapters. Fortunately I read through Acts each time I go on a mission trip, so I am on the tail end of the book myself.
After worship with RMC, we all headed back up the hill to Brian and Elizabeth's house for lunch. The Rhyd church has signed up to have us over for dinner each Sunday and we have already filled every week! We are popular! This week we had a wonderful meal of sausage, chicken, roast and mashed potatoes with carrots, peas and corn. Then we had pudding (dessert for you Americans) with chocolate brownie, ice cream, jelly (Jell-O) and raspberry cheesecake. I had the brownie a-la-mode. Then tea. Lots of tea here. It's great.
After lunch we sat around in the lounge for a bit before Becca and I headed off to explore the village a bit. I'm living in Church Village in Tontag right outside of Rhyd. So we headed to the store to get some soap and then after we dropped off the supplies we walked the town a bit. We saw cricket practice! I think I'm actually beginning to understand the game a little.
After our walk we went to Caerphilly for their evening service and had a great time there. They are the church that I worked with last time and so it is good to see them again. As excited as I am to be working in Rhyd, the Gateway Church will always be special to me. After worship we headed back the Claire's house for a while and I played Baseball (arguably superior to Cricket) with the children until dinner. And it finally happened. Honest to goodness Welsh-style fish n' chips. Glorious. I'm about stuffed to sickness right now. So good. After dinner we watched an episode of Hawaii-five-0 (apparently a big deal for these kids) and now we are watching the end of the Brazil v. England game. Good game so far.
Tomorrow we start work with the G-SUS Bus and so I will fill you in on the particulars of that when I can.
Wales continues to amaze me! Maybe it's Wales, or maybe it's just the work that I'm doing but it just feels so great to be here doing what I'm doing. God has been so good to me in His providence for this trip and it has already proven to be such a good experience and I've not even gotten into the bulk of the experience! Looking forward to what the Lord has in store.
(2-2 Draw for football)
June 1 "A Surprisingly American-ish Second Day"
Today was a good day. We had a late morning (such a blessing!) and got out from Paul and Sarah’s about half-ten (that’s 10:30 for all you Americans). I was sad to leave such gracious hosts, but I was excited to head off to the place that I will call home for the next two months. It was a very short walk to Brian and Elizabeth’s house and they received me with all smiles and wamr welcomes. I was shown to my room and have found it to be a nice room with plenty of space. I don’t anticipate spending much time in here, but there is a bed, ample storage space and even a little radio. I’ve found about three stations to listen to so we will have to see how that goes. I didn't get the WIFI squared away yet, so I guess this will actually be posted tomorrow at some point...
But we had a busy morning training with the G-SUS Bus in Pontypridd. It was definitely a new experience, but it is interesting to see such an innovative way of implementing technology to present the Gospel. I will probably fill you in more on the G-Bus (as I like to call it) later, seeing as I will be working with it for quite some time.
After training we headed over to Claire and Kelvin Hughes’ (my host’s daughter’s family) for a bit before heading off to Mark and Georgie’s for a welcome Tea for Becca (not for me, though I was invited- that was a joke- though not as good as the one’s from Tea). It was a great time and got to see even more old friends and make some new ones from the Caerphilly church. The food was great- there was this chicken sandwich thing that had some sauce that was almost like some sort of BBQ slaw- crazy good.
After Tea we headed back to the Hughes’ house for dinner and babysitting. Yeah, you heard right. And they’ve got four children, no typo. But they were a joy! Becca and I got to eat Domino’s delivery and then played American sports with the children for hours before it got dark. Then we went in to look at more sports and managed to get Xbox Minecraft fired up just in time for the children to be sent off to bed. We chatted for a bit and then I was delivered back to my homestead.
It was such an eventful day and I am so glad to be back. It’s all been such an amazing experience so far and tomorrow I get to complete my first Ponty-area Sabbath tour. I’ll explain more about that tomorrow.
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