Turns out I can tell you where I’ll be for outreach after all - just can’t go into specifics here. But we are going to Northern India - I’m pretty excited. We leave April 11th! Prayers are much appreciated!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Oh, by the way - I’m going to INDIA!
Turns out I can tell you where I’ll be for outreach after all - just can’t go into specifics here. But we are going to Northern India - I’m pretty excited. We leave April 11th! Prayers are much appreciated!
Bible Overview Week - Journal - March 22-28
Sunday
We had lunch outside again - we went inside for a bit to sing happy birthday to Christy (a staff member who happens to be from Wisconsin!). Alex had collaborated with other members of the staff to write her a song, so she, Kayla and Melody sang it for everyone.
A bunch of the girls watched Sense and Sensibility together in the Underground - it was fun to have another girl’s day.
Daniel Susenbach (base leader and our amazing speaker for Grace week) and his wife Becky left to live in Colorado today; it was sad to see them go.
The teaching this week is excellent; the speaker is a gifted teacher and extremely knowledgeable. He’s giving us an overview of the entire Bible and the world history surrounding it, showing us how everything’s connected and the Old and New Testament are integral parts of one another.
This afternoon for evangelism in Brighton we just went out in small groups to go about a ‘normal’ day and see how that went; Alex, a staff member named Luke, Ruth and I ended up talking for almost an hour with an older gentleman in the gardens. He told us about everything; the rare elms in the garden, his upbringing, fox hunting - he was quite the character and lots of fun to listen to.
Vetle, Shea and I stayed at our table for a couple hours after dinner was over talking with our speaker. We talked about theology, Christianity in America, the UK, and India… it was a really good conversation. Mike’s a really open guy; he never talks down to us.
Ruth’s dad came for the evening to take Ruth out for dinner; we got to meet him and he brought a yummy cherry-and-almond cake from Ruth’s aunt Tanya.
This week is mine and Shea’s to set out breakfast; we’re alternating days to get up early and put it out. Today was my turn … man I’m sleepy…
My outreach team took group pictures today - I’ve volunteered to design a sheet with our photos and prayer requests on it to send to friends and family.
Tomorrow is silence and solitude day for the staff, so we got our instructions for tomorrow ahead of time - we worked like mad to get it all done so we can have the afternoon off tomorrow.
Thurs, March 26 - Outreach Group Pictures
We had our last local outreaches this evening - I was on Antifreeze. It was actually one of the best nights we’ve had on Antifreeze; I went with this guy named Jason that Alex and I have followed around for the past several times out. We saw about ten rough sleepers and had some good talks; everyone was healthy and warm.
Fri, March 27 - Jon's 5 - Minute Interval Photo Shoot
Community day! Everyone - students and all Holmsted staff - went outside and worked on the grounds together. Chopping wood, weeding, razing molehills on the lawn (Anne Joy and I became pros), transplanting ground cover and cleaning and repairing the drive.
We went on a shopping trip in the afternoon - our last trip to Crawley before we leave.
This evening was Café Night, which Nika, Ketsia and I organized. Nika and I got decorations and tons of cookies, candy and soda while we were at ASDA. Kayla suggested that we make it a ‘Clash” night, so over dinner she announced that everyone would have to come to Café Night wearing the weirdest combinations of clothing and makeup we could think of and the best girl and guy would win prizes as the King and Queen of Clash.
Nika, Ketsia and I scrambled to get the coach house classroom set up for the event - it turned out to be a great evening. People really got into the clash idea - we got some crazy outfits.
The acts were really good, too - Jon and Joel had put together a game show/skit based on Family Fortunes (Family Feud to us Americans), Ketsia sang a French song, Vetle tricked about 10 people into falling down on their butts at the same time, Allie played guitar and sang a song her friend had written, Gert-Jan had us play a game, and Kayla and Melody sang a tear-jerker song with a slideshow of pictures of our DTS playing in the background. Peter Bos and Turid won Clash King and Queen.
Photos: Sat, March 28 - Last Trip to Crawley
Photos: Sat, March 28 - Clash Cafe Night
(Cafe Night pictures are on Facebook so be ready with your login info!)
A bunch of the girls watched Sense and Sensibility together in the Underground - it was fun to have another girl’s day.
Daniel Susenbach (base leader and our amazing speaker for Grace week) and his wife Becky left to live in Colorado today; it was sad to see them go.
Tuesday
The teaching this week is excellent; the speaker is a gifted teacher and extremely knowledgeable. He’s giving us an overview of the entire Bible and the world history surrounding it, showing us how everything’s connected and the Old and New Testament are integral parts of one another.
Wednesday
This afternoon for evangelism in Brighton we just went out in small groups to go about a ‘normal’ day and see how that went; Alex, a staff member named Luke, Ruth and I ended up talking for almost an hour with an older gentleman in the gardens. He told us about everything; the rare elms in the garden, his upbringing, fox hunting - he was quite the character and lots of fun to listen to.
Vetle, Shea and I stayed at our table for a couple hours after dinner was over talking with our speaker. We talked about theology, Christianity in America, the UK, and India… it was a really good conversation. Mike’s a really open guy; he never talks down to us.
Ruth’s dad came for the evening to take Ruth out for dinner; we got to meet him and he brought a yummy cherry-and-almond cake from Ruth’s aunt Tanya.
Thursday
This week is mine and Shea’s to set out breakfast; we’re alternating days to get up early and put it out. Today was my turn … man I’m sleepy…
My outreach team took group pictures today - I’ve volunteered to design a sheet with our photos and prayer requests on it to send to friends and family.
Tomorrow is silence and solitude day for the staff, so we got our instructions for tomorrow ahead of time - we worked like mad to get it all done so we can have the afternoon off tomorrow.
Thurs, March 26 - Outreach Group Pictures
Friday
We had our last local outreaches this evening - I was on Antifreeze. It was actually one of the best nights we’ve had on Antifreeze; I went with this guy named Jason that Alex and I have followed around for the past several times out. We saw about ten rough sleepers and had some good talks; everyone was healthy and warm.
Fri, March 27 - Jon's 5 - Minute Interval Photo Shoot
Saturday
Community day! Everyone - students and all Holmsted staff - went outside and worked on the grounds together. Chopping wood, weeding, razing molehills on the lawn (Anne Joy and I became pros), transplanting ground cover and cleaning and repairing the drive.
We went on a shopping trip in the afternoon - our last trip to Crawley before we leave.
This evening was Café Night, which Nika, Ketsia and I organized. Nika and I got decorations and tons of cookies, candy and soda while we were at ASDA. Kayla suggested that we make it a ‘Clash” night, so over dinner she announced that everyone would have to come to Café Night wearing the weirdest combinations of clothing and makeup we could think of and the best girl and guy would win prizes as the King and Queen of Clash.
Nika, Ketsia and I scrambled to get the coach house classroom set up for the event - it turned out to be a great evening. People really got into the clash idea - we got some crazy outfits.
The acts were really good, too - Jon and Joel had put together a game show/skit based on Family Fortunes (Family Feud to us Americans), Ketsia sang a French song, Vetle tricked about 10 people into falling down on their butts at the same time, Allie played guitar and sang a song her friend had written, Gert-Jan had us play a game, and Kayla and Melody sang a tear-jerker song with a slideshow of pictures of our DTS playing in the background. Peter Bos and Turid won Clash King and Queen.
Photos: Sat, March 28 - Last Trip to Crawley
Photos: Sat, March 28 - Clash Cafe Night
(Cafe Night pictures are on Facebook so be ready with your login info!)
Spiritual Warfare Week - Journal - March 15-21
Sunday
Today was lovely. It was beautiful outside; sunny and warm. We ate Sunday roast out at the picnic tables on the lawn then spent two hours lounging on the lawn waiting for desert to be ready. We played freeze tag, duck duck goose, and spinning tops (apparently the English name for spinning like crazy then falling over).
Photos: Sun, March 15 - On The Lawn
This week is Angels and Mortals week; we each drew the name of someone else in the DTS out of a hat and we (the angels) are to anonymously bless them (the mortals) throughout the week.
Today my angel set out my food on the table so I wouldn’t have to wait in line - he/she gave me a Kit Kat bar, a bottle of water, and a note saying “Hil, Enjoy a lunch made with TLC. <3 style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Tuesday
Photos: Sun, March 15 - On The Lawn
Monday
This week is Angels and Mortals week; we each drew the name of someone else in the DTS out of a hat and we (the angels) are to anonymously bless them (the mortals) throughout the week.
Today my angel set out my food on the table so I wouldn’t have to wait in line - he/she gave me a Kit Kat bar, a bottle of water, and a note saying “Hil, Enjoy a lunch made with TLC. <3 style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Tuesday
I woke up to find 3 giant Aero bars beside my pillow with a note: “Hilary, I thought you should start the morning off right! You are sweeter than all the chocolate in the world. - Love, Your Angel”. Apparently he/she knows Aero’s my favorite!
Photos: Tues, March 17 - Underground Randoms
Wednesday
A jar of nutella and a loaf of bread today! “Early Breakfast! <3 href="http://picasaweb.google.com/HilarySiebring/WedMarch18HairDying#">Photos: Wed, March 18 - Hair Dying
Thursday
During work duties Kayla delivered a note from my angel - “Stop what you’re doing - go check your email! <3 style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">Saturday
Tonight was a movie night - Jonathan, Dan and I watched Equilibrium up in the boy’s dorm then we joined Shea, Becky and Anne Joy in the Underground to watch Boondock Saints.
Justice Week - Journal - March 9 -14
Monday
Today was the first day of the “24-12” prayer - 36 hours of people praying in shifts. We each signed up for four hours total. I did my shifts from noon to two and midnight to two am. Three or four people are in the prayer room constantly - they will be until tomorrow afternoon.
Saturday
Shopping in Crawley again today; Nika and I had ‘brunch’ together at the McDonald’s at ASDA then had fun trying on expensive dresses.
I played soccer for a while with the usual group - Shea, Gert-Jan, Nika, Daniel, Felepe and Vetle. Then I (brace yourselves, those of you who know my exercising habits) went for a jog. I know - ‘tis shocking.
Ruth and I took rapid-fire pictures with her webcam of us making faces and pretending to punch each other and other such fun oddities and she made it into a film - hopefully we’ll be able to get it online to show you.
Daniel’s fraternal twin brother and two best friends are here visiting from Germany and Gert-Jan and I joined them this evening for some time at the pub. Gert-Jan also happens to speak German, so I was the odd one out in the linguistics department - it was fun (if a bit perplexing) trying to follow along with the conversation.
They started really rubbing it in that I couldn’t understand them - when the pub owner’s wife came in to the room, I was looking forward to some English. She spoke to us in German. Oi.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Relationships Week - Journal March 1-8
Sunday
This afternoon we all piled into the mini bus and a station wagon with our little backpacks and drove three hours to the South side of London and St. Paul’s church (traditionally called the Church of Sea Captains as Captain James Cook was once a parishioner here). We took over the crypt, which sounds a lot creepier than it actually was.
I’m writing this while “in bed” - we’re sleeping on the plastic floor. I’ve only got a sleeping bag, which gives me a scant 1/2in of padding - it’s not as bad as I thought it would be, actually.
I’m writing this while “in bed” - we’re sleeping on the plastic floor. I’ve only got a sleeping bag, which gives me a scant 1/2in of padding - it’s not as bad as I thought it would be, actually.
Monday
We came to this church to assist them practically by donating our work duty time, so we were split into three groups and assigned certain tasks. Today my group’s two hours were spent scraping paint and washing walls to prepare them for paint.
This evening we walked about twenty minutes toward the center of London and ended up walking smack into the Tower of London and Tower Bridge! I was very excited - I had no warning that I was going to see anything like that tonight, so I was bouncing off the walls with delight - the people who had been inside that building - !
This evening we walked about twenty minutes toward the center of London and ended up walking smack into the Tower of London and Tower Bridge! I was very excited - I had no warning that I was going to see anything like that tonight, so I was bouncing off the walls with delight - the people who had been inside that building - !
Tuesday
We had an hour of prayer and worship then had an hour to wander around London before lectures on perseverance in relationships.
We cooked 6 giant ham-and-broccoli bakes to be frozen for later use by the church for work duty today; we packed into a tiny galley kitchen to peel and boil potatoes and make white sauce while several people chopped hills of broccoli and shredded mountains of cheese on one of the tables in the common room.
We had a big taco dinner in an unusual style - you couldn’t serve yourself or ask someone to serve you. You had to make sure that those around you had food on their plates and they had to look after you - this is relationship week, after all, so it was an exercise in thinking of others before yourself. It was interesting seeing how the different cultures and personalities reacted to the challenge.
Afterward we all went to a nearby pub called “The Promise of Whitby”, which was once frequented by Charles Dickens. London is amazing.
We cooked 6 giant ham-and-broccoli bakes to be frozen for later use by the church for work duty today; we packed into a tiny galley kitchen to peel and boil potatoes and make white sauce while several people chopped hills of broccoli and shredded mountains of cheese on one of the tables in the common room.
We had a big taco dinner in an unusual style - you couldn’t serve yourself or ask someone to serve you. You had to make sure that those around you had food on their plates and they had to look after you - this is relationship week, after all, so it was an exercise in thinking of others before yourself. It was interesting seeing how the different cultures and personalities reacted to the challenge.
Afterward we all went to a nearby pub called “The Promise of Whitby”, which was once frequented by Charles Dickens. London is amazing.
Wednesday
We had a four-hour outreach team meeting after breakfast and worship today - it was weird going even that long with only eight other students.
We walked to a café affiliated with the church we were staying at; a real arty place called departure - unfortunately we arrived a half hour before they opened for the day so we found a curb to sit on and took turns giving our presentations we’d prepared using research we’d gathered concerning our outreach location.
Once the coffee shop opened we spent a couple hours over cappuccinos and brownies talking about plans and browsing the books, art, and instruments in the café.
We talked about our hopes and fears for outreach over lunch back in the girl’s room in the church. I don’t know if I’ve told you yet who makes up my outreach team - Hanna is leading us, and eight other students are going: Turid, Vetle, Anne, Melody, Gary, Joel, and Jessica.
Today’s work duties were out in the garden today - they have a large, very overgrown garden, so we ripped out tons of brambles and overgrowth. It was really fun to work outside again - it was very satisfying to saw down shrubs (I’ve got a cut on the pad of my thumb as proof of my zeal) and pulling up root balls.
We had an extended small group time, so Ruth, Esther, Ketsia, Nika, Alex and I did each other’s hair and then went out to eat at an Italian restaurant called Zeezees. Our waiter was a Polish guy named Gregory - he joked around with us quite a bit.
This evening I’m sleeping on the frame of the couch in the common room (the pillows had been taken to be used as a floor mat), which, though rather cramped, is quite comfy.
Photos: At The Church
We walked to a café affiliated with the church we were staying at; a real arty place called departure - unfortunately we arrived a half hour before they opened for the day so we found a curb to sit on and took turns giving our presentations we’d prepared using research we’d gathered concerning our outreach location.
Once the coffee shop opened we spent a couple hours over cappuccinos and brownies talking about plans and browsing the books, art, and instruments in the café.
We talked about our hopes and fears for outreach over lunch back in the girl’s room in the church. I don’t know if I’ve told you yet who makes up my outreach team - Hanna is leading us, and eight other students are going: Turid, Vetle, Anne, Melody, Gary, Joel, and Jessica.
Today’s work duties were out in the garden today - they have a large, very overgrown garden, so we ripped out tons of brambles and overgrowth. It was really fun to work outside again - it was very satisfying to saw down shrubs (I’ve got a cut on the pad of my thumb as proof of my zeal) and pulling up root balls.
We had an extended small group time, so Ruth, Esther, Ketsia, Nika, Alex and I did each other’s hair and then went out to eat at an Italian restaurant called Zeezees. Our waiter was a Polish guy named Gregory - he joked around with us quite a bit.
This evening I’m sleeping on the frame of the couch in the common room (the pillows had been taken to be used as a floor mat), which, though rather cramped, is quite comfy.
Photos: At The Church
Thursday
First day of the long weekend! Eight lucky students (Nika, Daniel, Shea, Kayla, Jessica, Natasha, Jonathan and Gary) got to go to Rome, Turid and Vetle went to Dover, Gert-Jan was already on his way home to Holland, Becky and Hayley went home as well, Esther went to Ukraine to visit at an orphanage she‘d been to before, and Ruth, Ketsia, Joel, Anne, Melody, Joshua and I stayed in London.
We went to Café Rouge off St. Katherine’s Docks (and in the shadow of the Tower of London) for hot drinks, then walked all around The Tower and saw reenactors demonstrating a giant crossbow. We walked across Tower Bridge, along the Thames, through an old converted wharf called Hay’s Galleria, down a side street, and into an cool open-air market where we had lunch at the ultimate fast food stall - within 30 seconds of ordering I had a bacon and egg sandwich.
Joshua left us to go see debates at the Parliament Building and we went on walking along the Thames, past the Globe Theatre, over the Millennium Bridge, into St. Paul’s Cathedral, along Fleet Street, into St. Martin’s of Ludgate church, on to St. Arbuck’s for a rest, further along Fleet Street and onto Covent Garden for a couple hour’s shopping and listening to a string quintet in the main atrium.
We picked up some groceries at M&S then met Turid and Vetle for dinner at Pizza Hut (yep, we’ve got class) before making our way to our hostel in Kensal Green.
It was quite the experience. We stayed at Hostel 639 on Joshua’s recommendation as it is the cheapest in London (nine pounds for a bed in an 8-bed mixed room). There was a rave going on in the common room beside the reception area, so we could barely hear ourselves think as we checked in and disco lights flashed all around us - people in outfits meant for clubbing were crowded all around - luckily our room was on the second floor (third floor to the Americans) so we didn’t hear the music.
The place was clean enough, but there was a phone number for an individual of questionable virtue sharpied on my bedstead. The shower was in the corner of our bedroom, but there was no showerhead on the end of the hose, much too the chagrin of those of us who hadn’t had a shower since Sunday.
We shared with a very quiet Polish guy and two Dutch girls - they didn’t come in until late, though, so we got to goof around and munch on the snacks we’d bought at M&S.
We went to Café Rouge off St. Katherine’s Docks (and in the shadow of the Tower of London) for hot drinks, then walked all around The Tower and saw reenactors demonstrating a giant crossbow. We walked across Tower Bridge, along the Thames, through an old converted wharf called Hay’s Galleria, down a side street, and into an cool open-air market where we had lunch at the ultimate fast food stall - within 30 seconds of ordering I had a bacon and egg sandwich.
Joshua left us to go see debates at the Parliament Building and we went on walking along the Thames, past the Globe Theatre, over the Millennium Bridge, into St. Paul’s Cathedral, along Fleet Street, into St. Martin’s of Ludgate church, on to St. Arbuck’s for a rest, further along Fleet Street and onto Covent Garden for a couple hour’s shopping and listening to a string quintet in the main atrium.
We picked up some groceries at M&S then met Turid and Vetle for dinner at Pizza Hut (yep, we’ve got class) before making our way to our hostel in Kensal Green.
It was quite the experience. We stayed at Hostel 639 on Joshua’s recommendation as it is the cheapest in London (nine pounds for a bed in an 8-bed mixed room). There was a rave going on in the common room beside the reception area, so we could barely hear ourselves think as we checked in and disco lights flashed all around us - people in outfits meant for clubbing were crowded all around - luckily our room was on the second floor (third floor to the Americans) so we didn’t hear the music.
The place was clean enough, but there was a phone number for an individual of questionable virtue sharpied on my bedstead. The shower was in the corner of our bedroom, but there was no showerhead on the end of the hose, much too the chagrin of those of us who hadn’t had a shower since Sunday.
We shared with a very quiet Polish guy and two Dutch girls - they didn’t come in until late, though, so we got to goof around and munch on the snacks we’d bought at M&S.
Friday
We left the hostel by ten and met Ruth on the train and walked along the Thames past the London Eye, across Westminster bridge, past the Parliament building, and to Westminster Square to take photos with the statue of Winston Churchill.
At that point the pull of Westminster Abbey was too strong for me, so I split off from the group to go inside. I spent two hours exploring every bit I could get at; they had an excellent audio guide that came with the ticket. I saw the burial places of many famous monarchs and politicians (including but not limited to Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, and William Wilberforce) and learned a lot about the history of the Abbey and the Monarchy.
I bought a pewter cross pendant at the gift shop as my article of jewelry from England (I try to get one from each country I visit) then walked to the park beside Buckingham Palace to meet up with the others.
We went from there to Harrod’s, which was amazing - I focused on the food halls (yes, that’s halls - plural. I was on cloud nine.). I got a pasty and some chocolate fudge for lunch - while I was away paying the rest of my group got escorted out because ‘they don’t allow large groups’. Apparently we were cluttering up the place.
It was alright, though, since we had to meet Joshua at the Science Museum anyway - we waited for him but he didn’t show, so the rest explored the science museum while I went across the street to spend an hour in the amazing (and free!) Victoria and Albert museum.
We took the train to Becky’s town and she and her dad picked us up with their red minibus and took us to Becky’s flat in the UK headquarters of a Christian mission called WEC. Becky’s parents went out for the evening and Becky entertained us; she’d made us a lovely meal then we sat eating cake and watching TV for the first time in over a month - Friends. Anne and Becky both love Friends. We played a few rounds of Uno then turned in for the night.
At that point the pull of Westminster Abbey was too strong for me, so I split off from the group to go inside. I spent two hours exploring every bit I could get at; they had an excellent audio guide that came with the ticket. I saw the burial places of many famous monarchs and politicians (including but not limited to Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, and William Wilberforce) and learned a lot about the history of the Abbey and the Monarchy.
I bought a pewter cross pendant at the gift shop as my article of jewelry from England (I try to get one from each country I visit) then walked to the park beside Buckingham Palace to meet up with the others.
We went from there to Harrod’s, which was amazing - I focused on the food halls (yes, that’s halls - plural. I was on cloud nine.). I got a pasty and some chocolate fudge for lunch - while I was away paying the rest of my group got escorted out because ‘they don’t allow large groups’. Apparently we were cluttering up the place.
It was alright, though, since we had to meet Joshua at the Science Museum anyway - we waited for him but he didn’t show, so the rest explored the science museum while I went across the street to spend an hour in the amazing (and free!) Victoria and Albert museum.
We took the train to Becky’s town and she and her dad picked us up with their red minibus and took us to Becky’s flat in the UK headquarters of a Christian mission called WEC. Becky’s parents went out for the evening and Becky entertained us; she’d made us a lovely meal then we sat eating cake and watching TV for the first time in over a month - Friends. Anne and Becky both love Friends. We played a few rounds of Uno then turned in for the night.
Saturday
Becky made us a typical English breakfast: egg on toast, bacon, sausage, and baked beans. She showed us around the house and grounds of the Victorian manor WEC is based in; I got to climb up a tiny spiral staircase in the pitch black to an old attic room that I couldn’t see accept by the flash bulb of Becky’s camera.
We’d been planning on taking the train to Reading to stay in Joel’s house for the last night of the weekend but we’d discovered that in all transport would cost us over 50 pounds - we felt as though we’d hit all the things we’d wanted to see, so we didn’t feel too bad about getting home a day early.
Becky’s dad dropped Joel off at the bus station so he could get to his house in Redding and let the four of us girls off at the train station. We were home by 3:00 and had plenty of time unpack, relax and catch up on work.
We’d been planning on taking the train to Reading to stay in Joel’s house for the last night of the weekend but we’d discovered that in all transport would cost us over 50 pounds - we felt as though we’d hit all the things we’d wanted to see, so we didn’t feel too bad about getting home a day early.
Becky’s dad dropped Joel off at the bus station so he could get to his house in Redding and let the four of us girls off at the train station. We were home by 3:00 and had plenty of time unpack, relax and catch up on work.
Photos: Long Weekend in London
Sunday
Mostly maintenance stuff today - I did laundry, got a bunch of paperwork done, wrote emails etc - then I wrote this entry!
Everyone but the eight who went to Rome are back by now (it’s 12:34am). Gert-Jan, Ruth and I are looking at photos and waiting up for the Rome group - they should be here in in a half hour or so.
Everyone but the eight who went to Rome are back by now (it’s 12:34am). Gert-Jan, Ruth and I are looking at photos and waiting up for the Rome group - they should be here in in a half hour or so.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sin and Repentance Week - Journal February 22-28
Sunday
Most of the September DTS left for home today, which gave us the opportunity to clean up the house (which, you can imagine, was a bit of a mess after a week of 50 students running around).
We set up the movie screen and projector and watched Amazing Grace in the evening, which inspired us to put our plans for the long weekend into motion and reserve a room in a London hostel for one of the nights.
We set up the movie screen and projector and watched Amazing Grace in the evening, which inspired us to put our plans for the long weekend into motion and reserve a room in a London hostel for one of the nights.
Monday
All is back to normal today. It was finally dry enough to play volleyball for sport this evening - we’re all pretty bad at it but it was still really fun! I know you’re jealous Arianne and Graham!
Thursday
It was Dan’s and my turn to do “crèche” (French for daycare) this morning, so we spent an hour watching three of the children of staff who were in a staff meeting at the other end of the house.
We had outreach in Brighton this afternoon; several pairs of us went out to talk with people on the streets - basically asking them their opinions on God and chit chatting - some of us hung out outside a Baptist church we’re partnered with handing out free tea, coffee, and cookies, and some of us (including me for the first half) were inside the church praying for the city.
I was outside handing out tea for the last half; I had a couple of interesting conversations - it was lots of fun.
We had another ministry night this evening; we needed the opportunity to talk through problems we were having and bond as a group again.
We had outreach in Brighton this afternoon; several pairs of us went out to talk with people on the streets - basically asking them their opinions on God and chit chatting - some of us hung out outside a Baptist church we’re partnered with handing out free tea, coffee, and cookies, and some of us (including me for the first half) were inside the church praying for the city.
I was outside handing out tea for the last half; I had a couple of interesting conversations - it was lots of fun.
We had another ministry night this evening; we needed the opportunity to talk through problems we were having and bond as a group again.
Saturday
We got to learn to dance today! Hanna’s cousin came down from London with several of their friends and they spent four hours teaching us different steps - a fusion mainly of tango and jive. I really enjoyed it - we learned three different routines. There weren’t quite enough guys to go around for all the girls, so we rotated around every minute or so, switching from one guy to the next.
We got fairly good after a bit; the guys even liked it. We had taken over the dining room for the dance, so we kept on goofing around for an hour or so even after the dance instructors had left. Jonathan had already taken swing dancing lessons, so he taught me a few steps as well.
We got fairly good after a bit; the guys even liked it. We had taken over the dining room for the dance, so we kept on goofing around for an hour or so even after the dance instructors had left. Jonathan had already taken swing dancing lessons, so he taught me a few steps as well.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Leaving for London
We're going to be staying in London for a week - March 1st through the afternoon on the 5th we'll be staying in a church in London, helping them out practically during our time off after talks on Relationships. The afternoon of the 5th we'll be free to split off into our own groups for the long weekend; I'm going to be hanging out with Allie, Anne, Melody, Joel, Becky, and Joshua in London. We'll get back late in the evening on the 8th.
I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get online much while I'm gone; just thought I'd let you know! :)