A Reunion in the Country

A week ago I found myself in the Wolverhampton train station bound for Derbyshire, a village area in the English country side.  I was few short hours from I being reunited with the other UK YAGM volunteers and needless to say I was excited! So I am sitting there and I look up at the departures board where I see that my first train had been cancelled; but, the next train was to leave a half an hour later...so I wasn't worried.  That is until the next train was delay, ten, fifteen....thirty nine minutes, that is when I started to panic a little.  Now, I wasn't worried that I wasn't going to get there, but, that they were going to start having fun without me! Eventually, and about two hours behind schedule, I made it to Cliff College and was back together with some of the best people I know!

The first couple of days were dedicated to the Time for God orientation conference.  It was a time spent in reflection of our first weeks here, the amazing people who have welcomed us into their lives, and some of the hardships and difficulties we have encountered. We reconnected. It was a time where our goofy and incredible loud sides resurfaced and a lot of laughter ensued! For the first time in almost two months I received a proper hug (the very observant words of one Amanda Brateng).

That is not to say that I don't get hugs on a normal basis; but, they are not the face squished, I am gonna break your back because I am squeezing you so hard kind of hugs. Let's just say, there was a lot of hugging last week!

After our TFG pow-wow, we were enrolled in a course at the college called Christian Life and Mission. It was a five day course that included teachings on Luke's gospel and looking at our role in God's mission.  It was different to approach the idea of mission in such a literal way. I struggled through the week and the conservative theology that was presented; however, the week was a blessing that it strongly affirmed my beliefs.  I am also incredibly thankful for the new friends that I made from a number of different organizations similar to TFG. 

We had an amazing week. As much as I was looking forward to returning to Wolverhampton, my routine, and my own bed, it was a very somber goodbye.  It's funny to think that before coming to the UK I had spent a total of 11 days with the other YAGMs. I suppose that is all it takes; that, and some extreme emotional situations! As we spent our last morning together I was struck by how lucky I was to have these wonderful people in my life. I hope that all of you reading this will some day get the chance to meet some of them, for they truly are incredible and loving people! 

For,  

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." -Winnie the Pooh

As always...God is good, and so is life!

Break Out!

I have been in Wolverhampton for five weeks.  The excitement and unfamiliarity of a new place has waned leaving just a hint of homesickness.  This, of course, was only magnified by the fact that my Facebook homepage has been blowing up with pictures and updates of the ever so fantastic Wittenberg Homecoming festivities.  Have no fear...this is by no means a pity post, I promise!

Tonight I am incredibly grateful to be in Wolverhampton and that I was able to attend a church service lead by the Vitalise leaders.  It was a service that brought together a number of churches from all over the city.  It brought together young and old, the passionate believers and tentative newcomers.  Usually one of the best parts of the Vitalise service is the music; however, tonight the fantastic melodies were upstaged by an even better sermon.  

Now hopefully some of the YAGMs, current and alum, will read this next part and understand...The pastor who was preaching tonight, Simon, came incredibly close to rivaling the ever so eloquent Heidi Torgerson-Martinez.  Two points of interest...first, I am a sucker for a good sermon.  I am talking about the ones that leave you feeling like you have just witnessed a miracle kinds of sermons.  The sermons that fill you with rainbows, butterflies, a little bit of glitter, and make you want to tie on your cape and go save the world.  Second, Heidi has brought me to tears during each of her sermons that I have heard over the last few months.  For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of hearing Heidi preach, let me put it in terms that might be a little easier to understand.  This woman is the Larry Bird/Michael Jordan/Magic Johnson (yeah, I am going with the classics) of preaching.  Not only does she amazing during her "performance;" but, she leaves you wondering how on earth she just did what she did.  So, for someone to even come close to this level of "preachosity," well, that's just impressive.  Laymen's terms: he was LeBron James (aka, really good preacher, great potential, but no tears).  

I am hoping that I now have you all wondering what on earth this sermon was about. 

Simply put, he said, "Break out."

The sermon was all about the fact that the Kingdom of God is meant to overflow, that it can't be stopped, and can't be contained by human limits.   Simon used the example of buckets and watering cans.  Everything that we do in the name of Jesus fills us up, similar to water.  A bucket contains and holds the water in and doesn't allow it to flow freely.  Conversely, a watering can can be filled but has an outlet to allow the water to be released from the container.  We are meant to be like watering cans and share everything that we have learned and received from Jesus with others.  Sometimes this can be very difficult and unpopular.  It has been said that being in God's will is the safest place on earth; but, tonight we disagreed...not the safest, but the best.  No matter how difficult sharing God's word may be it puts us in a pretty good place.  

We need to break out, out of the earthly constraints that limit us to share, to experience, to be.  It was an inspiring evening, one that left me rejuvenated to go, tie on my cape (which is red, by the way) and share all of the great things that God has to offer.  Tonight I was reassured of what I am doing. Tonight I was encouraged by the words I heard.   

As always, God is Good...and be thankful, for so is life!