Endings Lead Into Beginings
So, training is over.
However, before that, I must fill you in on the last week or so of training.
So, we went back to Castle Hill Baptist church in Warwick from Friday-Monday. It was so intense! Painting solidly from 9am-3pm then working on our plan for the church service the next day and going round people’s houses and eating their foods. So, we didn’t end up getting back to our hosts until 11pm! The next day was filled with 3 church services! Firstly, the morning services at Castle Hill, which the team and I led (it seemed to go down really well!), then more socializing with church members, followed by the evening services at Castle Hill, before getting rushed off to a youth services in near-by Leamington! Monday morning, we were at the church’s pre-school, which was a lot of fun!
So, as I was saying, training is over! officially, I’m just about to get started on one of the biggest adventures of my life to date, yet already it feels like I’ve conquered mountains. All the while we were training, going to Peru seemed like a distant dream, now it suddenly seems a lot closer. For the past four weeks, I have shared the highs and lows with 14 other people who will all be going to various countries and doing similar stuff to what I’m going to be doing in Peru, and it feels weird to be starting this new chapter without them.
Yet, this is the dawn of something amazing and I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s going to happen to myself and those around me for the glory of God!
I’m back home for now and it’s also great to have some down time with the fam! 😀
An Unintended Adventure
Three guys, three friends, on a road trip. The evening sun was shining, covering the fields and hills in a blanket of warm, golden light and tanning the faces of the travellers; Bob Marley playing on the stereo.
They were making good time, and thus, decided to stop on the shores of a reservoir that they happened to chance upon, and have their dinner. The atmosphere amongst the group was one of freedom and contentment.
Presently, the gentlemen reached their goal, where they were refreshed and encouraged.
Whilst returning home, they passed a couple of hitch-hikers; a father and daughter. Given the present, out-going, mood the men were in, they chose to turn around and pick them up.
It transpired, the father had hitched rides all the way from Poland to England, to fetch his daughter, who he hadn’t seen for nearly eighteen months, so that they could spend a few days together in Poland, before hitch-hiking their way home. It was reckoned (though never confirmed) that the father couldn’t afford flights, so hiking was the only way for them to travel.
We left Veronica and her father at some motorway services as they made their way to Dover. The love that Veronica’s dad has for his daughter is utterly inspiring, and I hope they have a safe trip and enjoy their time together!
It was awesome to be part of their journey and even our own journey was so freeing and exciting, from finding our way with the map (it’s a miracle we got to where we needed to be-we did get lost!), to taking the time to stop, have some food, and enjoy creation. I loved the spontaneity of it!
For me, our journey that night, was more incredible than the destination. I believe that, for God, the journey is just as important as the destination; and I hope, in my life, I can stop by the side of the road, have a picnic, relax, enjoy the view from time-to-time and allow time for unintended adventures (cheesie, but true!)
Life is for adventures, and adventures don’t happen in your comfort zone!
Check this out for pics and Darrel’s side of things: http://darrelhoff.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/road-trip-to-rob-bell-a-modern-day-good-samaritan-moment/
The Game We Play 