How Time Flies!

Can you believe it? I've already been in England an entire month! So much has happened, but there's still so much left to experience!

This past week, Erin and I had our first assembly on Monday and two more on Tuesday. Wednesday, we spent the day at a local school working on the first day of a two day workshop/program called R Rights. Being new to Act 4, the day was a learning experience for both the children and for me. Thursday and Friday were spent doing another R Rights program with a different school in Watford. After such a busy week, Erin and I ventured into London on Friday night to spend some time with other YAGM friends. Saturday was spent exploring London as well, where we finally got to see Platform 9 & 3/4.






 
On Sunday, I ventured into Northaw to St. Thomas a Becket Church. Erin and I had the good fortunate to meet Reverend Rachel, who showed us around the beautiful church we had passed on our way to the school. This past Sunday was a national effort called "Back to Church Sunday", complete with invitations, biscuits, and a welcome committee. Although I still find myself returning to my home congregation via the internet (shout-out to Shepherd of the Valley), I really appreciated the personal invitation to worship in such a beautiful church. I apologize, however, that I did not manage to take an photographs of the inside of the church. You'll just have to settle for a picture of the church from the outside. :)

This week is nearly half over and I have enjoyed the much slower pace. Yesterday, Erin finally went to the doctor to find she had a fever and severe sinus infection, meaning that our assembly for the day was canceled. She pulled through today to perform our one assembly, and hopefully she'll be feeling well enough for the two assemblies we have tomorrow!

 I'll now leave you with a picture of St. Thomas a Becket Church as well as the countryside I saw on my walk back to Potters Bar. Enjoy!

First Assembly and Much More

Oh goodness me! I haven't posted in a week! So much has happened, so where do we start?

Erin and I spent the majority of last week practicing our assembly and learning how to set up the stage and equipment. After a few trial runs, I have become the electronics guru, hooking up the computer, projector, and speakers for each assembly. We spent numerous hours setting up the stage, taking it down, moving to a different space in the church, and setting up again. All of our practice may have helped as today was our first assembly! Aside from being a little nervous and speaking a little too fast, I believe we did quite well. Apparently our American accents will take a little getting used to for the kids, just another reason to slow down our speech.

This past weekend, after our long week of rehearsing, Erin and I welcomed our friend and fellow YAGM, Jess, to Potters Bar. As a treat, we journeyed to this spectacular place on Saturday. Although we got hailed on and spent the remainder of the evening quite soaked, it was definitely a worthwhile experience. We finished the weekend off with a trip into London to worship at St. Paul's Cathedral and bid Jess farewell before getting on our train back at Kings Cross Station, the same one in Harry Potter. :)

Act 4 has a busy week ahead filled with two more assemblies as well as three days of performances and workshops to finish the week out. I can't wait for my nerves to settle down and to actually start enjoying all of these performances!

As we finish our assembly, "Thanks for listening!"

Act 4

Hey all,

I know that when I left, I was still a little uncertain about what exactly I would be doing this year. Thanks to some time spent in Shropshire, England with Sam, the director of Act 4, I now have a better understanding of Act 4's foundation. Funny enough, Act 4 is based on Acts 4. :) With each assembly Erin and I perform, we are hoping to communicate with children through music, drama, and conversation. Even though we're ordinary people, we can still make a difference.

If you'd like to check up on what Act 4 is all about, you can peruse the website at www.act4.org.uk .

Happy Monday!

A Lesson in Humility

Psalms 149:4
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

While I would hardly consider myself a world traveler, I have to say that I have been a few places and have experienced various cultures. Throughout those travels, however, I knew that I was the fortunate one, where my one American dollar was worth three Peruvian Nuevo Sols or twenty Honduran Lempiras. For once in my life, my precious dollar is worth less than the currency and I have to seriously consider where and how I spend my money.

As part of my year in Young Adults in Global Mission, I agreed to "live simply", something I thought was going to be hard living in the United Kingdom. Little did I know that due to the exchange rate, I would have no other choice than to live simply. Each week, I receive a modest stipend to spend on food, an amount not to be squandered but to be used wisely. Without even knowing it, I have been taught a lesson in humility, in simple living.

As an independent person, I have also struggled to remain humble throughout this transition period. From home to home and meal to meal, Erin and I have constantly been cared for, receiving from others but unable to return the favor. While I may not be able to repay those who have been so kind, I know that I can give in other ways through my work at Act 4 and within the community. I have become quite good at asking how I can help and doing the dishes after meals, any small gesture that will help me feel as if I've earned my meal.

 I came to England thinking I would be able to be in charge, take care of myself, and make a difference. Yet, these past few weeks have been an intense lesson in humility. I can only imagine how much more I have to learn and hope that everything I do in these next few months will help me truly understand what it means to be humble.

Hertfordshire = Home

'Ello!

Erin and I officially moved to Hertfordshire this past Thursday to settle into our host homes after a week in Muswell Hill, a suburb of London. We were picked up by Luisa, a woman who works for Act 4, the charity Erin and I are both going to be serving with this year. As soon as we arrived, Luisa treated us with tea and biscuits before a home-made meal for dinner. Over the past few days, Erin and I have been truly blessed to receive such warm hospitality in various homes, around town, and especially at church this past Sunday. I know I had been eager to start making connections and building relationships, but soon came to realize that through all these meals and simple errands, I was already getting to know people.

Just as the academic year is starting up in the States, things will soon start to get busy here in England. I look forward to having a chance to do something and to find purpose here. With all of this transitioning, I have struggled to find a solid reason why I, of all people, am here. I know God will use me just as He has planned, but my impatience and desire to get started has clouded my ability to stand back and let God do His work. There are still many unknown aspects to the kind of work we'll be doing with Act 4, but I am confident that everything will work out in due time.

Erin and I will be traveling up to Shropshire sometime today (yet another unknown) to learn more about Act 4 and what we'll be doing this year. Please pray for safe travels as we continue to our journey and grow as children of God. I have already seen God work in so many ways and am excited to share my experiences with you here.

As always, I'll leave you with a picture!

This is the right side of St. Paul's Cathedral, located near the center of London. Erin and I had the opportunity to worship here this past Sunday and wish we could go back every week. Being away from our home congregations, Erin and I are excited to "Church Shop" around England! Wish us luck!

Alyssa