Two Months Down!

Since when is it October?!?!?  As of yesterday, I have officially been here for 2 months/4 fortnights/8 weeks/60 days/1460 hours/87,658 seconds.  I hope you can believe it, because I certainly can’t.  

I keep getting asked for directions by random people on the street.  I’d say I’m averaging 2-3 times per week.  What are people in this fine city looking for?  The hospital, the British Museum, and Victoria's Secret (and yes, I know where all of those things are).  I’d like to think people ask me because I look like I live/belong here, and would therefore know where everything is.  Yeah, let's go with that.

After many meetings and chats last week, I finally have a full run-down of everything I’ll be doing!  Here we go:

1. Koinonia - this is going to be my main service area.  Meeting new students, following up with them 1-on-1, trying to get them to keep coming, planning events, maybe running a small group
2.  Antioch Youth – youth work with the kids of Antioch.  I’m going to be working mainly with the older high school girls, as well as planning a couple of events/retreats for everyone.  AY is not to be confused with:
3. [youth:link] – the youth outreach run by Antioch, aimed at kids in Acton.  Some of these kids are also in AY/Antioch, but this is a place where they can bring their non-community friends. 
4. GAP training – this involves a scripture course focused on learning and understanding the Bible, as well as a course called "Mission Track", and different sessions focused on outreach, character, and evangelism. 
5. Heythrop Outreach Development – Heythrop is a philosophy/theology college in Kensington, partway between Acton and the Kube.  The folks here have been trying to get an outreach started here for the past couple of years.  Pete (fellow gapper) and I are heading it up this year.

So far, I like all of the assignments I've been given.  But the more I am asked to do and the more I’m here, the more I realize how incapable I am.  It's not through my own power that I can accomplish the work that I've been given.  It’s not a question of ability (or humility); I would say that I am a very capable person, but that doesn't mean that I am equipped to do these things and serve in the ways asked of me by myself.  Not through my own power would I even be here.  God called me to London to serve, and it is God who gives me strength to carry on every day, wisdom to guide my steps, and the courage to fight the good fight, as they say.

I have no idea what would happen if I was in fact doing this alone, but thankfully, I don’t need to worry about it!  The Lord is faithful beyond all measure.  The apostle Paul wrote in Second Corinthians about rejoicing in our inabilities, because it is through our weaknesses where the Lord’s strength and ability shines: 

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 

If the only thing I get out of this year is learning to depend fully on Him, then it will be a resounding success : )  

On an unrelated note, my accent is totally changing.  I can hear it and try to fight it, but I can’t really stop it.  And in the interest of full disclosure, I don't really want to.  Having a (non-American) accent is a dream come true to eight-year-old Molly.  Before you get too excited, though, let me say this: I cannot speak in an authentic British accent on purpose (yet?).  If I try, it just sounds stupid (as my friends are wont to point out).  However, when drawn into a conversation with a UKnian (official term) for more than, say, thirty seconds, it happens… The Change.  My vowels get all funny, and I start sounding less Yank and more Brit…  We'll see what happens by the time my service here is finished.  I don't want to lose my American-ness, but being able to speak as a proper Englishwoman would be a cool party trick, if nothing else.

My vocabulary has received a healthy boost as well: 

• Put the rubbish in the bin = put the trash in the garbage
• Form a queue at the till = Get in line at the register
• Off the rails = going crazy (ex: “Some would argue that Lindsay Lohan has gone totally off the rails”)
• Do the washing up = do the dishes/clean the kitchen
• one-off = one-time

Some highlights since my last post:

Last Thursday (10/03/13) brought another Reload (prayer meeting) for Koinonia.  I played second guitar for the worship time!  This is something that I've wanted to do for a while, and I really enjoyed it.  I’m now on the rota (aka rotation) for the term, so I’ll get a lot of practice : ) 

That Friday afternoon I went to Heythrop to do a prayer walk.  Their actual campus is closed to the public, but I wanted to walk around the perimeter to get a feel for the area.  By chance, I ran into a Koi girl who goes to Heythrop, Lucy.  She and a friend were on their way to get cupcakes, so naturally I went with them! Yum!  After we went our separate ways, I went back to wandering about Kensington and happened upon a beautiful church, St. Mary Abbots.  It was open, but totally empty, so I went in for a while to pray and look around.   

St. Mary Abbots in Kensington

Last Saturday (10/05/13) brought our official household induction!  There are five of us total, three gappers and two students.  Two Americans, two Lebanese, and one German who grew up in Vietnam.  Talk about international.  As a house, we will have dinner together twice per week and pray together daily Monday-Friday.  And there will no doubt be lots of shenanigans; I’ll be sure to keep you posted! 

Sunday was another day of church shopping, and I think I’ve found THE ONE.  Drum roll, please …. The American International Church of London.  It’s really close to the Kube, and I just happened by it last week whilst exploring.  At first, I was like “oh, an ‘American’ church, cool.”  But after looking into their beliefs, etc. on their website, I decided to try it.  I really liked everything about the service.  Beautiful church? Check.  Pews? Check.  Awesome choir? Check.  Good sermon that has just the right balance of teaching and liturgy? Check.  Welcoming congregation that isn't too big or too small? Check.  Coffee and tea served afterwards? Check.  I had a great chat with a guy from Toronto, as well as a woman from Flint, MI.  From what I gather, it's a pretty international body.     

'Murica.

I’ll definitely be going back there at least a couple of times.  All of last week passed in one blur of crazy.  I have a calendar to keep track of my different meetings and events that I colour code.  It looks like a rainbow threw up on October ; )  So yeah, I'm super busy, and sometimes it's crazy-stressful.  But I'm loving it.  The work that I'm doing is important, and I am surrounded by a fantastic group of people.  There's no place I'd rather be.  I'm working on a new page that will detail exactly how and why I wound up in London, so keep an eye out!  There will be a new link on the left side of the screen, hopefully in the next couple of days.

This week's randomness:

1. Lindsey and I like to play "Spot the American."  It's shockingly easy.  Read here for tips on how to play.
2. Sometimes it's really windy in the tube stations.  Especially Tottenham Court Road, the stop for the Kube.  And when I say "really windy," I mean like 40+ mph.  Not good for your hair.
3. Strange things I have taken on the tube thus far: a guitar, a pan of brownies, a toaster.
4. One of the community girls (aged 5) says I sound like a movie star : )  

<3 Molly

"You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:14-16

But Aren't Your Feet Cold?!?

Apparently, people here never go barefoot.  Everyone literally always has socks on.  So when I wear sandals because it's 65 out and that's warm by my standards, people freak out.  I've probably been asked that question at least twenty times in the past week.

*Sidebar*  I'm having difficulty deciding how much to include in my posts.  My default desire is to write about everything, but (1) that takes forever, and (2) I don't think everyone really cares about what I had for breakfast, etc.  So, if there's something you want to hear more (or less) about, let me know!  *End sidebar*

(Last) Thursday (9/19/13) was the first day where I felt really challenged.  Koinonia meets every Thursday for a prayer meeting, which we call “Reload.”  The one last week was sort of a pre-cursor to the year, so we just called it “Load.” ; )  Peter and I were asked to organize/run it, but weren't given much notice (welcome to UCO...).   I was in charge of running an extended time of intercession (which is basically just praying for different things).  We got everything planned alright, but I was still nervous heading into it.  So, I gave it up the Lord, and put it in His hands, and it went great!  I was really blessed by leading, and it was very beneficial to take so much time to lift up the coming year in prayer.  And of course, after the meeting we went to the pub.

Now, there is a difference between a pub and a bar.  Bars are places where you go to drink (potentially to excess), eat, dance/party, stay out late, etc.  A pub, which is short for “public house,” is more a place to get a pint, and have an in-depth conversation with people.  A lot of pubs here close at 11 or midnight.  The one we got to after Koinonia, The Bricklayers Arms, doesn't have a kitchen (but you can get crisps!).  I really like the atmosphere of the pubs I've been to so far; it’s really conducive to getting to know someone and having a good time.

That Saturday Lindsey, Finja, and I went to the Brothers’ house for a Lord’s Day Celebration.   Antioch is ecumenical, which means that it is made up of Christians who are Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant.   Because of this, we all go to different churches on Sundays.  A Lord’s Day is a way to celebrate and commemorate the Sabbath together, no matter your church background.  I was excited to go to the Brothers’ house for two reasons: (1) all of those guys are awesome and I love socializing with them, and (2) amazing food.  You can always count on a good meal at their house, or any Servants of the Word house for that matter. Also invited was another addition to my household, Miriam Salkhanian.  She is an Armenian who lives in Lebanon, and is in London for the year studying to get her Masters degree. 

Sunday brought yet another round of church shopping.  This time I went with Finja to Christ Church, a non-denominational church in central London near St. Paul’s Cathedral.  I liked it, but I don’t think it’s quite what I want.  The more churches I explore, the more I realize what exactly I'm looking for.  I like modern worship songs, but I'm not opposed to some hymns either.  I've also realized that I really prefer a certain amount of liturgy, rather than just free-form preaching.  Having criteria is helping to narrow down my search, so hopefully I'll find what I'm looking for soon.

After the service we explored the Tower Hill area before heading back to Acton Proper for the Antioch gathering, followed by the pub.  The one that the community folk frequent is called the Red Lion & Pineapple.  And before you ask, I have no idea why there’s a pineapple in the title (there are several paintings that feature a lion with a pineapple though).  The people my age stayed for a few hours, then headed to the Brothers’ for an impromptu movie night.  We watched an episode of the BBC Sherlock Holmes.  If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.  I've seen the series before, but this time I recognized some of the places on screen!  Cue freak-out.

Lindsey (l) and Finja (r) in front of Tower Bridge.

The Red Lion & Pineapple!  Literally right across the street from where Antioch meets on Sundays.

This past week was all about preparing for Fresher’s Fayre.  A “fresher” is a new student coming into university (aka a freshman).  And yeah, they spell fair weird, among other words.  It’s like Festifall at the University of Michigan; all the student clubs and societies have tables, and the new students wander about and see which groups they’re interested in.  UCL has about 3,000 new students this term!  This was a huge event for Koinonia to attract new students and get our name out there.  We had what I like to call a “three-pronged attack”: there was a coffee stall outside, a booth inside ULU, and we had people in the Kube giving out free food and hanging out with anyone who dropped in.  Overall, I think it went really well.  We got a lot of interest from students, and hopefully a lot of them will be coming back to our events in the next couple of weeks.

The girls and I had a hair-dyeing party.  I dyed Lindsey's blond hair to a chestnut-y brown, and Finja went from brown to red.

Success!

Last weekend was Antioch’s anniversary celebration: it's now 34 years old!  Almost the whole community went to Northampton, which is about a  90-minute drive north of London.   The drive up was absolutely beautiful; rolling English countryside all the way!

 We spent Saturday and Sunday at a retreat center, spending time with each other and celebrating being together.  On Saturday night we had a ceilidh (“kay-lee”): Gaelic folk music and dancing.  So. Much. Fun.  Click here for a video one of the community girls took featuring some highlights from the weekend.  If you've ever wondered if I'm just making this whole thing up and all my pictures are actually photo-shopped, you can see me at:

• 0:47 - middle/right in the red top: worshiping with the Antioch kids
• 1:40 - left in black, back to the camera: eating dinner after the the Lord's Day
• 2:18 - second from the left: post-ceilidh campfire with the kids
• 3:23 - left: helping some of the younger kids with the "Cups" song  (I was focusing on keeping a consistent tempo, hence the straight face)

(Plus, I'm really bad at Photoshop)  Here are some pictures of the retreat center:

I spent the majority of yesterday unpacking and re-arranging my room.  I've been here for six weeks(!), so you may be thinking to yourself, “why is she only unpacking now?”  Excellent question!  In a nutshell, it hadn't been decided who was staying in what room for the year, so no one wanted to put all their stuff away with the chance that they might have to then move it all and do it again.  Thankfully, I am now fully moved in, and my suitcases are put away.  It’s such a nice feeling, especially considering that I've been living out of a suitcase on and off since May…

That, however, wasn't the most exciting thing so far this week.  There isn't a grocery store in East Acton, or really anywhere near it.  Most Londoners don't have cars, which makes it difficult to get to a grocery store.  Solution?  THEY DELIVER!  Tesco is one of the more popular shops over here; you go on their website, make a shopping list, and have at it!  It's so much fun, and you save money because you're not wandering down every aisle picking up random things you don't need.  On Monday Finja and I did an online order, and arranged for it to be delivered Tuesday morning.  So, Tuesday morning after morning prayer, we were all anxiously awaiting the Tesco Man.  And when the delivery came, it was like Christmas.  Major points to the UK for this (and, I'm totally going to get addicted to it, and resent having to drive to the store when I get home...).  I'm going to write a song about waiting for the Tesco Man; Top 40 here I come!

This morning Sawsan, our fifth and final household member, arrived from Lebanon!  Now that everyone is finally here, our household activities can officially start (woot!). 

Random observations/facts/etc.:

1. When you walk into a building, you are on the ground floor.  You have to go up one flight to get to the first floor.  Weird.

2.  I am slowly getting used to being a front-seat passenger on the left side of the car.  Although when I look for cars when crossing the street, my eyes still automatically go to where I think the driver should be, not where they actually are.  This often leads to thinking “that car doesn't have a driver!” … and then I realize.

3. I met SO MANY Americans during Fresher’s Fayre.  And people from Latvia, Kenya, Uzbekistan, China, Italy, and Guyana, among other places.
4. This is my life right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waZy08wvPKU
5.  The tube is a great place for profound thoughts and epiphanies.

<3 Molly

"Let love be genuine.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." ~ Romans 12: 9-12