Hey everyone.
Sorry this is a day late. Yesterday was pretty full, and it was far too late to stay up to write when I went off to bed. So, this is for yesterday(June 5), and I'll get to today's later after Youth Group.
Yesterday started out with the Mothers and Toddlers group. It meets from 10-12 in Abertridwr. Bet no American can read that! It sounds like Abertredoo. Kind of. It took me quite awhile to learn how to say that! Anyway, I will be working at the Baptist church in Abertridwr with this Toddler group, and I am so excited! The kids have such joy! However, just like little Riley, they take forever to warm up to you! For instance, there's this one little girl named Macy who would just look at me then run off as soon as I said something or even moved. 5 minutes before she had to leave she finally stared feeling okay around me. I only hope she gets used to me quicker next time! For most of the morning I played with a boy from my church named Barnabee (sp?). He calls me Amy because he thinks I look like the character from one of his shows because of my curly hair. Don't I look like her?
The Welsh mothers and fathers were just having a blast calling me Amy. They thought it to be the funniest thing. It was pretty cute to be honest. I don't think Barnabee is quite old enough to distinguish the differences.
The Toddler group has 35 young ones come, and each child is 1 pound for the day. It is geared towards non-church families, so they have just started to introduce things like "Thank God for Spring" crafts and "Jesus Loves Me" coloring pages. I am really looking forward to working with this group and seeing how they grow!
After that I had a Meeting with Rafael at 3. I did a little bit of catch-up before he showed up. We were planning the Family Service that will take place in about two weeks time. I'll be a big part of the service, so I'm looking forward to getting the families together instead of splitting the church up into the adults, children, and teens. It'll be a good service, and time with Rafael is always fun. He's a joy to be around, and I'm excited to be working with him this summer.
Before the Midweek service started I played Phase 10 with Sam, Rosie, and Jess. Sam had to leave early for football (soccer), but it was a good time and I really enjoyed hanging out with the children and getting to know them better. Rosie won the game by a long shot and Jess was not too far behind. Me? I came in dead last. Oh well. Maybe I'll get them next time! Rosie is the older one; Jess is the younger.
The Midweek service was held at the Hughes' house as the Gateway church does not have a building to meet in yet. They rent a building on sunday mornings, but the service was very simple and informal. I really enjoyed worshiping and praying with the people of the church. I really got a glimpse of their love for the Lord and even though their services are nothing like I'm used to, it's a wonderful reminder of the simplicity of the Gospel.
True, there is a richness and a great depth of perplexity to the Scriptures and what they teach. It takes time to get to know our God and his character. However, there's a simplicity in the Gospel message. No matter if I'm across the sea or just down the road, the same Gospel is true. We, as a Church, are bound together in love and by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. These people I am working with are part of my spiritual family, and they are such an encouragement to me. Last night I was simply blown away by how intimate I can be with these people even though I've only known them for a week. We all are one Body, and we all love one Lord and are striving to serve Him with everything that we are. It is my hope that I don't forget that when I go home. Sometimes when there's a church on every street, I forget that we are still all of one Body. We are all working for one purpose. So it's wonderful coming here and getting a glimpse of that. Rafael does a fantastic job getting all the churches here to work together; I'm pretty sure he's a part of 4 different congregations to try and get the different churches to work together rather than never being in contact with one another. It's a beautiful work, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
I'll post later tonight about today's work. It's been so busy already! But it is good work, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.
Pray for me that I will actually sleep. I have this bad habit of staying up far too late with Claire talking about everything under the sun. I need to actually get to bed early tonight so that I can be rested. I hate feeling tired all the time because then I forget that I am called to build relationships! When I'm sleepy I forget to talk and ask questions and engaged with those who are around me. Pray that God will give me good rest, and that I'll be taking care of my sleep cycle so that I can be doing good work throughout the day.
I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
Ta!
Sorry this is a day late. Yesterday was pretty full, and it was far too late to stay up to write when I went off to bed. So, this is for yesterday(June 5), and I'll get to today's later after Youth Group.
Yesterday started out with the Mothers and Toddlers group. It meets from 10-12 in Abertridwr. Bet no American can read that! It sounds like Abertredoo. Kind of. It took me quite awhile to learn how to say that! Anyway, I will be working at the Baptist church in Abertridwr with this Toddler group, and I am so excited! The kids have such joy! However, just like little Riley, they take forever to warm up to you! For instance, there's this one little girl named Macy who would just look at me then run off as soon as I said something or even moved. 5 minutes before she had to leave she finally stared feeling okay around me. I only hope she gets used to me quicker next time! For most of the morning I played with a boy from my church named Barnabee (sp?). He calls me Amy because he thinks I look like the character from one of his shows because of my curly hair. Don't I look like her?
The Toddler group has 35 young ones come, and each child is 1 pound for the day. It is geared towards non-church families, so they have just started to introduce things like "Thank God for Spring" crafts and "Jesus Loves Me" coloring pages. I am really looking forward to working with this group and seeing how they grow!
After that I had a Meeting with Rafael at 3. I did a little bit of catch-up before he showed up. We were planning the Family Service that will take place in about two weeks time. I'll be a big part of the service, so I'm looking forward to getting the families together instead of splitting the church up into the adults, children, and teens. It'll be a good service, and time with Rafael is always fun. He's a joy to be around, and I'm excited to be working with him this summer.
Before the Midweek service started I played Phase 10 with Sam, Rosie, and Jess. Sam had to leave early for football (soccer), but it was a good time and I really enjoyed hanging out with the children and getting to know them better. Rosie won the game by a long shot and Jess was not too far behind. Me? I came in dead last. Oh well. Maybe I'll get them next time! Rosie is the older one; Jess is the younger.
The Midweek service was held at the Hughes' house as the Gateway church does not have a building to meet in yet. They rent a building on sunday mornings, but the service was very simple and informal. I really enjoyed worshiping and praying with the people of the church. I really got a glimpse of their love for the Lord and even though their services are nothing like I'm used to, it's a wonderful reminder of the simplicity of the Gospel.
True, there is a richness and a great depth of perplexity to the Scriptures and what they teach. It takes time to get to know our God and his character. However, there's a simplicity in the Gospel message. No matter if I'm across the sea or just down the road, the same Gospel is true. We, as a Church, are bound together in love and by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. These people I am working with are part of my spiritual family, and they are such an encouragement to me. Last night I was simply blown away by how intimate I can be with these people even though I've only known them for a week. We all are one Body, and we all love one Lord and are striving to serve Him with everything that we are. It is my hope that I don't forget that when I go home. Sometimes when there's a church on every street, I forget that we are still all of one Body. We are all working for one purpose. So it's wonderful coming here and getting a glimpse of that. Rafael does a fantastic job getting all the churches here to work together; I'm pretty sure he's a part of 4 different congregations to try and get the different churches to work together rather than never being in contact with one another. It's a beautiful work, and I'm excited to be a part of it.
I'll post later tonight about today's work. It's been so busy already! But it is good work, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.
Pray for me that I will actually sleep. I have this bad habit of staying up far too late with Claire talking about everything under the sun. I need to actually get to bed early tonight so that I can be rested. I hate feeling tired all the time because then I forget that I am called to build relationships! When I'm sleepy I forget to talk and ask questions and engaged with those who are around me. Pray that God will give me good rest, and that I'll be taking care of my sleep cycle so that I can be doing good work throughout the day.
I love you all. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
Ta!
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