Hello again!
At this very moment I am sitting with Bobby and Kelvin in the Hughes' lounge watching football (American soccer). It's Brazil vs. England, and it's a pretty good game so far. I am working with a Brazilian missionary in the Caerphilly church, so I haven't quite decided who to cheer for. I really like the England goalie, but the Brazilian team has been playing so much better at the moment. Or, so I think. They're all acting like 2 year olds how they all fall down to get the foul. No matter. I'm pretty sure all sports do that. Except Rugby of course. If you act like a 2 year old, I'm sure they would just give you a good smacking.
So onto more exciting news than the football match! These past two days have been very trying indeed. Wonderfully spent, but I already feel so tired! Saturday morning we got to have a nice "lie in" as Sarah called it. We got to wake up at 10:30 then head off to training on the G-sus bus.
The G-sus bus is incredibly interesting to me. It's this giant trailer (like off of a semi-truck) that's been turned into this giant computer lab. There are 16 computers in the trailer with one projector hooked to a larger computer in the back. Basically it's designed to go into the schools and provide an interactive way for the children to be introduced to Christianity and the basics of the Christian faith: that we, as humans, have problems and that God sent Jesus to die and rise from the dead to help us through these problems. They are never allowed to "preach" at the children or ask them to accept Jesus as their Savior, but it s presented as "I as a Christian belief that . . ." or "Christians believe that . . ." We can't get incredibly specific unless prompted by the children, but it's a wonderful way for the children to gain a curiosity about something they rarely hear about.
On the computers, the children choose one of three characters: Ben, Kylie, and Jack. Each of the characters are facing specific problems that the children face in life being forgiveness, fear, and rejection. The children get emails from the characters and then have to do four scenarios to help them give the characters advice: watch a movie clip from the miracle maker, listen to a song excerpt, read a bit from the Bible, and read something about a person from history (Billy Graham, Ghandi, for example). The children then get to decide how to help them by picking what advice what to give them. They go through four different emails and read and listen to different excerpts from the Bible (generally about a story similar to what the character is going through. for Fear Kylie was scared because her friend was in the hospital, so the bible readings were about Jairus going to Jesus about his daughter).
It's so neat that the schools allow G-sus live to come to their schools and teach them bits and pieces from the Bible and how relevant it is. From what the Trainer explained this has been incredibly useful in Wales, an the children really seem to be interested in the characters and the story they see as they learn that on the cross Jesus faced each of the problems the characters face: rejection, fear, and forgiveness. One little girl specifically asked one of the presenters, "I thought Jesus died a long time ago." And he got to answer, "Well, as a Christian, I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and that he is alive!"
I'm not sure this sort of interaction would work in the states. But as American Christianity continues to decline (as it seems to be) it will be interesting to see if such tactics will work in future American schools.
After training on the G-sus bus, we had a welcome tea at Mark and Georgie's house which was absolutely "fab." Both the tea and the house. I can't remember what Georgie said her house was before it was converted, but it's a beautiful stone building with large wooden doors. It looks very similar to a castle, I would imagine. Absolutely beautiful. They have pastures all around their house and several different buildings (I think one was the stable all the others I can't be sure). As for the tea, it was such a wonderful time of fellowship. It was good to get to talk and meet the people I will be working with with at Gateway. They fed us, and I actually drank some tea. I think it's starting to grow on me. The people I met at the tea were "brilliant," and their heart for God is so evident in their friendships and the work they have begun here in Caerphilly. I can't wait to get started with them and really get to work with them over the next few months.
After spending a few hours at Mark and Georgie's, we came back to the Hughes to babysit the children for most of the night. We taught them baseball and American football and played for a number of hours that night. It was great fun, and they really enjoyed playing-even in their tiny garden(backyard)! It's probably only the size of their lounge, only just a little bigger. They tried to teach me cricket, which I only partially understand now. But it was good fun, and after the children went to bed Claire and I stayed up very late talking about the church, God, our beliefs, our stories, and a lot else. It was incredibly insightful, and I think it was a wonderful time of conversation. One thing that really stood out to me was our conversation about how people all around the world have no idea what love is, but they want it. Claire has a monday bible study with her unchristian friends, and she was saying that these friends come for the friendships. The people here are yearning for true relationships just like those in America. But great different was that in Wales they can get the people to their weekly gatherings: the different bible studies, the youth programs, etc. However, they can hardly get anyone to come to church on Sundays. In America it definitely feels opposite to me.
This morning I went to church in Rhydyfelin (I haven't figured out if it's Rhydfelin or Rhydyfelin. . .). It was a quaint, enjoyable service with a short message on Acts 12 and how miracles of God can and do happen even if we can't prove them by science. After meeting with those folks and getting to know some of them very briefly we went back to Brian and Elizabeth's, the couple who are housing Bobby for the summer, for sunday dinner: roast, mashed potatoes, potatoes, corn, peas, carrots, apple juice, and ice cream. Absolutely delicious. I have yet to be offered black currant pie, and I'm really looking forward to it. Bobby says it's the best. We spent out afternoon with Brian, Elizabeth, their son, Tim, and his wife and children. Bobby and I went down to the market to get a few things and walked around Rhydfelin chatting about what we're learning and things. It was a beautiful afternoon. Thankfully, it hasn't rained yet.
We then went to Gateway church for their evening service which was very nice. I introduced myself and shared my testimony with them. It was simply wonderful to be accepted by them in love and to be a part of their worship. It's very different than what I'm used to, but it was still good. The children also seem so excited and full of life. I cannot wait to get to know them at a later date.
Raph, the Brazilian missionary I will be working with, came over after church. He, Claire, and I sat down for an hour and a half to discuss the general things I will be doing. I am really exciting about all of the wonderful things the church has planned! This summer will be completely "brilliant." The one thing I'm bummed about was that the Headmaster of the primary school said that I couldn't go and be in the schools and help the RE teacher. We were joking tonight that Claire's youngest son, James, should do his project this week on America and bring me in as "show-and-tell." Well, I was being serious, but I don't think they realized it. I would love to go in and be show-and-tell! Ha. It'd be brilliant.
Tomorrow morning I will be joining Claire with her morning bible study. Raph made a big deal about me having one day a week to rest and not do anything (as my Sabbath. I am so thankful for him), so Mondays will be my restful day (outside of Claire's bible study which I haven't decided if I'll join every week). It will also be the day we meet with Dottie Bigham and have our support group, catch-up days. We're thinking about going around the country to see the different sights while we're doing our talks.
So, seeing as this is quite a chunky post, I'll be off! I love you all. Thank you for all of your support. Please continue in prayer for us, that we will be open to the Spirit's guidance over the next two months. It's very easy to feel uncomfortable in new and changing circumstances, but God is ever close to us. The Spirit is in us, so pray that we will listen and not be quick to be awkward or judgmental. These people are beautiful, and the Spirit is doing a wonderful work here. I wouldn't want to miss it because I feel uncomfortable!
Thank you again.
Ta! (Bye!)
At this very moment I am sitting with Bobby and Kelvin in the Hughes' lounge watching football (American soccer). It's Brazil vs. England, and it's a pretty good game so far. I am working with a Brazilian missionary in the Caerphilly church, so I haven't quite decided who to cheer for. I really like the England goalie, but the Brazilian team has been playing so much better at the moment. Or, so I think. They're all acting like 2 year olds how they all fall down to get the foul. No matter. I'm pretty sure all sports do that. Except Rugby of course. If you act like a 2 year old, I'm sure they would just give you a good smacking.
So onto more exciting news than the football match! These past two days have been very trying indeed. Wonderfully spent, but I already feel so tired! Saturday morning we got to have a nice "lie in" as Sarah called it. We got to wake up at 10:30 then head off to training on the G-sus bus.
The G-sus bus is incredibly interesting to me. It's this giant trailer (like off of a semi-truck) that's been turned into this giant computer lab. There are 16 computers in the trailer with one projector hooked to a larger computer in the back. Basically it's designed to go into the schools and provide an interactive way for the children to be introduced to Christianity and the basics of the Christian faith: that we, as humans, have problems and that God sent Jesus to die and rise from the dead to help us through these problems. They are never allowed to "preach" at the children or ask them to accept Jesus as their Savior, but it s presented as "I as a Christian belief that . . ." or "Christians believe that . . ." We can't get incredibly specific unless prompted by the children, but it's a wonderful way for the children to gain a curiosity about something they rarely hear about.
On the computers, the children choose one of three characters: Ben, Kylie, and Jack. Each of the characters are facing specific problems that the children face in life being forgiveness, fear, and rejection. The children get emails from the characters and then have to do four scenarios to help them give the characters advice: watch a movie clip from the miracle maker, listen to a song excerpt, read a bit from the Bible, and read something about a person from history (Billy Graham, Ghandi, for example). The children then get to decide how to help them by picking what advice what to give them. They go through four different emails and read and listen to different excerpts from the Bible (generally about a story similar to what the character is going through. for Fear Kylie was scared because her friend was in the hospital, so the bible readings were about Jairus going to Jesus about his daughter).
It's so neat that the schools allow G-sus live to come to their schools and teach them bits and pieces from the Bible and how relevant it is. From what the Trainer explained this has been incredibly useful in Wales, an the children really seem to be interested in the characters and the story they see as they learn that on the cross Jesus faced each of the problems the characters face: rejection, fear, and forgiveness. One little girl specifically asked one of the presenters, "I thought Jesus died a long time ago." And he got to answer, "Well, as a Christian, I believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and that he is alive!"
I'm not sure this sort of interaction would work in the states. But as American Christianity continues to decline (as it seems to be) it will be interesting to see if such tactics will work in future American schools.
After training on the G-sus bus, we had a welcome tea at Mark and Georgie's house which was absolutely "fab." Both the tea and the house. I can't remember what Georgie said her house was before it was converted, but it's a beautiful stone building with large wooden doors. It looks very similar to a castle, I would imagine. Absolutely beautiful. They have pastures all around their house and several different buildings (I think one was the stable all the others I can't be sure). As for the tea, it was such a wonderful time of fellowship. It was good to get to talk and meet the people I will be working with with at Gateway. They fed us, and I actually drank some tea. I think it's starting to grow on me. The people I met at the tea were "brilliant," and their heart for God is so evident in their friendships and the work they have begun here in Caerphilly. I can't wait to get started with them and really get to work with them over the next few months.
After spending a few hours at Mark and Georgie's, we came back to the Hughes to babysit the children for most of the night. We taught them baseball and American football and played for a number of hours that night. It was great fun, and they really enjoyed playing-even in their tiny garden(backyard)! It's probably only the size of their lounge, only just a little bigger. They tried to teach me cricket, which I only partially understand now. But it was good fun, and after the children went to bed Claire and I stayed up very late talking about the church, God, our beliefs, our stories, and a lot else. It was incredibly insightful, and I think it was a wonderful time of conversation. One thing that really stood out to me was our conversation about how people all around the world have no idea what love is, but they want it. Claire has a monday bible study with her unchristian friends, and she was saying that these friends come for the friendships. The people here are yearning for true relationships just like those in America. But great different was that in Wales they can get the people to their weekly gatherings: the different bible studies, the youth programs, etc. However, they can hardly get anyone to come to church on Sundays. In America it definitely feels opposite to me.
This morning I went to church in Rhydyfelin (I haven't figured out if it's Rhydfelin or Rhydyfelin. . .). It was a quaint, enjoyable service with a short message on Acts 12 and how miracles of God can and do happen even if we can't prove them by science. After meeting with those folks and getting to know some of them very briefly we went back to Brian and Elizabeth's, the couple who are housing Bobby for the summer, for sunday dinner: roast, mashed potatoes, potatoes, corn, peas, carrots, apple juice, and ice cream. Absolutely delicious. I have yet to be offered black currant pie, and I'm really looking forward to it. Bobby says it's the best. We spent out afternoon with Brian, Elizabeth, their son, Tim, and his wife and children. Bobby and I went down to the market to get a few things and walked around Rhydfelin chatting about what we're learning and things. It was a beautiful afternoon. Thankfully, it hasn't rained yet.
We then went to Gateway church for their evening service which was very nice. I introduced myself and shared my testimony with them. It was simply wonderful to be accepted by them in love and to be a part of their worship. It's very different than what I'm used to, but it was still good. The children also seem so excited and full of life. I cannot wait to get to know them at a later date.
Raph, the Brazilian missionary I will be working with, came over after church. He, Claire, and I sat down for an hour and a half to discuss the general things I will be doing. I am really exciting about all of the wonderful things the church has planned! This summer will be completely "brilliant." The one thing I'm bummed about was that the Headmaster of the primary school said that I couldn't go and be in the schools and help the RE teacher. We were joking tonight that Claire's youngest son, James, should do his project this week on America and bring me in as "show-and-tell." Well, I was being serious, but I don't think they realized it. I would love to go in and be show-and-tell! Ha. It'd be brilliant.
Tomorrow morning I will be joining Claire with her morning bible study. Raph made a big deal about me having one day a week to rest and not do anything (as my Sabbath. I am so thankful for him), so Mondays will be my restful day (outside of Claire's bible study which I haven't decided if I'll join every week). It will also be the day we meet with Dottie Bigham and have our support group, catch-up days. We're thinking about going around the country to see the different sights while we're doing our talks.
So, seeing as this is quite a chunky post, I'll be off! I love you all. Thank you for all of your support. Please continue in prayer for us, that we will be open to the Spirit's guidance over the next two months. It's very easy to feel uncomfortable in new and changing circumstances, but God is ever close to us. The Spirit is in us, so pray that we will listen and not be quick to be awkward or judgmental. These people are beautiful, and the Spirit is doing a wonderful work here. I wouldn't want to miss it because I feel uncomfortable!
Thank you again.
Ta! (Bye!)
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