Well, it has most certainly been a good long while since the last time I've blogged. My apologies. Motivation to script and compose our adventures has evaded me for, roughly, the last month. I was advised that the best way to get back into the "groove of writing," is to simply write about how you don't want to write. Therefore, we will see where this blog takes us.
As I attempt to type, I sit here in our lounge room, on our couch, with a heated computer in my lap. I have homemade coffee in hand with the blanketed pages of my journal screaming at me to share their abundance of emotions and experiences. So much has happened since the 14th of May when I set foot on English soil. Sharing my thoughts has never come easily; however, I do realize I long to share with you the experiences had, relationships made, and the extent of our impact thanks to your prayers and support. My lack of aspiration to make those happenings publicly known has kept my hands silent long enough. You deserve to know.
You deserve to know:
...the blessings and support we have received from the London Family Centre in Camden Town (Their official link below). Prior to having any of our immediate team members have any sort of personal contact with this community Body, they were finding ways to make our living here a reality.
As I attempt to type, I sit here in our lounge room, on our couch, with a heated computer in my lap. I have homemade coffee in hand with the blanketed pages of my journal screaming at me to share their abundance of emotions and experiences. So much has happened since the 14th of May when I set foot on English soil. Sharing my thoughts has never come easily; however, I do realize I long to share with you the experiences had, relationships made, and the extent of our impact thanks to your prayers and support. My lack of aspiration to make those happenings publicly known has kept my hands silent long enough. You deserve to know.
You deserve to know:
...the blessings and support we have received from the London Family Centre in Camden Town (Their official link below). Prior to having any of our immediate team members have any sort of personal contact with this community Body, they were finding ways to make our living here a reality.
Without them, we would not have had this house to live in and to rent once we arrived here in London. The house we were initially supposed to be renting, fell through at the very last minute. However, they lovingly and graciously gave up their own time and resources to locate a flat for us in such a short period of time.
We would not have had the funds to make our initial downpayment of rent. They loaned us the "quid" needed in order to make the ridiculously high "letting" down payment of 5,000.00 pounds; which, at that time, came to around $8,500.00. Literally, ridiculous.
Our initial and monthly rent, along with the cockamamie costs to travel via "tube" and bus throughout the city, have been significantly higher than anyone had expected or even budgeted. Therefore, regrettably, we have had to make cuts in other areas of living: food, house items, outreach costs, public transportation, etc. However, LFC (London Family Centre) voluntarily came alongside us and blessed us with plates, bowls, silverware, cups, glasses, mugs, a microwave, a rice cooker, pots, pans, rice, and a vacuum! Honestly, that type of generosity and hospitality is rarely seen in this day and age. Completely unexpected and exceptionally kindhearted and accommodating.
Since the start of being here, we have loved being able to build relationships with the members of LFC and being able to serve alongside them through worship and their outreach efforts. They are a community that have such a heart for their surrounding neighborhoods/boroughs and it is explicitly shown through their aiding efforts. I am sure that most of you have viewed the photos concerning the "FREE Coffee & Cake" Tuesdays; that effort has just been a small taste of what that community centre is doing for "their" people. In being planted in one of the most diverse and eclectic portions of the city, their community aid is strong; yet, seemingly small at the same time. Let not their numbers fool you, their impact is strong; and, we have been able to partner with them in that. With however limited their own funds and resources are, they are yet willing to offer and provide free food for the hungry, free clothes for those in need, free legal advice to those unsure of whom to turn to, and free letting consultations; all with the option of joining them in fellowship through community development.
This has been only one of the contacts we have had the opportunity to cultivate in the few short weeks we have been abroad. Please continue to bare with us as we all take the time to sit down and enlighten you to our adventures, victories, difficulties, concerns, joys, and expectations. We are all very much wanting to have your encouraging support throughout this missional experience. Please don't give up on us. Many more stories are yet to be written.
Let the journey continue.
http://www.lfcuk.org/
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