Monday morning we woke up, ate breakfast, packed our bags, and began our long walk to the train. We boarded the tube around 10 AM for an hour plus ride to Heathrow. We checked in at the airport and had about an hour for shopping and eating lunch before heading for our gate.
We had to take a bus from our gate out to the airplane, then began our 7 hour flight back to the US. We were tired and ready to come home, but we left England with wonderful memories and new friends, as well as a better understanding of God, His plan for us, and a better understanding of ourselves.
Our last full day in London began early on Sunday morning. Following breakfast we attended Hillsong Church, a very different service than most of us are used to, but the message on caring was what we needed to hear. Our desire as we return to the states and to King's is to continue serving our Lord and Savior, to make a difference in our school, and to live out what we have learned. The pastor talked about the importance of caring for individuals who God brings into our lives. So as we enter our school we want to show others by our lives, not just our words, what God has done in us and what God can do in them!
We packed everything possible into that last day: Covent Gardens, shopping, Trafalgar Square, The National Gallery (museum of art), parliment buildings, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. God gave us the gift of beautiful weather as we walked the streets of London. We returned to Highbury Centre and met one final time together to share what we learned, spiritual conversations shared, ending the evening in prayer.
Thank you all for your prayers and support throughout this past year as we prepared for our trip and as we traveled to England to serve the Lord and others in Enderby and at Hillhouse. Thank you for making this possible. Only in eternity will we truly know all that God did while we were there!
Please check for new pictures over the next few days and weeks as they will be added as time permits. Any team member who wants to add pictures, please post them in the comment section OR email me at kolachea@tkcs.org and I will post them for you.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
London - Saturday, March 29, 2008
What an awesome time we had at Hillhouse Retreat! God really worked in that place in the lives of the Brit's as well as in our own lives. Pastor Chris closed the morning meeting with comments about what a great week we had and their teens gathered around our teens and prayed over them. We packed lunches for the trip, and after a tearful goodbye, we boarded the coach for London.
After arriving at Highbury Centre in London, we went to dinner at a little Italian place called, The Stingray. The kids ordered pizza and the adults ordered some really great pasta dinners. Our servers were definitely not English. One was from Bulgaria, the other may have been French. The food was good and the service was great.
Everyone was really tired from travelling, so we came back to Highbury and met together to begin our first "debrief" session, sharing things God had done in our lives, what had gone really well in the ministry, and some ideas about things to do differently next time. It is amazing to hear our kids share what God has done in their lives! Pray for them as they prepare to come home and face their day-to-day lives that they will continue walking close to the Lord and sharing His love with others. (This is truly the desire of their hearts and we need to continue encouraging them to be faithful!)
This morning began with sunshine and a little warmer than other days. We had an early breakfast at Highbury at 7:30 AM and then we were off to the tube and to the Tower of London. We took photos of the Tower Bridge, then spent the morning at the tower, which was quite an amazing place. Probably the highlight for many of us was seeing the crown jewels, plus the magnificent architecture throughout the city. After the tower, we took a bus to the St. Paul's Cathedral and walked across the Millenium Bridge to the Globe Theatre.
After the tour of Globe, we stopped for lunch, just when the rain began. After lunch we toured St. Paul's Cathedral, with many brave ones going the 434 (or so) stairs all the way to the top.
The choir was singing and the organ was being played, so that was an added bonus to seeing the cathedral.
We were all so very tired that we stopped at a little food mart near Highbury and everyone bought a few light things for dinner. (Some bought Chinese food or a burger nearby).
Tonight's meeting was really great. This debriefing time is really a great time for all of us to share more of what God has done this week and build up the relationships with one another that have been formed during this trip.
Tomorrow we will leave bright and early for the early Sunday service at Hillsong Church. After lunch, we will visit Covent Gardens for shopping, then Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. So that will be a full day.
Then on Monday, we will head home. If possible, we will post tomorrow evening. If not, pray for a safe, uneventful trip home on Monday. We will look forward to seeing everyone!
After arriving at Highbury Centre in London, we went to dinner at a little Italian place called, The Stingray. The kids ordered pizza and the adults ordered some really great pasta dinners. Our servers were definitely not English. One was from Bulgaria, the other may have been French. The food was good and the service was great.
Everyone was really tired from travelling, so we came back to Highbury and met together to begin our first "debrief" session, sharing things God had done in our lives, what had gone really well in the ministry, and some ideas about things to do differently next time. It is amazing to hear our kids share what God has done in their lives! Pray for them as they prepare to come home and face their day-to-day lives that they will continue walking close to the Lord and sharing His love with others. (This is truly the desire of their hearts and we need to continue encouraging them to be faithful!)
This morning began with sunshine and a little warmer than other days. We had an early breakfast at Highbury at 7:30 AM and then we were off to the tube and to the Tower of London. We took photos of the Tower Bridge, then spent the morning at the tower, which was quite an amazing place. Probably the highlight for many of us was seeing the crown jewels, plus the magnificent architecture throughout the city. After the tower, we took a bus to the St. Paul's Cathedral and walked across the Millenium Bridge to the Globe Theatre.
After the tour of Globe, we stopped for lunch, just when the rain began. After lunch we toured St. Paul's Cathedral, with many brave ones going the 434 (or so) stairs all the way to the top.
The choir was singing and the organ was being played, so that was an added bonus to seeing the cathedral.
We were all so very tired that we stopped at a little food mart near Highbury and everyone bought a few light things for dinner. (Some bought Chinese food or a burger nearby).
Tonight's meeting was really great. This debriefing time is really a great time for all of us to share more of what God has done this week and build up the relationships with one another that have been formed during this trip.
Tomorrow we will leave bright and early for the early Sunday service at Hillsong Church. After lunch, we will visit Covent Gardens for shopping, then Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. So that will be a full day.
Then on Monday, we will head home. If possible, we will post tomorrow evening. If not, pray for a safe, uneventful trip home on Monday. We will look forward to seeing everyone!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Signs
Today at breakfast we were discussing words and phrases that are different in England and America. Such as bobbles and ponytails, French fries and chips, chips and crisps, pudding and dessert, and the different ways we say aluminum. (don't know why that word came up). Here are some unique signs I've found along the way.
I've got some more, but don't have time to upload anything else today. I will try again later.
Thursday Afternoon, Hillhouse Retreat
What a lovely day we have! The sun is shining and the weather is warmer (light jacket and sweater weather). As I look out the window I see some of the guys in another "football" game, some girls are on the swings, Tess was taking pictures of the flowers, and others are just out enjoying the beautiful sunny afternoon.
Last night there was a great game of Capture the Flag. I was walking to my room to get something I left there, when one of the British kids asked me a question. He said, "What exactly are we supposed to be doing?" Somehow the main purpose of the game had not been understood. He had been running around for over an hour, chasing and being chased, but really did not know why. One of the girls this morning was asked by pastor Chris how the game was played. She replied, "I don't know really." Somehow, in the midst of explaining the details of the "jail", how to tag someone, take them to jail, and then break them out, some of them missed the point - to capture the flag and bring it back to their own team's home side.
This caused me to reflect on my own life. How often do we get side tracked with the details of ministry or life and forget to keep the "main thing" the "main thing"? What is the ultimate thing that we are to be doing?
When the British boy asked me what they were to be doing, I said to him to forget about chasing and catching others and FIND THE FLAG! Just get the flag and bring it back to your team without getting caught. - Now he understood and off he went!
For us as disciples of Jesus, we need to remember that our ultimate aim in life is to keep Jesus the main thing without getting caught up in the things of this life. Seek Him, find Him, and glorify Him. All of the other things are details that will fall in place as we glorify Him. Others will see HIM in our lives, and some will desire to know Him, and then we will be able to share with them the magnificent gift of life that only Jesus can give!
Please pray for all of our team, as well as the British teens who are here with us. Tonight it the time for making decisions about "trusting in the Lord". Some do not yet know Christ and some need to trust the Lord more completely. The "Everything" skit will be taking place, Jess H. will be giving her testimony, and the video "Luggage" will be shown. Please pray for this final evening that we will keep Jesus Christ at the center of all we do and the kids who are here will be able to hear and understand what they need to do as far as their relationship with Christ.
Tomorrow morning we are off to London. We will be debriefing and sharing testimonies tomorrow evening about what God has done in our ministry in England. I will try to update you as the weekend continues, but we are not sure when we will have access to a computer to do the update. So please do not worry, but just keep on praying for us. If we don't write again, we will look forward to seeing you on Monday evening!
Last night there was a great game of Capture the Flag. I was walking to my room to get something I left there, when one of the British kids asked me a question. He said, "What exactly are we supposed to be doing?" Somehow the main purpose of the game had not been understood. He had been running around for over an hour, chasing and being chased, but really did not know why. One of the girls this morning was asked by pastor Chris how the game was played. She replied, "I don't know really." Somehow, in the midst of explaining the details of the "jail", how to tag someone, take them to jail, and then break them out, some of them missed the point - to capture the flag and bring it back to their own team's home side.
This caused me to reflect on my own life. How often do we get side tracked with the details of ministry or life and forget to keep the "main thing" the "main thing"? What is the ultimate thing that we are to be doing?
When the British boy asked me what they were to be doing, I said to him to forget about chasing and catching others and FIND THE FLAG! Just get the flag and bring it back to your team without getting caught. - Now he understood and off he went!
For us as disciples of Jesus, we need to remember that our ultimate aim in life is to keep Jesus the main thing without getting caught up in the things of this life. Seek Him, find Him, and glorify Him. All of the other things are details that will fall in place as we glorify Him. Others will see HIM in our lives, and some will desire to know Him, and then we will be able to share with them the magnificent gift of life that only Jesus can give!
Please pray for all of our team, as well as the British teens who are here with us. Tonight it the time for making decisions about "trusting in the Lord". Some do not yet know Christ and some need to trust the Lord more completely. The "Everything" skit will be taking place, Jess H. will be giving her testimony, and the video "Luggage" will be shown. Please pray for this final evening that we will keep Jesus Christ at the center of all we do and the kids who are here will be able to hear and understand what they need to do as far as their relationship with Christ.
Tomorrow morning we are off to London. We will be debriefing and sharing testimonies tomorrow evening about what God has done in our ministry in England. I will try to update you as the weekend continues, but we are not sure when we will have access to a computer to do the update. So please do not worry, but just keep on praying for us. If we don't write again, we will look forward to seeing you on Monday evening!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
From Hllhouse Retreat, Wednesday, March 26
Hi everyone. Sorry it has been a while since I have been able to get to a computer. I may be able to get a couple of photos on the post, but will not be able to do the slideshows for you. I may be able to try those when we get to London, but will have to wait and see what access we have to a computer.
Monday: We were up bright and early for our trip to Warwick Castle and Stratford. The weather was again - 3 seasons weather with rain, snow, sleet, hail, and some sunshine. I won't say 4 seasons, because it definitely was not warm! We had a great day touring and shopping. By late afternoon we were hungry and ready for a nice hot meal. The kids wanted a little comfort food, American style, so we ended up at TGI Friday's. Even though it was very expensive compared to America and half us didn't get our meal for a very looooong time, it was a great time sharing together and enjoying the evening.
Tuesday: What a beautiful day! We slept a little later and then left Enderby Church around 11AM on a coach bus to Hillhouse Retreat. The landscape changed to mountains in the distance and rolling hillsides. We arrived at Hillhouse around 4PM and had some relaxing time to walk around the property, play "football", and just enjoy time getting to know one another before dinner. The kids did a great job starting with worship in the evening session, followed by a "trust walk" and "breakout groups". After the session, we had games and snack, devotions, and bedtime.
Wednesday: The morning session began with worship and a Nooma video (don't know if I spelled that right) - Dust. Then testimonies. Joey (with the help of Ben) sang his bump on a log song. He was quite amazing and everyone cheered. The afternoon session began with a "trust FALL" - and we even had Mr. Stouff participate in that! This afternoon is a "football" match about a mile down the road. Instead of the Brits vs. Yanks. , the teams are mixed, but you would think this was a national championship! I am anxiously awaiting the results of the match! Others are playing games, talking in the lounge, and taking walks - or naps :).
I will try to update you tomorrow on our activities. Please keep our team and those we are serving in your prayers. God is truly working in the lives of all of us as we seek to learn more about how to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Joey H. is doing well and his tooth seems to be feeling much better! Thank you all for the prayers.
To our friends in SA and DC, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers each day!
Monday: We were up bright and early for our trip to Warwick Castle and Stratford. The weather was again - 3 seasons weather with rain, snow, sleet, hail, and some sunshine. I won't say 4 seasons, because it definitely was not warm! We had a great day touring and shopping. By late afternoon we were hungry and ready for a nice hot meal. The kids wanted a little comfort food, American style, so we ended up at TGI Friday's. Even though it was very expensive compared to America and half us didn't get our meal for a very looooong time, it was a great time sharing together and enjoying the evening.
Tuesday: What a beautiful day! We slept a little later and then left Enderby Church around 11AM on a coach bus to Hillhouse Retreat. The landscape changed to mountains in the distance and rolling hillsides. We arrived at Hillhouse around 4PM and had some relaxing time to walk around the property, play "football", and just enjoy time getting to know one another before dinner. The kids did a great job starting with worship in the evening session, followed by a "trust walk" and "breakout groups". After the session, we had games and snack, devotions, and bedtime.
Wednesday: The morning session began with worship and a Nooma video (don't know if I spelled that right) - Dust. Then testimonies. Joey (with the help of Ben) sang his bump on a log song. He was quite amazing and everyone cheered. The afternoon session began with a "trust FALL" - and we even had Mr. Stouff participate in that! This afternoon is a "football" match about a mile down the road. Instead of the Brits vs. Yanks. , the teams are mixed, but you would think this was a national championship! I am anxiously awaiting the results of the match! Others are playing games, talking in the lounge, and taking walks - or naps :).
I will try to update you tomorrow on our activities. Please keep our team and those we are serving in your prayers. God is truly working in the lives of all of us as we seek to learn more about how to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Joey H. is doing well and his tooth seems to be feeling much better! Thank you all for the prayers.
To our friends in SA and DC, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers each day!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Resurrection Day! Today we awoke to a dusting of snow, but later in the day the sun came out. Enderby Mission Church is a vibrant, happy place, and the service was amazing. The puppet team did a great job, and the remainder of the morning service was done by Enderby. What a time of remembering the resurrection of our Savior!
Everyone shared Easter dinner with their host families, and then returned to Enderby for the evening service. Mrs. O. shared her testimony, there was lots of worship music, drama by a group from Enderby, many testimonies, and a great message by Pastor Chris from Ephesians 2:1-10. He closed the message with a poem that he wrote, which hopefully he will give us permission to share with you.
Pray for us tomorrow as we tour Warwick Castle and Stratford.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Everyone shared Easter dinner with their host families, and then returned to Enderby for the evening service. Mrs. O. shared her testimony, there was lots of worship music, drama by a group from Enderby, many testimonies, and a great message by Pastor Chris from Ephesians 2:1-10. He closed the message with a poem that he wrote, which hopefully he will give us permission to share with you.
Pray for us tomorrow as we tour Warwick Castle and Stratford.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Good Saturday, March 22, 2008
Today was...cold and rainy, snowy, sunny, haily (is that a word?), sunny, cloudy, haily (again), snowy (again), sunny and...COLD!
The Good Saturday children's ministry was awesome! We left Enderby Mission Church walking down a couple of blocks to the Church of England, where we shared this ministry with this church family along with their pastor and family. About 170 attended including the parents who stayed. The puppet team did an fantastic job! Sarah, Ben, and several of our new England friends led the songs and did a great job. Everyone was involved helping with crafts and games, set up and clean up. The barbeque was interesting. The grills were set up outside of the church of England (with gravestones beneath our feet and headstones as the back drop). The food was great and the service by Pastor Chris and his team of men was excellent. However...the weather...it was hailing very hard and then snowing as everyone got their hamburgers and sausages.
The afternoon football match (soccer) was...COLD...Leicester unfortunately lost the match, but it was fun being together. This evening we all went to our separate host homes for dinner. Corinne, Jess S., and Mrs. O. had delicious shepherd's pie, veggies, and dessert with Kristina and then the girls left for a game of Wii at another host family's home.
Pray for us as we minister tomorrow on Easter Sunday morning and evening. We love and miss you all.
The Good Saturday children's ministry was awesome! We left Enderby Mission Church walking down a couple of blocks to the Church of England, where we shared this ministry with this church family along with their pastor and family. About 170 attended including the parents who stayed. The puppet team did an fantastic job! Sarah, Ben, and several of our new England friends led the songs and did a great job. Everyone was involved helping with crafts and games, set up and clean up. The barbeque was interesting. The grills were set up outside of the church of England (with gravestones beneath our feet and headstones as the back drop). The food was great and the service by Pastor Chris and his team of men was excellent. However...the weather...it was hailing very hard and then snowing as everyone got their hamburgers and sausages.
The afternoon football match (soccer) was...COLD...Leicester unfortunately lost the match, but it was fun being together. This evening we all went to our separate host homes for dinner. Corinne, Jess S., and Mrs. O. had delicious shepherd's pie, veggies, and dessert with Kristina and then the girls left for a game of Wii at another host family's home.
Pray for us as we minister tomorrow on Easter Sunday morning and evening. We love and miss you all.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday, March 21, 2008
This morning we were blessed with a "lie - in" - that is we got a good night's sleep with the opportunity to sleep late. The morning was bright and sunny, which was welcome after the rainy start of our trip. After breakfast (some of the team got a full English breakfast - see our slide show for what that includes!), we met at the church at 10:00 AM for a team meeting. We prayed together for the needs of our team members and for our host families, as well as those we will minister to this weekend.
We practiced the puppets and skits for tonight and tomorrow, then ate lunch at church - lunches packed by our gracious host families. After lunch, some of the British teens met us and we took the city bus into Leicester to see some sites and do some shopping. We had quite an adventure on the double decker bus. Our group host, Cara, was a great guide to the city. As the afternoon continued the guys got hungry, so we stopped at a McDonalds for a "snack". As we stepped in the door, a downpour of hail came, which lasted only a short time, but was rather exciting. After that it got quite cold and rained or drizzled for a while.
This evening we will be hosting the youth night which will include some fun skits, football (soccer), table tennis, and other group games, and crafts.
Everyone is doing well. Please pray for Joey as he has some tooth discomfort, which is being relieved with ibuprofin. Joey has an important role in the ministry this evening and tomorrow morning. Dentist offices are closed due to the Easter holiday weekend, so please pray that he will be able to sleep well this evening and that he will not have any more pain.
Tomorrow morning we will be doing a ministry for children. Please pray that children will hear the message of Jesus' love for them as we share with them in song and puppet ministry.
We practiced the puppets and skits for tonight and tomorrow, then ate lunch at church - lunches packed by our gracious host families. After lunch, some of the British teens met us and we took the city bus into Leicester to see some sites and do some shopping. We had quite an adventure on the double decker bus. Our group host, Cara, was a great guide to the city. As the afternoon continued the guys got hungry, so we stopped at a McDonalds for a "snack". As we stepped in the door, a downpour of hail came, which lasted only a short time, but was rather exciting. After that it got quite cold and rained or drizzled for a while.
This evening we will be hosting the youth night which will include some fun skits, football (soccer), table tennis, and other group games, and crafts.
Everyone is doing well. Please pray for Joey as he has some tooth discomfort, which is being relieved with ibuprofin. Joey has an important role in the ministry this evening and tomorrow morning. Dentist offices are closed due to the Easter holiday weekend, so please pray that he will be able to sleep well this evening and that he will not have any more pain.
Tomorrow morning we will be doing a ministry for children. Please pray that children will hear the message of Jesus' love for them as we share with them in song and puppet ministry.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
We have arrived!
Mrs. Entwistle was a great bus driver who got us safely to the airport before 6:30 PM. We all got checked in and gathered at the gate area until our flight was loaded around 9:30 PM. We played card games, and Mr. Stouff introduced some of us to Pass the Pig. - Mrs. O was the winner...
Then we were entertained by Jess and Corinne impersonating some very famous people...you can ask them about that. We ate the snacks left over from our after school departure, and finally loaded the plane.
We had a great flight. There was some turbulance early in the flight, but once we reached our cruising altitude, we had a smooth and quiet flight. We had a late dinner around 11 PM. Then most of us were able to get some sleep for a few hours. Breakfast was served and we landed around 8:25 AM (UK time).
We gathered our luggage, were greeted by a local Salvation Army Chaplain who noticed the message on our shirts, and some of our group were treated to Starbucks samples by a passerby. We boarded a beautiful coach with bus driver, Wes, and our guide, Lee, from Enderby. It was a restful and beautiful ride to Enderby, where our very skilled bus driver was able to back the bus up the narrow lane right to the church, so that we did not have to haul our luggage all the way up the steep hill.
We had a delicious lunch provided by the folks at Enderby Mission Church and have had an enjoyable afternoon of games and a walk around town.
We will be having dinner with our host families at church, then heading to their homes for an early bedtime.
Please keep us in your prayers each day for continued good health and effective ministry to those we meet.
Then we were entertained by Jess and Corinne impersonating some very famous people...you can ask them about that. We ate the snacks left over from our after school departure, and finally loaded the plane.
We had a great flight. There was some turbulance early in the flight, but once we reached our cruising altitude, we had a smooth and quiet flight. We had a late dinner around 11 PM. Then most of us were able to get some sleep for a few hours. Breakfast was served and we landed around 8:25 AM (UK time).
We gathered our luggage, were greeted by a local Salvation Army Chaplain who noticed the message on our shirts, and some of our group were treated to Starbucks samples by a passerby. We boarded a beautiful coach with bus driver, Wes, and our guide, Lee, from Enderby. It was a restful and beautiful ride to Enderby, where our very skilled bus driver was able to back the bus up the narrow lane right to the church, so that we did not have to haul our luggage all the way up the steep hill.
We had a delicious lunch provided by the folks at Enderby Mission Church and have had an enjoyable afternoon of games and a walk around town.
We will be having dinner with our host families at church, then heading to their homes for an early bedtime.
Please keep us in your prayers each day for continued good health and effective ministry to those we meet.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Commissioning Service - Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Today's commissioning service included comments and testimonies from all three missions teams. Rev. Hines' message of "dog" vs. "cat" theology encouraged us to remember that we are the recipients of God's great love, mercy, and grace, and HE is the GREAT AND MIGHTY ONE, the MASTER and LORD of our lives - instead of thinking like Shady the cat who believed he was the center of the universe and life was all about him.
Dr. Voight prayed specifically for our team and Dr. Stiegel closed in prayer for all of the teams.
It was a great send-off and encouraged us to go and share God's love with others around the world.
Dr. Voight prayed specifically for our team and Dr. Stiegel closed in prayer for all of the teams.
It was a great send-off and encouraged us to go and share God's love with others around the world.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Welcome to the UK08 Blog
Welcome team members, parents, prayer supporters, and other friends to our blog. Please pray for us as we continue to grow closer to Christ in anticipation of what He will do in us and through us as we minister in England this Easter.
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