Monday, November 10, 2008
November 8, 2008
I don't know when I'll actually write a blog in Bradford, but today I'm on the east coast in the sea-side town of Scarborough, which manages to draw in tourists even in November. After eating fish and chips, I walked to the beach and stood, talking to myself, and hopefully to God for half an hour. I was honest--my bitterness, my desires, my fears, everything was transmitted into those waves. I went to the sea today because I believed God would be there. Or maybe just really hoped God would be, because I needed God to be. What else can you do when you have no answers, then to go where you think God is. Watching the waves and hearing the tide coming in is for me as close as I can get to my idea of God. It doesn't take long to feel connected to some terrific mysterious power when I just stand and watch and listen. I picked up a rock, dubbed it a testament to the conversation. I whisked the rock into the waves, turned around and went back to the train station.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
October 28
We have been working with a Methodist youth group. This week we've been invited to accompany the youth group on a 4 1\2 day adventure to London. The trip began Saturday and ends tomorrow. Some of our activities have included an evening boat ride on the River Thames, a visit to Buckingham Palace, a stop at the National History Museum and a day at a theme park.
London is a fantastic city. It has gotten better since I visited 10 years ago, and I'm sure it will put on a show for the Olympics in 2012. Traveling continues to keep me fresh. Rachel, Kristen and I took a day trip to Skipton last week. Skipton is a quaint historic town (not like England has many of those) about 30 minutes from Bradford by train, and it boasts a castle, which we toured.
My faith has been tested lately. I have felt several times as if I'm in a dream, crying out for help and not able to be heard, not even by my own ears. Sorry, I tend to be dramatic. I have felt angry many times. Sometimes I feel I have nowhere to go with that anger. I have felt scared, threatened. I have felt like going home, as I was told several times during orientation that I would. This is one of the more complicated times I can remember. My sense of peace I had coming in now comes and goes. It often is undermined by instability and negative feelings. I believe things have to get better, particularly regarding our group, and I believe they will.
I visited a Tuesday night discussion group at the University of Bradford. The various topics of discussion center around peace. Upon my arrival, the leader asked me to give a talk about the Mennonite faith and the program as one of two main topics for the evening. I had no idea I'd be asked to do this. What came out was a 5 minute mini-lecture on the history of Anabaptism, and somehow connected it with George W Bush and US politics. The good news is I made a couple of new friends who seemed to think I did well, all things considered. On election night there are peace lectures going on at the University, so there I will see some of these people again. The youth group has offered opportunities to make new friends as well.
It's the 4th week in England now. Almost a month gone and still just 2 volunteer commitments. There are some others in the works.
London is a fantastic city. It has gotten better since I visited 10 years ago, and I'm sure it will put on a show for the Olympics in 2012. Traveling continues to keep me fresh. Rachel, Kristen and I took a day trip to Skipton last week. Skipton is a quaint historic town (not like England has many of those) about 30 minutes from Bradford by train, and it boasts a castle, which we toured.
My faith has been tested lately. I have felt several times as if I'm in a dream, crying out for help and not able to be heard, not even by my own ears. Sorry, I tend to be dramatic. I have felt angry many times. Sometimes I feel I have nowhere to go with that anger. I have felt scared, threatened. I have felt like going home, as I was told several times during orientation that I would. This is one of the more complicated times I can remember. My sense of peace I had coming in now comes and goes. It often is undermined by instability and negative feelings. I believe things have to get better, particularly regarding our group, and I believe they will.
I visited a Tuesday night discussion group at the University of Bradford. The various topics of discussion center around peace. Upon my arrival, the leader asked me to give a talk about the Mennonite faith and the program as one of two main topics for the evening. I had no idea I'd be asked to do this. What came out was a 5 minute mini-lecture on the history of Anabaptism, and somehow connected it with George W Bush and US politics. The good news is I made a couple of new friends who seemed to think I did well, all things considered. On election night there are peace lectures going on at the University, so there I will see some of these people again. The youth group has offered opportunities to make new friends as well.
It's the 4th week in England now. Almost a month gone and still just 2 volunteer commitments. There are some others in the works.
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