So the past 4 weeks since my last posting were pretty much filled with the insanity of finishing my job in Troy, NY, packing, driving home, unpacking, finishing getting ready for my overseas trip to the UK and Mercy Ships trip to Sierra Leone, seeing family & connecting at home, unpacking, repacking, and heading out again! (I'll back-up and fill in on those details after I get pictures uploaded). :)
Catching up to now...
I’m writing to you aboard a train traveling from Manchester to Milton-Keynes, England. I’m 3 days into my 10 day layover in England and am still having a hard time believing that I’m actually here. Do you know when you plan an event or activity for months; think about it, make arrangements for it, dream about it, and then all of a sudden… BOOM, you’re there and it feels surreal. Well, that has been my experience the past few days- traveling aboard trains and buses throughout London, and southern England. Seeing Harriman Lodge friends, eating my beloved prawn cocktail flavored potato “crisps” (chips), drinking black current juice, an continually asking where the “rubbish bin” or “lou” is. How I have come to love my British friends and their country, experiencing so much friendliness and hospitality from London on north.
It is such a different experience traveling through England for the second time. The first time I was here was 2 years ago with my friends Erin and Miriam for a 14 day trip to Ireland, England, and Scotland was my first international traveling experience. I remember it being overwhelming, frightening, and exciting all at the same time. This time, the excitement and some anxiety remains, but the experience is one of much more ease and enjoyment. You see, after traveling around West Africa and Honduras where you have not only a language barrier, but significant cultural barriers to worry about, traveling through a country like England with the same language and Western culture seems like a piece of cake. No, it hasn’t all been easy or smooth sailing. In fact, the train I happen to be on right now is one I ended up finally getting to 2 hours after I initially was suppose to. Wrong time, wrong station, missed trains, etc, have been the tune to my song today. But God is good, and my friends here, gracious and understanding. I’m SO excited today to get back to Milton Keynes, because I get to have my first experience of a British “Sunday Roast” I heard praised up and down all summer by the British counselors at Harriman Lodge. I’ll have to let you know how that experience goes!
But, enough about England! I’m sure many of you are wondering… “Hold on! I thought you were going to Sierra Leone!? What’s all this stuff about England?”
London Heathrow airport was my mid-point stop between the US and Sierra Leone, and, as I had many friends in England, I decided to take a layover to visit them to get over jet lag. So, here I am! The trip started out as a 7-day layover, but got extended to a 10 day stay after the Africa Mercy Ship was delayed in South Africa.
For a Mercy Ships update, I spoke to my dear friend, Laura Coles, 4 days ago and got the update on the status of the Africa Mercy’s sail. Laura called me from the actively sailing ship and said that they so far had pretty smooth seas with all the new generators working full force. Praise God! They left South Africa last week and are set to arrive in Freetown on the 25th. I’m set to arrive on the 28th, so if there are any further delays, I may be in Freetown awaiting the ship’s arrival myself. An adventure either way. Laura moved into our room (we’ll be bunkmates) and said she saved us a back room (the most spacious) and has my bunk awaiting me. I am SO excited to be returning and see all my old friends jump back into the Mercy Ships ministries. One new addition this outreach as well, is that I will be joining the charge nurse team- something I was asked to do and am excited and scared to death for when I get aboard!
Until then, I’m going to continue my visit around the UK, especially up in the Edinburgh, Scotland; one of my favorite cities in the world. Well, I could go on and on, but will stop for now and fill you in with pictures and more news soon! Blessings to you all! Thank you all for your prayers! (I needed them SO much as I almost missed a couple flights and my luggage due to delays when I flew out in the 17th). I miss you all SO much in Minnesota (and NY), but don’t miss the weather at all! Ha ha! Will write again soon!
