Differences in Culture

            So it’s been three or so weeks since my last update and a lot has happened. I’ve been keeping a list of things that are different from America and England since I’ve been here for about a month. The list is long but as much as I’ve seen different I’ve also been reminded of how much is the same.

            They say, spiritually, when you go to England from America you’re going about 10 years into the future. I’m not sure if America is following in everything else and it seems, at least in fashion, we’re not trailing so far behind in everything but the spiritual aspect is the biggest thing, I think. It’s why I’m here in England, at least.

            I was thinking about one thing a lot, actually, on one of my Saturdays when I was supposed to be “off”. We went back in to London in order to see “Once”, a musical on the West End, and we “crashed” the Gay Pride Parade. It was very interesting seeing the community of people and one of my flat mates made a very interesting point of how we don’t have the same community in the Church as they do. Denominations really separate us more than they should. What really broke my heart was when we passed a man with a sign with some Scripture on it. He had a huge crowd around him, giving him lots of space to speak, and two policemen that were speaking to him, as well. He wasn’t speaking grace and peace from the Gospel, though; he was saying that God hated gay people and how it was his responsibility to tell the people. It was very difficult to watch the policemen take him away. I don’t agree with him – let me say that outright. I do, however, feel like in America he would have had the opportunity to be able to say what he wanted to say with all of the people yelling at him and no policemen taking him away. I’ve heard similar stories that happened here where people were preaching the Truth of God and, because it was offensive to people, they were arrested. We’re only 10 years behind England, spiritually speaking. What happens when we start arresting people because we think they’re being offensive to us?

            On Saturday I was out by the lake (the one the church is named after but that it’s not actually super close to). It was a beautiful day outside and I wanted to just take the time and pray and worship God so I did that for a couple of hours. I started out with listening to a sermon my pastor had preached 2 weeks previous about The Church. The biggest thing I think I focused on was how big God is, how good He is and, despite these things, how willing He is to love people like us and how that shows how merciful He is. I got wrapped up in worship and remembered, again, why I like to be alone so much so I can pray. I realized I hadn’t been alone a lot on this internship – rooming with two other girls and all – but I’m going to try and find some time every so often so I can pray by myself.

            The VBS (a.k.a. Vacation Bible School or Venture Quest) seems to slowly be growing. This is a good sign! I don’t think anyone really expected us to have 50 kids the first night. Ministries and new ideas take time to grow. I hope that it continues to grow. Even if we only minister to the one family that came tonight, though, it means we’ve ministered to a family and that’s a huge thing. We have shown the love of Christ to the kids and to the parents so it doesn’t matter how many come. God will bring whom He will and we will love whomever He brings!

            I felt a bit discouraged, earlier, because there doesn’t seem to be a heart for children’s ministry here. It’s understandable because it’s a hard job but I felt like I needed to make that happen for them because they didn’t have it. There are so many people here who haven’t heard of Jesus and/or don’t know any of the “basic” Bible stories like Adam & Eve, Noah, Moses, Saul/Paul, etc. If they could learn it at a young age then maybe they could even teach it to their parents! But, really, those things take a lot of time and there has to be a heart for that kind of ministry or else people will get burnt out quickly doing something they do because they feel like they have to. Ministries are to be joined out of joy and worship to the Lord, not out of obligation. I don’t want anyone here to feel like they “have” to do anything. That’s not the point of a relationship with Christ. I talked with a great friend of mine, though, and she encouraged me in this. That it isn’t my job to start a children’s ministry or to start a Sunday School. It’s my job to love people like Christ would. Not only is it my job it is my privilege, honor and joy! Ok, maybe she didn’t say that last bit, but it’s true. My purpose in coming here was not first and foremost for that purpose and perhaps it will still happen but I can’t let that be my primary goal. I am glad that I’m not so worried about it, anymore and I’m really grateful for friends who can say just the right thing at just the right time.

            There’s a team from Mississippi here, too. 34 new Americans I have to remember the names of. To be fair I can’t do that so I’m just going to end up calling most of them “you”, “lady” or “guy” if I need to talk to them. They’ve been a huge help since this week has been unofficially deemed “missions week”. I think since the team is here we’re able to do more stuff so this is the week we’ve decided to cram as many ideas in as we can. Basically, what can we do to love our community and our people? Ok. We have 6 days. Let’s do it all! It’s been really fun but kind of tiring so far. I think for them, mostly, but it’s only Monday (or, I guess, Tuesday now over here) we still have 3 days left. The rollercoaster is only half over.

            Please praise the Lord that He has been faithful through this long process in dealing with me and my heart. I am learning and I am grateful to a God that not only saves us from where we were but teaches us how to be better. Also, please pray for me as I try to create relationships here. It can be difficult since I’m leaving in a month but I’m hoping that I can show them Christ for the short period of time I’m over here. Please pray that I wouldn’t hold back my personality or my heart from these people because I’m afraid to be genuine friends with them because it will hurt when I leave. Lastly, please pray for Church in the Community: Lakeside (CitC). Pray for the Christians in it and their spiritual growth as well as for the non-Christians that they would come to faith in Jesus. Pray for the children that come to the church as well as those in the community – those who are younger to those who are older kids. Please pray that everyone would be discipled effectively. In this context (being in Europe) it can be difficult to find someone more spiritually mature than you if you don’t really know where to look or you’re not great at making friends, etc. even if you are looking and praying for it. Few in England have grown up in the church and many are new Christians so spiritual maturity can be few and far between.