This past week has been a whirlwind of movement. Last Wednesday was just another day in Thailand waiting for the aiport to open up when we received a call telling us we would leave — that night — to London! We had three hours to pack up, find warm clothes, and get ourselves to the mock airport set up in a convention center. After checking in, going through security, and receiving our hand written plane tickets we boarded a BUS. We took a 3 hour bus ride to the military base where we were driven onto the tarmack to board our plane. We flew from Bangkok to Abu Dahbi and then off to England.
Our first few days in England were spent at a YWAM base just right outside of London. It was the most beautiful and peaceful setting and the exact opposite of everything we have experienced over the past 5 months. Cold weather, hot showers, toilets — quite the adjustment. I spent my time there curled up in a chair reading books and drinking tea. Having minimal time to process going to England opposed to South Africa left a lot of questions lingering in my mind: How will we do as a squad in a western country? Will we be able to stay focused on ministry? Will team dynamics change? Well, I can honestly say that all my fears were taken away in the first day here. Our first morning at the base we had a squad worship time and prayer which erupted into joyous singing and laughter straight from the Holy Spirit. It was an incredible time where I scanned the room full of my brothers and sisters and with complete honesty said “this is my family”. This blessing of being in this new place has that come straight from the Lord and is only going to bond us more. It made me so happy to know that the past five months have brought us so close and I am excited to continue this journey with my family whether it be in Africa or London.
After camping out at YWAM for a few days we finally got our new ministry figured out. We will be spending the next two weeks working with local churches and reaching out to ethnic minorities. We have relocated ourselves a little closer to the city and will be spending Christmas here as a family. We are “scheduled” to leave for Africa on January 6th and I’m sure by then we will be excited for warmer weather… well…maybe just me 🙂 .
