It’s crazy to me that it’s been almost a week since I wrote my last blog. My time here in England seems to be flying by, but I’m loving every second of it!!
I shared in my last blog the crazy way that I found housing in Birmingham. Such a blessing to stay with another American for a few days. It’s funny how you don’t realize that the small differences in culture until you talk to someone from your country!
I was able to tour Birmingham a little, though there wasn’t much to be seen other than a library and a museum. I was invited to watch as one of the women I was staying with did ministry on the streets. They sat up a table and did free henna, it drew in a lot of women and was an awesome opportunity. So creative, but also very effective.
The next day I went with Mini, another one of the ladies I was staying with. We went to a prayer meeting for an organization called Fusion. They work in universities here in England and minister to students on campus. It was so much fun to pray all day for the students throughout England and also to make some new friends along the way.
I’ve been blown away over the past few months by how important prayer is. The Lord started teaching me so much about it last year but has increased my passion for this gift. We have the ability to change atmospheres and to invite angels into a room simply by asking!! There is a whole other world out there that we can’t see, the spiritual war waging around us doesn’t stop just because we don’t see it, but we have a part in it and our prayers make the difference.
I spent the day overflowing with joy because I was impacting all of England with my words!
The next day I visited Stratford Upon Avon and saw where Shakespeare was born and raised and buried. It was fun to step back into history and Mini blessed me with a free ticket into the houses there!!
Then I headed off to Sheffield. I was picked up by James and as soon as I got in his car, his exhaust fell off. Haha, what a way to start a friendship!! We sat on the side of the street for about 30 minutes while he took off the exhaust, lucky for him, I always carry my pocket knife!!
Then we picked up his friend Miko and headed to Amanda’s house where I’m currently staying. I can’t get over the hospitality that I’ve been given over the past 3 weeks. Everywhere I go I’m welcomed with open arms and so many blessings! The three took me to a night of worship, helped me to get into Sheffield, made me so many yummy meals and took me on a lovely hike!
I wish I could take everyone from all these adventures and build a house next to me and have them all live there!! It’s sad to think that after a few days I have to leave the people that I’ve just gotten to know.
Amanda and I had girls night and watched a chick flick and we’ve spent most of today lounging around and sharing our hearts with one another. It’s been so nice to be able to have girl time and sit and talk and ask her questions about different things and cook together and just have a friend. Not that the other people haven’t been friends, I’ve met amazing people, I’ve just gotten a little more time to hang out with Amanda one on one. Such a blessing!
I also had the chance to get tea with a guy named Tim this week. Again, such a sweetie. He took me to this adorable park with lounge chairs on a deck and told me about the ministries he has worked with in Sheffield. The poor guy, I’ve been asking God a lot of questions lately and he seemed like he might be able to give me some answers, so I just exploded my whole mind to him. At one point he said, “Um, I don’t really think we have to over analyze everything.” To which I just laughed and told him he was right, but more on all that later. Still figuring it out at this point.
So yup, that was my week and tomorrow I may or may not go to Manchester…please be praying that I would be able to find a place to stay!!
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I’m still fundraising to go back out to my squad in August. I have 2 days to raise the remainder of the $1500, but there was a possible glitch in the system and I’m not sure that all the funds have been calculated. If you’ve given in the last 4 weeks please go to “contact me” at the top of the page or email me and let me know that you’ve sent in a donation. Thanks!!
