things have been great and busy since our arrival to Birkenhead...we arrived on Monday evening, May 25 at the Manse (parsonage) where nearly all of us are staying with Pastor John and Linda -- Cheryl is staying around the corner at Linda's best friend's home (Audrey's).
we're being spoiled rotten--can't hardly lift a finger to do anything, and we can't buy anything so far either--Linda won't let us! they're beginning to plan to come and stay with us for a week next year in Alabama so turn about will be fair play!
Tuesday, we were taken up to the Lake District, specifically to Conniston on Lake Windemere -- just a beautiful area. more importantly, we were able to meet and spend some time with John & Linda's oldest Son Garreth, his wife Emma, and their two boys Noah and Isaac. Emma is the manager for the Sycamore Project's Christian Pub called Zac's (think Zacheaus) -- Garreth works there through the week helping a variety of different youth projects and needs. i've wanted to meet them for awhile so it was a delight to stop in on the way and talk with them--Emma is an amazing artist too with a home filled with wonderful photo's of her family and a few beautiful paintings. Garreth invited us back through for tea (dinner) -- and we took them up on it :) two types of wonderful lasagna and loads of laughter were a great end to the day.
yesterday, rain carried through the morning--Cheryl went to the WCG lunch club while Keli and the boys waited out the rain, giving her a chance to do some work. later, Keli and the boys went to a nearby park that actually has a view of the Liverpool skyline on the horizon. Zach and i walked through the town to the temporary home of Thompson's Mission to see Pastor John serving a few of the homeless men in the area.
last night, we took the boys to kids club where they had some good interaction with some English children--Grace came later for the youth meeting with Zach and i playing ping pong, billiards for an hour together after a great lesson.
today, i rested in the morning from all our coming and going. but Keli, Cheryl, Linda, Terry & Audrey took the boys to New Brighton--a retro beach area that reminded me of pictures of Coney Island. the boys loved the beach and the waves --no swimming, much too cold.
after some lunch, we hopped on the bus and over to Liverpool where John & Linda spoiled the boys and Grace at the ''home of world football'' (soccer) -- Anfield, home of the Liverpool Football Club. i didn't realize it on our last trip, but the club's biggest rival is in the same town (Everton Football Club--Pastor John wouldn't dare speak their name!) you can actually see their equally huge stadium across the park from Anfield! we also took a walk along the pier and near one of the more recognizable buildings, the Royal Liver (the two Liver Birds, like Griffins, are like a mascot to the city).
this evening, we gathered in a small room of the church and had prayer meeting. John led a song on the guitar, i shared a devotion, we prayed for the better part of the hour, and then we concluded with a hymn. it was a nice time together reminding us of the verse, ''my house will be a house of prayer for all nations''
so, tomorrow, we're off down into Wales for a day trip with Pastor John, Linda, Audrey and her husband Terry, and Janet. it will be a great opportunity to talk, encourage, and share together.
i'll work at getting some pictures here in the next couple nights. continue to pray for us (the Lord is hearing your prayers, blessing us abundantly, protecting and providing wonderfully for us--even down to the weather!)
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