Doritos are not from Mexico.

     They're totally American. But this is usually the extent of an English person's perception of Mexico: Doritos. I have been a part of several conversations about Doritos crisps since I arrived and it's all the same, "Oh right, the Mexican crisps!" So I can't even begin to talk to them about fajitas, queso, and dare I say . . . GUACAMOLE?! I just had to get this out there. It's ridiculous, my life. I miss flavor - wait, I'm sorry, I miss flavour. It's all about "u."

Big Kid Day in Gisborough

      Last Saturday I went to Gisborough (10 minutes by bus) to hang out with Lindsey and Andrew. Out of the 10 gap year youth workers, the 3 of us are the only ones who have completed university, the rest have just graduated from high school. So we had a fun big kid day hiking and enjoying breathtaking views!

     Recently, St. Mary's other youth worker, Ste, and I have been looking at different studies we could teach the students (middle and high school) during Life Groups. After talking to some of the girls last week, it became clear that many of them have questions about God: who He is, why He created us and the world, and why Jesus came to earth. So we decided to go through the book of John and study the basics of what we believe and who Jesus was. Friday we started the study and had a wonderful discussion that answered so many basic questions. It was very encouraging to see the kids so interested in learning more about Bible and Christianity. I'm praying that this attitude will continue throughout the study!

Dead Dogs and Homosexuality

Cali, in August

     Winner of most inappropriate blog post title EVER. But I have good and honest reasons for both things mentioned.

     First, last Tuesday I found out my dog in Texas died. My family skyped me to let me know that 5 year-old Cali suddenly passed away last Monday of unknown causes. I was very shocked and heartbroken as I could not be there. :(

     And, the homosexuality topic. Yes. So on Wednesdays, we go into Nunthorpe school and have Christian Union, a brief discussion with high school aged students during their lunch period. As last week was our first meeting, I introduced myself and allowed the students to ask me any questions about myself or America. After answering questions like "what's your favorite food" and "what does your tattoo say," I got an intimidating "what do you think about gay marriage" question. We are not in conservative Bible Belt Texas anymore. This is a big topic. Grateful that I had discussed this very issue with a Christian only the night before, I had an idea of how to answer. I said that as a Christian, I believe in God who says in his Bible that homosexuality is wrong. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). However, instead of judging others for not believing in what I believe, God calls me first to love them (Matthew 7:1). Instead of focusing on their life decisions, I need to care about their hearts rather than forcing them to follow my lifestyle. This discussion was a great wake up call for me, a reminder of the atmosphere I'm in, here in Middlesbrough.  Kids are so often judged and pushed away from the church because they are labeled as 'delinquents' or 'sinners,' so the church is dying. But if you look throughout scripture, God specifically reaches out to these people. Those the rest of the world overlooks. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. I'm excited to love these people with God's gracious love!

Baking cookies with EQ (High School)

   Friday we had Life Group, a small group style Bible study with middle and high school aged students. We showed Rob Bell's Nooma video, "Sunday" and talked about how Christianity is more than following rules and rituals; God wants our hearts. The kids asked very thought-provoking questions and the discussion this led to was great. Most of these students are not Christians, but they have seen what it looks like to be a follower of Christ and want to learn more. It's a very difficult situation because, while we want these kids to get plugged into a church, most churches in this area are not reaching out and engaging this generation. The immediate future of the church in England is small groups, cafe churches and other non-traditional church gatherings. But that's exactly the picture the book of Acts paints when describing the first century church. It is the people, not the building.

Middlesbrough vs. Ipswich

     Saturday I went to my first Boro football match. We won 2-0.

     In other good news, my English accent is approved by actual English people. Thanks to Dr. Howard and Voice & Diction class.

     Monday morning the Youth for Christ team hiked up another mountain, Lordstones, to pray over the city. Amazing view!

Lordstones

      Monday afternoon we started again with all 3 youth groups (ages 4-8, 8-11, and 11-14). I'm learning names and getting a better idea of how I can help and build relationships with these kids. I really enjoy our Lightning Bolts group, the 11-14 year-olds. They are at the perfect age where they really start asking questions and want to know more about the Christian faith. This week I shared my testimony with the group. Later, as I was walking around chatting with different cliques, one girl wanted to know more about my story. She asked questions like "so if your parents weren't Christians and you didn't grow up going to church, do you still think you would be a Christian" and "what's the difference between believing in religion and having a relationship with God?" So I'm clearly very excited to invest in this age especially; they seem to have a lot of questions about inconsistencies between word and deed within the church.

Thunderbolts leaders at the Disco

     And I got to use my cow suit (such a wonderful investment) for the fairytale dress up disco. I was, of course, the cow who jumped over the moon. The dance was a lot of fun; we played Cupid Shuffle, Evolution of Dance, YMCA, Cha Cha Slide, and much more!

   

My accent is so boring.

Tees Valley YFC Gap Yearers on Roseberry Topping

     Let me just start off with a confession: this is my second attempt at blogging. Blogs are so popular and common among people who travel or go on extreme adventures and want to forever remember their experiences. But that's just not me. So here I try again to creatively describe and immortalize my adventures in England, and maybe this time I'll actually write more than one post. Wish me luck.

     I actually cried when I left Texas. Never thought that would happen. EVER. I'll blame this extremely rare event on either Taylor Swift's song "Never Grow Up" or the fact that I had a fever and sore throat and knew the next 20 hours of travel and layovers would be horrendous, especially when feeling poorly. Needless to say, it was a rather rough trip, but I finally made it to my new home: Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. Thank You Jesus!

     I spent the first week in bed and, after watching the entire series of Arrested Development and 6+ films, I decided to take a trip to the doctor. A day after the first "doctor" told me just to "wait it out" (sometimes there isn't much investment made by a doctor because patients don't have to pay for their visit) I got a second opinion who told me it was tonsillitis and gave me a prescription straight away. Again, thank you Jesus, I am doing soooo much better now!

     My second week consisted of training with the rest of the Tees Valley Youth for Christ team and Gap Year workers. It's been just wonderful meeting and getting to know the people I will be serving and growing with these next 9 months. I really can't wait to see what God's plans are for the whole of Teeside! 

     One of the biggest things God taught me during training was the idea that just because I have sacrificed so much to be here in Nunthorpe, have I really, truly given up everything? Risking it all may lead to discomfort, but discomfort pushes us to the Comforter, God. I pray that God will break me and mold me into full reliance on Him this next year. I've also been thinking a lot about Jeremiah 29 lately. If you haven't read it, DO IT. I think Jeremiah 29:11 is so often taken out of context because, although God does "have plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future," those things come as a result of our obedience in finding contentment during a time of exile. If we're constantly waiting for things to get back to "normal" or putting our lives on hold we'll miss out on what God wants to do and teach us through TODAY. Embrace today wholeheartedly; don't hold out for what you think might be down the road.