London Prep and R & R Time

London, England -  Prep and R & R time, after 6 months of incredible busy

     April 3/4 Our trip started off with a wonderful bang.  We arrived at the airport in Calgary 4 hours early to find out that British Airways was delayed in England at least 5 more hours due to mechanical difficulties plus the 4 hours we were early "BUT" they would send us on Air Canada with 5 minutes to last call.  The friendly airline chap, said they would honor the British Airways commitment of our 3 bags each for missionary status.  That didn't happen.  A $ 590 extra cost right out the gate.

     Incredibly smooth journey, we had an amazing trip. Thank you for all your prayers.  Our flight was incredibly smooth. As my back gets really sore fast, I went to the back and meet 3 wonderful ladies.  Conversation became very open very quickly.  We chated for several hours. These 3 lovely stewardesses showed very quickly the brokenness everywhere. I love how God gives us opportunites to share with others.  This has become a daily prayer for me. The Air Canada ladies were wonderful.  Leaving out of Calgary, who would have thought that one of the ladies had friends in our subdivision.  

 Our first day in England and Michael and I slept from 2-5, then 8-8, last night Michael and I slept another 11 hours last night.  I can't believe how exhausted we were.

The Cottage B & B In Cranfield, London England

     Saw many downtown sights in London the last 2 days and was hoping to hop on the train to Paris but the Eurostar was just a little to expensive for us. Michael and I walked lots. We already missed a couple of suppers because the cost to transfer $ to pounds is very expensive.

My view from the "Eye"

We proudly stepped on the "Eye of London" the largest feris wheel in the world with a lovely view. (all enclosed in glass, not scary at all). 

Buckingham Palace from Hyde Park

We visited Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park,






as well as the Horseman's Castle, Big Ben, London Bridge and many other wonderful old buildings.  I kept thinking "Stephanie you would be so disappointed" because the palace is old and quite small. We also saw what we think is Prince William taking off in his helicopter.  Downtown London reminded me of Victoria, very pretty but a real tourist trap.  I loved seeing history in the old buildings. In having sold real estate for 23 years, I definitely would not want old for myself.  I found London to be old looking, very historical and crazy driving. The airport is massive with its many terminals and trains to get to the next terminal.  Crazy busy.

Subway transit walks

We managed to figure out the tram and bus system very quickly.  We were quite proud of this.  Every stop you hear "this is the Piccadilly line service to .... mind you watch the gap as you step out.

Good Friday we went for the 2nd time to visit the John Wesley Methodist Cathedral right across from the New Westminster Abby.  The services in both churches had gorgeous old buildings. The aged architecture and the solemn services were meant to cause deep reflection. The friendly greetings were at the John Wesley Methodist Cathedral. It really struck me how old the buildings were. Next we went to New Westminster Abby where they were not as friendly. They were very solemn and after a time the services were combined with 3 churches. It struck me how old the buildings were, how solemn the worship was and  how liturgical the services were and how they combined old with the new. All the pastors preaching this day were women, except for 1 edification.  Wonderful old buildings and beautiful words but there was a but for me. I felt a distance in these old buildings with these very liturgical worship services and the attempt at mixing old with the new.

      I wondered if God was there.  I felt no connection. Very strange. Both churches were "politically 
correct". Then a male pastor from the Methodist service also spoke a word. He spoke of his son dying a few years past.  The words should have made me feel something.  Why could I not connect. There was something missing to me.  The words were for effect, they didn't seem real to me.  I felt sad that day that I had missed an important connection. 

     Is God never changing? Is Jesus the Word? Has Jesus been there from the begining? What of John 1:1?  Why do churches and people think they are smarter than God?  Does Society say "No God, I am sure you didn't mean ...." Todays politics inside the church. Is it better to add rules, just to make sure? Is it better to not have any? Do they take them all away? What of Matthew 5:19?  What is truth today? Is the Counsellor with us? Does He guide us? Does He lead us in truth? Or is it all about "our truth"?
 

New Westminster Abby

 

Saturday we tried to book a hotel in Dar es Salaam.  I was getting really discouraged with the rates there.  I thought our little English B &B was expensive at 70 pounds a night.  We looked all day for a cheap B & B to stay at for when we got to Tanzania but no luck with our searching on Saturday.  The internet we had at our B&B was sketchy at best.

Easter Sunday we decided to try out Charles Spurgeon  Temple downtown England.  I prayed to meet a friendly person, as the New Westminster Abbey had left me cold.  Pnaji came to greet us as soon as we got in. This has now become an independent Reformed Baptist church. We were really blessed to meet Pnaji. She asked if we would like tea before the service. We sat in the basement and watched an incredibly active youth group and small groups everywhere.  We went up for the service at 6:30.  Again a very sombre service, but I could feel more a love for God here. No contemporary worship, and it too was very liturgical but the message was deep and there was a deep respect for God. 

Charles Spurgeon Temple

My Thoughts:  What is my tone when I talk to my Father. Do I humbly seek His forgiveness knowing I deserve death. He is never changing, He is Holy Holy Holy. Is grace true. What is my tone? God passes me from death to life instantly. I cannot earn it but receive life from him. I yield to Christ my Savior and live for Him. Thank you Jesus for your gift of life to me. You are to wonderful. Let sin become my enemy and help me to live each day with love and joy. Let me see through your eyes what I am missing and give me your arms to love the broken-hearted, and give me your feet to spread your word. Let me reflect you Jesus. This is the meaning of Easter to me. Thank you Jesus ♥.

Monday we walked by the Tower of London and London bridge.  The queen jewels didn't interest us, (and we were to cheap) so we didn't go in.  Again a beautiful historical building. London seems quite old to me.

Being on the tram, flying by many windows, I see a lady at a sink. Who is she waiting for? Looking through many windows, I wonder what their stories and journeys are. A man sits by himself. Was he waiting for his family to come home? A lady getting supper ready.  Who was coming to dinner?  On the sub I do not see a lot of people talking or laughing. Going to and fro. Everyone seems to carry at least 1 small suitcase on the tram. A young women looks in her strawberry shortcake drink the whole time. A young couple sits with arms entwined. Many people just stare at their phones.  I don't see many people interact with eack other.  What has society lost?  A gentle smile? A hello?

We spent Tuesday in the airport getting ready to fly to Tanzania to stay there for 4 days and then on the 16th we arrive in Malawi.  Our flight on Tuesday leaves at 19:30. We spend the day at the airport as we don't want to run around London With 6 bags of luggage and our carry-ons.  I loved visiting London and enjoyed the rest time but I have to admit, I love Canada.

Our thoughts and prayer time together is on God give us opportunities to share and reflect Jesus to others. Numerous thoughts are of meeting Rio the first time in person and of Agape. Also many thoughts of Agape as we spend time in meditation and prayer. Blessings and hope you are all doing well.

On the Eye