Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Church-Hopping and Pick-Pocketing
Thus begins the part of my life that I believe will be very important in the coming weeks. No, I am not talking about the final availability of internet or the fact that my classes start in 4 days, and they're apparently much easier than my Wake classes (according to old Wake students). 
While the newest Season of House has started (and so has Heroes but I'm giving up on that show), that's not what I'm talking about either. LeCrae has not released a new album, John Piper a new book, or George Lucas a new movie (though I hear word has it that there'll officially be a new Indiana Jones V - REALLY GEORGE???) No - It's the fact that I've finally found the time to sit down, hop around like an ADHD kid at a candy store, and find a temporary home church.
The quest began Tuesday Night when I enthusiastically adjourned from my studies (aka facebook) and went to the tube to catch the train to Holy Trinity Brompton. Since my sense of direction is worth just about as much as Dennis Rodman's Chewing Gum, I would leave an hour and a half early to set out and find it.
It was on the other side of London after all. But a good church is worth it, eh? (Eh? <- I'm pretty sure I'm in the wrong country). We were warned of intense pick-pocketting all throughout the UK, so I therefore packed no books or Ipod, dumped all my credit cards into the back of my dresser, and went out with the expectation of inevitably being held at knife point in a dark alley somewhere in Central London. I put an extra 20 pounds in my prayer book in my back pocket, just in case he only took my wallet and I needed money to meander home. Mama would have been proud of the precautions I took.
Walking similar to that of Jason Bourne (always mindful of surroundings, looks like he has it all together, but has no idea what he's really doing), I strolled through the tube, going from place to place. I finally exited and roamed the street for a while, trying to find where on my map the streets were. But at last, I finally found it!... 45 minutes early.... well, at least I wasn't late? This for me is VERY good.
The group was friendly, social, and full of people who were like "Oh my gosh! You're American!" and made me use my American accent to say certain words, of which they would supposedly do their American impersonation back: their impersonation sounded like a cross between Uncle Sam and a drunken hick - I really hope I do not sound like this, and if I do, why do people talk to me?? I of course had to do my British impersonation back - they wanted to hear it! My words of choice: "'ello Govna!" To which everyone burst out laughing. I like these people. They invited me the next night to a going away party, which I was happy to be a part of. My new mate (a word I'm becoming more and more accustomed to using), Tom, showed me around and introduced me to "some fine English Ale."
The Ale was so-so, but he was quite entertaining and showed me around all night. We've actually decided we're very much almost twin brothers in many different aspects. It's unfortunate he's going to Oxford in two weeks to study. I would have loved to go there with him too - but Wake made like the Grim Reaper and kinda killed my GPA.
The service itself was good, but I feel I am a creature who is not gung-ho over change. Anything that was different from Emmaus (college ministry back at home) I immediately did not like. I hope and pray this changes over time. That I can see ministry for what it is rather than what it is not. And I hope I can bring new ideas to whatever ministries I do here too. God-willing, I'd love to help out in whatever Student Ministry I'm in.
Speaking of Ministries, I went to the first meeting of the City University Christian Union last night. The most amazing part to me about City is that there is only one Christian Ministry, and that ministry has less than 20 people... A School of 10,000, and there are only a handful of Christians. While I'm disappointed there aren't greater numbers or choices as abundant as cases of Swine Flu at Wake, at the same time, I like this a whole lot. The goal of STS back at home was to unite the Christian body into one and to worship God. However, the goal has hardly been reached over the years I've been at Wake. Here at City, however, this is not the case.
The Christians all really do meet, pray, minister, and hang out with each other. It's more like the days of old in the Roman Empire. They do not meet in a big lecture hall or a large cathedral, but just a simple, small classroom, where we sing worship to a CD because we do not have a single person in the room who can play an instrument (contrary to popular belief and facebook profile pictures , I am unable to play the guitar). All the Christians in the group are not casual Christians though. They are passionate about Christ and want to share Him with the world. There are hardly any lukewarm Christians in England. You either are or aren't. There is a sigma that comes with being an open Christian here. I almost wish America was more like this. There is no straddling the fence. I'm excited for the upcoming semester.
Ways you can be praying for me:
1. Time Management and Organization
2. Daily Quiet Time
3. My Grandfather is still ill.
Until Next Time!
- AustinLostinLondon
While the newest Season of House has started (and so has Heroes but I'm giving up on that show), that's not what I'm talking about either. LeCrae has not released a new album, John Piper a new book, or George Lucas a new movie (though I hear word has it that there'll officially be a new Indiana Jones V - REALLY GEORGE???) No - It's the fact that I've finally found the time to sit down, hop around like an ADHD kid at a candy store, and find a temporary home church.The quest began Tuesday Night when I enthusiastically adjourned from my studies (aka facebook) and went to the tube to catch the train to Holy Trinity Brompton. Since my sense of direction is worth just about as much as Dennis Rodman's Chewing Gum, I would leave an hour and a half early to set out and find it.
It was on the other side of London after all. But a good church is worth it, eh? (Eh? <- I'm pretty sure I'm in the wrong country). We were warned of intense pick-pocketting all throughout the UK, so I therefore packed no books or Ipod, dumped all my credit cards into the back of my dresser, and went out with the expectation of inevitably being held at knife point in a dark alley somewhere in Central London. I put an extra 20 pounds in my prayer book in my back pocket, just in case he only took my wallet and I needed money to meander home. Mama would have been proud of the precautions I took.
Walking similar to that of Jason Bourne (always mindful of surroundings, looks like he has it all together, but has no idea what he's really doing), I strolled through the tube, going from place to place. I finally exited and roamed the street for a while, trying to find where on my map the streets were. But at last, I finally found it!... 45 minutes early.... well, at least I wasn't late? This for me is VERY good.The group was friendly, social, and full of people who were like "Oh my gosh! You're American!" and made me use my American accent to say certain words, of which they would supposedly do their American impersonation back: their impersonation sounded like a cross between Uncle Sam and a drunken hick - I really hope I do not sound like this, and if I do, why do people talk to me?? I of course had to do my British impersonation back - they wanted to hear it! My words of choice: "'ello Govna!" To which everyone burst out laughing. I like these people. They invited me the next night to a going away party, which I was happy to be a part of. My new mate (a word I'm becoming more and more accustomed to using), Tom, showed me around and introduced me to "some fine English Ale."
The Ale was so-so, but he was quite entertaining and showed me around all night. We've actually decided we're very much almost twin brothers in many different aspects. It's unfortunate he's going to Oxford in two weeks to study. I would have loved to go there with him too - but Wake made like the Grim Reaper and kinda killed my GPA. The service itself was good, but I feel I am a creature who is not gung-ho over change. Anything that was different from Emmaus (college ministry back at home) I immediately did not like. I hope and pray this changes over time. That I can see ministry for what it is rather than what it is not. And I hope I can bring new ideas to whatever ministries I do here too. God-willing, I'd love to help out in whatever Student Ministry I'm in.
Speaking of Ministries, I went to the first meeting of the City University Christian Union last night. The most amazing part to me about City is that there is only one Christian Ministry, and that ministry has less than 20 people... A School of 10,000, and there are only a handful of Christians. While I'm disappointed there aren't greater numbers or choices as abundant as cases of Swine Flu at Wake, at the same time, I like this a whole lot. The goal of STS back at home was to unite the Christian body into one and to worship God. However, the goal has hardly been reached over the years I've been at Wake. Here at City, however, this is not the case.
The Christians all really do meet, pray, minister, and hang out with each other. It's more like the days of old in the Roman Empire. They do not meet in a big lecture hall or a large cathedral, but just a simple, small classroom, where we sing worship to a CD because we do not have a single person in the room who can play an instrument (contrary to popular belief and facebook profile pictures , I am unable to play the guitar). All the Christians in the group are not casual Christians though. They are passionate about Christ and want to share Him with the world. There are hardly any lukewarm Christians in England. You either are or aren't. There is a sigma that comes with being an open Christian here. I almost wish America was more like this. There is no straddling the fence. I'm excited for the upcoming semester.Ways you can be praying for me:
1. Time Management and Organization
2. Daily Quiet Time
3. My Grandfather is still ill.
Until Next Time!
- AustinLostinLondon
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Jet-Lag and Layovers are the Bane of my Existence
After rising early in the morning to take my 10:00am flight (somewhere around that time), after having gotten only 4 hours of sleep (finishing some last minute facebooking, forensics pieces for students, letters, packing, facebooking, more packing, and more facebooking), I arrived at the airport at 1:00pm after having a long flight with a woman who continued to talk to me about Democratic politics even though it was clearly apparent I was tired out of my mind and just wanted to sleep. Nonetheless, it's nice meeting new people, even if I will probably ever see them again (which is really odd if you think about - how many times do we meet people, make good conversation, and then end your parting with "I'll talk to you later".... ummm... I don't believe we will... unless I see you in heaven... which could be a probability I guess?.... but still, "talk to you later" is not the proper term to use there... What do we use there? "Bye!" feels so rushed and uncourteous, but you can't say anything with "talk to" or "see you", for both of these would be untrue... just food for thought...). So I slept lightly on the plane and then got off the plane and had a good ol' American Cheeseburger for the last time in a while. It had Tomato, Lettuce, Onion Rings, and BBQ Sauce *salivates in mouth*.
I then set out to look for my IFSA-Butler group, though didn't expect to find anyone 8 hours before take-off (yes, EIGHT HOURS). I find a good group though. About 6 or 7 girls. More people started to show up. Another girl. Another girl. Another girl.... jeez, were there any other guys doing this program? Some of the girls started talking about make-up... shoot me in the face...
Other guys did show up though. We talked about sports... I love the awkwardness that sometimes comes with meeting new people and after you've run out of all the "stereotypical" topics (Name? Hometown? College? Extracurriculars?). Some people can't stand it, but I revel in it... okay, that's a lie. I can't stand it either. I reverted back to my stereotypical topics of discussion I know a decent amount about: Sports and "back in the day." You won't believe how long a philosophical discussion on Harry Potter can last!
I found that of the 30-40 people who ended up being the group, only one other person was going to City University with me.
On the plane, I got to read the current book I'm trying to get through "Just Like Jesus," by Max Lucado. I'll be posting more about it I'm sure later... I then also found a girl who wants to find a good home church while here. We're going to go church hunting on Sunday (starting with Holy Trinity Brompton - which I think I'll at least enjoy).
Lastly, I hardly got any sleep on the plane (Economy compared to First-Class is like sleeping on a pile of jello comparatively to a pile of porcupines and midgets). Therefore, as soon as I got to my room, I slept for 4 hours.
Bad idea.
I then went to bed at 10 that night after a nice dinner with the other kids... and didn't actually "fall asleep" until 4:00am... It was a loonnnnggg day.
My battery's running low, hence the hurried rush to the end. I'll write more tomorrow. Until then!
- AustinLostinLondon
I've Started My Blog!
To chronicle my adventures through the depths and heart of London, from the pubs to the subs(ways)... i mean the chube... to tell of stories both of jahonkin' and jaheekin' sizes... from the big news of my wedding (which apparently will happen on November 29th of this year according to a facebook quiz... I am still single as of September 19th) to small news like spilling juice on my pants (excuse me England! TROUSERS!) making me look like I awkwardly urinated upon myself. I hope this serves as a vehicle for me to communicate my adventures to the world (aka my friends back at home who care enough to know what's going on in my meandering life). Thanks for reading and be prepared for stories of astounding adventure and abysmal awkwardness in an all-around astute way.
I will end with a dance. *dance*
Fin.
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