Homeward Bound

My lovely outreach "family" in Portland

 Pulling into the train station yesterday afternoon, knowing that within twenty minutes I'd be back on campus with the rest of the DTS, also returning from outreach, I was struck with an intense "bittersweet" feeling. Outreach, part one, is over. Granted, once I was unpacked and dressed in my favorite fuzzy, blue housecoat, I was happy, thrilled even, to see everyone again after nearly two months of being apart. However, these past couple months have been such an amazing experience, that, I admit, I was saddened at the prospect of returning "home". Coventry was amazing! Never have I felt more at home than with the people hosting us all. Weymouth and Portland are possibly the most stunning places I've been to in a very long time, with cliffside-views of the Atlantic Ocean. Both places were beautiful and filled with the most incredible people, young and old.

The Emily's and myself (Stacy behind camera)

The ten of us on this outreach team went from the awkward first steps of outreach to being a full-fledged family towards the end, including pillow fights late at night and constantly "taking the mick out of one another". As with any family. we had our moments of stress and frustrations, but we worked through it all and walked away from this time having grown in our relationships with one another and with God. 
I was deeply challenged throughout outreach to step beyond myself and make myself "uncomfortable" for Christ. One day in particular, I felt like God was saying to me, "Is one person not worth you humbling yourself and looking ridiculous?". Needless to say, I had to take some serious time to mull that one over. But outreach was amazing, and the people we met and grew to love were worth every moment of it! God loves the UK, and so do I!
But I'm glad to be back in my own bed again...

Yes, I AM still alive, and livin' the dream!

Too long have I been away from the delectable taste of my dear Chai, so I make my glorious, if not impromto, return for a short while! So much has happened in the past month or so, that I truly cannot recap all of it in this short segment. I will relay more to you as time goes on, but, in the meantime, I am quite well and lovin' life!

We, as a team, have done everything from putting on a youth conference for 400 young people to teacing Religious Studies courses in schools to litter picking. It's been incredibly busy and, at times, stressful, but every moment thus far has been worth it!

God has been teaching me humility in a whole new way. I've been so used to constantly serving others, which is, essentially, what we are doing here. However, I've always had a hard time when others try to serve me. In one of the locations we were in, the church and school we worked with catered to our every whim. I was so taken aback by the hospitality that was shown to all of us day in and day out. Everywhere else we've been, we have been equally blessed by the people around us. It's been an amazing oppourtunity to be able to serve alongside such wonderful, servant-hearted, godly men and women wherever we've been! My prayers are with each and every one of them!

Currently in Weymouth and Portland enjoying a well-deserved day of rest after a non-stop scheduale for the past month. The sea is freezing, but, my, how I've missed the sound of water!

And on that note, it's time to curl up with a good book and enjoy a nice cuppa tea! Cheerio and TTFN!

*Here's a little shout out to my sister, Jasmine, who graduates from Gr. 12 today, not only with A-Honours, but with a scholarship as well. So incredibly proud of you, Jazzy! Hugs and Kisses to the best sister in the world!*