The last few weeks!

It’s been a busy few weeks as usual! After receiving the news of where I was going next year I went to Cambridge ready to drive to Cornwall, for Jez and Lois’ wedding! So I then had a 3 day adventure- I drove down to Cornwall on the Friday, spent Friday night in Falmouth and catching up with friends, Saturday was the wedding and then drove back to Cambridge on the Sunday! It was crazy, but great fun! Some of us from Uni and other friends of Lois’ stayed at a Christian retreat centre, just outside Falmouth. It was really cheap and great to stay with friends who I haven’t seen for a while! What was slightly fun was finding the place! Lois’ Dad went and lined the route with balloons! I arrived to collect people staying at the centre and Lois kindly offered for us to drive in convoy! So off we went, the centre was on a farm, so we kept following and following, going down a single track! When we got to the last bit some people had to get out of the cars in order that the cars didn’t scrape on the bottom! It was all good fun! When friends arrived at midnight me and Jon (one of my friends from College) went out to meet them to bring them back! It was easier than trying to work out where they were once lost!
So the Saturday was the wedding itself, it was wonderful and really special to be able to share in such times with friends! It was good to see friends again and catch up! The reception was lovely, after the meal and speeches we all went down onto the beach for a bit- which was fun! Then back to the Hotel for the evening reception which was a Ceilidh! Great fun and a day to remember!
On the Sunday I drove back to Cambridge via Stansted to drop Ali off! (Another uni friend!) It was good to have some company on the long journey back after only about 8 hours sleep over 2 nights- and it wasn’t for not trying to sleep!!!

I love being with my friends! It was good last week to be able to offer hospitality to Adam and Kristi in London. They spent Thursday in London and stayed with me over night before heading to Paris for the weekend. Then today Adam and Kristi came for lunch- we had rolls and cakes from Harrods!

One of the things I really miss about Lancaster is the craziness and fellowship I had there! Friends if you are reading this know that I miss you all!

So its been busy, I have only 20 days before leaving WLM and MCH. We had our MCH leavers BBQ last weekend. Leavers all received Mugs that say “I lived at Methodist Chaplaincy House”! I shall treasure mine. I am visiting Queens next week, which I am looking forward to! Apparently Queens is in the posh part of Birmingham- will suit me very well!

Any way, best go and try and rest. Its extremely hot in my room, so am currently sat on the roof top garden trying to cool down! An early start in the morning!

My visit to West London Mission!

Yesterday I had a visit day to where I will be next year! It was very exciting despite the 7-45am train that I had to catch from Cambridge! Thank goodness it wasn't Lancaster that would have been even earlier!
So I arrived at Kings Cross at 8-45 and was met by the deacon who lives at Methodist Chaplaincy House- where I will be living. We walked to Hinde Street, which is where the other church of the circuit is. There I met all of the staff- apparently everyone being at Staff Meeting is a very rare occassion- so I was privilledged. The staff team is quite big: The superintendent- Geoff Cornell, two presbyters Cathy and Leao, Janet who is a deacon, John who is the chinese congregations minister and the social work director Paul. A great bunch- who I look forward to working with.
West London mission has two churches with many different social work projects alongside them. There is so much going on and plenty for me to choose from for what I am going to be doing. The four areas currently being explored are:
West London Day Centre- working in the drop in centre for probably a day a week which is about 4 hours- they are not open all of the time. This will perhaps include as well looking at an educational and explorational class there.
Also some work with the prostitutes- every night of the week people go out from Kings Cross Methodist Church as part of an ecumenical project to talk to the prostitutes on the street. I will hopefully be involved in going out onto the streets with people.
hospital chaplaincy- explains itself!
Chinese youth- this is work with the BBC (British Born Chinese) this will be looking at youth work and worship with the young people on a Sunday afternoon.

I will also be going onto the WLM preaching plan- lots going on.
Whilst I was in London yesterday I went to see where Charles Wesley lived!
I also ventured the London transport system using the bus, the underground and used my feet! It was a good day and looks to be an exciting year.
I shall post again in more detail about the work of WLM itself.