provision

A few short words about provision - it comes when you need it, God knows that you need it, you usually don't think you'll have it, in the end His promises are true that He cares for us even more than the sparrow. We have seen provision jump out at us throughout this whole venture to West, and now here it seems to be screaming in our faces. The overwhelmingness (word?) of the people, the gifts, kind words and encouragement is beyond our thoughts, dreams and practical expectation. To all who wonder will God provide, yep, have a chat with us at some point to get the full low down on what He's been up to since we've arrived. God's provision is essential, as our living life for Him is essential.
bd

continuing on

I am hearkening back to the past weekend, now that is Thursday and we have been back in the south since Monday. I left off with Friday night which brings us to the point we'd all been gathering for; Jonny and Beth's wedding. We had not been to a British wedding before, but we knew that it would be different. The morning started out normal as we ate breakfast then hit Starbucks with Rachel and Jazz, it was great to catch up with them proper, not just on fb, email or the phone but in person. Then we headed back to Latham's to get all dolled up for the occasion, since Rebecca and I were both speaking from up front we thought it important to look our top, although i suppose we'd do that even if we weren't involved. We were dropped off at St. Aidan's church building, a beautiful old building right in the heart of Middlesborough, and it was decorated very nicely for the occasion. Immediately there were many friends there from KBC and other places, but in the back of our minds was the service and how that would go. Anticipation is the word to describe, there was a buzz about the place as we waited eagerly for Beth to arrive and walk down the aisle. I'm going to skip detail as Rebecca will put her spin on the deal later in an entry, let's just say it was lovely, and our talking parts went very well also, thanks for the prayers everybody. Then we were off to the reception which was at a farm outside of town, very picturesque and great for a reception. It was warm in the marquis, but the food was killer as was the company. i think we hung out till 11:00 or so, it was a long day and we fell into bed once getting back to the Latham's, but many wonderful memories of the day, interesting pics, and good conversations.
Sunday we had decided we'd like to attend MCC, and we convinced Mike and Dave to go there, we didn't have transport so it was them or nothing. The music was simple, a guitar and two vocals, and it was compelling, the Lord was really there with us. There were a few words from various people that all fit into the mold of seeing each other as in God's image. Then Pete who did the wedding got up to speak on sex and sexuality in our culture. It was the interesting preach I've encountered on that subject, he really taught us well. There is such a wonderful spirit in that church, we felt right at home, caught up with many afterward and then got lost on the way to the Toby Carvery for lunch. The food was tasty, we wanted to eat a huge meal because of the long drive back south later that afternoon. Eventually we were dropped off with our massive purple rolling bag at the Eley's house. We sat in the back garden with Andrew, Elaine, Mark and Katherine and enjoyed the warm wind and cool drinks. Alas we had to drive back, it was a quick, easy and enjoyable journey to Kidlington. Again all fell into bed, ready to wake up the next day to come back to Overton to tackle the work that had to be done to acquire goods, and move into our cottage next week. i'll pick up on the whirlwind that life has been since arriving back in the south. later all
e

We're here - a review of the 23rd -25th

If you're interested in a day-by-day review of our first few days here on the island, then you'll be interested in this review, if you're not then you probably won't. Anyway I thought it would be nice to give you everyone a taste of the rush that life has been since arriving. On July 22nd we left O'Hare and arrived on the 23rd in Heathrow. After arriving at Richard and Heather's (the wonderful people we are staying with) we enjoyed lunch in their back garden. By 2:30 we were off to 47 Winchester St. to see our "new" cottage that we'll be moving into soon. It is quaint, many more pics to follow at some point. Then we walked around the village some, I increasingly became more and more tired until collapsing into a nap around 4 pm. They say not to nap when trying to get over jet lag, but I don't see that, this nap I had was heaven sent. We slowly put some stuff away and then had a delicious supper once again in the back garden. After they went to house group we were online a bit, and then in bed by 9:00. Unfortunately we both woke up at midnight, with that excruciating thought of "what if I can't get back to sleep?" but alas we both fell back asleep and didn't arouse on Thursday until 8:30, what a night of sleep! C ya jet lag, it's over you only held us for one measly night.
Dave and Jeanette (the leaders we are working with) came and collected us to go to Andover for some accommodation business, then they took us to the Kings Centre in Oxford, oh the memories from Bible College there. Mark Eley gathered us there to go to his place where Katherine was waiting for us. We chatted for hours with them, some year team people came over as well, everyone had a fine time. We dropped into bed at 12:30 that evening, they gave us their bed, what awesome friends they are:)
Friday, July 25th we puttered a bit, and then started off on the journey northward to Teeside. A mid trip stop at McDonalds was spot on, and a non-traffic filled drive made for a smooth run. They dropped us off at Pete and Debbie Latham's house where we drank a cuppa and shared some stories together. Dave finished work that night, turned up and we talked about his trip to Niger and Burkina Faso, then Mike Bilson arrived soon before eating a killer pasta supper and then we were off to the church for the wedding rehearsal. We wound our way through the town, until finding St. Aidan's church where we welcomed warmly Beth, Jonny, Anna, Terry and others, the rehearsal had just started. The rehearsal was fun, Rebecca both felt more comfortable about our duties in the wedding (we weren't sure what to expect) this was a relief as I was concerned about not doing everything right. Right after a group of friends (Ellen, Tash, Dave, Mike, us, Rachel and Jazzy) decided that we must go out for a drink so we landed at Joe Rigatone's, a nice place on Linthorpe in the heart of Middlesborough. I think that found our way home by 11:30 and in bed by 12:00. I dreamt about forgetting to speak at the wedding, or saying the wrong things, a sure sign that you know that you're nervous, and I was.

Ocean and Sky

Bluish chasm which is somehow a highway of transport and separation

Greyish gulf that's both dangerous and threatening, while somehow life-giving in the storm

These highways are not traveled easily, rather through effort, tears and following the signs along the way

Of course there are no signs, but we follow what we see while traversing these highways of separation

3 ears of corn

I just finished eating supper, you guessed it 3 fresh ears of Sweet Corn Charlie. For those of you from Elkhart county you know what I'm talkin about. It's a Northern Indiana staple, that's why I chose it as our last meal at home here in Goshen. Last night we went to Elkhart County 4H fair, again if you're from around here you've been to it and have an opinion. I personally enjoy it, not for the rides, food or concerts but more for the feel of a community event where you might run into someone you haven't seen in a while or simply take in the sights and sounds of a county fair. Our fair is the 2nd largest 4H fair in the nation and the 2nd largest tourist attraction in the state as far as sheer numbers go (I can't back that last one but Jamie told me it was true, so I'll believe her). We went last night, I saw 22 people that I knew but didn't chat with and a bunch more that I did chat with, we were playing a game of seeing who could see the most people they knew. (Kristen said she had 36, i don't know if I believe her) We walked around, saw just a couple of animals, ate some great ice cream and had a time worth remembering with friends. Yesterday was also our last day at church, it was not any easy time, but we are coming through the other end of it. We received many prayers and words from numerous friends, and truly feel as though FWC is behind us as we traverse to West Basingstoke. In the last couple of weeks there have been former church friends who have visited from Canada, Mexico, Spain, Arizona, North Carolina and now us going back to England. Bittersweet is a great word for the last couple of days (Jeremy and Carrie wedding, last day at church, saying goodbye to everyone) but not a good word for the corn that was just straight sweet. take care ya'll
etp

t minus 7

Here I am sitting in my favorite workspace, one of the roomy tables at the Refinery Cafe. Sipping a killer mango/passion fruit smoothie and thinking about our next week. It is one of sweet/sour, good/bad, up/down, I think you get the picture. We've been saying goodbye to people for quite some time and this week is certainly no different as the countdown is getting extremely close to lift off. It has been a fab summer seeing so many people, many old friends from my home area of Elmira, of course hanging out with my Dad and Mom (we will miss you, but c ya in December), seeing numerous people around here (Birky's, Goods, Hop and Cindy come to mind) , friends in Manitoba (what a great place to holiday) and our community here in Goshen. Our humble abode is in disarray, boxes here, bags there, piles piled and books unshelved (word?), it is a work in progress but it's coming along. Two bags each for a transcontinental move is not much, we are having to be picky and choosy. Out of the goods I want to take I'm afraid ther'll (contraction for there will or at least it should be one) be a forlorn box of :stuff that didn't quite make the cut this time, but probably will be tossed in the luggage on another visit" That's pretty much where we're at, seeing people, eating out to the tune of at least once a day so that we can connect it's not about the food I tell you, boxing stuff up, Goodwilling (word?) anything and everything. I'll give ya'll an update if there is any other breaking news from our process this week. later
bigdog

Counting the Cost

It's Rebecca here, trying to sort out how it feels to leave behind good ole' Goshen, Indiana. God has actually given me an amazing peace lately in the midst of this massive transition. It's like the scripture that states that God will give us a peace that transcends all understanding. That is what I feel I have right now. I keep saying that even though I am moving continents in some ways, it doesn't seem as hard as it should. I think that has evidenced to me that this is of God. On the other side of the coin though there is a huge cost. When we follow Christ, it means we have to lay things down that are very important to us. Quite frankly, I could live without about anything material, Earl and I have been called minimalists by some, but to live without people, that I think would be impossible. In the picture above you can see our young adult group. This group has been a significant part of our lives for many years, many of them dating back to our days of leading youth group either as being youth that we led or helpers that helped us lead. I counted it up and if you add together the years we have known the people in this picture it totals approximately 70 years! These relationships mean so much to us and that is only a portion of the people we are leaving behind. I am not writing this to be sappy or have you feel sorry for me in any way. I just feel it is important we understand the cost. I knew that part of this process would be grieving and it truly is. But more than anything, I am so thankful that I have people I love so much that I can't help but grieve. It makes me realize how truly blessed I am and I know God has great relationships planned for us on the other side of the pond as well. And as I have been saying since KBC ended, "God is faithful and our relationships are secure."

the big picture

Isn't it comforting that we as humans don't see the whole grand picture when dealing with life? Imagine if we knew how situations were going to turn out, where the solutions were, where the next move was etc... That's not reality, God knows all that and gives us a hint and peek here and there. Not having the amazing picture allows for faith to kick in, and causes faith to kick in. While we might try to take the bull by the horns or call our own shots that's not on, it's not the way it works if you're willing to wait for God's timing. I've often said God's timing is best, we have ours but we don't know the time. As far as our transfer to Oakley/Overton is going we haven't seen the grandiose picture, but we have known that's it been drawn or painted, etched (pick your artistic medium) This is comforting, we don't have to see it all, just a small portion to know that's it's not a picture we could have created. Pieces are falling into place, almost day by day, and our faith continues to grow day by day as well. I trust that as you look at your own life faith grows day by day. Maybe for me it's been this last 3 weeks as I've spoken about Abraham twice and read much about him, it was for the congregations in Elmira and Steinbach, but so much for me and Rebecca. That's all for now, thanks for letting me put some thoughts on the screen.
erobinso

change

We all go through it, all the time. When huge changes are about to happen it can really throw ya. I think that is what we're experiencing in the present. The date for us to fly across the pond is the 22nd, which is less than three weeks away. This means that massive changes (who we hang with, where we live, what we eat, what is familiar etc...) are about to happen. I think that makes one want to cling to what they are familiar with and what they have grown up with. That's why we are relishing each moment we can during this final stretch, it is a weird feeling. But I think about how difficult and gut wrenching it must have been for guys like William Carey or Hudson Taylor who left all that they had to go to a foreign land, knowing that they would not see friends, family or familiarity again (at least until the unfamiliar was then familiar). Think about how tough that would be to sail away not sure what you're going to find, knowing that you're probably never going back. We are not in that state, communication is easy, air travel is a piece of cake compared to old world sailing, even so change is not a walk in the park. e

Our Latest Adventure

Hey Friends! It looks like God is moving us on again, back across the pond, to Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. Wow, that is a mouthful!
Anyway, it was only a year ago that we received a call suggesting we help lead a church in the West Basingstoke area. Shortly after that call, a prophetic word to me came that made us think maybe there was something of God in this.
"God is opening a new door for you and your husband. He will move you from farmlands to fields. There will be no walls to your new opportunity."
Hmmmm.....a call about a new thing, a prophetic word that seems to describe the farms of Indiana and the fields of Basingstoke, well, let's see about these walls...
It's been unbelievable to see the walls that were there almost disappear before our eyes and how God seems to be orchestrating this venture down to the smallest detail.
We have our visas, they came in record time, we can leave our apartment with all of our furniture with someone to care for it, may even get to live in it when we come home to visit, we fell in love with the people in West on our trip in April. God is in this and we can't wait to see what life looks like across the pond. We are also grieving leaving our amazing friends in Indiana but know that God is faithful and our relationships are secure! RJR



Here we are in a pub in Overton, Hampshire 4/10/08


Here we are in Indiana on June 22nd