back in the US of A

Oscar Duncan and Me

I'm in Florida. I arrived last night and I am wiped out. England was amazing. It was so hard to leave. I definately cried on the plane. It's wierd being back. Just going through the Ft. Myers airport and not hearing a gazillion differnt accents and languages breaks my hear a little.

I go home Wednesday. I really appreciate all the support I've had and all the prayers from back home. I could never have even gone if it wasn't for everyone who supported me.

God Bless You All
Mary Ellis

Last Week for Me

Wow. The last week. It's surreal. I've had such and amazing time. It's just flown by. I leave next Wednesday and the crack of dawn and will be back in the states by the afternoon. Oh jetlag here I come. I have been busy making christmas presents. I learned to crochet so I've been busymaking scarfs, and ornaments, and other fun things for the people here. All my schoolwork is done and turned in. Now just waiting for the grades.

The final countdown...

Omly one month left. Can you believe it? It's gone so fast. It feels like just yesterday I was getting off the plane and confusing immigration.

I've done some amazing things while being here. I've started a small group, I've preached, I've been a part of a prayer study, and I've been tackled with love by three year olds. That's pretty much just in the last month.

I've been to amazing places as well. Oxford, London, Liverpool, Coventry and more. It's been amazing living in a country with so much history.

It's going to be really hard to leave.

Happy Guy Fawkes!

Yesterday was Halloween in merry old England. It's a bit of a controversial holiday here. Many people still believe it to be evil others want to do what the Americans do and some still celebrate Samhain. I celebrated with Kyle and Mindy the old fashioned American way. We carved pumpkins, roasted the seeds, watch creepy movies, and passed out sweets. It's funny seeing trick or treaters here. There are no rules so anyone goes. Only some kids actually say Trick or Treat. Some just really fake their costumes while other go all out.

This week we are celebrating an only English holiday as well. November 5th is Guy Fawkes night or Bonfire Night. I believe the story is that ages ago Guy Fawkes tried to take control of Parliament by burning it to the ground; he was caught and was burned at the stake. Effegies of him were made and burned as well. People now just make bonfires and shoot fireworks off to celebrate. We plan on smores (only an American thing again sad...)and roasting sausages behind the church.

P.S. This is slightly exaggerated

Winter is creeping in. I walked out a saw that nasty puff a breath. Last week the roofs (or is it rooves)had a sparkly layer of frost. Suddenly I truly appreciate the need for a hot cuppa.

Looking over my posts I noticed I haven't really had a humorous post. So here goes... A quick cultural knowledge of England.

English Lingo

Cuppa - tea or coffee, must have milk, and sugar is simply counted in numbers
Biscuits (or Bickys) - cookie or cracker usually crunchy and served with a drink
Juice - not just from a fresh squeezed orange but highly concentrated syrup known casually as squash
Prezzies - Presents. I recently recieved a mug with the Bards face on it (The Bard = Shakespeare
Cheers - Thanks or goodbye still get a little confused with that one. Pften can be supplemented with Ta!
Holiday - vacation periods usually for a fortnight (two weeks). One week is not enough in England
Pudding - desert gets really confusing when you really are asking for American chocolate pudding and not just chocolate pudding
Fouling - the icky remnant that the dogs do in the park
Trousers - jeans or other pants but don't call them pants because pants are underwear. (This can become very embarassing in front of the younger crowds...trust me I know)

English forms of fun
Football - soccer same difference
Rugby - like American Football but brutalier and more polite at the same time
Snooker - pool + chess
Cricket - fancy pants men play baseball

English Foods
Mince/mincemeat - ground beef
Curry - Chicken Tikka Masala England's most popular dish
Tea - yes they really drink it, no they do not lift thier pinky's from the tea cup
Yorkie or Yorkshire Puddings - my favorite! A round pastry covered in gravy
Cornish Pasty - potatoes, mincemeat, carrots, all wrapped in a pastry and covered in gravy
Pork Pies - lard, pork jelly, ham pieces, all in a pastry pie
Fish N' Chips - the classic. Cod sometimes Haddock deep fried in malt vinegar batter with fries. Pour more vinegar and salt on top
The Sunday Roast - the ultimate in English dining a large meat portion (lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, or my favorite roast beef) new potatoes, goose fat roasted potatoes, peas or carrots or both, yorkshire puddings, all drenched in gravy

Things you should know

-Don't talk to people on public transportation. The paper they are holding is a prop; they just want to keep you out.
-They love the queen and they hate the royals. All at the same time.
-They know you are American as soon as you talk. Either you will be snubbed or interrogated about where you are form and why you are in England. Usually proceeded with I love American accents!
- They love their furry friends. Dogs often go to the pub as much as their owners.

Autumn in England

England in autumn is so pretty. The leaves are falling. The air is chillier. The kiddies are back in school. All I want to do is curl up in front of a fire place with a cuppa...too bad I am way too busy!

Our church celebrated Harvest on Sunday. Obviously, the English don't do thanksgiving, but they do have a harvest type celebration. We collected fresh fruit and veggies then auctioned them off to raise money for the church. We raised around 225 pounds. That's equal to about 400 dollars. That's good for a church with around thirty members!

CUs started and they are so fun. There are definately more kids this year. Praise the Lord.

I joined a house group that one of the local teachers hosts. I had a great time. We are gong through the book of Acts. I spent a good portion of the night talking about cultural differences with an English boy who'd spent time in Chicago. Small world!

It's funny knowing that most of friends are back in classrooms. Yet here I am in England. I feel kinda lucky! Too bad I am bit behind in my school work...time to play catch up.

So much to say ... so little time

First I apologize for not updating sooner. The last three weeks have been totally unbalanced schedule wise!

The first thing I will tell you all about was my parents' visit. It went great. London is amazing! All the history there. I saw everything from the Rosetta Stonein the British Museum to Anne Boleyn's grave to the Gherkin. Liverpool was probably my favorite. I got to touch a ceiling that John Lennon painted and run my hands across a piano that Paul Mccartney played. I even played on a piano in his home. Also it was just a beautiful city.

After they left Saturday morning, Mindy and I took a day trip to Oxford. I ate fish and chip at the Eagle and Child. This is the pub where the infamous Inklings met. The Inklings was a literary group of Oxford students and professors - namely J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

This past week I have been in a retreat center in Kiddeminster. It's about two hours from Leicester. I was allowed to be apart of a ICY conference. ICY is a University program specifically for international youth ministry. It was definately one of the best weeks I have had in England. I got to hang out with other youth leaders around my age, dive into God's word, and make real friends.

The next couple weeks everything will be back to normal. Care Club and Kool Zone have started. My small group meets this week. And it is Mindy's birthday on Friday!

Prayer Request:
That girls actually show up and engage in the small group Mindy and I will be leading. It is taking place at my home. I am really excited and can't wait to be apart of the spiritual growth of these girls and myself.

The Americans just keep invading! LOL

My family comes tomorrow! So excited. I will finally see my parents again, get my camera fixed, get my laptop fixed, and taste ranch dressing again. It's the small things that matter. (; We are going to London and Liverpool. I will be fulfilling a dream of walking on Abbey Road. Squee!

After my short holiday everything pretty much picks up again. Mindy and I are starting a teenage girl's small group. We are doing a book by Hayley DiMarco. I am really excited. I love leading small groups for girls. It'll be alot of fun.

Prayer Request:
There has been some Visa issues for the Duncans. Pray everything works out okay so they can continue to stay in England for the rest of their term.

short and sweet

Wow its been awhile since I updated. Sorry about that. It was really busy when the team was here and then I had a week to play some catch up and relax.

I haven't done a lot this last week. Pretty much laundry, homework, and the everyday things of life. Life is becoming slightly more predictable.

Things are going to get busy again though. My parents are coming in a couple weeks. I am super excited. They will see some of what goes on here in Wigston and also we will be going on holiday.

Pretty much its back to business as soon as they leave. School will be starting again. I am excited to go help with the Christian Union again. I made several friends at ncounter and I will be able to see them again when they are at school.

Prayer Requests:
Just safe travel - my parents are coming over and so are Kyle's parents

HOLIDAY BIBLE CLUB

nasifu mungu kwa! I can't get it out of my head!
We finally started Holiday Bible Club and it has been great. The Okies have descended on Central Avenue. The American team has been a real blessing this week. We couldn't be doing this Holiday Club without them. They are group leaders and story tellers and game players and every other role in between.
The theme is safari. Lions, Elephants, and Zebras are decorating just about every spot of the church. Its been loads of fun. I help with crafts. We've done picture frames, animal binoculars, lion magnets, and yarn baskets.
Thursday we are heading to Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon with the team. I bet it is going to be beautiful.

Prayer Request:
All the kids at Holiday Bible Club-may they see a bit of God's love in all that we are doing this week

Cultural discoveries

This past weekend I really felt like I got a chance to see some of the religious diversity of Leicester. We went to the City Centre to do some shopping. While we were there a group of Hare Krishna had taken up what seemed like half the square. They were chanting, playing music and dancing, giving away vegetarian food, and preaching about why they worship Krishna. It was spooky and interesting all at the same. I couldn't enter the shops without hearing them. The one guy spoke about loving his creator and it almost sounded like he switched the word Christ for Krishna. Then down the street were Christian R&B singers. About three people just singing with microphones under the watchtower. I wasn't even sure they were Christians until I heard them singing about going to heaven with Christ. Also practicalley every store had Muslim women working there. You could tell by there head coverings. It was wierd seeing this completely covered woman rearranging the lingerie rack at a department store.

I am currently helping out with a youth conference as well. It is called ncounter. It is about hundred teens thoruhgout leicestershire. We are doing a couple days of trainig then doing social action in the community. Mostly our team is painting fences. We are having evangelism workshops. They gave us small tracts to hand out if we want too. I am not to sure about those. I really don't feel comfortable handing people a booklet tellilng them how to become a "Christian." That's really pushy to me. I'd rather start a relationship with them then casually tell them about Christ.

Prayer Request:
All the teens at ncounter

Also some pics... Click on them to get a better view

The view from my window

The Guild Hall

Shakespeare performed on this stage!

Inside Leicester Cathedral

Harry Potter Fever

We just had a family film night at CACC. Around 25 kids showed up! We watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We were celebrating the sixth movie coming out tomorrow! Mindy and I made T-Shirts.

It's been an interesting week. So many youth stuff has ended. We are in the process of brainstorming my summer.I am excited for the Holiday Bible club coming up. It's theme is Kingdom of the Son- a safari through the Lord's prayer.

Prayer Request:
Getting me plugged in here in Wigston

American Independence

Happy July 4th to everyone stateside. It's "loss of colonies" day over here! I just got back from a coffee and tea morning that was selling American treats for fundraising. Did you know that Brownies are pretty much just an American thing?

Schools out next week. Lots of programs are ending for the summer. Its going to make things a little wierd to fit me in. No worries, though. A team of Americans are coming in a couple weeks. We are hosting a "Holiday Bible Club" which is like a VBS.

I've had fun going into the schools here. One is like a middle school the other is an older high school. Every student has to wear a uniform even though they are public schools. Part of me really wants to buy one of the school blazers to wear, they are really sharp!

Tomorrow we are going to a church in Hinkley. Hinkley is another village like Wigston. Kyle is preaching there. Part of internship projects is visiting other churches in England.

Prayer Requests:
Relationship Building - I finally feel like I am getting to know some people. Pray that continues.
Praise - I finished my school work and I passed with a B! Praise the Lord a most stressful semester is over!

Harry Who?

I just have to write this...I just got back from reading the English version of Harry Potter in an English British Legion club (like a bar sorta but with a huge lounge) in England. It was wicked!

I'm here!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! Can you believe it? I am sitting on my pull out bed in Kyle and Mindy's house in Wigston. Wicked!

So far I've made a mess at immigration, ate cottage pie and pasties, learned not to call trousers pants,made a baby stop crying, ate a Magnum bar, made real English tea, and have met some really lovely people. Pretty busy for the first couple days eh?

Can't wait to here from ya'll.

Love and Blessings,
Mary

Prayer Requests:
I move into my new home with Nancy on Sunday. Pray we have a great relationship.

It's a brand new day...

And I'm so excited!

I leave tomorrow bright and early! I have to be at the airport around 6am. Yuck! I guess I'll have to sleep on the plane. I have about four flights before I finally reach England. I will get there though.

I have had several people contact me from the church. I am excited to meet them. It's cool knowing that they are just as eager to meet me as I am to meet them.

So my next entry will be from Leicester. Can't wait!

Prayer Request:
TRAVEL!

The Final Countdown...

So my final full week in America approaches...

Being here in Florida certainly has had its ups and downs. God has placed some amazing people in my life. I have met missionaries from Macedonia, Indonesia, Russia, and all over Africa. I've also seen some cool missions strategies such as AIDs education and ECHO's agricultural ministries. God is really blessing many of the NMSI affliates.

I got swim in the ocean for the first time too! It was kinda scary!!! The water was dark and murky and the signs that said beware of sharks and sting rays didn't help my fears. But I had fun at the beach all the same though.

I can't help but countdown the days until England. I leave on the 16th and get to England on the morning of the 17th. I will definately have a case of the jet lag (;


Prayer Requests:
My budget increased - pray that my donors donate!
Still finishing school - its stressful

a short intro...

Hello!

This blog will be all about my preparation and trip to England for my internship. I am senior at Lincoln Christian College. I am a Bivo-Missions Major and my Focus is Youth Ministry. I love teens, different cultures, and God! Sounds like a good fit!

I am planning on spending about 6 months in Leicester, England. I will volunteering with Central Avenue Christian Church doing several sorts of ministry. I am really excited!

Right now, I am in Ft. Myers, Florida. I am doing training with New Mission Systems International. After that, I am hopping on a plane to go across the pond.

If you would like more info feel free to comment or send me a message. If you would like to help support me by prayer or by a monetary donation check out the description section of this blog or my personal profile.

God's Blessing!

*Prayer Requests

- Visa difficulties - I don't have one yet and we are trying to work this issue out
-Finishing school - I am trying to finish a literature class from last semester. It's hard finishing my extension and finishing everything else.
-For safe travel - it will be a long flight!