2 More Weeks...

We only have 2 more weeks left here for our internship, and we cannot believe how much the time has flown by!  We've been able to do more of our consistent activities this past week which include ESL classes and helping out at the drop-in centers.  The Indian fellow that I was telling you about in the last blog might go with us again to one of the church drop-in centers this Friday, so please pray that the Lord continues to work on his heart and that we will have opportunities to share the gospel again.

We're still meeting so many amazing people here.  The other week we met another African man at one of the drop-in centers who had an unbelievable story.  He and his wife and child fled Africa to escape persecution, but as they were fleeing, they were caught and their child was killed in front of them.  But, they were able to make it to England and he and his wife just had a new baby.  As we spoke with him I cannot describe the absolute glow of joy that this man had on his face.  He was so happy and so excited for this new child that God had blessed them with, and we could see how much God was healing their pain.  That was a real gift to speak with him and hear about his new born girl.

And then today was another great day that we were able to spend with some really special people.  Jim and Shelagh go to Grace Church here in Birmingham where we've been attending.  Jim has developed Dementia and his wife Shelagh is his full-time caretaker.  We were blessed with their company today as Jake and I went over to their house to help Shelagh with some gardening.  She has created this backyard of peace for Jim.  It is full of trees and flowers and water fountains and benches for Jim to sit and relax.  And, she tries and makes every area different so that Jim can always have different scenery to look at.  This woman is an absolute blessing to be around.  Her selflessness in taking care of her husband is so humbling, and they are a true example of a marriage that endures through anything.
She's also orignally from Liverpool and talks like the Beatles, which was super great :)

We also were able to go down and check out London for the weekend!  Bill and Becky's daughter Lynn and her husband Dave let us stay with them and we had a wonderful time.  We ran around like crazy trying to see all of the sights, but it was still great.  The second I saw Big Ben tears came to my eyes.  It was even more beautiful than I expected.  Of course we took a ton of pictures so I hope you enjoy them!

Victoria Station where our train got in at.

Beautiful architecture in London, and of course the red double-decker buses!

Both above are of Westminster Abbey.  I could have stared at this church all day!

Parliament!  This was amazing because Bill and Beckie's other daughter, Leslie, works here in Parliament and so she was able to take us all throughout it and we were even able to go into the House of Lords and the House of Commons where they meet.  We saw where the Queen sits, the old throne chair that Queen Victoria used to sit on, tons of beautiful paintings and statues of previous monarchs and officials and more.  Unfortunately, we could not take any pictures inside of Parliament, which kills me because there is no describing it's beauty and how fascinating it was inside.  The members of the House of Lords are not elected, they are born into families of wealth and nobility.  This side of the Parliament is filled with rich reds and golds, and it is also where the Queen herself sits.  The other side is the House of Commons, which the name pretty much describes itself.  These are the elected officials and this side completely lacked the overwhelming richness of the other.  This side had a lot of green and dark wood.  Not many people are able to see inside of Parliament.  You either have to pay quite a bit or contact an official to have them take you through.
We also learned that Big Ben is the large bell inside the clock tower and not the clock itself, just FYI.

Buckingham Palace.  We had hoped to go in and have tea with the Queen, but I guess she was busy.

The Tower of London.  This castle was originally built in about 1066 and was used as a fortress, then a royal residence, and then as a prison.  This picture does not do it justice, it is absolutely huge!

And of course, Tower Bridge.

Til next time!
Blessings,
Em