This morning, we visited an amazing older woman who attends Grace Church here in Birmingham. This is the church that our host family originally planted and we've been going to since we've been here. She is one of the sweetest and godliest woman you will meet and loves the Lord with all of her heart. She is an inspiration and an encouragement to be around. She's into her 90's and she so needed some help with jobs around the house. We painted her fence for her and took down all her curtains and washed them. It was a great change of pace to actually get to use our hands and do a little grunt work :) And we also were able to sit down with her for hours and just listen to her stories and her wisdom. She was telling us that her husband died about 15 years ago, but that she never feels lonely because the Lord is always with her, and she sings and talks to Him all day.
Another great experience was 'English at the Market'. This is where Bill takes his ESL students to the Birmingham City Centre markets and as we walk around he points out various items and people and asks the Indian men who are learning English to describe it. What was amazing is that while we were walking around, Jake was able to talk to one of the men about religion. The topic first started on Hinduism, but then Jake saw opportunities to ask questions about what the man knew about the Bible and then about Jesus. The conversation lasted for quite some time and the man even ended up coming out with us afterward to the drop-in center that we help out at. Once we were at the drop-in center, without any prompting from any of us, the man then grabbed one of the tracts regarding Chirst and sat at a table reading it. He then had a really great time hanging out and talking with us and other people that were there, and we were able to connect him with the Pastor of the church that runs the drop-in center that also happens to live in the same neighborhood as him. What a blessing! Everyday we continue to see God working throughout these areas.
On a different note, we got a nice day off and were able to have a little R&R at Warwick Castle. This is an absolutely enormous castle just outside of Birmingham in Warwickshire. It's main foundation was originally built back in 1068, and then over the years different structures and towers were added to it. In the 1700's it was made into a country home for the earl of Warwick. This was just a huge treat for us. I could have stared at this giant castle all day and never have gotten tired looking at it's beauty. They also had some great tours around it that included wax figures of the family who used to live in it going from room to room. And then you were led down below where it showed the events that took place when the castle and it's residents were preparing for battle. As Jake and I felt the cold stones against the wall we realized that this was the oldest item we had ever touched. Best day off.
And lastly, we've have been shown wonderful hospitality over and over again. So many great people have had us over for dinner and treated us like family. Last night we had dinner over at our new friends, Mohan and Leina's house. They are the missionaries who are originally from India and are now here in Birmingham to specifically reach out to the Bengali community. Excellent food with different curry dishes, paella, and samosas. We also had a delicious meal over at Les and Barabara's, who attend Grace Church. We've been so blessed to experience such incredible warmth from people since we've been here.
Well enough chatting, here's some pics.
Blessings!
Em
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