Week 2

Where do I begin?  Earlier this week, we were able to attend a Farsi speaking church where we worshiped and read the Word with Iranians here in Birmingham.  The church is led by a man from Tunisia who preaches in English and then it's translated to Farsi by one of the Iranians.  One highlight of the night is that we were able to sing a worship song in Farsi.  One of my new Iranian friends is Jayram (sp?).  She is a mother of three who came here from Iran about 10 years ago with her husband.  I'm always so excited to see her because she is so sweet and friendly to Jake and I, making us feel comfortable and welcome.

This week we were also able to help out with some more ESL classes.  This one was located in a very diverse area of Birmingham called Handsworth which I recently found out is referred to as "The Bronx of Britain".  At this rec center there are three tables teaching English; a beginner's table, an intermediate, and then advanced English speakers.  We helped at the beginner's station and had Indian and Polish women.  What Jake and I kept forgetting is to say things in proper 'British English', not our dirty American English ;)  Which basically just consisted of Jake and I doing very bad British accents.

After that, we went to a drop-in center for Asylum Seekers.  These are centers for immigrants who have fled their country due to either persecution or other hardships and are destitute.  They come to these for either food, clothing, help with paperwork, or of course just someone to listen.  We met immigrants from Congo, Zimbabwe, and Eritrea.  We sat down with a Zimbabwe woman who told us her story of having to leave her country and not having seen her kids in years.  We sat and cried together as she relived her painful story, but she continued to praise God throughout it all, not understanding why it was happening but still trusting Jesus and thanking Him for saving her.  I cannot tell you the conviction this had on me.  Here was this woman who was forced to leave her family and country, had no idea if she would ever see her kids again, and she had the most beautiful and godly spirit.  Very humbling.

We also went to a different drop-in center today in an area called Sparkhill, which is the most multicultural area of Birmingham.  When you enter into this neighborhood you feel as if you've entered into a different country.  Many Indians, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and others.  Our new Indian missionary friends brought us here who meet every Wednesday with other Christians to go around the neighborhood and hand out tracks about Christ and let people know about the center.  Then anyone can come in for some food and good conversation.  I sat down with a woman from Lebanon who told me all about the history of Catholicism and the Byzatine empire!  It was like a free history lesson.

And lastly, Jake and I just got back from tonight's events.  I was able to attend a women's Bible study with some women from here in Birmingham.  It was a refreshing break from our hectic schedule, to just take time to be in God's Word with other Christian women.  And Jake went to a guitar club that's led by a missionary here with Grace Brethren.  He is an amazing guitarist who started up this club to meet other guys that he could be a witness to and share Christ with.  So, we both had a nice little break tonight to relax a little and unwind from the busyness.

Well, I think that's probably enough for now.  Don't want your eyes to start glazing over from too much information.  Til next time!

Blessings!
Em