Hard to believe that 3 months have gone by since our arrival I am quite busy. There is a lot happening in the Christian community and it seems that it is really on the forefront of life here. I think we have a lot to learn from some things that are going on. There is something called "Soul Survivor" for youth that has really made a difference in kids lives. Check out the web-site and see what you think. There is also a movement called "Hope '08" which is getting every area to plan major events to evangelize and put Christ in front of the community. Here in Canterbury they are booking a big park and will have Christian bands with 75 youth being trained to come and share their faith.
They are also doing something like Canadian Idol where they are having talent shows in each school and then bringing the winners all together to compete for a prize. There will be evangelism mixed in and Christian book tables and some entertainment from Christian groups mixed in but it is also very clear that it is a Christian event and that God created our talents. I have gotten involved in helping plan parts of this although we will be leaving before it all happens It will coincide with the Lambeth conference and the Bishop of York will hopefully be speaking at some point. It will definitely be in the face of the community. In addition each individual church is putting on events in the year and advertising them through a web-site and newsletter put out monthly. (I am helping with that.)
In addition I am giving a talk at a group that meets on Thursdays called "The Breakfast Club" It is for parents from "high risk" backgrounds, some are Christian, some have become Christian through it and some are anti.....I will be speaking on the meaning of Christmas this Thursday, Nov. 29.
I am loving my pottery class. I bring home clay and work some at home but have learned a lot. My teacher thinks I have some natural ability for it....I may be fooling him but time will tell!
We are going to Barcelona Dec. 1 to 4. Eric has to give a talk on the 3rd so we are taking the opportunity to all go. It cost us $200. for the 3 of us to fly on Ryan Air. Not bad! I am really looking forward to that. Claire is not. She is not a happy camper since we are forcing her to come along. I think she will be glad in the end. Dec. 5 we celebrate Eric's birthday....those years are adding up!
Hope that all our U.S. family and friends had a happy Thanksgiving. We had turkey and pumpkin pie here! I took a pie to Bible Study and they at least said they liked it It did disappear! So the Christmas season is in full swing. May it be a rich one for all of you. Ruth
