There is always HOPE

I don't know if I can remember the last time I laughed as hard as I have today...but it was great.

I am beginning to feel as if I am fitting into things here in Wales. I am starting to get comfortable, which has definitely helped me feel I can open up more. I'm sure some of you reading this might be thinking, "You need help to open up." But sometimes if I'm not fully comfortable in a situation or group I'll clam up. The first few days here I was trying to get acclamated, but now I'm beginning to feel part of things. Which is a definite answer to prayer, so know your prayers are being heard and please continue to lift them up.

This morning I had big intentions to go for a fun. Now the roads near Dottie's house are probably the steepest hills I've seen...that may be a bit a of an exageration. But yesterday while in Merthyr I found a flat path along the river which will be great to run. However, my attempt ended up only being an attempt. Since it is currently 12:40 am I doubt I will be running tomorrow. Hopefully I can get back in the habit, but I am walking a WHOLE LOT so that may be making up for it.

Rachel and I went to the church where some of the members have started a coffee morning outreach. A group from the nursing home down the road attends so it was nice to visit with them and the workers. They were all very sweet. It was also a great chance to fellowship with some the adults in the church, who are all so nice. We also got to spend some time with two boys from the youth group. They are hilarious and have definitely made me feel right at home as I continue to walk into being mocked both at home and now in Wales. I laughed so hard as we compared American and Welsh things and words...oh I had a big slip up. FYI if you visit Wales remove the word fanny from your vocab. Oh and one of the boys is an incredible piano player. He plays all by hear!! I was truly amazed at his gift.

This afternoon Rachel and I went with Dottie to an elementary school in another village where Dottie is teaching a Bible Explorers' course for the next 5 weeks. We went through the book of Genesis today, helping the kids learn signs, dress up in costumes, and read poems to help teach them different Bible stories. It was a lot of fun to see the kids get into it. I don't know how many of these kids go to church, but a lot of them knew a lot of the stories already. I loved how we were able to go into the schools and share this with them.

Afterwards Dottie dropped Rachel and I off in Pentrebach where we met up with kids who we have been spending our afternoons with. They have this merry-go-around thing which has definitely become the afternoon activity. I'm not normally one to get sick, but oh how I get dizzy off this thing. This afternoon I was reminded of the need to be praying for these kids, especially for chances to share Christ with them. Most of them don't know a lot of about Jesus and His amazing love for us. It broke my heart this afternoon as I was reminded that so many people think of Christianity as a set of rules. I truly want to convey how awesome a relationship with Christ is and how it far surpasses a list of dos/don'ts. So please be praying that my relationship with Christ will be evident in all that I say and do.

Several of the youth from Pentrebach and Dottie also attend another youth group called PCY in Pontypridd. Tonight the group was attending a special program in Cardiff Bay on a boat called Logos, which travels around doing mission work throughout the world. There was a special youth program tonight. When we met with the other group in Pontypridd, I rode the bus with kids from the other church. They were so much fun and I really enjoyed chatting with them on the way there. Some of them had gone to Rock Hill back in April and some others were about to go there in 19 days (they're counting). The girls going in 19 days are actually going to get to go to the Appalachia mission trip (the one I went on last summer to Kentucky) while they're over here, which I thought was really awesome. The service was really great. The speaker talked about the awesomeness of God's love for us and the need to share that message with those around us. Inlight of this afternoon it was an encouragement. I sat with a lot of youth of Wales and I was reminded in Christ there is always hope for both believers and non. As a believer I have my hope in Christ alone. And I know that through Christ there is hope of salvation and new life for all people. Nothing is impossible for God. No one is impossible for God.

The way back to Pontypridd I once again rode the bus and it was just a joy to be with the youth. They decided I needed to read Welsh. And well it may look like the same alphabet, but it so isn't! I'm pretty sure it was great source of entertainment for them. We then filled the bus ride with great songs that I've grown up with at church and many new ones. It was just like any youth bus I've ever been on.

Well, it is now 1:00 and I have been invited to an 8-year-olds birthday tomorrow, so I better go and rest up!! I pray that the love of God would cut at your heart as you look for ways to share His love with those around you.

Much love!!