Within days of arriving at YWAM, I received the worst news I've received in my life. If you are my friend and are reading this blog, you know what the Schaeffer family has been going through, and my family's connection with it. Therefore I will keep the details out of this post for their sake, and simply convey what I have learned in my heart through this tragedy.
First, I have learned how to share my grief with others, and how to be open and allow others to help. Being so far removed from anyone who knows the people concerned, I have been literally forced to share my heart's sorrows with those around me. Thankfully I have been blessed by the constant support of my friends. We have all been able to stand together before God in prayer for the Schaeffers. I know that me being here rather than in a more "convenient" place (i.e. HOME) for myself at this time has created a larger prayer circle and taught me how to share my sorrows.
Second, God has taught me compassion. As deep as the grief is that I have felt, God has constantly reminded me that so many more people feel a deeper grief which cannot even be expressed in words, tears, or groanings. God has broken my heart for my friends. God has broken my heart for my own family. Sometimes all I've been able to do is cry from deep within my heart for those at home who are faced constantly with loss. I've learned how to cry for others, rather than just for myself.
Third, I've learned how forgiveness is sometimes a daily choice. There will come times in everyone's life when they will be faced with things they deem unforgivable, or worth the bitterness they feel icing over their heart. Through this time I have had to battle with my own bitterness and indignant heart. After all, I remind myself, Jesus died for the sake of the worst of the worst, for his own murderers. Jesus, the perfect one, in contrast to me, the forgiven thief, how can I be selfish enough not extend to others the same forgiveness?
I can't say that I don't fear going home to face the aftermath of this tragedy in five months,
I can't say that I don't wish I was home sometimes.
I can't say that I always feel complete forgiveness.
I can't say that I always pray or ask for prayer concerning this.
But I can say that God is faithful, and that He has been -and is continuing to-
teach me, comfort me, and weep with me.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Long time no post!
I apologize for my terrible lack of updates, I am realizing what a lazy person I am...
Since I last posted, I had a very interesting cultural experience: Bonfire Night. In honor of Guy Fawkes Day (Guy Fawkes being the guy who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament), the English throw a huge party, usually by building something large in order to simply burn it down, and setting off a tremendous number of fireworks. Carlisle has one of the biggest Bonfire Night celebrations, and it was such an adventure to participate in something I've never even heard of before. In the park behind Carlisle Castle they set up a carnival, and in a big open field built a mock castle almost as big as a small house. 
The latter efficiently having been burned to a crisp amidst great celebration and fireworks, the former was flooded with a substantial percentage of the thousands of people that had observed the great conflagration. Being the smart people we are, Jo, Elsa, Thomas, Robin and I joined the mass of people in the carnival, and managed to take in one ride before going home.
The latter efficiently having been burned to a crisp amidst great celebration and fireworks, the former was flooded with a substantial percentage of the thousands of people that had observed the great conflagration. Being the smart people we are, Jo, Elsa, Thomas, Robin and I joined the mass of people in the carnival, and managed to take in one ride before going home. Oh the English, such pyromaniacs.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
NUEVO POST NUMERO TRES
[Joanna Kindred, of Suffolk, with her first Quesadilla.
Brrrr. Verrry blustery day in Carlisle. It poured this morning, as I walked to church this morning I am sure I heard the distinct mewing of cats and barking of dogs as they fell from the rainclouds.
After Church we had a cultural experience. Apparently the delicious snacks, quesadillas, have not been widely introduced to the general English populace. I did my part today to further the cause of easy-to-make-slash-cheap-Mexican-food in the United Kingdom. There was a bit of skepticism about the situation which diminished quickly as a regular party ensued. The vicarage on a sunday afternoon kind of turns into a food fest lately.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Post Number TWO!
Sorry, this is totally late. Not having internet at the house limits my time...
So, as I said, I want to give you a little info about where I live.
Carlisle is a small city of about 100,000 people, but when I'm in the center of town, I don't feel like I'm really in a city, which is nice. We (the students), live in St. Cuthbert's Vicarage, next to a thirteenth century cathedral and various other lovely buildings. There are stone walls everywhere around, hence the name of my street: West Walls. We're a couple of blocks from the town center where there's tons of good shops/cafes/pubs.
Our lectures and most of our weekdays are conducted in the GRACO building, a made-over office building. The GRACO is right next to the McVitties factory, and during the week we smell biscuits in the air. Mmmmmmm.
I am not the only North American/foreigner. In fact, English students are the minority.
But, it is England, and I am trying to get used to English-English, using words like trousers (because "pants" are UNDERpants), biscuits (because cookies aren't cookies apparently), and queue (because no one stands in line here).
MMkkkk. So, that's all I've got for now, if you want any particular info be sure to let me know and I'll fill you in!
So, as I said, I want to give you a little info about where I live.
Carlisle is a small city of about 100,000 people, but when I'm in the center of town, I don't feel like I'm really in a city, which is nice. We (the students), live in St. Cuthbert's Vicarage, next to a thirteenth century cathedral and various other lovely buildings. There are stone walls everywhere around, hence the name of my street: West Walls. We're a couple of blocks from the town center where there's tons of good shops/cafes/pubs.
Our lectures and most of our weekdays are conducted in the GRACO building, a made-over office building. The GRACO is right next to the McVitties factory, and during the week we smell biscuits in the air. Mmmmmmm.
I am not the only North American/foreigner. In fact, English students are the minority.
But, it is England, and I am trying to get used to English-English, using words like trousers (because "pants" are UNDERpants), biscuits (because cookies aren't cookies apparently), and queue (because no one stands in line here).
MMkkkk. So, that's all I've got for now, if you want any particular info be sure to let me know and I'll fill you in!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
First Post
Hello everyone,
First off, here's my address:
Hannah Hempstead
The Old Vicarage, West Walls
Carlisle, CA3 8UF
UK
(Originally thought it was 8UE instead of F, as did the others, but don't worry if you had that address it should get here ok...)
I'm just going to be updating this every once in a while to try and give you a picture of what is going on while I'm in Carlisle, England with YWAM doing my DTS. YWAM (Youth With A Mission) is a fan of acronyms, fyi (hahaha), and DTS is a fancy (or less fancy) way of saying Discipleship Training School. I am attending Bible/Mission training lectures for three months here, and just bought my tickets today for the next phase of my journeying: South Africa.
I originally thought I'd be in one place in South Africa the entire time, but have been informed we'll be in several places throughout the two months we are there.
SO.
Basically two very cool stories which I will try to keep brief....
First off, I'll talk about my trip here... I had been very nervous about traveling alone, esp. since my itinerary was like this: Newark to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Edinburgh, short shuttle trip to train station, then a train into Carlisle (I also was not sure if I'd have to change trains). I had a lot of luggage, had a phone I didn't know how to use, and didn't really know how I'd manage everything alone. So..... I prayed that the Lord would provide a friend for me on the trip so I didn't feel so alone. While in Frankfurt, I happened to meet a family of three from Toronto, who were on their way home from a mission trip to India, it was very nice to meet someone I could connect with (language-wise and spiritual-wise). They prayed for me, and were on their way. As I waited around for my flight to Edinburgh, I was so grateful to the Lord for giving me the friend I asked for (and not just one, but three!). But then I got thinking of my luggage again... how would I manage it? So I said, half jokingly, "Lord, it would be nice to have a friend to help with that, too..."
Well, no matter how insincere I was, God was sincere. On the flight, two seats away from me, sat an American Missionary to the Czech Republic who had also been involved with YWAM. He was heading to the train station, and offered his help. It ended up that he took care of my luggage, watched it while I got a card for my phone, let me use his phone when mine wouldn't work, and helped me load my things onto the train. I never even knew his name, but I am so very thankful for that person.
So there. God certainly answers prayer.
So, that was story one, not as brief as I had planned, but you may skim, skip, scan, or quit reading anytime, and I won't be offended.
Story two is quite simple. Some of you reading this were at my going away party where a word was prayed over me about spiritual brokenness. I had told none of my leaders about this prayer, but Sarah, one of the BLS (another acronym, I'm not even sure what it stands for) leaders, happened to mention how the Lord had told her that she was not supposed to fix people during this time, but that the Lord was going to use this time to break people. So, I guess I'm in the right place!
Alright, coming soon... the next post will describe my house (hopefully with some pictures), the city, and some of my new friends.
First off, here's my address:
Hannah Hempstead
The Old Vicarage, West Walls
Carlisle, CA3 8UF
UK
(Originally thought it was 8UE instead of F, as did the others, but don't worry if you had that address it should get here ok...)
I'm just going to be updating this every once in a while to try and give you a picture of what is going on while I'm in Carlisle, England with YWAM doing my DTS. YWAM (Youth With A Mission) is a fan of acronyms, fyi (hahaha), and DTS is a fancy (or less fancy) way of saying Discipleship Training School. I am attending Bible/Mission training lectures for three months here, and just bought my tickets today for the next phase of my journeying: South Africa.
I originally thought I'd be in one place in South Africa the entire time, but have been informed we'll be in several places throughout the two months we are there.
SO.
Basically two very cool stories which I will try to keep brief....
First off, I'll talk about my trip here... I had been very nervous about traveling alone, esp. since my itinerary was like this: Newark to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Edinburgh, short shuttle trip to train station, then a train into Carlisle (I also was not sure if I'd have to change trains). I had a lot of luggage, had a phone I didn't know how to use, and didn't really know how I'd manage everything alone. So..... I prayed that the Lord would provide a friend for me on the trip so I didn't feel so alone. While in Frankfurt, I happened to meet a family of three from Toronto, who were on their way home from a mission trip to India, it was very nice to meet someone I could connect with (language-wise and spiritual-wise). They prayed for me, and were on their way. As I waited around for my flight to Edinburgh, I was so grateful to the Lord for giving me the friend I asked for (and not just one, but three!). But then I got thinking of my luggage again... how would I manage it? So I said, half jokingly, "Lord, it would be nice to have a friend to help with that, too..."
Well, no matter how insincere I was, God was sincere. On the flight, two seats away from me, sat an American Missionary to the Czech Republic who had also been involved with YWAM. He was heading to the train station, and offered his help. It ended up that he took care of my luggage, watched it while I got a card for my phone, let me use his phone when mine wouldn't work, and helped me load my things onto the train. I never even knew his name, but I am so very thankful for that person.
So there. God certainly answers prayer.
So, that was story one, not as brief as I had planned, but you may skim, skip, scan, or quit reading anytime, and I won't be offended.
Story two is quite simple. Some of you reading this were at my going away party where a word was prayed over me about spiritual brokenness. I had told none of my leaders about this prayer, but Sarah, one of the BLS (another acronym, I'm not even sure what it stands for) leaders, happened to mention how the Lord had told her that she was not supposed to fix people during this time, but that the Lord was going to use this time to break people. So, I guess I'm in the right place!
Alright, coming soon... the next post will describe my house (hopefully with some pictures), the city, and some of my new friends.
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