I blinked...

I blinked and two years are gone. There is something about leaving a place that makes you really reflective. It brings all sorts of memories and images and moments to mind. Things I will cherish in my heart for ever. Things I'm so grateful to God for. 

The past two years have been some of the best of my life. They have also had challenging moments. But I've grown and changed and learned so much. Today I want to share a few things I have learned over the past two years. 

God is provider. When you don't know where the money is going to come from He provides. When you don't know how you can continue He provides strength. When you need a shoulder to cry on He provides true friends. 

God is the mender of broken relationships. He takes something broken and heals it. He not only heals it, He makes it so much stronger than before. 

Little bits of my heart stay here. Stuck in what will by now feel like it was all a dream. There's this weird vortex that happens when you step on a airplane in one place and step off in another. You feel almost as if you have time traveled. 

It's been a few weeks since I wrote the paragraphs above and that part about it feeling like a dream is very true. It's hard to believe I've been back in the US for about a month. It has been a crazy month. 

During the time I was in England I was often asked about and thought about what I would do after this assignment was finished. My consistent answer was that because God had asked me to do this, He would show me the way to what is next and of course He provided. 

I am so excited to announce that I am moving back to Kansas City! The day after I arrived home I got an email about coming out to Kansas City for an interview for a Volunteer Coordinator position. So, three days after I arrived home I did just that. I am happy to say I got the job. It's a wonderful ministry serving homeless pregnant teens. When God moves He moves fast. 

While I am sad one adventure has ended, I am thankful a new one is beginning. Let's do this!  

144 days.

144 days.

I've been wanting to write a blog post for a while now, but I was never sure where to begin. The past 144 days have been a whirlwind. It's been full of traveling, goodbyes, hellos, reunions, get togethers, friends, work, sunshine, rain, craft fairs, students, registrations...you name it and I've probably done it. 

It has been a little hectic at times but I love it. I wouldn't change it. The busyness, the hustle, the schedule changes...I wouldn't change a single minute of it. 

I'm back in a place where I feel useful. A place where I feel I can contribute to a bigger picture. A place where I feel loved and valued. Don't get me wrong...I have several places where I feel loved and valued, but to be in a place where you feel like you can contribute to something bigger is special. I know I am exactly where God wants me to be for this moment in the grand scheme of time. I am right where He wants me to join Him in the work He is already doing at NTC. There is comfort and contentment in that. There is hope in that. There is inward joy. 

My roles at NTC changed quite a bit this year. Last year I helped out with housekeeping and worked in reception. Also, as a volunteer you help out with lots of other things along the way. It's fun. This year I have several roles that I am happy to fill. I am glad I am able to contribute to several different segments of the college. 

The college updated some of their computer programming and I am helping a lot with data entry and clean up. I also help out in the library helping students check out and return books as well as various other library tasks. The summer is when the college usually does construction projects and we have several groups in helping with the work. I have been able to help cook for them. I've painted and helped housekeeping. I've made tea and coffee. I've picked out bathroom tiles. It's great! Everyday is different. I love it! I love that I get to be a small part of lots of areas of the college. It is fun to see how it all works. 

I have also been helping the academic office with various tasks, one of which included helping to register new students. It was such a great way to meet all of the new students face to face and learn their names. It was also a pretty surreal moment because 10 years ago it was me on the other side of that table. What an amazing adventure the last ten years have been. I can't wait to see what the next ten hold. (That could be a whole other blog post.) Anyway...

Like I said it's been a whirlwind. I feel like I've had writer's block these last few months. I feel like this is the first chance I've had to really gather my thoughts and put them down. 

Thank you to those who have prayed for me and that will continue to do so. It means so much more than you know. I hope you can also find where God wants you to join Him in the work of the Kingdom. 

Grace and peace, 
Katie.

The Students of NTC || 3 - Nicola Neal

Nicola Neal

1. Name, what year are you in, where you are from?

Nicola Neal, Second Year, Rotherham, England

2. What course are you taking?

Theology

3. What brought you to NTC?

NTC itself – it was my last option for Universities and I almost didn’t come to the interview because of that. I’m so glad I did though; I absolutely loved it and put it straight to the top of my list!

4. If you had one word to describe NTC, what would it be and why?

I’m never good at one word things but… Community. I think it’s what makes NTC and everyone in it love it, and sometimes it’s definitely hard to get that community but we try and most of the time we get it and it’s just NTC.

5. What is your favorite activity to do in Manchester?

As long as it’s not stressful I like to go shopping, I just enjoy getting out of Didsbury sometimes and buying nice things. I also go out for food a fair bit and I always look forward to the next time we (Stephen and I) go out.

6. What’s the most exciting thing about being a student at NTC?

I think it’s the idea that I actually have a future, I enjoy writing essays and every time I finish one I feel like I’m going somewhere in life and that’s just awesome.

7. What’s the most challenging thing about being a student?

It’s sort of to get on with everything, so you don’t miss deadlines. I enjoy writing essays, like I said, but I also enjoy having a social life and it’s sometimes hard to get the balance right.

8. Do you have any plans for after you graduate? 

I will hopefully go and do a PGCE (Post Grad Certificate of Education) and become a teacher, and probably get married soon after that…

9. Do you have any funny stories you’d like to tell about your time at NTC?

Sooooooo. This one time, last year, I was asleep in bed and stuff and it was a nice temperature in my room with my radiator on and my window open and it’s just how I like it. But anyway, I heard this noise and I thought it might be Stephen at my door so I roll over to get up or whatever and there is a squirrel on my desk – it scared the life out of me! Luckily, I scared the life out of it as well and it ran out my window. So then after this I get up and I go to my window to shut it and make sure it’s not knocked anything out and it’s just sat there, chilling, like it’s not done anything wrong!

10. Anything else you think people should know about student life at NTC?

It’s great. The people are great and the lecturers are great and it’s changed both my general life and spiritual life in so many ways.

Thank you Nic for helping me with this project. Please join my in praying for Nic and her ministry...present and future. 

The Students of NTC || 2 - Stephen Horner

Stephen Horner

1. Name, what year are you in, where you are from?

Stephen Horner, third (hopefully final!) year and I am from Bedfordshire which is near London.

2. What course are you taking?

I am taking the Theology: Youthwork and Ministry Course, so as well as my degree in theology I have a couple of placements to do too.

3. What brought you to NTC?

I applied three weeks before term started! I had never heard of the Nazarene Church before or NTC, but my youth pastor at home knew one of the staff at college

4. If you had one word to describe NTC, what would it be and why?

Friendly

5. What is your favorite activity to do in Manchester?

Play Football! (proper football, not American football – though I do enjoy watching it!)

6. What’s the most exciting thing about being a student at NTC?

Being able to learn theory in class and apply it to my practice, and learn through my practice when discussing theory in class

7. What’s the most challenging thing about being a student?

Balancing so many things on my plate at the same time! Essays, Dissertation and Church

8. Do you have any plans for after you graduate? 

I hope to go into youth work in the Nazarene Church, specifically with Didsbury Community Church at the moment. However, I also believe that I am called to adult ministry in the future, though I am definitely called to youth work at the moment.

9. Do you have any funny stories you’d like to tell about your time at NTC?

One time my girlfriend decided that it would be a good idea to hold a door shut as I ran through it, lots of blood, sweat,and tears later she apologized a lot. There are some photos somewhere of it….

10. Anything else you think people should know about student life at NTC?

It’s lots of fun! It’s a challenge, especially when living on site, but it’s enjoyable and people should definitely come here to study!

Thank you Stephen for helping me with this project. Please join me in praying for Stephen as he finishes his final year at NTC and begins a new chapter in his life. 

The Students of NTC || 1 - Bailey Weghorst

I really enjoyed hearing from some of the staff here at NTC and thought it might be fun to do a similar project with some of the students. Some of them kindly agreed/indulged me. The students are why NTC even exists. They are the heart and soul of what we do here. It's my pleasure to introduce a few of them to you. I hope you enjoy hearing from their hearts. 

Bailey Weghorst

1. What year are you in, where you are from?
Senior, Columbus, Ohio (USA) ☺ 

2. What course are you taking?

Youth Ministry

3. What brought you to NTC?

I was given the opportunity while on a trip for my school in January 2014 and after realizing that it wouldn’t be too financially demanding, I prayed about it. I had been praying over the past year for ways to come about through which God could stretch me and put me outside of my comfort zone. I realized that this would be a definite way for God to do that and everything just sort of fell into place after that at one point or another.

4. If you had one word to describe NTC, what would it be and why?

Community. Honestly, I don’t want that to sound too cliché, because I feel like in Christian groups it’s overused. However, in this setting the community is so intentional and loving that you can’t help but feel it and let it help to form you. It’s definitely been a highlight of the experience. 

5. What is your favorite activity to do in Manchester?

Honestly, I just love walking around in the neighborhoods or to town and walking along all the shops. Going to a charity shop or fish n chips with people from school.

6. What’s the most exciting thing about being a student at NTC?

Being able to be in a different country and be in an area where everything is so accessible. People are so willing to help as well. Through being a part of the community here, it’s absolutely an experience within itself. Plus, I mean the fact that there is a time set aside for the whole campus to come together and have coffee is pretty awesome.

7. What’s the most challenging thing about being a student?

Balancing the work. The academic structure here is so different from home and so getting and maintaining the discipline to complete work and have it done to the standard here. Just takes some time to get used to.

8. Do you have any plans for after you graduate? 

Going home and finishing my degree at the beginning of January and then begin working on my Dental Hygiene degree to help work toward my goal to start a missional ministry.

9. Do you have any funny stories you’d like to tell about your time at NTC?

No specific ones that I can think of. They’re not funny, I mean all the travels that I was able to do: Barcelona, Dublin, London, Bristol, Somerset, Oxford, and going to go to York and Cardiff.

10. Anything else you think people should know about student life at NTC?

It’s personalized and wonderful. I would suggest anyone to come here. 

A Big thanks to Bailey for taking the time out of her busy semester abroad to answer these questions for me. Please join me in praying for Bailey as she finishes out her Senior year and for her future ministry. 

Coming Home.

I am writing this post at 6:30 in the morning...jet lag doing it's finest work. At least 6:30 is a little more justifiable than say 3 or 4 am. As you do when you wake up at odd hours, you start thinking. Your mind wanders. It's amazing the places your mind goes when you are trying to sleep. Example number one...

I've been home for a couple of days now. It is so nice to be with family and where everything is familiar. But as anyone who has done much air travel knows, it can be a really strange feeling, coming home. In the course of 24 hours I left one familiar place for another. My mind never can quite grasp the fact that in the morning I was in one country and now, almost magically, I'm in another. It's amazing and really weird all at the same time. I don't think it could get any weirder unless we were beamed from one place to another Star Trek style. If you think about it were not that far off. The main difference is the time air travel takes. I mean you sit in a tube of sorts, not really being able to see much of what you are flying over, then before you know it you're on the ground again. Maybe this isn't as cool to others as it is to me and maybe it's just the 6:30 in the morning, everything is amazing, jet lag talking. Either way...it's pretty cool what we, as humans, are able to do. I feel very very privileged to be confused by the fact that I was in one country the morning and then 9 hours later I've crossed an ocean and am in another. 

Recently, one of my seminary professors posted an articled entitled, "Why Missionaries Can Never Go Home Again." When he posted the article while I was still in England and I read the article fully understanding the feelings discussed. The idea of home for a missionary can often be a confusing one. The author of the article, Karl Dahlfred, states that, "Missionaries are forever caught between two worlds.  They can no longer completely identify with the people whom they left behind in the home country. But they can never truly identify with the people in their host country." This resonated with me. 

As my time in England was winding up I wondered, "How will I adjust to being home?" Once I got home, though, it was like riding a bike. It's hasn't been as hard to find my groove again as I anticipated. There are, however, a few things that have made me feel like I'm now in between two worlds. It can be as simple as little things like songs on the radio I've never heard before but everyone here already knows. It can be as big as missing my friends and colleagues in my host country. 

It might be a different life to most. It might be hard sometimes because no matter where I am I'm away from people I love and care for. But it is an amazing life. I am blessed and privileged to be able to be "forever caught between two worlds." 

The Future.

6 months....

It is so hard to comprehend that I have been living in another country for 6 months. This is the longest single period of time I have spent outside of my home country. Yes, I went to college here but I was only ever gone for 3 months at a time. I am amazed at how fast the time has gone. It's one of those weird time things where you feel like you've been here forever (in a good way) yet at the same time you feel like you just arrived last week. 

I have about a month left and my calendar is already full. I intend to make the most of being with these people and living in this community for the next month. I'm sad to be leaving this place but also have an exciting announcement to make...

I will be returning to Manchester and NTC in June 2015! It makes leaving friends a little easier knowing I will be returning in the near future. While, a year ago, I was beginning to make plans to come here, I would not have thought that a year later I would be making more plans to come back. 

I am just as amazed at how God is providing for me to return as I was at how He provided for me to come this time. I know this is the right path at this time in my life. I am thankful for the peace that comes from following God's will. I am thankful for God's provision thus far and for provision for the future. I am thankful I can return to this community that is equipping the church's future leaders.

The support and prayers of all of you have meant so much to me and I hope that you will continue to join me in this wonderful adventure God has allowed me to be on. I will be home for 6 months and would love the chance to tell you in person about some of the wonderful things God is doing here at NTC. I would love the opportunity to meet people for meals, coffee, etc. or even for speaking to various church groups. If you are interested you can email me or contact me through the contact page of this website. 

It's an incredible journey this thing called life. I'm all in. 

The People of NTC...5

Sheila Strong

-What do you do at NTC?

    I’m the finance manager.

- Where are you from?

    I’m from Zimbabwe. 

- How long have you been at NTC?

    Just over two years.

- How did you hear about NTC?

    I go to Brooklyns Church of the Nazarene and the church is connected with the college. I came to assist the college with their finances and then a position became open and I applied for it.

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC?

    The warm, friendly, communal, family atmosphere. 

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

    My favorite memory is my grand entrance into the first-aiders world. I fell down the stairs and almost broke my leg. The ambulance was called and they did a full body scan and work up. 

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

    Happy.

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

    Cricket scoring. 

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

    It’s fun learning all the different cultures, background and histories. 

- What do you find challenging about your job?

    Balancing the budgets and keeping my voice low.

Provision.

Just hanging out in the Queen's backyard. :)

How have four months in England past so incredibly quickly? It feels like just yesterday I was holding my breath for my visa to be approved. Time really does fly when you are having fun.

I know there has been a serious lack of personal updates from me on this blog. I could give excuses but the reality is that I've been busy. That's a good thing. I came here to serve and be busy. I'm happy that I have been able to fulfill both of those things. 

The summer has been full. Full of wonderful people, visitors, royal experiences, lives touched, and rooms cleaned. I wouldn't change a minute of it. 

There are lots of stories I could write for this post but the thing I want to talk about most is God's provision. From the very beginning of my planning to come to England God had provided in miraculous ways. But I haven't just seen God's provision in my own life. I've seen it in the lives of my friends and others who have come to serve at NTC. Two particular things come to mind. (I'll share one in this post and the second in another.) 

The first is how God used a Work and Witness team to accomplish so much more than originally anticipated. A Work and Witness team arrived to work on the kitchen and chapel here in July but because of some unexpected circumstances they were unable to work at the college. This was obviously a disappointment for them and for the college, but this is where God's plan and provision come shining through. The college put out a call to local churches and supporters of the college and the work that needed to be accomplished at the college was still completed as planned thanks to several dozen volunteers. 

This meant that the Work and Witness team were able to do other things. They reached people and communities that they would not have, had they been able to work at the college. 

God provided for the college as well as for the team. In a way double was accomplished.  Multiple communities were touched instead of just one. His plan and provision was bigger and better than ours. I'm so thankful for His provision!

Here are a few pictures from my visit to London...

The People of NTC...4

Rachel Varughese

- What do you do at NTC?

Three days a week I work as the receptionist and two days a week I do graphic design.

- Where are you from?

I’m from Mount Vernon, Ohio. 

- How long have you been at NTC?

I have been in my current position for two years and was a volunteer for a year between 2007 and 2008.

- How did you hear about NTC?

Through my dad who’s a professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. I was looking for a place to work or volunteer in England and he suggested here. 

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC?

The people I work with.

- What do you find challenging about your job?

  Trying to balance the everyday needs without feeling like I’ve neglected anything.

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

I would say it is usually graduation. It’s always so wonderful to see students that have worked so hard receive their degrees and to see how proud their families are of them. Graduation is always like the payoff…it’s the reason why we work here and do what we do. 

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

Community.

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

Probably going to see plays at the Royal Exchange Theater or seeing local bands.

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

Anytime there is a holiday or celebration I get to hear about other people’s traditions and cultures. 

I've known Rachel since I was a student at NTC. She was a volunteer back then. I love that whenever I am around Rachel she always has a smile. She was one of the first to welcome me back when I arrived in May. She's lovely, friendly, and so very hospitable, making her a great person to have in reception. Please join me in prayer this week for Rachel and the work she does at NTC. 

The People of NTC...3

Maria Rosa Curcuruto

- What do you do at NTC?

    I am a volunteer in housekeeping. I clean classrooms, rooms, offices, and sometimes I make coffee for coffee break.

- Where are you from?

    Sicily, Italy. 

- How long have you been at NTC?

    Since May until August. 

- How did you hear about NTC?

    From my pastor and my friend.

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC? 

    I like being with the Christian people. 

- What do you find challenging about your job?

    Sometimes cleaning is very tiring. Especially spring cleaning. 

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

    Just the fellowship with the other workers and volunteers. 

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

    Fellowship. 

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

    Walking, shopping and going to the park. 

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

    It’s nice because you can know different cultures and you can know people with different personalities. 

Maria Rosa and her friend Azzurra arrived at NTC to volunteer right around the same time as me. We attend the same church and have gotten close. Please pray for them as they continue to learn English and continue their theological education. 

The People of NTC...2

Pru Stubbs

- What do you do at NTC?

    I am officially a housekeeping assistant. I wage a personal war against finger prints and coffee cups being left on the table. But I always have time to listen to students and I’m there with a friendly smile and heartfelt prayers.

- Where are you from?

    I was born in Lincoln, England. I am half English, half Australian. I’ve also lived in American so I have a strange accent that is hard to place. 

- How long have you been at NTC?

    I have lived on campus at NTC since September 2010 with my husband, who is a student. I began working here December 2011.

- How did you hear about NTC?

    My husband was called to theology college, which was surprising to us because he had always said he wasn’t going to speak but God continued to call him. We had a google search for Theology colleges in Manchester and the first site was NTC. They were having an open day two weeks later so we booked and came on campus and had a real sense of peace when we arrived. 

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC?

    I love that I get to spend time with and look after students who are learning about and growing with God. It’s the satisfaction of being able to see a place that is helping God’s kingdom grow be clean and tidy. Also, I can take naps in between jobs because I live on campus.  

- What do you find challenging about your job?

    Fingerprints. Cups being left. Chewing gum. The recycling not being done. Because where I’m working is where I’m serving God, so when I see these things it makes me sad that the space isn’t always seen in the same light. 

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

    My husband graduating. Seeing him get three awards and enjoying the garden party as a guest instead of a worker. Also, people asking him if his ponytail was real or not. 

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

    Family. 

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

    I like going to Media City. (Media City is the second biggest base for the BBC outside of London. Also, Pru’s dream employer.) 

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

    Satisfying at “bring and share” meals. It is satisfying because when people are sharing foods from their own country you get to see a different side of them. You get to better understand who they are and learn more about their background.   

What I love about Pru is that she really is always there for people. She has such a tender and open heart. She loves people and sees her job as ministry. Pru is never short on enthusiasm and I love that about her. Please join me in prayer this week for Pru and the work she does at NTC. 

Introducing...The People of NTC.

I thought it would be fun to start a series on this blog entitled "The People of NTC." It started out as a simple idea for you to get to know some of the people that make NTC the amazing community that it is. The simple idea turned out to be a little bigger for me personally. 

As I have started to interview people, I found myself reminded of how rewarding it is to hear other's stories, to share stories. I ask everyone the same questions but everyone has different answers and to me that is part of what makes us as humans so beautiful and so special. Everyone has a story. Everyone's story deserves to be heard. 

I am truly blessed to be able to work along side these people. I am blessed to not only call them colleagues but friends. I hope you enjoy hearing a little bit of their stories as much as I did. 

Simona Ciufu 

- What do you do at NTC?

     I am the housekeeper. 

- Where are you from?

     Bucharest, Romania 

- How long have you been at NTC?

     Almost 3 years.

- How did you hear about NTC?

     Through my local Nazarene pastor.

- What is your favorite thing about working at NTC?

     The community and of course the students.

- What do you find challenging about your job?

     Organizing and executing graduation. It ended up being a success because of the amazing helpers that I had. 

- What is your favorite memory from your time here?

     The Christmas party two years ago…we did an international meal where we had lots of different foods. Everyone had the chance to stand up and say what their Christmas traditions are and what kinds of foods they eat.

- If you only had one word to describe NTC what would it be?

     Community.

- What is your favorite activity in Manchester?

     Going to the Cinema and taking walks in the parks.

- What’s it like working with people from so many different countries?

     I think it is nice to see how people do things differently when they come from a different country. Even if they have lived here a long time it’s hard to forget your background. 

I work directly with Simona everyday. She is one of the most hard working people that I have ever known. Her laid back attitude and disposition make her the perfect person for her job.  Please join me in prayer this week for Simona and the wonderful work she does at NTC. 

The British Summer.

Even though I spent about three years at NTC, I was never in England during the summer. Let me just say we have been having FANTASTIC weather. It's been in the low 70's with tons of sunshine. I'm soaking it up because England being England...it will rain again. 

Last week was a busy work week full of meetings, lunches, and students coming and going. Even though the work week was busy I still managed to have some fun. 

Wednesday night I was able to go to the Didsbury Craft Club. This is a craft club that takes place once a month and is put on by the Didsbury Community Church. The Didsbury Community Church is a church that meets here on the NTC campus. The craft club is a great way for the church to reach out to the local community. It was fun to meet new people. There were several people there from the community as well as people from the church. We made ribbon flowers and some other paper crafts. I made some birthday cards! 

Friday night I went to the Levenshulme Food and Drink Festival with a couple of friends. I had a fantastic burger and the most delicious brownies I have ever tasted. It was fun to go somewhere new and enjoy the sunshine. 

Saturday was once again beautiful outside so I decided to go to the City Center. As you can see from the pictures a lot of other people decided to enjoy the weather and get outside. I love the vibe of the big city in the summer. 

Ok... so this particular picture looks like it wasn't very sunny but it was.
These clouds went away five minutes later.  

Sunday after church the pastor and his wife invited myself and a couple of friends over for a BBQ. We spent the whole day sitting outside enjoying food, the weather, and fellowship. We all have slightly pink faces today to prove it. 

It was a busy week but a very very nice week. I'm so glad I'm here.