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.