Monday, November 20, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
TROUBLE SLEEPING...
Back form India... and I am awake. That is not right. India is five hours behind us and travelling back took about 27 hrs form hotel to home, and i have only slepted about 9 30 hrs, and i am awake and kicking. Oh well it fits perfectly with my original theme...
Well it is really good to be back. For the past three days, in my mind, it was all about travelling to get back. We went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and for that we had to travel to get there and then we had to get to Delhi, more travelling and then there was the flight, well that took a long time. So being at my final destination is really good.
India... well how can i put it simply. For those of you who have been to Egypt or live there, it is very similar i feel. The traffic, the look of the locals and then all the craziness and madness that surrounds you when you are out of the comfort of your building. Going back into a culture like that was hard for me. Also the people there are really friendly, a little overly friendly at some times. They see a foreigner and they think, great time to practise my english. That is a much better view to have than most westerners about foreigners, but still, by the end of about 2 weeks i was ready for a bit of coldness towards me.
India is huge, and so to get anywhere, you have to spend a long time travelling. We took the overnight train to Lucknow, which took about 12 hrs. In Lucknow we got to go to a college that one of our leaders had been working as a volleyball coach for about a year i think. It was really good and a lot of fun. I think that out of the entire trip the following time was my favourite. We were about to travel to Agra to see the Taj, but we missed our train, not by 5 minutes or 10 or even 30, but by a whole 24 hrs. The ticket was wrong. That day i was really ready to leave Lucknow, but that extra day there was really needed, personally. We got to go back to the college and play more volleyball. After the games, just like before we went to one of the players dorms and had chia (the indian version of tea, which grew on me). This time was different than the last time. I felt more comfortable with the guys and i think that they felt more comfortable with us. I really enjoyed their company and the next day i felt really relaxed about leaving.
Did i enjoy myself? On the whole i was struggling with not wanting to be there and the fear of maybe going back for 6 months. So on the whole no, i did not enjoy myself.
Where there good times? Absolutely. The best was descibed above. I also got to meet one of the language students in Dehra Dun and spent the day with him and his three friends on the back of a mototrbike. We went up into the mountains to see a Hindu temple, which was not my idea of fun, but i could not say no to them as they had planed the whole day. We then went to a restaurant and then to each one of their homes. That was fun. I enjoyed that part, of talking to them and jsut getting to know them. It made me a little homesick... but all is well.
A lot has happened in the past two weeks, but for now i will leave it for another troubled sleeping time...
Take care
Alex
Back form India... and I am awake. That is not right. India is five hours behind us and travelling back took about 27 hrs form hotel to home, and i have only slepted about 9 30 hrs, and i am awake and kicking. Oh well it fits perfectly with my original theme...
Well it is really good to be back. For the past three days, in my mind, it was all about travelling to get back. We went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and for that we had to travel to get there and then we had to get to Delhi, more travelling and then there was the flight, well that took a long time. So being at my final destination is really good.
India... well how can i put it simply. For those of you who have been to Egypt or live there, it is very similar i feel. The traffic, the look of the locals and then all the craziness and madness that surrounds you when you are out of the comfort of your building. Going back into a culture like that was hard for me. Also the people there are really friendly, a little overly friendly at some times. They see a foreigner and they think, great time to practise my english. That is a much better view to have than most westerners about foreigners, but still, by the end of about 2 weeks i was ready for a bit of coldness towards me.
India is huge, and so to get anywhere, you have to spend a long time travelling. We took the overnight train to Lucknow, which took about 12 hrs. In Lucknow we got to go to a college that one of our leaders had been working as a volleyball coach for about a year i think. It was really good and a lot of fun. I think that out of the entire trip the following time was my favourite. We were about to travel to Agra to see the Taj, but we missed our train, not by 5 minutes or 10 or even 30, but by a whole 24 hrs. The ticket was wrong. That day i was really ready to leave Lucknow, but that extra day there was really needed, personally. We got to go back to the college and play more volleyball. After the games, just like before we went to one of the players dorms and had chia (the indian version of tea, which grew on me). This time was different than the last time. I felt more comfortable with the guys and i think that they felt more comfortable with us. I really enjoyed their company and the next day i felt really relaxed about leaving.
Did i enjoy myself? On the whole i was struggling with not wanting to be there and the fear of maybe going back for 6 months. So on the whole no, i did not enjoy myself.
Where there good times? Absolutely. The best was descibed above. I also got to meet one of the language students in Dehra Dun and spent the day with him and his three friends on the back of a mototrbike. We went up into the mountains to see a Hindu temple, which was not my idea of fun, but i could not say no to them as they had planed the whole day. We then went to a restaurant and then to each one of their homes. That was fun. I enjoyed that part, of talking to them and jsut getting to know them. It made me a little homesick... but all is well.
A lot has happened in the past two weeks, but for now i will leave it for another troubled sleeping time...
Take care
Alex
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Hey guys just a very quick post...
I would like to ask for your prayers. At the moment i am struggling wiht one other person on the course here. He is a great leader and more vocal than i am. Unity is something that is very important, because with unity we can prevent the devil entering in and attacking us. Also i think that by this guy being such a good leader and more vocal than i am, my pride is being challenged. Please pray that God will help me not to be so proud, as this produces divitions and again provides the devil opportunities to attack. Also please pray that God will give me the words to talk to this guys. I know that i have to talk to him, because unity is something that is very important and if i cannot be honest with the people around me then how will i be united with them.
Thank you for your prayers
Take care
Alex
I would like to ask for your prayers. At the moment i am struggling wiht one other person on the course here. He is a great leader and more vocal than i am. Unity is something that is very important, because with unity we can prevent the devil entering in and attacking us. Also i think that by this guy being such a good leader and more vocal than i am, my pride is being challenged. Please pray that God will help me not to be so proud, as this produces divitions and again provides the devil opportunities to attack. Also please pray that God will give me the words to talk to this guys. I know that i have to talk to him, because unity is something that is very important and if i cannot be honest with the people around me then how will i be united with them.
Thank you for your prayers
Take care
Alex
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Hey guys...
Well i thought that this post would be something that i have learnt over the entire time that i have been here. it is about spending time with God personally. it is something that everyone should be doing. it is somehting that is really important for personal spiritual growth. now you may say "yeah i know". but jsut to emphasis it i want to share with you what it has really ment to me.
At the moment i find it hard to spend time with God by myself. when things kick off here, they really kick off and i struggle to get away. i enjoy peoples company and so when others are around i want to be with them. however i have started to feel that i don't spend enough time with Him. actually i have felt that for a considerable amount of time.
Before God would reveal small things to me that i thought nothing of really at the time, they just bothered me. later on i would find out, if i had not said anything, that what i had seen played a vital part in whatever was happening. now, i haven't noticed anything for a while. at the time it frustrated me cos i would have to step out of my comfort zone and speak up, but now i really feel that something is missing...
well that's all folks...
Alex
Well i thought that this post would be something that i have learnt over the entire time that i have been here. it is about spending time with God personally. it is something that everyone should be doing. it is somehting that is really important for personal spiritual growth. now you may say "yeah i know". but jsut to emphasis it i want to share with you what it has really ment to me.
At the moment i find it hard to spend time with God by myself. when things kick off here, they really kick off and i struggle to get away. i enjoy peoples company and so when others are around i want to be with them. however i have started to feel that i don't spend enough time with Him. actually i have felt that for a considerable amount of time.
Before God would reveal small things to me that i thought nothing of really at the time, they just bothered me. later on i would find out, if i had not said anything, that what i had seen played a vital part in whatever was happening. now, i haven't noticed anything for a while. at the time it frustrated me cos i would have to step out of my comfort zone and speak up, but now i really feel that something is missing...
well that's all folks...
Alex
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Week in Southall...
It has been a while since I have updated my blog, the reason being that I have had one week in London and then another week doing crazy outdoor stuff. I will write about both but first I want to share about my week in London...
The trip to London was an educational trip. The aim was for us to learn about different religions, specifically Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism. During the week we had classes in the morning about these religions and then in the afternoon we would be taken to one of the temples to have one of the leaders of the specific religion tell us about it.
Day one was Islam. I chose not to go in; it scared me a little bit. I felt more peaceful when I stayed outside. I was very disappointed about not hearing the imam speak about Islam. I felt oppressed and I now have a real desire to learn more about it, and to really look at what they believe. A friend of mine was given a koran, and because it was a little too big for him to carry with him, he has given it to me, which I will read and look at.
Day two was Sikhism. I felt a little better about going into the temple, but I also felt scared because I knew even less than what I did the day before. However, I decided to go in as a step of faith that I felt I had to take. The temple was big and impressive, but it felt sort of empty. After listening to the guide talk to us I was a little bit confused about Sikhism.
Day three was Hinduism. I was pretty sure that I was going to enter the temple. We were told that the Hindus have about 33 million gods. When we got to the temple I took my shoes off and went up to the gold doors to enter, but I found that I felt really uncomfortable and was not able to walk through the doors. Two other friends came out just as I was putting my shoes back on. One of them told me that the person who would be leading them round told them that the deities were sleeping, which really scared me.
That week was really beneficial to be able to see which religion I am most interested in learning more about. I have realised that I am really interested in Islam and would really like to learn more about it. It was a tiring week, mentally, physically but also spiritually. I was continually trying to be aware of what God may be telling me and wanting to follow Him. I really enjoyed it but I was really glad to get back home to base.
It has been a while since I have updated my blog, the reason being that I have had one week in London and then another week doing crazy outdoor stuff. I will write about both but first I want to share about my week in London...
The trip to London was an educational trip. The aim was for us to learn about different religions, specifically Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism. During the week we had classes in the morning about these religions and then in the afternoon we would be taken to one of the temples to have one of the leaders of the specific religion tell us about it.
Day one was Islam. I chose not to go in; it scared me a little bit. I felt more peaceful when I stayed outside. I was very disappointed about not hearing the imam speak about Islam. I felt oppressed and I now have a real desire to learn more about it, and to really look at what they believe. A friend of mine was given a koran, and because it was a little too big for him to carry with him, he has given it to me, which I will read and look at.
Day two was Sikhism. I felt a little better about going into the temple, but I also felt scared because I knew even less than what I did the day before. However, I decided to go in as a step of faith that I felt I had to take. The temple was big and impressive, but it felt sort of empty. After listening to the guide talk to us I was a little bit confused about Sikhism.
Day three was Hinduism. I was pretty sure that I was going to enter the temple. We were told that the Hindus have about 33 million gods. When we got to the temple I took my shoes off and went up to the gold doors to enter, but I found that I felt really uncomfortable and was not able to walk through the doors. Two other friends came out just as I was putting my shoes back on. One of them told me that the person who would be leading them round told them that the deities were sleeping, which really scared me.
That week was really beneficial to be able to see which religion I am most interested in learning more about. I have realised that I am really interested in Islam and would really like to learn more about it. It was a tiring week, mentally, physically but also spiritually. I was continually trying to be aware of what God may be telling me and wanting to follow Him. I really enjoyed it but I was really glad to get back home to base.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Some more THOUGHTS...
Dear readers, friends and family, today we went to a church, as it is sunday, and this was like no other church service that i have been to before. it was in a small room with leather sofas and stuff. there was a drum set and a bass and a guitar or three. it was really small quarters, which made me feel uncomfartable, as well it didn't seem to fit, i am not sure why really, but it was another experience. in about 3 weeks, the church will be moving back into their chapel which they are renovating.
However, something that i realised today in the service was something that i realised that i need prayer about. being a leader. i am finding it really hard cos there is someone else here with us who is also a leader, and is louder than i am. last year i think or at some point in time i went through a book about leadership and it was talking about being a dispencable leader. someone who trains others to become leaders, so that the "followers " will not be dependable on that one leader. so please pray, thanks
Well...
Take care
Alex
Dear readers, friends and family, today we went to a church, as it is sunday, and this was like no other church service that i have been to before. it was in a small room with leather sofas and stuff. there was a drum set and a bass and a guitar or three. it was really small quarters, which made me feel uncomfartable, as well it didn't seem to fit, i am not sure why really, but it was another experience. in about 3 weeks, the church will be moving back into their chapel which they are renovating.
However, something that i realised today in the service was something that i realised that i need prayer about. being a leader. i am finding it really hard cos there is someone else here with us who is also a leader, and is louder than i am. last year i think or at some point in time i went through a book about leadership and it was talking about being a dispencable leader. someone who trains others to become leaders, so that the "followers " will not be dependable on that one leader. so please pray, thanks
Well...
Take care
Alex
Saturday, October 07, 2006
The Girls...
I thought that i would put some pictures up of the gilrs so that you could see some of the other people that i am with for the next few months. From the left it is Rosie, Erika, Helen and Hannah, hannah has already done the training and now is jsut working in Llanelli and hanging out with us
The picture on the right is of (from left) Karen, Jemima, Rosie and at the top is Rachel.
I thought that i would put some pictures up of the gilrs so that you could see some of the other people that i am with for the next few months. From the left it is Rosie, Erika, Helen and Hannah, hannah has already done the training and now is jsut working in Llanelli and hanging out with us
The picture on the right is of (from left) Karen, Jemima, Rosie and at the top is Rachel.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
The Great Unknown...
Being out in the world by yourself, you soon find out that you do not have your parents to stand by you, to tell you what to do, to do your washing for you and all that other good stuff. However, now that i have been out for about a full two weeks i think that i am very knowledgeable about what to do...
During the service on one Friday in Cairo, we were singing Surrender. Pastor Dave, i think it was, told us all not to sing the words unless we really ment it. After that i found it really hard to sing that song, because i wasn't sure that i really surrendered all. However, when we first sang this song here, i found that i could sing it and not only that but that i really wanted to sing it. I wanted to surrender all to God, to the God that holds my future in His hands, to the God that loves me unconditionally and knows what is best for me and takes care of me. I thought that there was nothing else for me to do but surrender all.
I just want to share with you a couple of verses that we have been meditating on and what they have ment to me. the first one is Exodus 3:14. This verse is where God tells Moses that "I AM WHO I AM". That to me really just says it all about God. It is as if God is saying I AM all-powerful, I AM all-knowing, I AM your God, I AM the only true God... It is just sort of all God needs to say, I AM that I AM.
Also today i was reading Deuteronomy 30 in verses 11 and onwards where it says that He has not made it impossible for the Israelites to follow His commands. This made me think also just how He does not set us impossible challenges.
Well i think that this is enough deep thinking for one night, i hope you all sleep well...
Alex
Being out in the world by yourself, you soon find out that you do not have your parents to stand by you, to tell you what to do, to do your washing for you and all that other good stuff. However, now that i have been out for about a full two weeks i think that i am very knowledgeable about what to do...
During the service on one Friday in Cairo, we were singing Surrender. Pastor Dave, i think it was, told us all not to sing the words unless we really ment it. After that i found it really hard to sing that song, because i wasn't sure that i really surrendered all. However, when we first sang this song here, i found that i could sing it and not only that but that i really wanted to sing it. I wanted to surrender all to God, to the God that holds my future in His hands, to the God that loves me unconditionally and knows what is best for me and takes care of me. I thought that there was nothing else for me to do but surrender all.
I just want to share with you a couple of verses that we have been meditating on and what they have ment to me. the first one is Exodus 3:14. This verse is where God tells Moses that "I AM WHO I AM". That to me really just says it all about God. It is as if God is saying I AM all-powerful, I AM all-knowing, I AM your God, I AM the only true God... It is just sort of all God needs to say, I AM that I AM.
Also today i was reading Deuteronomy 30 in verses 11 and onwards where it says that He has not made it impossible for the Israelites to follow His commands. This made me think also just how He does not set us impossible challenges.
Well i think that this is enough deep thinking for one night, i hope you all sleep well...
Alex
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Being a Stranger...
Hey guys and girls, how are you all. Well don't worry about answering. The internet has been down here in Wales, as some of you may already know, but what you do not know is that now i have to quickly look through a lot of emails.
Well i just wanted to write you all something to let you know how i am feeling. Well to be honest i am really enjoying my time a lot, but i think that today and yesterday i have felt a bit home sick, or at least sick of being around strangers 24/7. Everyone here is pretty much on a one week basis. It is not too hard to be with the people here, because we are all here to get to know God more and get deeper in our faith, but me being me, am wanting to see some familiar faces and have a coffee with a friend that i know for more than a week.
On another note, the place is great, with the town a 5 minute walk away. The weather has been great, with the only time that it really has rained and has not been at night, being today, when i went to town.
we have had a few sessions, actually we have had a lot. For the past two days we have had 4 sessions on the biblical basis of missions and now we have to write a five hundred essay about why our God is a God of misions.
Well guys and girls i think that this is it from me, because i am really tired and i have probably talked too much already.
take care,
Alex
Hey guys and girls, how are you all. Well don't worry about answering. The internet has been down here in Wales, as some of you may already know, but what you do not know is that now i have to quickly look through a lot of emails.
Well i just wanted to write you all something to let you know how i am feeling. Well to be honest i am really enjoying my time a lot, but i think that today and yesterday i have felt a bit home sick, or at least sick of being around strangers 24/7. Everyone here is pretty much on a one week basis. It is not too hard to be with the people here, because we are all here to get to know God more and get deeper in our faith, but me being me, am wanting to see some familiar faces and have a coffee with a friend that i know for more than a week.
On another note, the place is great, with the town a 5 minute walk away. The weather has been great, with the only time that it really has rained and has not been at night, being today, when i went to town.
we have had a few sessions, actually we have had a lot. For the past two days we have had 4 sessions on the biblical basis of missions and now we have to write a five hundred essay about why our God is a God of misions.
Well guys and girls i think that this is it from me, because i am really tired and i have probably talked too much already.
take care,
Alex
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
WALES...
Have you ever been to Wales. I now can say that I have. The journey over was interesting. I have a five hour flight, very boring, apart form the move that came on half way through the journey and at first i could only watch it in a foreign language with arabic subtitles. Then I realised that if I changed the channel that I was listening to then it would be in english.
Well you all know about my other six room mates. Supposidly, one of them, which would be the third one leaving another three to arrive, has come, but I haven't seen him, they must be LIARS. NO, NO, i am joking he may be round here but I can find him, not that I have really looked.
The area that we are staying at is right on the sea. It is at a very beautiful area. BEAutiful.
I had failed to mention in my previous entry today that my room mates and I stay in a room with no window. Please pray that we do not kill each other from our beautiful odour. While you are praying for that please also pray that I will be willing to be molded by God, and that He will really challenge me and get me ready to face the world head on.
Take care
Alex
Have you ever been to Wales. I now can say that I have. The journey over was interesting. I have a five hour flight, very boring, apart form the move that came on half way through the journey and at first i could only watch it in a foreign language with arabic subtitles. Then I realised that if I changed the channel that I was listening to then it would be in english.
Well you all know about my other six room mates. Supposidly, one of them, which would be the third one leaving another three to arrive, has come, but I haven't seen him, they must be LIARS. NO, NO, i am joking he may be round here but I can find him, not that I have really looked.
The area that we are staying at is right on the sea. It is at a very beautiful area. BEAutiful.
I had failed to mention in my previous entry today that my room mates and I stay in a room with no window. Please pray that we do not kill each other from our beautiful odour. While you are praying for that please also pray that I will be willing to be molded by God, and that He will really challenge me and get me ready to face the world head on.
Take care
Alex
Ladies and getnlemen...
Ladies and gentlemen, friedns and family, who have nothing better to do than read what I write, I am truelly touched by your kindness. I wanted to inform you that I have arrived safely and am getting to know a lot of people. Last night had been a bit daunting. I am the first of the gap year students and so there isn't really anyone arround. I mean there are a few but you know what i mean. I thought, oh dear where have I come so far away. But today and last night it was good. I met two of my six room mates and they are great. One american and one brazilian.
Enjoy your day, as will I, and please ask the Lord to send me every now and then some sunlight, so that I can feel nice and warm on the outside too.
Alex
Ladies and gentlemen, friedns and family, who have nothing better to do than read what I write, I am truelly touched by your kindness. I wanted to inform you that I have arrived safely and am getting to know a lot of people. Last night had been a bit daunting. I am the first of the gap year students and so there isn't really anyone arround. I mean there are a few but you know what i mean. I thought, oh dear where have I come so far away. But today and last night it was good. I met two of my six room mates and they are great. One american and one brazilian.
Enjoy your day, as will I, and please ask the Lord to send me every now and then some sunlight, so that I can feel nice and warm on the outside too.
Alex
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
