An overstuffed sofa – that is the primo metaphor for our three weeks in Germany, France and England. We were overwhelmed with eye candy. Stuffed we were with food (many miles of jogging stand between me and the restoration of my formerly svelte self.) Most of all, we were filled to overflowing with fellowship. The family of God is alive and well in the Old Countries.
For those concerned for the well being of Bill and KathaLee Harris, don’t be! Their German castle sits atop a mountain where it gazes down upon a lush green valley divided by a gentle winding river. The issues they face are difficulties with deer, fox and decisions about incredibly delicious food will they have to dine upon this evening. Their neighbors are friendly, their congregation is warm and Germany suits them well. Rufus, their four legged son, is every inch a handsome and spirited gentledog; well-within-the-bounds of doggy decorum. All is well! And to Bill, KathaLee and Rufus, thank you and God bless you for the incredible vistas, the gift of your friendship and the spiritual healing that you bestow upon tattered souls
For the sake of good taste we will not discuss any adventures in the MacDonald’s WC in France. It is sufficient to report that ardent prayer works, cheap stall locks do withstand attempted breechings by teenage girls and everything negative reported about French TP is true.
At the airport in England the lovely Linda O’Donovan met us. It is always a pleasure to see her but especially when arriving at Stansted. Thank you and God bless you Linda! Linda and Vince decided we and the congregation at Brandon needed one of those life changing shocks. For the saints it is a big one: The O’Donovan’s are moving to Scotland. Brandon’s loss is a blessing for the churches in William Wallace land. Vince and Linda showered us with their time, taking us to Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick castle. Linda, lady of faith that she is, provided us with the use of her car. Yes, it did survive although my driving on the wrong side almost induced heart failure in Sandy.
Also at Brandon we were reunited with the Powers. To those of you who know Mike, Donna, Stephen and Heather the following litany will be of no surprise. Donna recently had surgery, not to be out done a few months back Heather enjoyed a broken wrist, Stephen got married, their dog was hit by a car and recovered, and Mike broke his knee. Notwithstanding, the painful knee Mike hauled us to Cambridge where we 1) punted on the Cam, 2) ate at Auntie’s Tea Room, 3) purchased official Cambridge University shirts, 4) visited G. David’s used book heaven (A back alley store overstuffed with important and/or arcane books – only one box full this trip) and 5) a quick visit to Rohan’s to purchase a few quality clothing items. (Visit their UK website to appreciate their rugged clothing). That was astuffed day, especially for the dude with the knee issue. Thank you Mike!
Sandy, “overstuffed” with a sense of loyalty and duty, left for the States and I went on to Bristol to inflict myself upon Trevor and Pauline Williams and Vince and Linda’s daughter Marie (She is one of those natural surfers, up and riding waves as though she has been riding all of her life. Trevor and Pauline are what I wish circumstances would permit Sandy and me to be as we were in the Philippines – a true team. To be in their presence is a spiritual gift. Their synergy is palpable. The Bristol congregation reflects much of the goodness that radiates from the Williams. They kindly sacrificed time to take me to experience so much of Bristol’s history. Several personal desires were met including, in the manner of Jane Austin, taking water at the Bath.
Hanging around with “Trev and Pauline” it becomes very apparent that the reach of their service in the Lord’s name knows no borders. Both are serving the lost and saved in Malawi, Africa. What they are accomplishing is heartening – stuffs the heart with joy. One example: Pauline took an idea from one of the African ladies and made it happen. It is common for a child to be orphaned. Placement in an orphanage doesn’t really met the need of a long term extended family so necessary for survival in impoverished nations. Pauline was able to take funds to Africa and those funds are used to support the orphan who is placed with other family members, grandparents are typical. The child grows up within the family, as part of the family. Being in the company of the Williams family for those few days served to “overstuff” my appreciation for the power of God working in the lives of these two remarkable saints.
I also had too few moments with their co-worker Jason. Jason is an American. This young man was extremely helpful. I am grateful for his kindness.
And so our “overstuffed” journey concluded. Now I arrive at a conundrum – I don’t know how to make the following read as though it isn’t just a preacher trying to justify his “overstuffed” paycheck by validating Deity. Be that as it may, the travel itself seemed to be divinely accomplished. One example: Upon arrival at Gatwick airport in London we had to travel to Stansted to catch our next flight. Time was of the essence. Two trains and one tube ride were required. We made all three connections with three minutes to spare. We purchased our tickets and arrived on the platform three minutes prior to departure on each occasion. One slip up and we would probably miss our flight. Thank you, Lord! Then the flight home: Old knees and airplane seats do not mix well. Flights can be painful. However, on the ten hour jaunt from London to Las Vegas I was blessed to have three seats to myself. I actually got to sleep. I arrived at San Francisco while the flight to Honolulu was boarding. The flight was overbooked (“overstuffed”) and my chances for the flight home were not promising. The last name was called and it was mine. When I received the ticket the agent noted that I was traveling to Hawaii first class. Me and my knees praised God for “overstuffing” our journey with His mercies. Thank you, Lord!
For those concerned for the well being of Bill and KathaLee Harris, don’t be! Their German castle sits atop a mountain where it gazes down upon a lush green valley divided by a gentle winding river. The issues they face are difficulties with deer, fox and decisions about incredibly delicious food will they have to dine upon this evening. Their neighbors are friendly, their congregation is warm and Germany suits them well. Rufus, their four legged son, is every inch a handsome and spirited gentledog; well-within-the-bounds of doggy decorum. All is well! And to Bill, KathaLee and Rufus, thank you and God bless you for the incredible vistas, the gift of your friendship and the spiritual healing that you bestow upon tattered souls
For the sake of good taste we will not discuss any adventures in the MacDonald’s WC in France. It is sufficient to report that ardent prayer works, cheap stall locks do withstand attempted breechings by teenage girls and everything negative reported about French TP is true.
At the airport in England the lovely Linda O’Donovan met us. It is always a pleasure to see her but especially when arriving at Stansted. Thank you and God bless you Linda! Linda and Vince decided we and the congregation at Brandon needed one of those life changing shocks. For the saints it is a big one: The O’Donovan’s are moving to Scotland. Brandon’s loss is a blessing for the churches in William Wallace land. Vince and Linda showered us with their time, taking us to Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick castle. Linda, lady of faith that she is, provided us with the use of her car. Yes, it did survive although my driving on the wrong side almost induced heart failure in Sandy.
Also at Brandon we were reunited with the Powers. To those of you who know Mike, Donna, Stephen and Heather the following litany will be of no surprise. Donna recently had surgery, not to be out done a few months back Heather enjoyed a broken wrist, Stephen got married, their dog was hit by a car and recovered, and Mike broke his knee. Notwithstanding, the painful knee Mike hauled us to Cambridge where we 1) punted on the Cam, 2) ate at Auntie’s Tea Room, 3) purchased official Cambridge University shirts, 4) visited G. David’s used book heaven (A back alley store overstuffed with important and/or arcane books – only one box full this trip) and 5) a quick visit to Rohan’s to purchase a few quality clothing items. (Visit their UK website to appreciate their rugged clothing). That was astuffed day, especially for the dude with the knee issue. Thank you Mike!
Sandy, “overstuffed” with a sense of loyalty and duty, left for the States and I went on to Bristol to inflict myself upon Trevor and Pauline Williams and Vince and Linda’s daughter Marie (She is one of those natural surfers, up and riding waves as though she has been riding all of her life. Trevor and Pauline are what I wish circumstances would permit Sandy and me to be as we were in the Philippines – a true team. To be in their presence is a spiritual gift. Their synergy is palpable. The Bristol congregation reflects much of the goodness that radiates from the Williams. They kindly sacrificed time to take me to experience so much of Bristol’s history. Several personal desires were met including, in the manner of Jane Austin, taking water at the Bath.
Hanging around with “Trev and Pauline” it becomes very apparent that the reach of their service in the Lord’s name knows no borders. Both are serving the lost and saved in Malawi, Africa. What they are accomplishing is heartening – stuffs the heart with joy. One example: Pauline took an idea from one of the African ladies and made it happen. It is common for a child to be orphaned. Placement in an orphanage doesn’t really met the need of a long term extended family so necessary for survival in impoverished nations. Pauline was able to take funds to Africa and those funds are used to support the orphan who is placed with other family members, grandparents are typical. The child grows up within the family, as part of the family. Being in the company of the Williams family for those few days served to “overstuff” my appreciation for the power of God working in the lives of these two remarkable saints.
I also had too few moments with their co-worker Jason. Jason is an American. This young man was extremely helpful. I am grateful for his kindness.
And so our “overstuffed” journey concluded. Now I arrive at a conundrum – I don’t know how to make the following read as though it isn’t just a preacher trying to justify his “overstuffed” paycheck by validating Deity. Be that as it may, the travel itself seemed to be divinely accomplished. One example: Upon arrival at Gatwick airport in London we had to travel to Stansted to catch our next flight. Time was of the essence. Two trains and one tube ride were required. We made all three connections with three minutes to spare. We purchased our tickets and arrived on the platform three minutes prior to departure on each occasion. One slip up and we would probably miss our flight. Thank you, Lord! Then the flight home: Old knees and airplane seats do not mix well. Flights can be painful. However, on the ten hour jaunt from London to Las Vegas I was blessed to have three seats to myself. I actually got to sleep. I arrived at San Francisco while the flight to Honolulu was boarding. The flight was overbooked (“overstuffed”) and my chances for the flight home were not promising. The last name was called and it was mine. When I received the ticket the agent noted that I was traveling to Hawaii first class. Me and my knees praised God for “overstuffing” our journey with His mercies. Thank you, Lord!
1 comment:
Thank You for updating and sharing your latest adventure. I want to hear more about the WC but will wait on my next conversation with Sandy. Glad you are back safely in Hawaii
love,
donna
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