September Newsletter - Christina in the UK

My Year in the World
September 2007 Volume 1, Issue 1
Christina
Young Adults in Global Mission
Good News Family Care and Buxton Community Church

Good News Family Care was started 13 years ago as a family center. It has transformed into a women’s refuge mostly serving homeless and victims of domestic abuse. The house is massive with 11 rooms and a “flat” for occupancy by clients. There are also several common rooms both upstairs and downstairs. Also the two couples that are the directors of the entire operation each have their own flat upstairs where they live with their families. This branch of GNFC is called the Charis House.
When the organization started the associated church was naturally named Good News Church. But because of the growth of the church, it eventually split into two congregations: Good News Church, now homed in Whaley Bridge, a community near Buxton, and Buxton Community Church, homed in the house. It is a non-denomination church with the congregation made up primarily of residents and staff along with a few other community members. The pastor is Mick, the husband from my host family.

Buxton, Derbyshire, England
Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. Manchester is just an hour away by train. Buxton has a long history as a spa town due to its geothermal spring which rises at a constant temperature of 82 °F. The source of the spring is marked by St. Ann's Well opposite The city is known in the region for the many domed buildings scattering the city. Most things are within walking distance from my house.
The population is mainly white and working – middle class with some poor estates close by.
Fall has officially arrived in Buxton; with highs in the 50’s and dropping down low enough to frost at night. My poor New Mexican skin is having a hard time adjusting.


Settling In and Getting Started
As promised, I will be sending out monthly newsletters to keep everyone informed of what my life is like across the pond. I’m hoping that these newsletters will give you a good idea of what I’m doing, what I’m learning, people I’m meeting, and what God is doing in my life and the lives of those around me. I’m hoping that’ll I have these done around the 15th of each month and obviously I’ve missed my first deadline. I’m still adjusting to a new lifestyle. Everyone person that I live with and work with are absolutely wonderful ensuring that I’ve settled in okay and adjusting to life in small-town-England. And I have settled in much better than I had even expected. I know that the novelty and excitement of everything will eventually wear off, but I’m surrounded by wonderful people, which is very comforting. I’m looking forward to the year to come, the new adventures I’ll have, the people I’ll make, the things I’ll learn and the relationships I’ll build.


Thoughts for the Month
The end of August and September has been a time adjustment. It’s an ongoing process.
I’ve had to adjust to the weather. On average the temperature is about 30 degrees colder than current temperatures in Las Cruces. Sweaters and sweatshirts have been my daily attire occasionally adding my new pink rain jacket and polka-dotted umbrella to the ensemble.
Then there is the complication of the English driving on the wrong side of the road. It throws me off every single time. In Manchester they painted “look left” at the crosswalks. I wish these reminders were all over! I end up looking left, right, left, right, left, right and left once more as I’m crossing.
Another major adjustment has been the language. I quickly discovered that British English might as well be a different language from American English. If I’m in a position where I can add lip-reading to listening I usually have no problems, but phone conversations are difficult. I ask the person to repeat things—a lot! I’m also getting vocabulary lessons quite often. I get teased about not speaking very good English.
Aside from the major differences, there have been the minor ones as well. It seems that everything is different from the envelopes to vacuums to using money. It’s a very humbling experience asking for help for simple things.

Learning a New Language
• Hoovering-vacuuming
• Poorly-ill//sick
• Pudding-dessert
• Crisps-potato chips
• Jumper-sweater

Prayer Request:
Please pray for the residents of Charis House. During this difficult time in their lives love and support is crucial, especially for the children who are affected by their circumstances. I hope that the love of Jesus is shown to the residents and can be a comfort through these difficult times. Also, as many of the residents have made a new commitment to going back to school that they will follow through with this step towards a stable life.