I didn’t really believe people when they said not to blink because this year will go by so quickly. Sometimes a year can feel like forever; yet today marks exactly 5 weeks since I arrived in the Middlesbrough train station and I can already tell that they’re right. Thankfully, “settling in” has taken no time at all. Once again, God has confirmed that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be this year and that’s awesome.
The church I am working in, St. Barnabas, has some of the most welcoming and servant-hearted people ever. From the volunteers who make the tea and coffee after church Sunday and for outreach on Monday to those who volunteer their time in a coffee shop to benefit others to those who set up toys for the toddlers every Tuesday night so that Wednesday’s toddler groups are a blast, the congregation is so joyful and willing to do things that make others happy. I drink far too much tea when I’m around them but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My host home has amazed me as well. I’ve learned how to make jam and how to pronounce to-mah-to but more importantly, they love Jesus so much and I have so much to learn from them. Already, talking to them about prayer and God’s love has taught me a ton.
The first two weeks of training and meeting people that I’m on this journey with were incredible but finally getting into a routine of what I’m going to be doing this year is so exciting. I love that I get to be with a variety of ages – from toddlers to university students – and that they all have wildly different backgrounds. I even get to work in Grove Hill which is where I first felt God call me to England! Mondays are a time to refresh and fellowship with the other gap years and I can already tell that I am going to value that time immensely. The rest of the week I will be in three different schools, a couple of kid’s clubs and some church related activities building relationships, helping wherever needed and sharing the gospel. I love these kids already and I hope I can be someone that shows them how much MORE Christ loves us.
This has definitely been the start to the best year of my life so far. God is doing unimaginable things in NE England and I love being a part in His plan. I am definitely going to make sure that I stay present and don’t blink.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LAUREN VAN FLEET
Cypress, TX | 18
PROJECT: Middlesbrough
Lauren just graduated from Cypress Ranch High School. She felt God call her to England during Spring Break of her junior year. She is super excited that God changed her plans and that she gets to serve Him this year in England.
