February 13, 2006
Trip to Wales, Part 1
We arrived safely in Manchester, UK on Saturday morning about 7:45 local time. John Robinson, our host and contact for the trip, met Kris, Nathan, Kevin and I at the airport, and we began our journey through the country to see how you and I can partner with John and his team.
Our goal Saturday was "to stay awake," so, John took us sightseeing in the town of Conwy. We toured the castle built by King Edward (Longshanks) in the late 13th century. Here's picture of me walking the wall that was built around the city.
We then traveled by car through the Snowdonia National Park
We visited a chapel on the coast known as St. Tudno's Church, located on the north east of the Great Orme, overlooking the sea. Here's a picture.
We made it until 21:00 and after dinner we slept like babies. John lives in a restored chapel in the center of Bangor. It has quite the atmosphere and seems appropriate that he would live there.
We woke to another windy, rainy, overcast day in Wales (no surprise there) to go with John to worship at a Cildwrn Chapel in Llangefni on the Isle of Anglesey. This chapel--distinct from "churches," which are associated with the Anglican Church--was founded in 1779 as a Baptist church. We worshipped with a group of about 20 people. The entire service was in Welsh, but we sensed a warm fellowship and desire to know the Lord. They served cookies and coffee after the service, and we had time to get to know several of the members and the pastor's family.
We then went to lunch in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllantysiliogogogoch. Yes, that's how you spell it, and that's where John invited you to join him when we called on Sunday to Legacy.
We then made our way to the north end of the island to the Chapel founded by St. Patrick in the fifth century after swimming to the shore after being shipwrecked on a nearby island. Here's a picture when the sun is shinning...I slipped on the heather and walked around with wet trousers the rest of the day.
We had Indian cuisine in Bangor last evening. We have begun to get a feel of the challenges the work here faces. A secular society along with centuries of division between churches and denominations make it difficult to talk about the Lord. This is on top of the distinct Welsh language group, who insist on maintaining their culture and language.
Along with John's work, Kent and Ben seek to connect with the large university population at the University of Wales at Bangor. The work is slow, but they are diligent and patient.
Please pray for us as we continue our journey and seek ways to join what John and his team are trying to do here.
Kris Koenigsberg also has pictures and her take on the trip at her blog.