Dinner at Bernie and Jean's

In this photo from left to right: Kristin, Becca, Torgeir, Rich, Jean, Bernie and me taking the picture. Jean said that I am now like a kid with a new toy!

It was a delicious dinner! We had a starter, lasagna for the main course and a dessert. Yummy!!! Back home from time to time I used to make lunch for my friends, they always liked my lasagna but I never liked to make it because it is too much work. So Jean's effort was really appreciated! Also we heard many interesting stories about how a coal miner became a children's worker.

Best birthday ever

It’s the week after and, although I’m still recovering from the shock of the surprise party which took place on 3rd May at Sharon’s, I am able to give you a short report.

Well, believe it or not, I am quite a shy girl who doesn’t like much attention, so that’s part of the reason why I never celebrate my birthday and the other part is that since I was a little girl in our family we never celebrated birthdays, so I didn’t get into that habit.
However, turning 24, I had my first surprise party and the main culprit was my lovely Irish friend Sharon and her helpers in the crime were my other lovely friends Becca and Rich. I thought that the four of us would have a quiet dinner. First I went to Becca and Rich’s for a glass of champagne and then we went to Sharon’s together, but when I opened the door what I found there was anything but a quiet dinner. A bunch of people singing Happy Birthday! O man!!! Sensible as I am, I burst into tears, but with the help of a cocktail I recovered quickly. Almost everyone in London who means something to me was there, which tells me that Sharon is a good listener and a good liar. I didn’t have a clue that she was planning something! She manages to be excused because she gave me the latest book by my hero – Tony Campolo. :)

All this brought me down to earth once again! Just before the party, in my usual mood, I was moaning to Martin and Annette how I and my life were miserable. Being blessed with such friends who like and care about me I ought to be grateful and happy!

Thank you to all you guys who participated in one way or another and thanks for all the lovely cards! I really enjoyed it!


Weymouth

That wasn’t all! On Saturday, my actual birthday, Martin and Annette took me to Weymouth – a beautiful English town on the coast. Knowing my love for the sea, they wanted to treat me and, as if it wasn’t enough, they gave me a brand new digital camera. Wow, what a family I have! We visited Martin’s father and his friend Sheila who spoilt us over those two days.
The day was absolutely perfect – sunny; we had lunch in the garden, a few meters from the sea, literally; then we went for a walk; enjoyed a glass of champagne; had a light dinner then went to bed totally happy and knackered. :)

I got many cards with beautiful messages and some really nice gifts. I felt special and I think I will remember my 24th birthday always!

Paris again

As I said in the previous blog I went to Paris again but this time it was spring and in the company of my team mates. And also as I promised you and myself I climbed the Eiffel Tower. It was a demanding task; a couple of hours queuing but in the company of Miko - a man of few words and my Croatian friend Davorka - a woman of far too many words:)). Time just flew by.

The weather was fantastic so we spent most of our time outside, exploring Paris.
The purpose of our trip was work, not holiday as you might think!
We met two volunteers in Paris who are part of the same program U-turn; we had a look at what they are doing. The other reason was to participate in a Camp for leaders. The Camp was located two hours’ drive from Paris in the forest, in the middle of nowhere, which was excellent. It is nice sometimes go away, take a break from the everyday rush.

Below you can see pics from the camp! Isn't it just beautiful?!




This whole “adventure” took nine days and for me it’s always nice to go somewhere, but after being seven months in England, I had started feeling at home there and during that time I had never been away for more than 4 days. So I was really looking forward to coming back to London. Also I realise how hard it will be for me to leave in June, even though I complain a lot! I have the feeling I might miss London more than I miss Croatia now.

The other thing that makes me sad is the state of the church in France. It is quite similar to Croatia. In both countries the Protestant church is in the minority and I felt a lack of spirituality and that people are not very open to change. Many people wear Lutheran crosses; so that everybody can see which denomination they belong to, as if that is important in the Church of Christ. Once again I felt blessed to be part of St. Stephens.
But still, it seems that things are getting better there. They have very good outreach amongst young people with the mission organisation - MIJI, through different activities that they organise, such as camps, sports events etc.


Missionary meeting

Straight after Paris we headed towards Hoddesdon were we had our MM. We stayed two nights in a conference centre there. The place is huge, really pretty, with a nice garden, so nice that it made me get up before breakfast and go jogging. I dare to say that the food was very good considering that was English! I ate too much!

We were a group of 16 missionaries/volunteers from Paris, Norway and London and three French pastors’ kids. We worshipped, prayed, shared our reports and experiences, had teaching and played a few games. They were a good couple days!

On the right is a photo of the group of us at Hoddesdon and on the left are two ladies who were our hosts in Paris.