Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Well, it seems we still have access to the internet at our B&B...tonight anyway. We'll take it one day at a time and see what happens. Let me bring you up to speed.

FRIDAY
After packing up all the orientation gear, Annie and Gillian were kind enough to drive each of us to Ashford to stay with Rachel and Jamie. It took two cars to get us there: 1) because the cars over here are rather small with "petrol" going for nearly $10 per gallon, and 2) because we did have a few bags with us. I rode with Annie and talked HR for the hour drive. Karen rode with Gillian and talked about the scenery.

We had a wonderful Friday evening with Jamie & Rachel. Rachel cooked up delicious lasagna dinner and Jamie and I stayed up late discussing the various merits and demerits between the US and British political systems.

SATURDAY
Saturday morning Jamie & Rachel took us up to Dover on the coast (the place with the white cliffs) to visit the Dover Castle, tour the "secret" tunnels beneath it, and to see if we could see France from the cliffs. It was quite a day.

We didn't see France as it was too hazy over the channel but the castle and tunnels (used for WW II operations) were totally worth the trip. Rachel packed a picnic lunch which we ate on the grass beneath the castle walls. We walked all over the grounds and through the castle, which King Henry the VIII used to stay in, and spent an hour underground being led through and taught about the tunnels and their importance as a British military headquarters in WW II. We weren't allowed to take pictures in the tunnels but here are a couple photos of the castle and one of Jamie & Rachel:

This shot is taken while we were walking the battlement walls looking back at the castle.

Here we are with the castle in the background. It was EXTREMELY windy there on the cliffs overlooking the English Channel, hence Karen's special hair-do.

Jamie & Rachel with the English Channel in the background.

Once home we had another fantastic meal, this time in Jamie and Rachel's "garden" or back yard for all you Americans out there. Then some of their friends came over--one of whom was a young lady from Pennsylvania with family in a small town where Karen has family! Is this a small world or what? We had a fun evening roasting marsh mellows and making fun of each other's language and customs: UK vs. US.

SUNDAY
We worshipped with Jamie and Rachel this morning at Ashford Baptist Church where Jamie plays the drums for their worship team. While it was a blessing to worship with our British brothers and sisters, we were doubly blessed to enjoy a traditional English "roast" meal with Rachel's parents, brother, and family friend afterwards. If you ever come over to England, be ready to EAT. Thank you Brian and Vi!

We have a few last minute preparations to make tonight before we head to Folkestone tomorrow morning to meet and make presentations to the staff at MAF United Kingdom headquarters. Tomorrow evening we're to have the opportunity to enjoy a "real" fish and chips meal down on the coast with Harriet, another MAF friend and staff member.

The weather continues to be cooler than normal with lots of wind. It's warm and sunny in between the clouds. We hope you're having a great day and thanks again for keeping up with us through this blog. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to leave a comment! We'll be glad to answer them. Please pray for us as the Holy Spirit brings us to mind. THANKS!