Settling In

Since I have been in the UK, I have experienced so many new things. Even though the UK and the United States share similarities there are still many differences between the two also. I have been asked by several people, “does it feel like you are in a different country?” My reply to this question is yes it does, but many things that can be found in America, can be found here. However, now that I have been here for a little over two months, and I have finally reached that point where I am becoming more comfortable in the little village of Bookham. I enjoy wandering around the village and being able to find my way back without feeling a sense of panic, because I am lost and am not sure which way to go to get back to my house. Since the first day that I have arrived, I have been welcomed and embraced by the community of Bookham Baptist Church. I have even been "adpoted" by a few families as their American daughter. I am glad that I have finally reached the time in my journey, where I no longer feel like I am a visitor; I am beginning to feel like a member of the community.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am working to build the number of girls that are involved in the church youth group. I am excited to say that the numbers have been increasing and we now have about eight girls regularly attending compared to the two girls that were before I came. I think a lot of this can be contributed to making the effort to reach out to girls and invite them to the youth group. Also, the girls are meeting separately from the boys for the time being, so that we are able to do more activities that the girls are interested in doing, such as make-overs, making bracelets, painting fingernails, etc.  The girls have also decided to start a band. If you know me, you would know that I am not very musically inclined. It is definitely going to be interesting to see how it works out, but I think overall it will be a good experience for me and the girls will really enjoy it. I will keep you posted on the progress of the band!