So I have been in Gillingham nearly three weeks. 18 days. Already so many exciting things, so many thoughts, so much learning, so many adventures. It's been a mix of London, drop in centres, church, guy fawkes night, and hanging out with some amazing young people. And this is only a teeny fraction of the two years that I am going to be here. I can't even imagine what the two years will hold. Here's hoping it's flippin' mindblowing.
There are a few things I have come to expect since being here. Bad coffee. There is nowhere in Gillingham that I have been able to find a decent coffee. I have searched high and low, tested various beverages and have resigned to the fact that my love for a decent flat white will not be satisfied whilst being here. I even travelled to the next town to try my luck, only to sip on a burnt cup. Delicious. Also, in every conversation I have come to expect either a total miscommunication due to my accent. This has led to much confusion over introductions, as alot of people think I am telling them my name is 'Jiss.' It is such quality watching the confusion on their face as they comprehend why anyone would ever call their child that, then realise that I am foreign. Then there's the situation where the other person will imitate what I have just said, in their own version of my accent. Usually it is so bad that I find myself evaluating the way I say everything and hoping I don't sound anything like their impersonation. Anyway, on with the update.
Wednesday was a trip to London. This place is always so good for my soul. Not only is it a people watchers dream, it's always just so intriguing, refreshing and puts things in perspective, feeling so small amongst the hustle and bustle of everything else going on around. Although I would later find out in the day that I could have just gone into the local bank branch in Gillingham to open an account, I secretly loved the excuse to head to the big city.
Firstly, the train journey was a beaut. There's always something so exciting, the prospect of an adventure as you step onto the platform and wait. I love it. The scenery is so nice, so refreshing. Castles and fields just rolling past the window and people of all descriptions to observe and ponder where they are going.
First stop, Victoria Station. I love it..So many people going so many different places and then there was me. I am most definitely that annoying girl that even though everyone around me is rushing to catch their next train, I just dawdle down the passageway to catch the tube.
The tube is the most unusual social habit ever. There are so many people in one place in such close proximity, but there is this unspoken rule that no one dares to speak with each, let alone make eye contact of any form. So unusual. It's almost as if people take great interest in anything they can whilst on the tube, staring at a poster on the tube wall, fiddling with their phones, reading the paper, just so they don't have to actually interact with anyone. So I just make eye contact and smile. So good. So obviously foreign.
London Bridge tube station, I just hopped off and wandered, had coffee, asked directions about a million times, walked over the most beautiful bridge with red buses going past every few minutes and breathed in the city air...it was truly glorious. London is so full of intriguing people, walking about as if they are on a mission and I am always drawn to observing them, imagining where they are going, what they do, what their lives are like, and the thought that just a simple 'hello' could start your two worlds merging. London is perfect for it. Truly. And such a treat.
The bank meeting went off without a hitch and I am slowly being integrated into normal English society, with my very own bank account. perfect
Guy Fawkes evening was on Saturday. Gillingham is quite well known, not only for it's football hooligans and trouble, but also for their epic fireworks display, complete with a smiley face firework to finish. My homegroup (yes I have also been integrated into a homegroup) decided that it would be a huge opportunity to serve the community before the display, and I just hopped on the band wagon. So we served hot dogs, hot chocolates and soup to the community before everyone headed off. So good.
The last few weeks I have been easing myself back into work with Gillingham Youth For Christ. Basically the aim of GYFC is to love and accept the kids as Jesus would and seek to practically meet their needs. I've been helping out at the drop in centres, and it has been SO AMAZING just to get back to the basics, meeting the kids, provide a place for them to hangout and seeking opportunities to just love them, accept them and share the hope of Jesus with them. Man, it's so real, and there have been so many times this week that, when I have been doubting, Jesus has really hit home that this is where I am meant to be, and this is the work he has put on my heart. So good.
I've also been really challenged about being really open to meeting people down the high street and looking for opportunities to just love people. I am already learning so much.
And in everything God is so faithful. When I arrived, I had hardly any money, nowhere to stay and no plans, apart from volunteering with GYFC for the next 2 years. I have been staying with a friend, who is also a youthworker at YFC but they cant have me longterm due to their rent agreement so I've been looking for somewhere to stay. A couple from my church have offered for me to board with them for a pittance until January. So blessed. It's amazing to know that no matter what, God will continue to be faithful, put passions in my heart and do amazing things in Gillingham.
It's so good to know that.
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