Europe Trip: Day 2

Today is a rest day after preaching last night. While this seems very inefficient to me as I am here to preach, it’s also a luxury that I intend to fully appreciate! This actually might be a good idea to schedule a rest day after the arrival day. Travel can be so tiring.

I had the hotel breakfast this morning. I saw baked beans on the buffet. What? I learned something…baked beans with egg and toast was not a Ghanian thing while I was in Africa – it was British! Since Ghana was a British Colony there was heavy British influence. I just didn’t know what was and what wasn’t since I hadn’t been to the UK. While it was not an American breakfast, it was still very nice and I can appreciate the local cultural food experience.

Bro John picked me up around 11:30 and took me too see the sights of Sheffield. Our first stop was something I had not expected. I mean, I guess I knew John Wesley preached all over England, but I was not expecting to see somewhere he preached today.

We went to Paradise Square where John Wesley said he preached to the most people he had ever preached to on a Weekday. The Church of England wouldn’t allow him to preach in the local church, so he stood in the open air in this square in the town of Sheffield and more people than would have fit in the church gathered around to hear him preach. It was wonderful to be there and to test the acoustics by saying “Without Holiness, no man shall see the Lord!”  Surely, Wesley must have said something similar there hundreds of years ago.

We then wandered around the town of Sheffield, taking in what a British town looks like.  Narrow(er) streets and different architecture.  Thankfully, the same language!

I have made an interesting observation however. I have generally been hanging out with believers who have emigrated here from Africa, Zimbabwe in particular. They learned English in Africa, and it is more British than it is American English. I can understand them quite well in fact. However, when we go to a restaurant or something, I really have a hard time understanding people.  I think partly because every place we have been has been a bit loud, but my! British accents vary SO MUCH even within the same town. So I understand the Africans better than I understand the locals.  Odd that.

It’s also funny because while I’m in the UK, I still have this feeling that I’m in Africa, because of the believers I’m with.  It’s quite a bit cooler outside, but it’s just a funny feeling that I get because I’m with Africans believers so much.

Bro John is a fine brother, with a burden for the lost on his heart. As he would purchase something, or just as he would feel led, he would always give out his card, a witnessing card, and a pamphlet with information on the church. He walks around town with a nice handful of materials. It’s so unfortunate that this country is so godless and unwelcoming to the Truth.

After doing some shopping (I forgot my belt) we went to a 60^th birthday party for bro Joseph Chikosi who has been a message pastor in Zimbabwe for quite some time before coming to the UK. It was an honor to be there to witness the birthday of a brother who has been so inspirational and a blessing to so many lives.  There was even two brothers from Belgium which meant I wasn’t the only white man there!  Odd that.  (baa hahaha)

Bro Chikosi gave a very nice speech for his birthday, talking about the purpose of his life was only to serve the Lord. He read the Scripture that Paul spoke of that his desire was to depart but that it was more needful for him to remain. It touched me and made me think of my purpose as well. I know of nothing I’d rather do than serve the Lord, it is the only purpose I find that is lasting in this life. It is why I’ve traveled across the Atlantic to preach the gospel.

Bro Chikosi asked me to close in prayer after his sentiments were given, I surely didn’t expect that. I would have expected “who’s the white guy?” but Bro Chikosi seems like a very pleasant fellow. You could tell from the comments of so many of the believers that this brother has had quite an impact on many lives.

Well, what would a travel post from me be without a multiple mentions of the food? While walking around Sheffield we came across “Proper Pasty Co” and I knew I HAD to grab something from this place. I asked what food said “Sheffield” the most and the chap behind the counter recommended the one with the “Henderson’s Sauce”.  “It’s really quite gorgeous”, he said.  So, I ate a gorgeous pasty.  A pasty if you aren’t aware is basically a pastry stuffed with meat and potatoes, or just meat.  Kind of like croissant crossed with an empanada. It was quite good and proper. Very warm and filling.

At the hotel for the party, I had the apple cobbler with custard on it.  I hope that wasn’t indicative of British food, because it was the opposite of gorgeous, which is probably just “boring”.

As the party was winding down, I took to the fine art of photobombing.  There were a couple of brothers being photographers for the evening. I was able to successfully photobomb a couple of shots.  It was quite entertaining really.

Well that’s about it for the day, Bro John brought me back to the hotel and I’m to preach twice tomorrow.