The Mountain and the Valley

June 17, 2012 -- Days 6, 7, & 8 Thursday: Allen and Rhun finally had their first time alone so they could solidify their budding friendship and brainstorm on possible future ministry together.  Jenonne and Elizabeth went back to the businesses in the neighborhood, this time to actually have real conversations with them.  That evening the Mission Team conducted two youth groups at nearby Rhos.  The first one involved younger youth who asked the American team many questions, like "Are there Gays in America?" Allen introduced them to featherball, Elizabeth!s team beat Allen's team in both featherball and dodgeball, and Rhun gave them a sermonette.  The second Youth group averaged 17 years of age and since it was largely a reunion for Derek, the rest of us walked in the rain down  the street and got chips for the youth to eat. Friday:  The construction team scrambled to put two coats of white paint on the ceiling of the Upper Room, and put two coats of Oklahoma Flag Blue or Thunder Blue  on the walls.  They painted the outside doors a dark brown with glossy black highlights, and Lonnie painted the lettering back above the door in the fancy script which read "Pen Y Bryn Baptist Church" in Welsh.  Since they pushed hard and finished by 4 pm, the Construction hopped in the van and visited Conwy Castle. The Mission Team started out the morning with a 730 am prayer time and then they went to a Welsh Elementary School where they were to put on a devotional time for all the children.  We didn't know that someone was ahead of us.  It was a world-class gymnast who whirled over the mat like a dervish from a Jackie Chan movie.  Tough act to follow.  Still, we dived in with all we had.  Allen told a rousing, even histrionic story about Pecos Bill that somehow involved tyrannosaurus Rex's and riding tornados.  Allen got to show off his lassoing talents that he forgot he had.  Andie  played the role of narrator's assistant.  The rest of the team was the Pecos Bill chorus.  Then Allen turned the story to a mini sermon on Jesus calming the storm on the sea of Galillee.  It seemed to go over pretty well.  The headmaster unexpectedly allowed the team to visit every classroom.  Rhun got to hand out fliers to every child who was interested in Kids Club.  The students asked the Americans more questions.  One girl asked "Is Jesus Christ the Son of God?".  Jenonne answered "Yes.  We believe He is.". All in all, that's a pretty good day for Americans preaching to 300 children in a public school. That afternoon, Rhun hosted a Kids Club in his church.  Ten would have been a pretty good turnout.  But when 6 kids showed up from the Welsh school, the numbers swelled to 17-18!  There was wild dancing, featherball, and most importantly a lesson from Rhun on the topic of Who Is Jesus.  Almost all of the children vowed to return with friends when the Kids Club started up in earnest in the Fall.    All in all, it looks like Pen Y Bryn is headed real momentum, perhaps analogous to the spectacular success we saw at Capel Seion two years ago.  We at least pray so. Saturday:  The team packed up and went to Pen Y Bryn for tea, prayer, and goodbye tears.  Rhun gave us all Welsh love spoons.  He even gave Allen a child's Welsh book on the Lords Prayer so he could practice his Welsh.  The tem drove the vans to Chester, England for five hours of shopping, exploring Roman and medieval buildings, and museums, and of course, dining.  We went to the Manchester airport Premier Inn Hotel where we all went to bed in preparation for a big travel day on Sunday. On Sunday, the team plus Euros took a shuttle to the airport while Allen jumped in a rental car to explore some parts of Wales he's never seen.  For Allen, Monday brings the arrival of the second team, Josh Wall and the Acts Camp. For the rest of the team, Monday brings a new workweek. And yet this mission will linger in our hearts.  We made deep connections with the Welsh and with each other.  We saw something great have it's beginning.  We saw the Lord move among us and through us.  After such a mountaintop, it will take us sometime to get used to the valley again.