It is amazing here. I love the area. I love my companion. I love, love, love the people. It's really a great place, I can connect with people so much more here. People my same age, going through very similar situations that I've been through in Uni. It's wonderful. Also, lots of theologians, who like to debate the scriptures. Ha, that's silly :) You can't really contend with the Spirit. Also, nobody seems to think we know anything about the Bible until we start to whip out scriptures.
The transfer went well, everything all packed up and away. I've gained quite a bit of luggage (mainly books for study), so it was a very creative packing session :)
Met up with Elder Ganta at the Staines Chapel, where we split up about 5 months ago. It was a veeery happy reunion :) He's such a great guy, we work really well together, and we're both seasoned missionaries. Plus, he's an Indian cook. Never eaten better on my mission. Witney is a new area, only been around for a transfer or so. We're starting our own style of missionary work here.
Got all settled in to the new flat. I actually really enjoy it. This is Oxford area, so our house is ancient. It's pretty cool, the door literally opens about two feet from the street. It's a 5 minute walk to high street from there. The flat is, well, interesting. To quote the missionaries who lived there previously, it's the "most interesting flat in the mission." It's in complete and total disrepair :) The mission office is ending it's contract because the Landlord is unresponsive when we request anything. But, the contract doesn't end for another 5 months or so, so we're the missionaries who get to revel in it's glory until it is killed off.
Fun stuff. Some of the quirks? Why yes, let me list them:
- The soaked wall :) Due to a leak in the roof, one of our walls is always wet. Luckily, it's not too moldy.
- The scary, spare room (we have an upstairs, isn't that crazy?). Mainly scary because of the floor, which may or may not cave in at any moment. It's ok, we only do ironing there anyways.
- The bathroom. The shower curtain hangs by tape :) It's kind of scary, ha.
- The cupboard under the stairs. No, Harry Potter does not live there. Yes, everything missionaries don't want to take with them, compiled over ten years or so, does.
- Our door. Actually, this one is cool. It opens with a really old fashioned, skeleton key :)
Anyways, it's just Elder Ganta and I there. And we have a riot :)
My goodness, this area is lively. We taught ten lessons my first day here (with none of them being established times, just people we talked to and prayed with on the street and knocking). It needs a serious work over. We'll build the church here :)
It was so sad to leave Crawley. I promised I would come back someday (mainly because there were some families that forced me to make that promise). I miss the people there, I really met some friends for life. But, Witney area is actually quite amazing. I know what I'm doing now (or, at least, I think I do), so I just jumped right in and met the members. It was awesome. I think we're going to see a lot of success here :)
Our first DA was on a house boat. Literally on the river Thames. Sooo cool, I'll send pictures.
Full time field work is amazing. I love it. I really did love digital work, but there is nothing like doing an entire day in the area. It's pretty much my favorite, and personally, I find that I can control conversations and invite the spirit into them much better when I'm there in person.
As to Christmas plans, we'll likely only be available on Christmas. Won't know for sure until we get closer. With the time change, we'll have to set up something in our evening, and your morning. I'll give you more information when it comes.
Well, I don't have any more time, so I'm off. The Lord is blessing us here. Obedience to His laws precedes any amount of Spirit and success we have in life. I love you all, thanks for your support.
Cheers,
Elder Foster
The transfer went well, everything all packed up and away. I've gained quite a bit of luggage (mainly books for study), so it was a very creative packing session :)
Met up with Elder Ganta at the Staines Chapel, where we split up about 5 months ago. It was a veeery happy reunion :) He's such a great guy, we work really well together, and we're both seasoned missionaries. Plus, he's an Indian cook. Never eaten better on my mission. Witney is a new area, only been around for a transfer or so. We're starting our own style of missionary work here.
Got all settled in to the new flat. I actually really enjoy it. This is Oxford area, so our house is ancient. It's pretty cool, the door literally opens about two feet from the street. It's a 5 minute walk to high street from there. The flat is, well, interesting. To quote the missionaries who lived there previously, it's the "most interesting flat in the mission." It's in complete and total disrepair :) The mission office is ending it's contract because the Landlord is unresponsive when we request anything. But, the contract doesn't end for another 5 months or so, so we're the missionaries who get to revel in it's glory until it is killed off.
Fun stuff. Some of the quirks? Why yes, let me list them:
- The soaked wall :) Due to a leak in the roof, one of our walls is always wet. Luckily, it's not too moldy.
- The scary, spare room (we have an upstairs, isn't that crazy?). Mainly scary because of the floor, which may or may not cave in at any moment. It's ok, we only do ironing there anyways.
- The bathroom. The shower curtain hangs by tape :) It's kind of scary, ha.
- The cupboard under the stairs. No, Harry Potter does not live there. Yes, everything missionaries don't want to take with them, compiled over ten years or so, does.
- Our door. Actually, this one is cool. It opens with a really old fashioned, skeleton key :)
Anyways, it's just Elder Ganta and I there. And we have a riot :)
My goodness, this area is lively. We taught ten lessons my first day here (with none of them being established times, just people we talked to and prayed with on the street and knocking). It needs a serious work over. We'll build the church here :)
It was so sad to leave Crawley. I promised I would come back someday (mainly because there were some families that forced me to make that promise). I miss the people there, I really met some friends for life. But, Witney area is actually quite amazing. I know what I'm doing now (or, at least, I think I do), so I just jumped right in and met the members. It was awesome. I think we're going to see a lot of success here :)
Our first DA was on a house boat. Literally on the river Thames. Sooo cool, I'll send pictures.
Full time field work is amazing. I love it. I really did love digital work, but there is nothing like doing an entire day in the area. It's pretty much my favorite, and personally, I find that I can control conversations and invite the spirit into them much better when I'm there in person.
As to Christmas plans, we'll likely only be available on Christmas. Won't know for sure until we get closer. With the time change, we'll have to set up something in our evening, and your morning. I'll give you more information when it comes.
Well, I don't have any more time, so I'm off. The Lord is blessing us here. Obedience to His laws precedes any amount of Spirit and success we have in life. I love you all, thanks for your support.
Cheers,
Elder Foster