A Late Summer Pause In Windsor

Joanie looked through the gates leading to the main entrance to
the castle. That's as far as she got.

Holly and Katie made themselves at home on the warm grass.

Not a bad little place to throw some Frisbee.

This is us beating a hasty retreat before it rains on us again.

 It was right here before the gates of Windsor Castle that we all found a place to rest, to lie down, to play for a bit before we went home. It had been raining, we ducked into stores to get out of it. But then there was a pause, a clearing in the skies, and then the day blossomed into lush summer that we had scarcely experienced up to then. 

Joanie and I walked further down the lane leading to the gates of the castle to see where it met the public roads. When we got back, the girls were in the mood to play Frisbee.

Then the clouds moved in again, and we figured it was time to be prudent. 

A Blue House in Historic Windsor

As we walked along the streets of Windsor looking for the park, we passed this brick house painted blue. Everything else looks historic, imperial, England-y. And then there is this house. Someone evidently said, “I want this painted blue!” And so it was.

Actually this is the nation that gave the world Hobbits. There is a strong streak of individualism, of marching to the sound of a different drummer.

This is actually quintessentially English.

Katie Refuses

The daughter of a friend in Siegen, Germany, came to stay with us for a couple of weeks in September. We looked at what we could do. One of those things turned out to be checking out the scene in Windsor, where the Queen has a castle. 

When we got to Windsor, we ate lunch. The only place we could find with a table was a kiddie playground. The table was very low to the ground. So low was it, that Katie refused to be seen sitting at it. She sat at a nearby bench and Rob sat with her so she wouldn’t feel alone. 

Two Guys Who Really Make A Difference

Elliot sets the mic for Mike' vocal, as Mike sits and plays the cajon.

Here’s a quick pic of what typically goes on during a church setup. Elliot Wilsher (left)is the soundman par excellence: he takes as much pains to make sure the sound is right for the musicians as for the congregation.

Mike Ragrag (right) sings and plays cajon with one group, and leads another group with piano. 

These guys are always there, serving week in and week out. It’s a pleasure to do church with such choice men

Last Night At Stone Willy's Pizza

Joanie shows Liz and Zeebondeh photos as Yvonne, Alexandra
and Helen wait for their turn.

The 25th of August was our last night to have the Bible study at Stone Willy’s Pizza. It came to a sudden end. That very night Reza told me the restaurant was sold, that night was the last. Even then we experienced miracles. Somehow I had forgotten to bring the PA head with me, that would amplify the microphones and instruments. How do you forget that? But a regular customer there offered his own PA head for us to use. Norman runs an online guitar string store that has its offices in Hampton. Over the course of the studies we had met and enjoyed talking music. Now he stepped in and quietly saved the evening.

That Saturday the Bible study group met for dinner at Stone Willy’s. We didn’t want to lose touch with our new friends. Telephone numbers were exchanged, we said our goodbyes. 

Since then we have hardly seen Reza and Reza. I pray for them all the time. I refuse to think that God opened the door to them for no reason at all. 

Claycamps Visit In August

Joanie grabs a quick phone shot of Bob and Jeanne
on the grass in front of the house.

Bob & Jeanne Claycamp came to visit us the weekend we got back from Austria (August 21). He started a Calvary Chapel in Phoenix, Arizona some thirty years ago. He recently turned it over to his son and joined Poimen Ministries, a group of similar pastors who have retired from their churches and now travel at large to support other Calvary Chapel pastors, those who are starting out, or in out-of-the-way places. They spent time with us, talked about the ministry, and took us out to dinner. It was a rare and rich time of fellowship. We are so thankful that they took time to help us and be with us.