Early Days

Recovering against the MRSA staph, this Lutheran Seminarian traveled toward the English sea-shore in order to find respite and recuperation. Yet, a protract journey lay in front of him. The distance between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport  and Deal, Kent (yes, this is the place we stayed) is not so easily traveled.

Joined by fellow seminarian Timm and his wife Hannah, we took a one-stop flight to London Heathrow via Reykjavik. The Icelanders were hospitable and this was a peaceful place to spend my first 8 hours as an International traveler...yet the day was far from over.

Once landed in Heathrow, and after much investigation we arrived at the Hertz-rent-a-car agency. After a few minor complications (45 min wait), we were on the road. If can call it that. Because driving in England is not comparable to driving in England. To begin with, all the rent-a-cars came with a manual transmission. Automatically, I would be disqualified. Fortunately, Timm (who now possessed an International Drivers License) was competent in this task.

And a formidable task it proved to be! For we had before us a 20 km drive right through the heart of London. I now know that taking to the London streets on a Saturday night is an activity avoided by even the most veteran London residents. Beyond the burgeoning congestion of the streets, we three nascent travelers, were competing with countless pedestrians enjoying the parties of Paddington and Camden.

Three hours later...we arrived at Luther-Tyndale where we stayed in their Hostel for itinerant Lutherans. By this time, my wounds were in desperate need of cleaning and our cohort likewise needed rest. Thanks to the brother of my dear friend Mattias, from South Africa, we were well cared for.

The next morning, the Luther-Tyndale congregation welcomed us to their Divine Service. Following service, they delighted us with a banquet celebrating the congregations youth: complete with dancing. This phenomena is something that I cant ever recall witnessing in the Midwest.

That afternoon, we had to travel to Cambridge (two hours north of London) before we could travel to Deal (two hours south of London). All this was so that we could drop-off a substantial portion of our Luggage. Up until that point, our small car was filled to the brink!

After a warm welcome by the Westfield Staff, we were on the road again. Over the river (Thames) and through the woods (Canterbury), we finally arrived at 2 Capstan Road. France was visible across the channel.

I came seeking respite and recuperation; the beauty of the region certainly afforded these . It was a blessed week that allowed me to prepare for the coming theological studies.