Half-term, Shrove Tuesday, and other things we are learning…

The learning process continues for us here in Wales. It seems that as things come up we are frequently making notes to ourselves about what we should do next time such-and-such happens. For example, last week was “half-term” – the week of vacation that schools take six weeks after their winter break, and, obviously, half way through their spring term. Of course, families often go on holiday during half-term, but there are many kids who simply have a lot of extra time on their hands during that week. We are thinking that this could be a key time for ministry in the future, but last week we found ourselves unprepared to capitalise on the situation, except for just to keep a look out for stray kids.:-) I am now armed with the term schedule for the next three years, so hopefully we won't be caught unprepared next time(s). Of course, another part of being able to capitalise on half-term week is that of actually having contacts in town. We're working on that too, but it seems to come slowly. We have six weeks until the next half-term.

Another thing we have learned (just today, in fact) is that today is Shrove Tuesday, known as Fat Tuesday in other parts of the world. I don't know what a “shrove” is yet, but we have learned that you are supposed to eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, which we did. In fact, having heard on the car radio about the pancake thing, I walked inside to tell Marcia about it only to find that she was already making pancakes! It must be because we are so Welsh now. I'm not sure how this could turn into a ministry opportunity in the future – I guess we could offer a free pancake breakfast next year – I probably should learn a little more about it before we make any big plans.

One blessing of half-term was that Joe and I were able to go hiking with a teacher in our church. We had a great time of fellowship and friendship-building, and I learned a tiny bit about the mountains of North Wales. We also had a number of folks visiting with us on the Sunday before and after half-term who have had connections with the church in the past. I'm thinking we need to have a church barbeque next time.:-)