Croeso i Gymru

June 01, 2017

Croeso i Gymru

The arrival:

The church stands, when it is at its best, as a sharp contrast to worldly values. St. John says that it is by this that the world will know you are my disciples, that you love one another. (Jn. 11:35). It is challenging, though, to love people you've never met.

And yet.

If one were to evaluate the people of our new calls by the love they have for us, one could have no doubt of their faithfulness to Christ.

Upon our exhausted arrival at Manchester Airport, we were greeted by the welcome sight of folks holding signs with our name on them. After promptly loading us up in a pair of cars, one for our stuff and one for us, we set off with the Sawyers to find Becket, while the Shillitos carried all of our luggage back to our house (and then even unloaded it for us!)

After scrambling to get ahold of Becket (who had almost been sent to doggie jail after clearing customs quickly while we were delayed!) we were on the road home to Llanferres. Words can't quite describe our gratitude for what we found upon our arrival.

Having arrived on a plane with only the bags we could check (plus a few more for which we paid dearly!) we walked into a house that had been temporarily furnished, had the kitchen outfitted, and had been stocked to feed us for a couple of days.

Given all the logistical hurdles of a transatlantic move, this kindness and love shown towards us was appreciated all the more; and honestly it would have been a very rough first few days but for the love shown to us by our new neighbors and friends.

In addition to the incredible welcome shown by the people, it certainly didn't hurt that The New Rectory is so nice. Upon arrival we were blown away by a place that seems much bigger and more comfortable than even the pictures we've seen, which already made it look big and comfortable. If you want some idea of our reaction, Lara basically ran around the house looking like Kate Winslet in The Holiday.

Though we're still awaiting nearly all of our stuff to arrive, we're finally starting to feel a bit settled, and are hoping to have the chance to repay these kindnesses back to the folks here in the Bro Famau group!