High School

Yesterday I had an amazing experience: I felt like I was 16 again!  Now, I may be 24, quickly going on 25, but that was not how I thought of myself a day ago!
We performed at a high school in Wolverhampton, England... who would have thought :)  Anyhow, I want to go to that school; it was so nice!  It reminded me of where I used to go to school in Holland; so diverse, but much friendlier than what I remember it being like... I met a few girls from Amsterdam - from my old hood :)  They were overly excited when they found out that I speak Dutch - I'm glad it made such an impact!  Ha.
At any rate, it was a good day: so many smiling faces, the opportunity to mingle with students and staff, and perform our full show twice.  Why do I find myself wishing I was back in high school?  Only for a second, really.  Wouldn't it be nice to feel like your whole life was ahead of you, to not carry financial and social responsibilities, and to spend every day in an environment geared toward your growth and education?...
Yeah, who am I kidding?!  Maybe in hind-sight that's what high school is like, but I know the reality of it.  It sure doesn't feel like utopia when you're in it - and not that it is.  I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had since then for anything (well, maybe one or two, but that's a different story), and I enjoy the life of an adult... but still... I guess at the end of the day, it's not all that bad :)  If only more high schoolers could appreciate what's in front of them instead of trying to grow up faster... Just a random thought for the day :)

Show Time!!!

After months of preparation, the time has finally come! We've hit the road - show and all :) It is not only a privilege, but a great pleasure to be "on tour" with this group. A bunch of people who love Jesus, volunteering their time and talents to simply give a taste of the Arts, and a message to hope, to all people... 

Our first full performance was Wednesday, June 27th, and since then we've done several full shows, as well as some shorter performances at schools, and a talent show. We were going to hit the streets of Nuneaton (middle of nowhere, England), but the weather prevented us from doing so this weekend - rain, rain rain :( Maybe next time!

At one elementary school in the area, we performed a chunk of our show, and we taught 12 different workshops to all the different grade levels and classes - it was fun! The kids were so cute - learning Bible stories, verses, hula dancing, and Korean drums...

One of my group's hula classes :)

At another school we went to - or "college" as they call it here in England - we happened to be there on the same day they were visited by one of the Olympic Torch bearers! After performing for the school, we were asked to take a photo with Lucy Davies, who carried the Olympic Torch through a part of Leicester, England last week. The Olympics are just around the corner, and the whole nation is talking about it!

Our crew with Lucy Davies, and the Olympic Torch she carried!

It's exciting to be a part of this particular season - this dot on the timeline of history. Performing our show is a blast; although it was a challenge to get this far, and took hard work, it is really fun, now! It doesn't always run perfectly, or smoothly - like when I threw my Spanish fan in the middle of a performance last week :D - but somehow it always pulls together and despite our mistakes, the heart of God shines through strongly!

Time to dance!

Love,

Stephanie