STF London 2010

UPDATE!... read all about it

2010-05-18T06:04:00.000-07:00

just a quick report on the team changes...

the boys have left us to join jono and dale rose for two weeks of fundraising

and now the girls have taken over (with the addition of kayo for a few days)

leaving daniel to go crazy

DENMARK

2010-05-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow participants of the special task force, its a pleasure to commune with you all on this fine day. I'm sitting here in the alcove of Lancaster Gate with the banal, grey sky as my backdrop and super Christine Brown as my companion. My teamleader asked me to write and in turn reflect about my two week fundraising experience in Denmark.

These are some words that pop into my mind when I think back to my time in Scandinavia...

landscapes, ocean, sunset, sunrise, volkswagen, jono, beach, kick ups, fuses busting, birthday, legoland, tall, blonde, blue eyes, stereotype being reality, krones, suncatcher, capice seashells, barbeque, 3 day challenge, ben, tim, jacob, jonna, anna, abi, freaky boy, quick rejections, challenge day, team building, president, faith run, sauna, support, care, responsibility, ownership, leadership, europa park...

Although these words are an insufficient description of my two week condition, they hold a lot of incredible memories for me. I take a lot with me from my time in Denmark in fact I'm still digesting everything that happened. Two weeks is of course quite a short period in relation to the year we dedicate to our spiritual growth so I cant say in this time that I was 100% spiritually enlightened but I came away from it with clarity of thought and purpose, and that is something incredibly precious.

Sorry there are no photos to stimulate your imagination but hopefully you could get some idea of my Danish experience.

Hows everyone doing by the way? Feel free to comment and let us know.

Much love

Joy and team London

Parents' Workshop

2010-05-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

In the first week of April, we joined the other STF teams for the Parents' workshop. The workshop was a chance for participants to share their experiences with their parents, and vice versa.

I personally thought it was a cool workshop even though it was a bit short...the location was nice, the food was nice, it was a good break after an (always stressful) fundraising condition... But MORE IMPORTANTLY, it was good just to see my Dad again after what seemed like a long time apart and, more than that, to talk over some things and hopefully deepen our relationship a bit. I guess a lot of others had many things they wanted to speak to their parents about too, after everything they've been going through. Listening to the testimonies of both Second and First Generation, it was moving to see that people were able to come closer to and understand and appreciate their parents more deeply through STF... after all, we are going through many of the same things that they went through and trying to inherit a faith that is precious to them.

We had a family evening on the first night, with entertainment from both the parents and the STFers. A lot of it had been kind of hurriedly prepared, so the performances weren't perfectly polished but they were passionately delivered (and some were hilarious) and there was a really warm atmosphere. Later in the workshop, as I already mentioned, we also heard testimonies from both parents and participants, and it was touching to hear some of the experiences and breakthroughs people have had. Later on, we also watched the witnessing video my brother, Philip, made and I was really impressed by the video itself and also how much passion he'd put into it. It was cool to get a snippet of what witnessing was like in each country...

It was nice to see the rest of STF again and see their parents for the first time too... even though the team was kinda scared of my Dad for some reason. But I guess for me the main thing was to be able to talk to my Dad and give him a hug, and to hear about the rest of my family...

Christine

Belgium Part 2

2010-05-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Weeks 3 and 4 - North Belgium

Taka showing his amazing basketball skills

Morning sports in Gent

Our Garden

Sisters on the stairs

Jean-Luc joined the team for a few days!

Our Basement (/prison)

Our lovely Product

With our amazing boxes

Blitzing Brussels

Late night sight-seeing

Jason praying in Waterloo

FR Belgian chocolate shops

Kosina in Brugge

Brothers in Brugge

Christine's Birthday

Christine's birthday cake!

:-)

Brothers on a boat

Random Japanese hater

These sisters aren't posing. Honest!

Contemplative brothers

A rather interesting way of using a surfboard

Daniel's birthday

Daniel's Birthday Cake!

Dinner time

Ideal husband?

Brotherly love

Cool 3Dness

Ieper at night, just after the Last Post

I'm really not too sure what to say about this one...

Aww

Belgian Waffles!

Jason showing his...feminine... side.

Gangster!

Brothers!

Aww

Daniel finally got a haircut

Team Leader Becomes Team Member for 3 days

2010-04-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

So, towards the end of our second week fundraising, we had a surprise visit from our Commander, Mirjam! (Mirjam on phone: "Daniel, I'm coming to your team tonight." Daniel:" ...ok... Cool..." Mirjam: "Ok, see you later then!")

Mirjam came for three days, took over as team leader, giving me the opportunity to experience being a team member again and doing exactly the same things as the team for the time she was there.

Honestly speaking, at first it was a bit difficult as, having been a team leader since last June, i was used to always worrying about people, trying to get things worked out, etc, and suddenly i was allowed not to worry or think about anything else other than fr!

On top of this, we were fr in an area i had done the previous year and somewhat struggled with; but with all this i took it upon myself to restore my previous efforts and make it the best 3 days of fr ever.

For the first couple of days we were fr in the tiny German part of Belgium, with these small villages. German is easily my favorite fr language (even above english!) so it wasn't too difficult to really invest in to the people and give my all. when fr as a team leader, it can be difficult to really experience much because you're out for short runs at a time, but for those days i had 8 hours in which i could really get in to it, and i really loved it.

The third day we were back in the French part. French is (unfortunately) my least favorite fr language, and generally speaking, whenever i'v fr'd in French, i've never done well and struggled. However, i determined myself to make this day different, throwing off my old concepts and just went for it. It turned out to be a really pleasant day with lots of really great memories, and for me, evidence that investment is never lost, even if the world seems against you.

Admittedly, in the condition there were only 3 days in which i didn't fr, but the 3 where i did full time were some of my best days fr in the entirety of my time on stf!

Daniel

Me avec far too much hair!

Belgian FR week 1

2010-04-27T04:50:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

This is a short article on our first fundraising week.

The Buchbinder

So as you may know Pollitt's team was fundraising in Belgium. We were the only team there, which is pretty cool. I was personally quite sceptical about the idea to go in that country cause we, french people, do make a lot of fun about them. But actually it was alright, they are super friendly. I really like them.

During this days I learnt that Belgium cities are very, very, beautiful, we were completely amazed.

Our Resident Llamas

My first week was good, I tried to do well. I usually don't do all the hours which are given to me but that first week was successful.

I don't especially have something to say about this week, I enjoyed it, blitzing nights were cool.

Thank for having reading it.

Taka

Making Our Easter Egg Boxes

We're Back!

2010-04-19T01:48:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Just to let you know, we're back in good ol' London for witnessing once again. From now on we'e going to try and keep a more up to date blog.... so wish us luck!

Over the next few days we're going to give you some updates about what we've been up to for the past 6/7 weeks, fundraising in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as Parents workshop.

Oh, and by the way, at the moment, Joy and Kosina are fundraising in Denmark and Germany, but they'll be joining us on Friday/Saturday.

In addition to all of this, our East London brother Julian has joined us for the remainder of our witnessing time! (Banner will be updated shortly!)

Take Care everyone!

Team London

Live Lounge 6

2010-04-08T01:21:00.001-07:00

Friday 27^th of Feburary STF london (minus jason) took time from the usual activities, the whole witnessing and fundraising thing, to get involved in an open mic night called Live Lounge in Lancaster Gate.

So while Christine did some good ol' DP study, Daniel busted out on his clarinet and joy, taka and I (kosina) got some lyrics, a guitar and our vocals into action.

In the evening we suddenly started to have some doubts and to plan escape routes. Nonetheless, we couldn't back out and let the people down.

Daniel was one of the first people to hit the stage and performed with few hiccups and then lots of applause.

After this things took a nasty turn as soon as me, Joy and Taka got called up to do our piece. Taka was fine playing the guitar but I was shaking from the moment things started and was wandering how Joy was planning to read the lyrics i was holding. Joy held things up well though until the second verse when she apparently looked up and noticed there was a crowd of people around.. So she joined me in freaking out. Basically, our voices broke and we laughed a few times (nervous laughter) and we confused lyrics.. and it is all on film.

Well, that's all i can say really, so i will leave it at that! In the end it was good to make use of opportunities, get to know the london community some more as well as witness their talents.

Kosina.

6 became 5

2010-03-07T05:10:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, Thursday evening was a sad one as we had to say goodbye to one of our team members - Jason.

He's gone for a week, but don't worry, he'll be joining us again soon in Belgium for our FR condition.

LONDON LOVE

2010-02-24T03:14:00.001-08:00

'ello me lovers!

you might think it's been a while since our last update but for us time has been whooshing by. since our last intriguing entry about our success in fnally finding an apartment a lot has transpired. too much, in fact, that i can't seem to remember everything! but sure i'll give it a go...

i think i vaguely recall garrun emphasising that we were out here for witnessing, was it?... so i guess i shoud probably begin with that! although we live and witness in a lovely little place called lewisham, we often venture into the "heart" of london and bombard the pensieve people wandering around hyde park with our deep and probing questions. "WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE HERE FOR?" we shout out in desperation, seeking for our soon to be spiritual children. with our old school style and a lot of support from the london community we have had our fair share of guests cautiously enter the church centre to hear about the "new truth". with our growing confidence and knowledge, some of the team have been bold enough to proclaim that the messiah is here on the earth. straight up on the street! very interesting reactions to that approach!

In the beginning of the condition we became aware of the fact that london is a particularly well populated city. Bursting at the seams with about 8 million inhabitants, we tried to strategise how we could love them all. With our brilliant minds we came to a solution...fundraising! With the underground as our volkswagen van and the monotonous voice of the station announcements as our “drop off” signal, we brave the streets of central london with our beautiful flower cards! I reckon we're about half way through the population by now, to be sure!

And when we do have those few moments away from the “front line” we usually end up indulging in excessive amounts of caffeine drinks, particularly PG tips, as you do in england. and looking for “tesco value's” finest, as daniel often expresses his loyalty to his previous employers (he used to work there!) every week we find ourselves training our vocal chords with “kathleen's choir” and whatever we learn there we often put into practice on the busy london underground as we break into spontaneous song and dance! and afterwards we join in support for the community in a prayer of healing. Also on various days different members of the team join in with the seperate london communities for divine principle study or in some cases more of an incredibly detailed discussion!

More recently we put our newly developed witnessing skills to the test when we incorporated our schedule with a small north london harp workshop. In the unrelenting rain, the harpies and the team spread out to challenge the people of london. Although some of the harpies were a little nervous they inspired me and im sure the rest of the team with their willigness to give it a go!

And finally this last week just passed, we were visited by none other than chigo, valgas and phil. With two lovely browns in the house and an added camera, our every action was recorded and scrutinised! Morning shots will not be pleasant...

and this my friends is where i leave you all, hopefully i could enlighten all of you with the tales of team london. We really hope all of you are doing well and remember that we're here supporting you in heart.
Bye for now,
Joy and Team LONDON

New Appartment!!!

2010-02-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates, but we've been really busy for the last couple of weeks.

Good news though - we have our own flat at last! (albeit with no internet or phone yet...)

Take care, and a better update will come soon...

Daniel

Sightseeing

2010-01-20T08:20:00.000-08:00

After a few days of fr and attending/helping out with various meetings and events in Lancaster Gate, we hit London for a bit of sightseeing...

Tower of London...

Ready to receive the chop!

Up and coming Model

Enjoying the underground experience

The Queen walked by...

Trafalgar Square

Jason having some fun on Tower Bridge

Wahey, team photo

Taking in the sights

A long lost relative?

"Is this glass a mirror?"

Buckingham Palace... Our new apartment (if only...)

Jason enjoying the sights of his home city

Big Ben!

The Good Ol' London Phone Box

Lion Pose

Aww.. The famous tower bridge

Taka.

We love the underground (!)

About to be eaten by a dinosaur...

London can be beautiful!

In other news, unfortunately Sung-Hyun didn't make it through the border...again :( Also, we're still without our own home. But hopefully that will be remedied soon!

SNOW!

2010-01-20T07:37:00.000-08:00

Enjoying Hyde Park in the Snow!

London!

2010-01-13T02:20:00.000-08:00

We've finally arrived in London after a 14 hour Coach Journey!
Unfortunately Sung-Hyun was unable to come through the border with us... But hopefully we'll see him again soon!

London is covered in snow, but miraculously the underground is still working!

The brothers and Kosina are staying in The O'Connell's house and the other 2 sisters in the Hayashi's house until we get our own apartment sorted.

Today we've got a general orientation day with some talks from a few british members.

Everyone's well and healthy and exited to get started on this 6 months of witnessing!

Take care

Daniel (Team Leader)