The Cotswold and Warwick

Saturday we once again went to the Bible College. John spoke at 2:30 and then our friend John Stanko spoke. We spent the afternoon and evening there with John S. speaking in the evening session.


On Sunday we woke up late and decided to go to the Cotswolds. This is an area of small cottages and villages that touch into Shakespeare country. We drove through the country-side for several hours rambling through single carriage lanes. When we met cars coming our way we had to pull into the grass or mud to let them by. There are walking paths that you may take connecting some of the villages to others. You know better than to think we would do the walk.

After seeing the Cotswold area we went on to Warwick Castle. This is one of the finest examples of a medival castle existing. Part of it was remodeled used as a house in the late 1800's. We enjoyed seeing the rooms as they appeared when a young Winston Churchill visited there. We climbed some of the ramparts and one tower. (Boy, there were a lot of stairs.) Both of us were tired after this so we made our way back to Walsall and enjoyed a quiet evening.





Today we got up late again. Before leaving the area we went by to say good-bye to our friends, the Grahams. We went ahead and booked a room in Manchester, so there was no hurry to go there. We decided to go to a town called Chester; it's near Liverpool. On the way, John got a wild hair to head for the country with no designated destination. We ended up finding another castle. From there we traveled down some more small lanes and finally got back on the motorway north.


Then John saw a sign for North Wales - off we went! Jan finally got to go to Wales! And what did we do in Wales? We ate lunch at McDonald's. Yep, Mickey D's right there in Mold, Wales.


From there we headed to our hotel for the night. And now we're getting ready to leave in the morning for home. We're really anixous to see family and friends and talk to them on the phone.

Thanks for praying for us while we were gone. We really appreciate our family and friend's support. See you soon!

Another day in Walsall, England

Let me back up: Yesterday we did taping for the infomercial. We had a well known former pastor named Will Graham to work with us. Jan was not so nervous once it started. We worked it more like a question answer session and as we worked we became more comfortable with the situation. The director of the taping made everything flow smoothly. We should get to see it in a couple of weeks. David Graham said maybe we might want to use it in the US. He said, put it on a local station and see what happens. Well, I think we might want to redo it if that ever takes place.

Last night Jan was under the weather, so to speak. John joined David and Pam Graham, our hosts, and John Stanko, who is also here to be with the Grahams. He is an author and speaker and was asked to speak at an AOG (Assembly of God) church. Jan stayed in to try and get better. The church pastor and church people were "delightful." (The use of words is catching). We worshipped with them and really enjoyed it. When some of them prayed it was as if they had grabbed the coat-tail of God. John did an outstanding job of preaching.

After church we went to the local Pizza Hut and then back to the hotel. I don't know how I'd get around without "Tilly" (My GPS with the Aussie accent).

This morning we were back at the Charis Bible School and both John and I spoke. After a lunch of fish 'n chips at the school Jan and I dropped John off at the hotel and drove to Lichfield. It's a quaint, little town just north of Birmingham. By the time we got there the wind was blowing up and it got a lot cooler.

We found a car park and were about ready to put money in the meter to get a ticket to display in the car when a woman a few cars down called. She said, ""ave you already put your money in?" No, we said. "Well, here take my ticket. It's good until 6:00." Now that's something you wouldn't find in the US, anytime.

We walked through town to the cathedral. About the size of Ely but had taller spires and hundreds of stone, carved, life-size figures on the outside. We walked through and enjoyed the living history. For instance, the first chapel was built in 700.

Then we came on back to the hotel and went to dinner with the other John. Now we're relaxing and watching TV. Tomorrow John speaks at a worship service at 2:00 and we will meet with the members and students of the Bible school for a few hours.

We'll let you know how it all goes.

Working with Everlasting Books

We began working with David and Pam Graham yesterday. They're wonderful people to work with. Those of you who have worked a CBA in the past know the drill. We setup yesterday and then worked the floor of the show today. We got back to the room about 8:45 tonight. Beginning in the morning we will repeat today's schedule. Thursday we are to tape the commercial.

We ran into some old friends today and met many new ones. One of the original men from the Arabic translating team came by the booth today. I have been trying to get in touch with him for several years with no luck. He wondered why there had been no contact. Another man from India came by and said, "Yes, I know your material. I've sold about 16 sets in Bangalore, India."

We have much more to share but will add to this later. Until then, thanks for praying for us.

England Travel

First Few Days in England

What an amazing few days we have had! We have either already talked to you or we tried to get you, so I will catch you up on what we’ve done. We arrived on Friday morning, and the rental car they gave us was a Mercedes ( a small one). Not too shabby. Our Matilda (GPS) has done a great job getting us around. Driving on the opposite side is a real trip. We've ridden that way with someone else driving, but to actually do it? Well, let's just say Jan is caught up on her prayer life.

We drove from Manchester down to Whitlesley where John's cousins live. When we arrived, we drove up to this beautiful, large home in a very small village (we had thought she was older and lived in a tiny place). She had her children over – the daughter is 38 with a 16 year old daughter, and the visit will probably be one of the highlights of our trip. They were so personable, and the meal was absolutely wonderful. We had carrots, broccoli, roasted potatoes, English peas, and "free-range" chicken. It was good to meet more of the family.






Jan is not a fan of the breakfast food here-baked beans, heated tomatoes, mushrooms and eggs that were weird for breakfast. The bread is good, thank goodness. But then, John eats most anything.

Our first night we stayed at a bed and breakfast in a private home. The room was about 8 x 8 with 2 twin beds. Then last night we stayed at a hotel that was nice, and we got a room with a bath. Some rooms shared bathrooms on the hall! We had the privilege of dragging our suitcases up 4 and half flights of stairs – no lift (elevator) and again we had 2 twin beds! I was never so glad to pull up to a Holiday Inn Express tonight. Boy am I spoiled to our wonderful USA.

Anyway yesterday we took the train into London and found our way around the city on buses. We saw all the sights – Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Eye of London, etc – and were dead tired with blisters on our feet by the time we got back to our room late last night.

Today we went to Ely Cathedral where John's grandfather was a choir boy and one of the largest cathedrals in England. The service was just ending when we went inside so and got to hear some singing and playing of the massive pipe organ. Since today was Mothering Day in England, a little boy gave Jan a beautiful potted plant. She won't be able to take it home, but will enjoy it this week. From there we went to Cambridge where all the big colleges are. We thought about going "punting" but it was a little too cool. Punting is riding in a shallow, flat-bottom boat that is "poled" by the guide. They take you on a small river that winds behind many of the colleges that make up the Cambridge system. We thought Cambridge University meant there was a university named Cambridge. Sounds sensible, but that's not what it is. There are about 31 colleges that make up "Cambridge University." (We learned that from the guy in the shirt store!



We also visited Stratford Upon Avon where Shakespeare was born. By the time we got there most everything was closing. We did get to see Shakespeare's birthplace and we did find a Starbuck's that was open. From there we drove on into Walsall.

We have wished over and over that all of our children and grandchildren could be with us. Maybe in the future. It is very cold with a strong wind but no rain the last 2 days. We packed for the cold so we are fine. We are on to work with our friends this week.


John is eating a piece of fudge we bought today – Clotted cream fudge. It sounds gross but it tastes like caramel icing.


More later.