Graduating from Oxford...

What a tremendous experience it was yesterday to see the crown jewels, stand in Westminster Abbey (the site of nearly every royal coronation since the 1200's), and walk the same hallways that Prime Minister Winston Churchill walked in the war time cabinet meetings held underground. Truly, we have walked in the foot steps of many of the major figures in world history. The students have been pondering as they go, how will my life make a great impact as those who have come before me.

Today we are privileged to travel to Oxford University, one of the world's most prestigious and historic institutions of higher learning. While there we will hear from Dr. Jay Strack and Brent Crowe, before participating in the Student Leadership Graduation Ceremony for all students who have complete SLU 101-301. Now all you proud parents out there can say, "My son/daughter graduated at Oxford."

Our trip is drawing to a close and we will be soon talking about the importance of applying these great investments into these students personal lives. Please pray for them as many will be deciding this week to do something GREAT with their lives. I personally believe in every last one of them and look forward to how they will answer the call to change the world for the better.

I love being your student minister!

Steve

Hello Chaps!

The adventures through leadership, culture, and history continue. Here in London we have already heard from Prince Michael of Kent who spoke about his great grandmother, a very formidable leader, Queen Victoria. She had at one time over a quarter of the world's population under her rule. We also got a chance to spend some time with Sir Nicholas Soames, grandson of Winston Churchill, who reminded us that we are all in some way like his grandfather and able to accomplish many of the same feats. We have also stood in front of one of the original Gutenburg Bible's, the oldest Bible on the planet and seen Holman Hunt's "Light of the World" in St. Paul's Cathedral. (Let me encourage you to Google that one.)

Today we are off to Westminster Abbey, the Cabinet room where WWII was directed, and onward to the Churchill museum. Afterward, we will hear from Dr. Jay Strack on how these experiences apply to our lives. It promises to be another great day in London!

Enjoying every moment with the best students in the world!

Steve

Top of the Day to You...

Yesterday was full of excitment and history as we walked the halls of Windsor Castle. As Lauren Chenaie put it, "We were standing in the same rooms that many of the major decisions of the world have been made in." We were challenged by Brent Crowe and Jay Strack last night to not let these images and experiences simply pass us by as mere tourists, but to experience all that God had intended for us to get out of this time.

Today we are hearing from Prince Michael of Kent, one of the heirs in line to the British throne. Afterward we will be rushing off to the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are kept and then onward to the British Museum where artifacts like the DiVinci notebook are found. Today promises to be one the best yet!

Please continue to pray for our students as we venture into the annals of history and see how we too may become part of God's plan for "this little blue marble we live on."

Steve

Going to See the Queen

Yesterday was incredible. The students stood under the soaring ceilings of Notre Dame and saw the inheritance of our faith as Christians first-hand. They heard from Brent Crowe at the Rodin Garden on the importance of thinking through one's life and decisions carefully. This was a powerful moment as we stood at the feet of the famous work by Rodin -- "The Thinker". We walked the halls of the Louvre Museum and discussed what it was that made Mona Lisa smile ever so slightly.

After a quick trip aboard the EuroStar Train under the English Channel, we arrived in London last night. So what is on the agenda for today.... we are going to "tea" with the queen. Well, not exactly. We are going to Winsor Palace, which is one of British Royalty's Official residences. While there, we will tour the armoury, see the queen's doll house, and view many other priceless works of art and relics of history.

Dr. Jay Strack and his wife Diane will be joining us today. We will hear from him in session a couple of hours from now. It is a little after 8am local London time as I write this to you. For all the parents out there you should know that your students are having a great time and they are doing an extraordinary job soaking in every moment. They are representing you, our nation, and Christ very well.

In fact, Anne Marie, our tour guide yesterday said, "You have been one of the best groups I have toured with. It is clear that your faith gives you great joy!" This come from a woman who is not a believer and heard the Gospel for the first time yesterday. She has many questions and she gave us her infomation to stay in touch and talk about things more.

Overall, God is blessing us immersuably in and through this trip. Be on the lookout for more posts in the days to come as internet services are much better in the UK.

Until then Chaps!

Steve

p.s. - Pictures will be coming TOMORROW! Stay tuned...

Bonjuer!

We are in Paris today! We have been to the top of the Eiffel tower and today we will travel to the Louve, Notre Dame, and Rodin Gardens (home of "The Thinker").

The students have done a gret job soaking in the sites and embracing the learning experience around them. We heard from Will Cavenaugh a leading expert in the second World War on the beaches of Normandy. Your students should be returning with a vial of sand in order to remember the sacrfices and experiences there.

We have stood next to Stonehenge and seen what other eyes have seen for nearly 5000 years.

I am having trouble accessing pictures and making posts, but hopefully London will be more successful.

Until Then... Oreviour!

Steve