A Picture is Worth... almost as much as the person taking it?

Making a Phone Call?

We've been just over two days now in London, which we're finding is not quite as relaxed as Portugal.  There is a lot to see here!  Thankfully the London Underground is quite easy to navigate. It really is amazing, the labrynth of "tubes" criss-crossing below street level!

We've tried to experience Evensong at both Westminster and St Paul's, arriving to find out that the start time listed on the Internet was not as accurate as the information on the signboard posted out front of each.  The outsides of the buildings are impressive!  Since we couldn't go in, we opted to at least take pictures.  It's not every day you run across Big Ben!  Although some of the picture-takers were almost as entertaining...


Today our group had a "free day," so we split up to explore.  My group tried to tour Westminster in the morning but didn't want to pay the 15 pounds entrance fee.  The sign out front stated that the fees were used for upkeep of the building; those who go to worship [Evensong services] are never charged an entrance fee.  In other words, people pay to see the building, but there is no charge to worship the King of the Universe.  And shouldn't it be that way? 

After last night's service at our host church, some of the students asked the pastor some questions about his sermon on adoption, based on Romans 8:1-17.  He shared the difficulties that Christian families in England have when trying to adopt, as all adoptions have to go through the state.  Because such a small percentage of the English are actually practicing Christians, the social worker tried to tell them that putting a child into such an "odd" situation might actually cause her harm.  A Christian home?  In England?  We're beginning to understand the idea of a post-Christian society in Europe.  There is a great void here!