Here is a random list of things I wish I would have known before coming to England . . . .

• Don't bring cash in U.S. dollars. Because of the exchange rate, fees etc. it is best to just use your debit card or check card to withdraw money from an ATM.
• My bank (Chase) charges $3.00 U.S. dollars per withdraw. Check with your bank to find out what your fee is and if there is a way to avoid it.
• Giving someone the "peace sign" with the back of your hand (the non palm side) is the equivalent of giving someone the middle finger or "the bird."
• They drive on the other side of the road here. Not the wrong side but the other side or the left side. Look left before crossing a street.
• When you need to relieve yourself, ask for the toilet or the loo.
• The bathroom is where you take a bath.
• They do not know what a restroom is.
• Chips are French Fries
• Crisps are potato chips, Doritos etc.
• It is very difficult to get dairy creamer for your coffee in England.
• People do not drink iced tea, only hot tea like most people would drink coffee.
• When communion is taken real wine is used and it is taken from a common cup (everyone drinks off the same cup).
• Great Britain includes England, Wales, and Scotland and refers to the actual island, which is the largest island in Europe.
• The United Kingdom refers to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• Ireland is not part of Great Britain or the United Kingdom.
• Ministry in England is more difficult than I could have ever imagined. The ministry style is completely different to ministry done in Latin or South America and in Africa.
• If you can locate it, the book "Can You Hear the Heart Beat?" by Dave Andrews is excellent. A few statements that help paint a picture of the ministry style that is needed in England are:

a. Being a follower of Jesus is not a matter of subscribing to certain dogma, obeying laws, or getting others to subordinate themselves to them. The essence of being a follower of Jesus is to live in sympathy with God as Jesus did; feeling the throb of God's heartbeat, to know what causes him pleasure and what cause him pain. To struggle to please him and diminish his pain. Dave Andrews "Can You Hear the Heartbeat?" p 8-9

b. What values did Jesus use in his work in the community? He gave priority to those considered least. He sought them out, treated them as if they were the most important people in the world and did something practical to help them. Dave Andrews "Can You Hear the Heartbeat?" p 22

c. While traditional definition of power is taking control of our lives by taking control of others, Jesus advocated a radical alternative - taking control of our lies by taking control of ourselves. This alternative emphasizes bringing change by conversion - a conversion that changes us individually and collectively. It breaks the control others have over us, and it rids us of the desire to control others. Dave Andrews "Can You Hear the Heartbeat?" p 31

d. How do you impart hope . . . . Without hope there is no motivation even to attempt change. It is therefore absolutely crucial that before any personal growth or social change occurs, people must experience hope in the midst of their hopelessness. Dave Andrews "Can You Hear the Heartbeat?" p 89

• In many ministry or missions situations your offer people Jesus and then you offer them help for practical needs. However, in England, the most effect ministry is to offer people help for their practical needs and then that then helps prepare the way to lead them to Jesus.
• Ministry cannot be measured simply on the number of people that become a Christian. While this is one of our goals, it is also our goal for the lives of people to be changed. People can experience life change and still not find Jesus. It is our hope that through the life change that occurs, the most significant life change would be the discovery of a relationship with Jesus.
• Rob Bell has an excellent book called Velvet Elvis. If you have not read it, I also recommend it. It is very easy to locate at your local book store. A few of his thoughts I believe to be extremely relevant to life in Salford are:

a. Oftentimes the Christian community has sent the message that we love people and build relationships in order to convert them to the Christian faith. So there is an agenda. And when there is an agenda, it isn't really love is it? It's something else. We have to rediscover love, period. Love that loves because it is what Jesus teaches us to do. We have to surrender our agendas. Because some people aren't going to becomes Christians like us no matter how hard we push. They just aren't. And at some point we have to commit them to God, trusting that God loves them more than we ever could. I obviously love to talk to people about Jesus and my faith. I'll take every opportunity I can get. But I have learned that when I toss out my agenda and simply love as Jesus teaches me to, I often end up learning more about God than I could have imagined. Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" p 167

b. Not only is the way narrow, but it involves suffering. To truly engage with how the world is, our hearts are going to be broken again and again. Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" p 169

c. Following Jesus may bring on problems you never imagined. Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" p 170

d. Ultimately our gift to the world around us is hope . . . . the kind of hope that comes from staring pain and suffering right in the eyes and refusing to believe that this is all there is. Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" p 170

• Child Protection Laws are very, very strict. You will learn more about this when you arrive. Things in England are VERY different from in the U.S. For instance: you are never allowed to be alone with a child, you cannot take pictures of children without a written consent form or a verbal approval from a parent or guardian, children are given the benefit of the doubt not adults. Any formal or organized activity requires parental consent forms etc.
• Subway's through out England and Barr Burrito in City Centre (downtown Manchester) are some of the few restaurants that give free refills.
• Food portions are much smaller across the board.
• Soccer is called football.
• 95% of the people you will work with support the Manchester United football club. This is something people take very seriously.
• Cussing and swearing is a part of the langue in England.
• Being cussed at or sworn at by the young people you work with is often times a sign of endearment. It means that consider you a mate (friend) because that is how they talk to their friends.
• When trying to witness or evangelize, speak in terms of a different way of life or an alternative way to live. Do not say you have a better way to live because they do not feel that there is anything wrong with the way they are living.
• Words have new meanings. You will learn these very quickly, things to say and not to say.
• While most people love Americans, the United States of America is not looked upon favorably. Unless you want a good argument, avoid politics, George W. Bush, the War in Iraq etc.