Its been a very busy couple of days, and I’m sorry if any of you (mom) wanted regular updates over that time. Today, has been especially rotten due to the fact that I must’ve eaten something that made me sick, which has had two consequences. On the one hand I’ve been in bed all day and really haven’t left my cell, but on the other hand, I’ve finally found a little time to update the page.
Part of the decrease in writing has been the result of starting classes, so I’ve had a lot of reading and a few things on the plate to deal with and sadly the blog must take a back-seat to such things. Also yesterday the whole group went on an all day field trip to St. Alban. The St. Alban trip is probably the most interesting news of the past three days.
St. Alban is a city located a few miles North of London and while it may seem small by today’s standards, back in the first century St. Alban was the Roman city of Verilium and was the third largest city in Roman Britain. So part of the field trip was set up to see the Roman Ruins which are probably boring for most, but I found it all fascinating. For example they have preserved a Roman Theatre and Mosaic Floor in quite stunning standards.
However, St. Albans is also home to some other major historical occurances. It is named after the first Christian Martyr killed in Britain. Alban was a citizen living in Roman Verilium and late one night a Christian Missionary arrived on his door step, being pursued by Roman Soldiers (this is in the 3rd Century AD when Rome was fiercely persecuting Christians. Alban took the Christian into his home, and through conversation, converted to Christianity himself. When soldiers finally arrived asking for the Christian’s surrender, Alban walked out instead, dressed in the missionary’s clothes. Alban was led outside the city, up a hill and was killed at the top. However, on the trek up the hill Alban converted one of the soldiers with Christ’s message. As a result the Roman Soldier was also put to death at the same place, after Alban. The Missionary didn’t escape either, and in fact within a day, England had its first three Christian Martyrs.
The place where Alban died then became a place of worship and not long after Christianity became “safe” a small shrine was built. In fact, a town began to grow around the hill away from the Roman Ruins, in the 11th century an enormous Church was built over the site of Albans death, by this time a Saint. The church was built out of the very stones and bricks used to make Verilium. The tower is one of the few Norman structures still standing in England, and the Nave of the Cathedral is the longest in Europe. It’s a gorgeous Cathedral. Not long into the 14th century an Abbey of Monks grew around the abbey, and as a result the City of St. Albans is also home to England’s Oldest pub, the Fighting Cocks. Interesting how everything falls together isn’t it?
The trip was a lot of fun and full of interesting finds, and great conversations. What else is new? I bought grocieries for the first time and may actually be able to survive here… although right now I feel terrible. I also found that while everything else in England may be extremely expensive, clothing is not. I found a store selling Jeans for $16 that would go for $80-$100 in the states. I cooked Russian Pancakes the other day which was a huge hit with the other students, and about 12 men including myself have started a weekly prayer group. This all should be helpful in getting through the difficulties that lie ahead. By the way, if you have questions or want to know more my email address is trentvoth@yahoo.com, and I would be happy to talk if you don’t mind some delay for work and time difference. Thanks for reading.
I’ve also got skype to work, even with video and have talking with Sam Flaming and Shelby. Its been great. Hope everything is going well in the colonies.
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