Exciting! How very very exciting! I was going to work at the Park ! A really big deal for me. The long driveway and stunning grounds heralded what I expected and although still flanked by scaffolding, the enormous house still held great promise.... The reality of the buildings in which we all worked was rather the opposite. Nevertheless, they quickly became home. I was welcomed and soon put to work. So that was the start. Just the start. Even then, a young, naive and excitable girl, I felt in the depths of my spirit it was to be long-term.
My first stint was a block of I think 3 or 4 weeks. There were several of us who were volunteers. We were accommodated in the old gatehouse situated at the entrance to the grounds. The most delightful, kind and gentle older lady kept us well fed and nurtured. It was a lovely family atmosphere.... safe, easy, comfortable and so friendly. Despite a rather lumpy mattress I always slept well. But going up to work in the offices every day was what never failed to excite me. It always stirred something within me. I was a part of a small team, working on a variety of projects, but whatever each and every one of us was doing, we were doing unto the Lord. We were also an extended family, starting with prayers every morning, then always getting together again for lunch around several trestle tables pushed together. It was always a busy time working at the Park. There was always another deadline of some sort to reach, there was always something new. Challenges, blessings both fell like the rain in Britain.
During my first longer stay, Monica was in the throes of working in international church growth and missiology. I had previously financed myself through Bible college by editing, proofreading and translation, so was really pleased when she asked me to work alongside her on one special book which was particularly effective. It had been translated into several languages, including the American language. But for maximum blessing here, it needed anglicising. I was able to step in and help her meet that ever-nearing deadline for publishing. I loved doing it, but I loved even more how God’s timing was so evident. Even with us both working I particularly remember that I had had to go away for a few days just before the deadline. I took the manuscript with me, only just finishing it on the train catching the last post at Kings Cross Station.
A few months later I decided to volunteer for a few days each week. That was when I saw the true extent of Monica’s love of books and became very familiar with the catalogue of books in the BCGA library! I also met and worked with Jenny and Simon , Monica and Cliff’s daughter and son-in-law. All the time I was there was a pleasure and an honour. I loved it and I know that everyone I ever spoke to whilst I was a regular face around the place, felt likewise. Cliff and Monica have done so much, clearly willing to do and go wherever God willed. But I can truly vouch that they are also regular folk like us. I arrived on my first day in awe of them, I eventually left in God’s ‘family love’ with them. Thank you both.