Hillsong Conference 2013!

Hillsong Conference is a huge conference set up by Hillsong Church (which originated in Australia but has locations all over the world now). It's aim is to bring Christians from churches all over together to worship, learn more about their faith, and to "champion the cause of the local church". My first week in Amsterdam, I heard talk about it at church, and was interested, but didn't think I'd actually go (partly due to cost). Just a few short weeks later, the church had found someone who was giving away their ticket and gave it to me - praise God! 

However Monday morning (two days before conference started) I still had no transportation or accommodation in London. Within an hour God provided both. I found a cheap bus ticket to London, and after sending a few emails to some different MIT students, found someone to crash with. Jehovah still jirehs! :D 

My bus left Tuesday night at 11pm. At about 10pm, I got an exciting text from Antuan that said that he'd be traveling through Amsterdam the following Monday. By this point I was essentially beaming over with excitement  - I had a great day at work, I was pumped for conference, and could not believe that Antuan would be in Amsterdam in a few short days. 

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it!" 

-Psalm 118:24

There were tons of church people on my bus which made it a fun ride! And our bus took the ferry - so we got to get off and explore around the boat, and sleep of course! We arrived in London at 7am; I then walked to the dorm I was staying at. 

That day I just explored around the city with a few people. Got some good food, did some shopping, and got easily acquainted with the 'Tube', London's subway system. London is by far, the most expensive city I've been in so far, and the busiest. It almost felt like the NYC of Europe. 

Conference started on Wednesday night. Worshipping with 20,000 people was pretty insane. And I already felt like I learned so much that first night. My prayer before/during/after conference was Ephesians 3:20-21, and I definitely saw God do far more abundantly than I could have imagined!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" 

-Ephesians 3:20-21

Thursday and Friday conference lasted all day - lots of worship, sermons, and getting to know people. Two of the pastors were from the US: as 'cultured' as I like to think I am, I definitely am an American at heart. Certain things the pastors did and said made them distinctly American, and I think I was one of the few people in the arena to identify with them. 

During one of the breaks on Thursday I found a bench along the Thames and took a nap for an hour; it was glorious haha. 

Friday night a big group of us from the conference all went out for drinks. Afterwards, I joined a group of MIT students to go to a club (not my first choice of things to do on a Friday night, but alas). I ironically ran into a friend from high school! That was pretty crazy, considering I was in some random club in London and my high school class was only 140 students. And on our way home I got to experience a ride in a black London cab!

Saturday morning, my host Sarith and I, explored around London. We saw the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the British museum, London Bridge, the London Tower, Tate Museum, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the London Eye…

Greatest thing about London: all the museums are free! You can just walk in, see a few things, and walk out as many times as you want! 

Worst thing: the water - apparently you're not supposed to drink what comes out of the faucet, but I did anyways. It's 'hard' water though, so it dries out your skin, doesn't taste good, and its actually quite difficult to find places to fill up your water bottle. 

That night Sarith and I went to Hillsong London church. It was like a continuation of conference! It was also fun to run into people on the Tube that day will Hillsong conference bracelets and start conversations from them. I met people from all over Europe! And we immediately would bond due to our shared experience. Didn't happen too often (London is hugeeee), but I enjoyed when it did! 

Sunday morning I went to Hillsong London church again, because Louis Giglio and Judah Smith were speaking at the first two services (the pastors from America). The services were awesome - with 1000 people in each! I was bummed I couldn't be at Hillsong Amsterdam that day since the Saturday bus was filled, but once I went to the London church, I was glad I got the Sunday bus. 

That afternoon I did some more exploring on my own. Saw Kensington Palace (where Kate and William live apparently) and Hyde Park. When I bought some ice cream, the lady asked me if I was American. When I told her yes, she replied "I thought so. You are very polite. You're definitely not from London." I thought that was pretty cool. 

I hopped on my bus home at 7pm. Unfortunately didn't sleep too much, except for when I sprawled out on a couch on the ferry. Arrived in Amsterdam at 6am, went home, showered, and was back at work by 8am! 

Also: if you haven't seen the video I shared on Facebook "Hillsong Conference Highlights 2013" - check it out! It gives a better glimpse into what conference was like than what I can put into words! :)