Six months ago we packed everything we owned into a van and drove north. We had a plan, a budget, and exactly zero experience of living in a village with a population smaller than our old congregation.
Expected vs reality
What we expected
Quiet village life. Cheaper rent. More time for ministry. A slower pace that would let us focus on what matters.
What actually happened
All of that — plus no mobile signal, a 30-minute drive to the nearest Tesco, and more sheep than people. But also: the most peaceful mornings we’ve ever had.
The adjustment period was real. The first week, Siobhan couldn’t find a decent cup of coffee anywhere. I couldn’t get a reliable internet connection.
By the numbers
6
Months in
47
Ministry days
3
Bible studies
1
Fixed gate
“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
What Jehovah taught us
That our plans are good, but His are better. That discomfort isn’t the same as failure. That a smaller congregation can feel like a bigger family.
Would I do it again? Every time. This is where we’re supposed to be.