Pitching up in Manchester

Yesterday morning was an early start. Ten past five, to be precise. The myth about students always being able to indulge in a lie-in was shattered by the ear-piercing sound of a fire alarm. Nobody was injured, mercifully, apart from perhaps the one whose hand went through the "break glass in emergency" sign. I realised what a consummate musician I'm becoming when I was more interested in whether I could tell what pitch the alarm was sounding at than whether I might be about to be burnt to a crisp (it was a B-natural, by the way; I was a semitone sharp).

After the anticlimax of freshers' week, I have enjoyed getting stuck in to life here in Manchester. It was exciting gradually to discover that about 15% of the first-years on my course are Christians... an unusually high number (in the other years, the percentage struggles up to 5%). Interesting, too, to find out facts about new friends, like my friend Dan who reached the percussion final of the BBC Young Musician 2006 competition (you might have seen him on t'telly when I was in Angola). And Ruthie, whose father's most impressive achievement as a vicar was flying into a youth service in his full Church of England finery to strobe lighting and spooky music, only to discover that he hadn't worked out when to let go of the rope and land. The drum kit went flying, unsuspecting members of the congregation went running, and the vicar was left a little bruised by the whole affair.

It looked at first as if I would be scraping around for things to do here, what with only 5 hours of lectures and tutorials scheduled in a week, but now I'm wondering how to fit everything in (or rather, what wisely to fit in and what to leave out!)... the Music department runs all manner of concerts, recitals and seminars -- many of which I will be involved in -- plus the compulsory instrumental practice and lessons (my teacher is principal percussionist for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra). On top of all that, there are churches to be joined, Christian Union activities to attend, flatmates to get to know better, the list goes on... And I haven't even started on the social life yet!

But these are still early days, with plenty to get excited about... so perhaps you'll be able to join me in prayer:

* ... GIVING THANKS for the opportunity to study here in Manchester; for the many Christians on my course; for the active Christian Union; for a free umbrella yesterday; for the "cool and refreshing" rain which falls so constantly on this city ...

* ... and ASKING GOD that he would protect the Student Alpha posters I've just put up and use them and the course to bring people closer to himself; that he might guide me to the 'right' church; that he will help me to be bold and "not ashamed of the Gospel" (Rom 1:16) which it's very easy to be in a flat of non-Christians and evangelistic atheists!

Thank you for your prayers. Perhaps you guys back in Purley could start your own blog so we know how better to pray for you...!