My adventure to Oxford really began in New York.  I had originally booked my ticket in hopes to see a good friend, Josh Cave.  I missed seeing Jcave (who is not in NY yet, but on his way to greatness), but met a stranger who may or may not have taught me something.  

So I determined that JFK had to be close to the city, but the day before I looked up directions for walking on google and realized the distance was too far to walk.  On the China town bus I decided I needed to ask someone for help.  I usually try and was tempted to find it on my own.  But I asked for help.  This guy who I had never met guided me through the streets of NYC to a subway, helped carry my luggage down and up flights of stairs, help me purchase the right metro ticket, find a way to get my luggage into the subway, and rode on the J-train with me so that he could put me on the A-train himself.

The thing that surprised me was that never did I sense a hint of "what is in it for me." When he ushered me into the A-train I thought he was coming with me and I could offer him some money out of thanks or my address so I could return his favor.  But, he just placed me on the train with a smile and waved goodbye.  I do not think he ever wanted anything in return.  

As I struggle and work through my thoughts about Jesus I am sometimes impressed by the way I am encouraged toward him by people who speak nothing of Jesus.  

Another thing, I hesitate to write this because I have not decided how open I want to be on "the web," I really wanted someone from my house (Ivanwold)  to come with me because I really did need help to find my way in New York.  I was overwhelmed to be on my own.  It was on my mind the whole way to Oxford how a complete stranger could give of themselves and how I did not feel like I was on my own.