~2013~
Our Journey:
Before, during & after our time in Northern Ireland
Saturday, March 16: Belfast & Beyond
Today we went to the Northern Ireland capital, Belfast. After stopping at city hall, we did some shopping. In the afternoon we went to Newcastle to see where the Mourne Mountains meet the Irish sea. It was a rainy and cold day but we had fun together!
Thursday, MARCH 14: JOY.
From the Team:
Mikaela, Girls' Bible Study
During a normal school week, Thursday is easily one of my favorite days. The anticipation of Friday looming and the excitement of the weekend coming is unbearable. It's quite a different story for me this week. Thursday means we only have one more day with the wonderful students at Lurgan Junior High School. Thursday means the end of our time in Northern Ireland is one day nearer. Thursday is bittersweet for myself and members of the team as we embrace the relationships we've built and as we prepare to say good-bye to our new friends.
Throughout this week, I've had the amazing opportunity to lead a lunch time Bible study with about 30 girls (two sessions a day with 15 at each lunch). We discussed what it means to live peacefully in community together, how we can love our enemies, and what it means to serve others. These students are brilliant. They have an eagerness to learn and an interest in living out God's word. Our discussions were meaningful, honest, and pure. Today especially I experienced one of the highlights of my week. One of my students [if I can claim her as my own...] approached me after our discussion and gave me a wee little gift bag that said, "Keep calm & carry on" and inside of it was a bag of skittles. SKITTLES! My all-time favorite, go-to candy. How she knew I loved skittles I have NO idea. Perhaps it was divine intervention as she stood in the grocery store and picked them out, but truly I felt so loved and appreciated in that moment. There was a card in which she wrote, "Thank you for leading the lunch time Bible study and for pointing our faith towards God..." The note alone would have been enough to make me smile. But to know that she truthfully took away meaning from our discussions, to know that she was changed and impacted by the lunches we shared together was to feel the events of God's plan coming together before my eyes. As a teacher and as a camp counselor in the summer, I often do not have the opportunity to see the impact my words have on the young people with whom I work. This was a special moment of confirmation to me, to know that the time and energy I invested in the students was appreciated; to know that they enjoyed me as much as I enjoyed them.
I believe it's safe to say that I've been charmed by the wonderfulness of the people at Lurgan Jr. High School. I don't think it's about how adorable and fantastic the students are, or about their captivating accents, but because God has placed the JOY of serving others in my heart.
Jesus.
Others.
You.
Joy.
Mikaela, Girls' Bible Study
During a normal school week, Thursday is easily one of my favorite days. The anticipation of Friday looming and the excitement of the weekend coming is unbearable. It's quite a different story for me this week. Thursday means we only have one more day with the wonderful students at Lurgan Junior High School. Thursday means the end of our time in Northern Ireland is one day nearer. Thursday is bittersweet for myself and members of the team as we embrace the relationships we've built and as we prepare to say good-bye to our new friends.
Throughout this week, I've had the amazing opportunity to lead a lunch time Bible study with about 30 girls (two sessions a day with 15 at each lunch). We discussed what it means to live peacefully in community together, how we can love our enemies, and what it means to serve others. These students are brilliant. They have an eagerness to learn and an interest in living out God's word. Our discussions were meaningful, honest, and pure. Today especially I experienced one of the highlights of my week. One of my students [if I can claim her as my own...] approached me after our discussion and gave me a wee little gift bag that said, "Keep calm & carry on" and inside of it was a bag of skittles. SKITTLES! My all-time favorite, go-to candy. How she knew I loved skittles I have NO idea. Perhaps it was divine intervention as she stood in the grocery store and picked them out, but truly I felt so loved and appreciated in that moment. There was a card in which she wrote, "Thank you for leading the lunch time Bible study and for pointing our faith towards God..." The note alone would have been enough to make me smile. But to know that she truthfully took away meaning from our discussions, to know that she was changed and impacted by the lunches we shared together was to feel the events of God's plan coming together before my eyes. As a teacher and as a camp counselor in the summer, I often do not have the opportunity to see the impact my words have on the young people with whom I work. This was a special moment of confirmation to me, to know that the time and energy I invested in the students was appreciated; to know that they enjoyed me as much as I enjoyed them.
I believe it's safe to say that I've been charmed by the wonderfulness of the people at Lurgan Jr. High School. I don't think it's about how adorable and fantastic the students are, or about their captivating accents, but because God has placed the JOY of serving others in my heart.
Jesus.
Others.
You.
Joy.
Unforgettables
Dave being invited to watch the boys' football match
Dinner at Mr. Johnston's (LJHS Principal) house
Playing pool (billiards)
Holding the baby lambs!
Mikaela: "I want to see the lambs too!" // Steve: "You want to eat lamb stew?"
Slap game after dinner
Watching the film "For My Time"
Daniel: "I've never been offered coffee so much in my entire life."
Dave being invited to watch the boys' football match
Dinner at Mr. Johnston's (LJHS Principal) house
Playing pool (billiards)
Holding the baby lambs!
Mikaela: "I want to see the lambs too!" // Steve: "You want to eat lamb stew?"
Slap game after dinner
Watching the film "For My Time"
Daniel: "I've never been offered coffee so much in my entire life."
Wednesday, March 13: Hope.
From the Team:
Taylor, Guys' Bible Study/Small Group Activities
The small town of Lurgan is certainly more divided than it seemed to a Western visitor. As we’ve talked to kids in classes, we have discovered there is an invisible divide between the Catholic and Protestant parts of the town. Hearing kids’ views made it clear that parents have given their version of the “Troubles” the conflict. I could become more negative but I want to outline the hope I saw today. With several middle school students we were able to raise the idea that peace could be achieved. Some of them had never thought this was possible. We used activities to let them process what they wished Lurgan would look like. Though not all were on board, it was so meaningful to see students learn about others’ views and to see the struggle their society faces. I cannot wait to see what we will hear the next few days.
Taylor, Guys' Bible Study/Small Group Activities
The small town of Lurgan is certainly more divided than it seemed to a Western visitor. As we’ve talked to kids in classes, we have discovered there is an invisible divide between the Catholic and Protestant parts of the town. Hearing kids’ views made it clear that parents have given their version of the “Troubles” the conflict. I could become more negative but I want to outline the hope I saw today. With several middle school students we were able to raise the idea that peace could be achieved. Some of them had never thought this was possible. We used activities to let them process what they wished Lurgan would look like. Though not all were on board, it was so meaningful to see students learn about others’ views and to see the struggle their society faces. I cannot wait to see what we will hear the next few days.
Unforgettables
Ben: "Would you like any tea or coffee?"
Mikaela: "So are we going to meet actual prisoners today?!" // Christa: "It's a police station..."
Dinner at the police station
Mikaela & Steve playing the soda tab game!!
Marina: "Bieeeberrrrrrr. Wake up!"
Marina: "Thomas! Are you holding the cheesecakes or are they ready to go for a ride on the floor??" // Thomas: "Ahh yeah."
Playing Rook!
Ben: "Would you like any tea or coffee?"
Mikaela: "So are we going to meet actual prisoners today?!" // Christa: "It's a police station..."
Dinner at the police station
Mikaela & Steve playing the soda tab game!!
Marina: "Bieeeberrrrrrr. Wake up!"
Marina: "Thomas! Are you holding the cheesecakes or are they ready to go for a ride on the floor??" // Thomas: "Ahh yeah."
Playing Rook!
Tuesday, March 12: Perspective.
From the Team:
Mitch, Media Crew:
Today our team went to the Jethro Centre, a community center in Lurgan, where we had the opportunity to hear two men speak about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. One man was a former member of the Irish Republican Army and one was a former member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. These two men were on opposite sides of the conflict and at the time would have hated each other. They are now working towards peace between Unionists and Nationalists, Catholics and Protestants. They are trying to bring about intra-community cohesion and understanding between the two sides by facilitating peaceful conversation. The goal is to let people be heard for who they are, why they did what they did, and where they want the country to be without letting violence become a factor. It was very encouraging seeing people on complete opposite sides of the spectrum seek out reconciliation, especially when that kind of reconciliation requires so much forgiveness of past wrongs done to one another.
Mitch, Media Crew:
Today our team went to the Jethro Centre, a community center in Lurgan, where we had the opportunity to hear two men speak about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. One man was a former member of the Irish Republican Army and one was a former member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. These two men were on opposite sides of the conflict and at the time would have hated each other. They are now working towards peace between Unionists and Nationalists, Catholics and Protestants. They are trying to bring about intra-community cohesion and understanding between the two sides by facilitating peaceful conversation. The goal is to let people be heard for who they are, why they did what they did, and where they want the country to be without letting violence become a factor. It was very encouraging seeing people on complete opposite sides of the spectrum seek out reconciliation, especially when that kind of reconciliation requires so much forgiveness of past wrongs done to one another.
Unforgettables
Daniel: "Why would you like to work for the government?" // Student: "You get to know the secret about UFOs!"
Kris: "Tell me about the divide." // Student: "It's not like the Belgium Wall or anything!"
Going to the Jethrow center to hear different perspectives on the Unionists & Nationalists
Marina: "It was just a sensitive suggestion." (HINT HINT)
Student about Taylor via FB: "We asked him if he was really Justin Bieber's cousin and he said no and we said you crushed our hopes and dreams he said I'm sorry"
Monday, March 11: back to middle school
Our first day at Lurgan Jr. High School was full of excitement and wonder. We arrived at the school at nine am (it's simply wonderful how much later the school day starts over here...) and worked with groups of about twenty students during each period. During that time, we did team-building activities with the students and also got into some great conversation about religion (more below). The media team was busy working with the same eleven students all day as they planned and organized their video. Lunch time Bible studies are scheduled to begin tomorrow.
One of the highlights of the day occurred when we joined the students at the canteen for lunch. They beliebed a celebrity had joined the school for the week as part of the American team. Taylor was "rumored" to be the cousin of pop sensation Justin Bieber: cue the squeals, giggles, and photographs by nearly every female student in the school. He was quite the sensation during lunch and even signed a few autographs. Ironically this does not help the pre-assumption students have about how "all Americans live in Hollywood next to a celebrity" but, it does provide the team with a good laugh :)
Weather today: cold, sunny, a few snow flurries in the afternoon
From the Team:
Christa, Media Team:
In every student at Lurgan Junior High School, I saw the excitement of meeting people different from them and getting to make new, culturally diverse friends. They weren’t shy about it either. “What do you call your trousers?” they asked, full well knowing the answer. “Pants!” I replied, and all five girls giggled. What we call “pants,” the Northern Irish would call “trousers,” if you didn’t know, and what we call “pants,” would be underwear to them. This difference, as well as dozens of others, kept the media group giggling and guffawing for quite a long time before we moved on to organizing the video. On a more personal note, Mitch, Steve, and I did get to talk to our small group about the differences in religion in our respective countries (what is normal, how we practice), as well as some of the American history of racial segregation and how that has been and is still being overcome in our culture. The students reflected on this and minimally touched on some divisions in their own country. I really hope to continue speaking with them about these topics (as well as service-learning, which they LOVED!) throughout the week. While I adored simply getting to know them, it was very impressive to see them work as a team in developing the specifics of the video they will produce this week. I think the most interesting part of their organization of the video was seeing each of the students’ personalities come out in their roles in front of or behind the camera. Tomorrow we begin to film the students interviewing Messiah students, LJHS teachers, and LJHS students. I cannot wait to see how they (and we) learn and work through this experience!
Kris, Activities Crew:
Today! What a great, fun, and interesting day! We started the day sitting around Marina’s classroom hanging out with a few kids that showed up early for the day and planned our day out. For the majority of the day, we had the opportunity to build relationships with the junior high school students by leading activities and having good conversations. It such a fun time leading team-building activities and facilitating conversation around the Catholic and Protestant divide. We are extremely excited to hang-out with the kids tomorrow and work out all the kinks in plan!
Photos below used by permission from Lurgan Jr. High School.
One of the highlights of the day occurred when we joined the students at the canteen for lunch. They beliebed a celebrity had joined the school for the week as part of the American team. Taylor was "rumored" to be the cousin of pop sensation Justin Bieber: cue the squeals, giggles, and photographs by nearly every female student in the school. He was quite the sensation during lunch and even signed a few autographs. Ironically this does not help the pre-assumption students have about how "all Americans live in Hollywood next to a celebrity" but, it does provide the team with a good laugh :)
Weather today: cold, sunny, a few snow flurries in the afternoon
From the Team:
Christa, Media Team:
In every student at Lurgan Junior High School, I saw the excitement of meeting people different from them and getting to make new, culturally diverse friends. They weren’t shy about it either. “What do you call your trousers?” they asked, full well knowing the answer. “Pants!” I replied, and all five girls giggled. What we call “pants,” the Northern Irish would call “trousers,” if you didn’t know, and what we call “pants,” would be underwear to them. This difference, as well as dozens of others, kept the media group giggling and guffawing for quite a long time before we moved on to organizing the video. On a more personal note, Mitch, Steve, and I did get to talk to our small group about the differences in religion in our respective countries (what is normal, how we practice), as well as some of the American history of racial segregation and how that has been and is still being overcome in our culture. The students reflected on this and minimally touched on some divisions in their own country. I really hope to continue speaking with them about these topics (as well as service-learning, which they LOVED!) throughout the week. While I adored simply getting to know them, it was very impressive to see them work as a team in developing the specifics of the video they will produce this week. I think the most interesting part of their organization of the video was seeing each of the students’ personalities come out in their roles in front of or behind the camera. Tomorrow we begin to film the students interviewing Messiah students, LJHS teachers, and LJHS students. I cannot wait to see how they (and we) learn and work through this experience!
Kris, Activities Crew:
Today! What a great, fun, and interesting day! We started the day sitting around Marina’s classroom hanging out with a few kids that showed up early for the day and planned our day out. For the majority of the day, we had the opportunity to build relationships with the junior high school students by leading activities and having good conversations. It such a fun time leading team-building activities and facilitating conversation around the Catholic and Protestant divide. We are extremely excited to hang-out with the kids tomorrow and work out all the kinks in plan!
Photos below used by permission from Lurgan Jr. High School.
Unforgettables
Question of the day: ARE YOU REALLY JUSTIN BIEBER'S COUSIN??????
Taylor being swarmed at lunch in the canteen...celebrity status.
Messiah Student: "What assumptions do people make about you because you're Irish?" // Student: "That all we do is drink Guinness and eat potatoes!"
Girl: "Do you like One Direction?" // Mikaela nods her head eagerly, cue BRIGHT grin by the girl. // Instant friend.
Philosophy: Simply all you have to do to be on the "good side" of a middle school girl is agree that you:
a.) like One Direction, or b.) like Justin Bieber/know his cousin, Taylor.
Apparently when you say you "met" someone, it means that you "kissed" them... middle school...
Media Girl: "How long will I get to interview Taylor??" // Mitch: "About two or three minutes-" // Girl: "LONGER! Please say longer."
"Your American accent sounds jolly!"
Nap time after school!
Dance party & baking session in Marina's kitchen
Question of the day: ARE YOU REALLY JUSTIN BIEBER'S COUSIN??????
Taylor being swarmed at lunch in the canteen...celebrity status.
Messiah Student: "What assumptions do people make about you because you're Irish?" // Student: "That all we do is drink Guinness and eat potatoes!"
Girl: "Do you like One Direction?" // Mikaela nods her head eagerly, cue BRIGHT grin by the girl. // Instant friend.
Philosophy: Simply all you have to do to be on the "good side" of a middle school girl is agree that you:
a.) like One Direction, or b.) like Justin Bieber/know his cousin, Taylor.
Apparently when you say you "met" someone, it means that you "kissed" them... middle school...
Media Girl: "How long will I get to interview Taylor??" // Mitch: "About two or three minutes-" // Girl: "LONGER! Please say longer."
"Your American accent sounds jolly!"
Nap time after school!
Dance party & baking session in Marina's kitchen
Sunday, March 10: Enjoying the sabbath
This morning we went to Paul & Marina's church, Richhill Presbyterian. The sermon was about retaining the joy of Jesus even while people try to lead you astray (Galatians 4:8-20). After church we went back to Marina and Paul's house where we enjoyed a light lunch of sandwiches, fruit, crisps and yogurt. After hanging out for a few hours, playing Dutch Blitz/reading/listening to music, we headed over to Ann and John's house for supper. IT WAS A DELICIOUS SUNDAY ROAST! We had turkey, roasted potatoes, carrots, turnips, peas, sausage, and cranberry sauce. For dessert there was lemon cake, ice cream, apple crumble, and a yummy fruit/greek yogurt combo. Let's just say we were stuffed full & quite happy. :) After dinner, we enjoyed each others company by talking, playing games, and sharing riddles (yes, they were quite tricky thanks to Chad!).
We are off to Lurgan Jr. High School tomorrow morning!
Today's weather: cold, windy, but sunny!
We are off to Lurgan Jr. High School tomorrow morning!
Today's weather: cold, windy, but sunny!
Unforgettables:
Marina: "Oh my gosh I forgot to pick up the boys!"
Paul: "We're dead, we're dead, we're dead!" [car passes] "We're alive, we're alive!" // Chad: "It's Easter!"
Wobblers = Toddlers
UK Mum's Day
Striped Sweater Club
Prawn Crisps (shrimp chips)
Kris' celebrity doppelganger = Lionel Richie
Mitch: "Here's Lionel Richie when he was younger." // Kris: "HEY that's me!"
Dutch Blitz!
Sunday Roast at Ann & John's house
"OKAY. My train goes from Chicago to Denver, my train goes..."
Christa: "Behind the Green Glass Door there are feet but no toes." // Thomas: "Okay, so there's shoes but no feet!"
Marina: "Oh my gosh I forgot to pick up the boys!"
Paul: "We're dead, we're dead, we're dead!" [car passes] "We're alive, we're alive!" // Chad: "It's Easter!"
Wobblers = Toddlers
UK Mum's Day
Striped Sweater Club
Prawn Crisps (shrimp chips)
Kris' celebrity doppelganger = Lionel Richie
Mitch: "Here's Lionel Richie when he was younger." // Kris: "HEY that's me!"
Dutch Blitz!
Sunday Roast at Ann & John's house
"OKAY. My train goes from Chicago to Denver, my train goes..."
Christa: "Behind the Green Glass Door there are feet but no toes." // Thomas: "Okay, so there's shoes but no feet!"
Saturday, March 8: Tea Time
5:05pm – First tea time in Northern Ireland! Currently we are sitting around Paul & Marina’s kitchen enjoying tea, coffee, and the deliciousness of Kit Kats from the UK (yes, they taste wonderfully different!). After arriving safely in Belfast, Thomas, Paul and Marina picked us up at the airport and drove us to our host families’ homes. There we had a chance to rest, freshen up, and call loved ones in America.
Weather today: cold & wet.
Unforgettables:
Taylor fooling everyone by saying that he has never flown before… “Wait, seatbelt sign? Oxygen masks?!”
Steve cuddling his pillow… “YOLO.”
Nicole getting a job on the way to the airport!! (Congrats!!)
Deciding where to eat in the airport for dinner… Mitch: “I think Taylor and I are going to get sushi.” [walks away] // Mikaela: “Why is everyone going Asian?!” // Christa: “Things you don’t say in an international airport!!”
Chad: “Paul, I’m sorry I forgot your ranch dressing!” Paul: “It’s alright, I’ve given up salad anyway. It’s too healthy, prolongs life.”
The Grass in Northern Ireland: 50 Shades of Green.
Roundabouts > traffic lights
Weather today: cold & wet.
Unforgettables:
Taylor fooling everyone by saying that he has never flown before… “Wait, seatbelt sign? Oxygen masks?!”
Steve cuddling his pillow… “YOLO.”
Nicole getting a job on the way to the airport!! (Congrats!!)
Deciding where to eat in the airport for dinner… Mitch: “I think Taylor and I are going to get sushi.” [walks away] // Mikaela: “Why is everyone going Asian?!” // Christa: “Things you don’t say in an international airport!!”
Chad: “Paul, I’m sorry I forgot your ranch dressing!” Paul: “It’s alright, I’ve given up salad anyway. It’s too healthy, prolongs life.”
The Grass in Northern Ireland: 50 Shades of Green.
Roundabouts > traffic lights
Friday, March 8: Day of Departure
IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!? :) Today is the day! We will be leaving Messiah at 3pm for the airport (our flight leaves at about 9:30 tonight). Prayers for safe and easy travels as we fly through the night!
Sunday, March 3: The last meeting
Today we had our final team meeting before our departure on Friday. (5 DAYS UNTIL DEPARTURE!) We were lucky enough to talk with our hosts, Marina and Paul, to ask them some last minute questions about the trip.
Marina: "Have you ever heard the term, go with the flow ? Because that's what we'll be doing next week!"
Our team will be divided into three small groups, each of which will work with students from Lurgan Jr. High School. The media team will be working with students to produce a small film about American culture. There will be lunch time Bible studies centered around spiritual peace and small group team building activities throughout the week. We are beyond excited to meet the students at LJHS!
Marina: "Have you ever heard the term, go with the flow ? Because that's what we'll be doing next week!"
Our team will be divided into three small groups, each of which will work with students from Lurgan Jr. High School. The media team will be working with students to produce a small film about American culture. There will be lunch time Bible studies centered around spiritual peace and small group team building activities throughout the week. We are beyond excited to meet the students at LJHS!