Olivia La Bianca
In two days, we head out to Northern Ireland. Leaving from Newark around 6 pm on Friday night, we will arrive in Belfast early the following morning. (Hooray for a four-hour night!) We are currently packing our bags, buying last minute provisions, and saying our goodbyes to friends and family. It is very exciting.
A lot of preparation has gone into this trip. The team has met every Tuesday night to plan out lessons and discuss travel arrangements. We have been blessed to receive numerous donations from generous individuals and organizations who want to help make a difference in the lives of students “across the pond”. We also assisted in putting together a Great Auction, offering up food, time, and skill-sets to raise money for the trip.
Thanks to the team leaders and the staff at the Agape Center, we have also been educated about the culture and tragic history of Northern Ireland. While the children at Lurgan Junior High have not been directly involved in “the Troubles”, the violent conflict between Catholic and Protestant sections of the country still affects their families, their faith, and their worldview.
The Agape Center’s mission is to help inform and assist these students in a way that inspires reconciliation and community – by sending students to teach them about our American search for equality and justice during the Civil Rights movement. We have been putting together presentations on Martin Luther King, Jr. and examining civil rights issues both in the 1960s and today.
In addition to serving in the school, we are excited to learn from the students and faculty. Personally, I am excited to see how the people of Lurgan view God, how they interact with their faith in the midst of a tumultuous environment, and perhaps what we can learn from them as we continue to fight our own battles against prejudice and discrimination.
We ask that you keep the team in your prayers as we set out on this journey, and that you regularly visit this blog for news and pictures. Various team members will be updating it as we work and serve in Northern Ireland.
Slán go fóill!
In two days, we head out to Northern Ireland. Leaving from Newark around 6 pm on Friday night, we will arrive in Belfast early the following morning. (Hooray for a four-hour night!) We are currently packing our bags, buying last minute provisions, and saying our goodbyes to friends and family. It is very exciting.
A lot of preparation has gone into this trip. The team has met every Tuesday night to plan out lessons and discuss travel arrangements. We have been blessed to receive numerous donations from generous individuals and organizations who want to help make a difference in the lives of students “across the pond”. We also assisted in putting together a Great Auction, offering up food, time, and skill-sets to raise money for the trip.
Thanks to the team leaders and the staff at the Agape Center, we have also been educated about the culture and tragic history of Northern Ireland. While the children at Lurgan Junior High have not been directly involved in “the Troubles”, the violent conflict between Catholic and Protestant sections of the country still affects their families, their faith, and their worldview.
The Agape Center’s mission is to help inform and assist these students in a way that inspires reconciliation and community – by sending students to teach them about our American search for equality and justice during the Civil Rights movement. We have been putting together presentations on Martin Luther King, Jr. and examining civil rights issues both in the 1960s and today.
In addition to serving in the school, we are excited to learn from the students and faculty. Personally, I am excited to see how the people of Lurgan view God, how they interact with their faith in the midst of a tumultuous environment, and perhaps what we can learn from them as we continue to fight our own battles against prejudice and discrimination.
We ask that you keep the team in your prayers as we set out on this journey, and that you regularly visit this blog for news and pictures. Various team members will be updating it as we work and serve in Northern Ireland.
Slán go fóill!