Amanda Beck
We have arrived safely in Northern Ireland, folks!
This is always one of my favorite parts of any trip. The introduction to a place, people, and culture brings a feeling of freshness and adventure. I love the newness of it all.
Yesterday (Saturday, the 15th) after being picked up from the Belfast airport by the lovely and generous Paul and Marina Moorehead, we were subsequently dropped off at our homestays. These are the homes where we will be sleeping every night, hosted by locals and LJHS teachers who provide us not only with beds but with a greater picture of daily life in this part of the country. Kaitlin, Tim, Olivia will be staying in Lurgan with the Baileys and the Jo(h)nathans will be in the same town with David. The rest of the students will be staying in Tandragee: Molly, Brittany, and Jordyn are hosted by Alanna, and Lauren and I are staying with Adele.
This weekend serves as an opportunity to grow familiar with the community and area. Lurgan has its own unique charm that offers a lovely variance from what we are accustomed to in the United States. Beginning Monday, we will be working in the junior high school, implementing the lesson plans that we spent many Tuesday nights concocting. But for now our only real job is to act as sponges, soaking in what we can and letting Chad Frey and our hosts whisk us away to wherever they will. This morning we are headed to church in town. It is always a gift to experience worship in a new community, where the love of Christ is expressed in ways that are influenced by culture and context.
We have arrived safely in Northern Ireland, folks!
This is always one of my favorite parts of any trip. The introduction to a place, people, and culture brings a feeling of freshness and adventure. I love the newness of it all.
Yesterday (Saturday, the 15th) after being picked up from the Belfast airport by the lovely and generous Paul and Marina Moorehead, we were subsequently dropped off at our homestays. These are the homes where we will be sleeping every night, hosted by locals and LJHS teachers who provide us not only with beds but with a greater picture of daily life in this part of the country. Kaitlin, Tim, Olivia will be staying in Lurgan with the Baileys and the Jo(h)nathans will be in the same town with David. The rest of the students will be staying in Tandragee: Molly, Brittany, and Jordyn are hosted by Alanna, and Lauren and I are staying with Adele.
This weekend serves as an opportunity to grow familiar with the community and area. Lurgan has its own unique charm that offers a lovely variance from what we are accustomed to in the United States. Beginning Monday, we will be working in the junior high school, implementing the lesson plans that we spent many Tuesday nights concocting. But for now our only real job is to act as sponges, soaking in what we can and letting Chad Frey and our hosts whisk us away to wherever they will. This morning we are headed to church in town. It is always a gift to experience worship in a new community, where the love of Christ is expressed in ways that are influenced by culture and context.