Well, we made it home. But not without a travel adventure.
We started out at 7:30 a.m. in Dublin yesteday (2:30 a.m. on the East Coast) and headed to the airport. Check-in was pretty quick, as was security and the U.S. Customs pre-clearance (you actually go through the customs process in Dublin, so you don't have to go through it when you arrive in the U.S.).
We arrived in Philadelphia on time around 2 p.m.
I should back up and explain that our flights were scheduled from Dublin to Philadelphia to Newark. Philadelphia is much closer to home, but it saved us approximately $150 per ticket to go to Newark. Airlines are manipulative.
We had considered just walking off in Philadelphia, thinking that we would have to pick up our checked bags for the customs process. Thankfully we did not decide that, as our bags were headed straight for Newark. And so was our ride! The Landis's graciously agreed to pick all 13 of us up at Newark. Which is where they were at 4:00. We were supposed to arrive there just after 5. But thanks to weather on the East Coast, our flight in Philadelphia was delayed multiple times, then finally cancelled.
We went to the airline and told them we would not be interested in re-booking, but would really just like our luggage. In the meantime, the Landis's began another long leg of their journey from Newark to Philadelphia! Oddly, we could see our luggage the entire time we were waiting in the terminal...the airline had it all out next to the plane we were supposed to fly in. I might add, that they left it lay out there IN THE RAIN...for several hours.
By 8 or 8:30, we had our wet luggage, and the Landis's arrive at Philadelphia International for us to head home.
What a day!
Special thanks to the Landis's who drove two vehicles for hundreds of miles and many hours on our behalf! Everyone is happy to be home safe!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The End
Yesterday was a great ending to a great time in Ireland. God has been so faithful to us and the list of highlights is very long.
We began our last full day at a groovy cafe in an old shopping arcade. They had a great little basement room that served as our debriefing room. We spent an hour or so tailing through the concept of transitioning these lessons home. It's important to discuss these things in order to make the most out of these types of experiences. Our students will have a lot to process as the go home - they have had so many rich experiences this week.
We closed out the week of kids camp with one more day of loving on the kids. We were able to do a few activities that allowed us to affirm the children and encourage them with words that they don't hear very often. These "simple" expressions of love will mean the world to them for years to come.
Many of the parents made comments to Scott and Rebekah expressing that they hope their kids are one day like our teenagers. They were so impressed by what they saw. Please pray that the impact will be spiritual in nature - that they will comprehend that the difference in these teens is Jesus!
We then headed into Temple Bar area to an Indonesian restaurant for our 'last supper'. We had the upper room of the restaurant where we lounged around tables and shared some incredible food. We had a great time of sharing with the Beckers and Kian, an Irish teen who has become a good friend of all our students. It was the perfect ending to our time, hearing how God has been moving in the lives of each teammate in the past ten days of so. We also had a time of encouraging one another, and a significant and moving prayer time over the Beckers, their ministry, and their family.
We are heading to the airport this morning for the hop over the ocean. This has been a great trip because, and we have recognized that we hve a huge team of supporters! Thank you all for investing in us through time, energy, dollars and most importantly, prayer. You are all an equally important part of the team.
Please pray for our students to transition well to home, and to continue to learn the lessons God has for them.
Cheers
We began our last full day at a groovy cafe in an old shopping arcade. They had a great little basement room that served as our debriefing room. We spent an hour or so tailing through the concept of transitioning these lessons home. It's important to discuss these things in order to make the most out of these types of experiences. Our students will have a lot to process as the go home - they have had so many rich experiences this week.
We closed out the week of kids camp with one more day of loving on the kids. We were able to do a few activities that allowed us to affirm the children and encourage them with words that they don't hear very often. These "simple" expressions of love will mean the world to them for years to come.
Many of the parents made comments to Scott and Rebekah expressing that they hope their kids are one day like our teenagers. They were so impressed by what they saw. Please pray that the impact will be spiritual in nature - that they will comprehend that the difference in these teens is Jesus!
We then headed into Temple Bar area to an Indonesian restaurant for our 'last supper'. We had the upper room of the restaurant where we lounged around tables and shared some incredible food. We had a great time of sharing with the Beckers and Kian, an Irish teen who has become a good friend of all our students. It was the perfect ending to our time, hearing how God has been moving in the lives of each teammate in the past ten days of so. We also had a time of encouraging one another, and a significant and moving prayer time over the Beckers, their ministry, and their family.
We are heading to the airport this morning for the hop over the ocean. This has been a great trip because, and we have recognized that we hve a huge team of supporters! Thank you all for investing in us through time, energy, dollars and most importantly, prayer. You are all an equally important part of the team.
Please pray for our students to transition well to home, and to continue to learn the lessons God has for them.
Cheers
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
On the Homestretch
Today was another great day...we even got to experience the first big rain of our time here. Too bad most of us forgot to carry our rain gear with us today! We've been so spoiled we forgot!
We started the day with a mandatory hour with God. The weather was great this morning so students spread out all over St. Stephens Green and at a nearby cafe, enjoying lots of quiet time in Gods Word, in prayer and journaling. We finished that up with a bit of team time processing our experiences over the last few days.
We were then off to the ministry center for our day of kids camp. Plans needed to change a bit as the skies were getting gray and outdoor activities seemed to be out of the question. Once again, our students did a great job flexing and loving our our kids. Jeremiah got to teach the lesson today, about the God-shaped hole in our hearts that can only be filled by Jesus. Please pray that the planted seeds will grow. One child opened up to Jeremiah later in the afternoon based on some of their life stories being similar. God is at work!
After the camp, we headed out into the rain. The students were in charge of dinner tonight, so they were given money to head to the grocery store and we all ended up at the Beckers. The boys did the cooking and the girls cleaned up! The adults all relaxed and enjoyed one anothers company for a bit. The dinner was awesome and there are about three gallons worth of leftover pasta! :)
After dinner students had the opportunity to watch Irish movie. Some of them didn't last too long as the busy days are catching up to us all!
Tomorrow we will begin debriefing and packing for the journey home on Friday. We will also be concluding the kids camp.
We started the day with a mandatory hour with God. The weather was great this morning so students spread out all over St. Stephens Green and at a nearby cafe, enjoying lots of quiet time in Gods Word, in prayer and journaling. We finished that up with a bit of team time processing our experiences over the last few days.
We were then off to the ministry center for our day of kids camp. Plans needed to change a bit as the skies were getting gray and outdoor activities seemed to be out of the question. Once again, our students did a great job flexing and loving our our kids. Jeremiah got to teach the lesson today, about the God-shaped hole in our hearts that can only be filled by Jesus. Please pray that the planted seeds will grow. One child opened up to Jeremiah later in the afternoon based on some of their life stories being similar. God is at work!
After the camp, we headed out into the rain. The students were in charge of dinner tonight, so they were given money to head to the grocery store and we all ended up at the Beckers. The boys did the cooking and the girls cleaned up! The adults all relaxed and enjoyed one anothers company for a bit. The dinner was awesome and there are about three gallons worth of leftover pasta! :)
After dinner students had the opportunity to watch Irish movie. Some of them didn't last too long as the busy days are catching up to us all!
Tomorrow we will begin debriefing and packing for the journey home on Friday. We will also be concluding the kids camp.
More Pictures
Lovely Ladies
Kids we've been loving on all week
Handsome Men
Girls craft-time
FREE burgers!!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
We've Got Soul
I hope you're enjoying photos (thanks to Donnamarie)!...more to come the next few days as we wrap up our time in Ireland. This morning students were given a bit more time to stock up on goodies for home. Moms and Dads have much to look forward to...in addition to the safe return of their children!
As we began to head to the ministry center, we were stopped by a lovely lady who informed us of a promotion that was going on at the grocery store we were about to pass...they were giving out free hamburgers and chicken! It was a total God thing, as it saved us a bundle on budget money, as well as giving us opportunity to interact with several Irish folks, including one of Rebekah's friends who we had me at the picnic on Sunday!
We arrived at the ministry center to prepare for kids camp and were so blessed with more great weather, which gives us great opportunities to take the children outside to burn some energy. Our teens led skits, music, crafts, games...they did it all. Most importantly, they loved on these children, incredibly. We continue to see God using these avenues as expressions of His love. Please pray in particular for tomorrow, when the gospel message will be clearly given.
Several Irish teens joined us for dinner and our evening activities. We grabbed fish and chips at one of the best places in Dublin...it's been visited by an enormous list of celebrities...and we now know why! Delicious! We then headed back to city center to go to the opening session of Urban Soul. While we won't be participating in the entire week, we were happy to get our team there for a session and an opportunity to interact with Irish teens. They had a blast!
I began a list in my journal today of 'God things'! As I reflected on the week and kept writing, I filled a page easily. All that to say, your prayers are so vital and so felt! We are so grateful for the many people in the states who have partnered with us. We are all stretching and growing and thankful for the opportunity to serve here in Ireland!
As we began to head to the ministry center, we were stopped by a lovely lady who informed us of a promotion that was going on at the grocery store we were about to pass...they were giving out free hamburgers and chicken! It was a total God thing, as it saved us a bundle on budget money, as well as giving us opportunity to interact with several Irish folks, including one of Rebekah's friends who we had me at the picnic on Sunday!
We arrived at the ministry center to prepare for kids camp and were so blessed with more great weather, which gives us great opportunities to take the children outside to burn some energy. Our teens led skits, music, crafts, games...they did it all. Most importantly, they loved on these children, incredibly. We continue to see God using these avenues as expressions of His love. Please pray in particular for tomorrow, when the gospel message will be clearly given.
Several Irish teens joined us for dinner and our evening activities. We grabbed fish and chips at one of the best places in Dublin...it's been visited by an enormous list of celebrities...and we now know why! Delicious! We then headed back to city center to go to the opening session of Urban Soul. While we won't be participating in the entire week, we were happy to get our team there for a session and an opportunity to interact with Irish teens. They had a blast!
I began a list in my journal today of 'God things'! As I reflected on the week and kept writing, I filled a page easily. All that to say, your prayers are so vital and so felt! We are so grateful for the many people in the states who have partnered with us. We are all stretching and growing and thankful for the opportunity to serve here in Ireland!
Photos
Here are some photos.....
Eating at Fridays (on Wednesday...is that allowed?)
Debriefing
Chelsea and Zach
Fourth of July!
Eating at Fridays (on Wednesday...is that allowed?)
Debriefing
Chelsea and Zach
Fourth of July!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday PM
Have I mentioned how INCREDIBLE the weather has been here? We are so blessed and have been able to enjoy so many 'extras' because of the sunshine!
Yesterday was a full day. We headed to Christ Church cathedral for their morning worship service. It was inspiring to say the least...the acoustics of a cathedral, choir singing, pipe organ...just amazing. The students have a greater apprection for their home church in light of the service's formality, but it was a great experience. The sun was shining so we wer able to walk to a popular tourist area for lunch and some souvenir shopping. Then we walked south through Dublin castle and to St. Patricks cathedral. We ended up at the Luas to head out to Dundrum, where the Beckers live. The team was thrilled to finally meet Scott who had just returned from two weeks in the states caring for his father. We helped to transport tables and other supplies to the location of our 'american' picnic with crossroads church. The evening was so fun. Our students, without prompting, engaged with the many families who were there, especially the children. We heard testimony today that Scott and rebekah were able to have several necessary conversations because of the children being entertained by our team. I am so proud of how these students continue to be such an encouragement to all those they come in contact with.
Today began the kids club we have been preparing for! We headed out to the ministry center after a bit of shopping and team time on st. Stevens Green this morning. We ate lunch and put the finishing touches on the camp. The children arrived at 3 p.m. and we were ready. Samuel and I started with teaching them some Childrens songs (and the girls giggled at how high I can sing)! After a short lesson about the theme, several boys entertained the kids with a skit...which they wrote. Then we split the boys and girls for activities. The boys headed to a creek to learn how to skip rocks and the girls worked on crafts and painting nails!
We are amazed at the background of some of these children. It is evident that after only a few hours with our students, walls are dropping very quickly. Please continue to pray that these relationships will be effective at moving these children and their families closer to Jesus. Our theme for the week centers around Gods love, and many of these children are hearing about it, and seeing it lived out for the first time.
Tonight we headed to a dinner of authentic Irish cuisine and were entertained by some traditional Irish music and dancing.
We are seeing God work in great ways both in our group, and through our group. I have no doubt that each of these students will be positively marked by this experience form the rest of their lives. .
God continues to bless and answer prayer after prayer on our behalf. Please continue to pray for us as we serve.
Yesterday was a full day. We headed to Christ Church cathedral for their morning worship service. It was inspiring to say the least...the acoustics of a cathedral, choir singing, pipe organ...just amazing. The students have a greater apprection for their home church in light of the service's formality, but it was a great experience. The sun was shining so we wer able to walk to a popular tourist area for lunch and some souvenir shopping. Then we walked south through Dublin castle and to St. Patricks cathedral. We ended up at the Luas to head out to Dundrum, where the Beckers live. The team was thrilled to finally meet Scott who had just returned from two weeks in the states caring for his father. We helped to transport tables and other supplies to the location of our 'american' picnic with crossroads church. The evening was so fun. Our students, without prompting, engaged with the many families who were there, especially the children. We heard testimony today that Scott and rebekah were able to have several necessary conversations because of the children being entertained by our team. I am so proud of how these students continue to be such an encouragement to all those they come in contact with.
Today began the kids club we have been preparing for! We headed out to the ministry center after a bit of shopping and team time on st. Stevens Green this morning. We ate lunch and put the finishing touches on the camp. The children arrived at 3 p.m. and we were ready. Samuel and I started with teaching them some Childrens songs (and the girls giggled at how high I can sing)! After a short lesson about the theme, several boys entertained the kids with a skit...which they wrote. Then we split the boys and girls for activities. The boys headed to a creek to learn how to skip rocks and the girls worked on crafts and painting nails!
We are amazed at the background of some of these children. It is evident that after only a few hours with our students, walls are dropping very quickly. Please continue to pray that these relationships will be effective at moving these children and their families closer to Jesus. Our theme for the week centers around Gods love, and many of these children are hearing about it, and seeing it lived out for the first time.
Tonight we headed to a dinner of authentic Irish cuisine and were entertained by some traditional Irish music and dancing.
We are seeing God work in great ways both in our group, and through our group. I have no doubt that each of these students will be positively marked by this experience form the rest of their lives. .
God continues to bless and answer prayer after prayer on our behalf. Please continue to pray for us as we serve.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Weekend Update
Yesterday was our tourist day and we headed to the beautiful gardens of Powerscort and to the ancient monasitic site of Glendalough. Both sites were incredible. The team was able to hike and enjoy the majestic creation in picture perfect weather. We returned to Dublin for pizza at the Beckers and then had a greet team time of worship, sharing and prayer. We ended our night with a rousing table quiz. Thankfully there were three Grace College interns here to help us as the Lititz representatives were struggling!
Today was a full day of final planning for next weeks kids camp. The students divided and conquered. Some worked on music, some worked on crafts, some on timeing and skits...there was lots to do. We also found lots of opportunities to clean up the property around the church as an encouragement to the church, and as a testimony to the neighbors.
Today ended with a walk around some other parts of the city, and an ice cream treat! Magnum bars just taste so much better in Europe!
Thanks for your continued prayers. God continues to work in and through our team. Students have been proactively engaging in conversations with people as we go along. God also continues to break some of our hearts for this dark city. We are very anxious to love on the kids next week. We are also excited to spend time with the folks from Crossroads Church tomorrow evening!
Side note: sorry no pictures. We are trying to make arrangements to post some next week!
Today was a full day of final planning for next weeks kids camp. The students divided and conquered. Some worked on music, some worked on crafts, some on timeing and skits...there was lots to do. We also found lots of opportunities to clean up the property around the church as an encouragement to the church, and as a testimony to the neighbors.
Today ended with a walk around some other parts of the city, and an ice cream treat! Magnum bars just taste so much better in Europe!
Thanks for your continued prayers. God continues to work in and through our team. Students have been proactively engaging in conversations with people as we go along. God also continues to break some of our hearts for this dark city. We are very anxious to love on the kids next week. We are also excited to spend time with the folks from Crossroads Church tomorrow evening!
Side note: sorry no pictures. We are trying to make arrangements to post some next week!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
What day is it?
Everyone awoke (slowly) after a much needed long night of sleep...our bodies still felt like it was the middle of the night, though. Breakfast in a hostel brings lots of fun opportunities to chat with travelers from all over the globe.
We then took the short ten-minute walk down the famous Grafton Street to hop on the Luas, a modern trolley system in Dublin. We headed out to the ministry center where Crossroads meets for another morsel of orientation, particularly focusing on the spiritual state of Dublin and Ireland in general. We are beginning to wrap our heads around the darkness that fills this city and this nation. We have also been challenged to think critically about how we can and should engage in the mission God has called us to in this world. Students are already thinking about how these lessons translate to life at home.
Renee and Nicky brought us lunch fixings and then we spent significant time planning our kids' club events for next week. Several ladies helped organize the church craft supply stash while the rest of us headed to the Beckers to help with some manual labor projects. These students are servants at heart and jumped at opportunities to encorage the Beckers in this way. A few boys also had the opportunity to do sone yard work for a friend of Rebekahs who is seeing the gospel lived out! She couldn't believe that these young people would be willing to serve "for nothing" which opens doors of opportunity to share about the compelling love of Jesus.
We had a delicious south African version of portugese food for dinner (yep, Dublin is quite the melting pot) and headed back to the Beckers for a bit more down time. We finished the day with the treck back into city center and a short time of debriefing.
Thanks for your continued prayers on our behalf. It is clear that God is working already and these students are desiring to learn and grow. They have also quickly fallen in love with the Becker children (which isn't hard to do)!
We then took the short ten-minute walk down the famous Grafton Street to hop on the Luas, a modern trolley system in Dublin. We headed out to the ministry center where Crossroads meets for another morsel of orientation, particularly focusing on the spiritual state of Dublin and Ireland in general. We are beginning to wrap our heads around the darkness that fills this city and this nation. We have also been challenged to think critically about how we can and should engage in the mission God has called us to in this world. Students are already thinking about how these lessons translate to life at home.
Renee and Nicky brought us lunch fixings and then we spent significant time planning our kids' club events for next week. Several ladies helped organize the church craft supply stash while the rest of us headed to the Beckers to help with some manual labor projects. These students are servants at heart and jumped at opportunities to encorage the Beckers in this way. A few boys also had the opportunity to do sone yard work for a friend of Rebekahs who is seeing the gospel lived out! She couldn't believe that these young people would be willing to serve "for nothing" which opens doors of opportunity to share about the compelling love of Jesus.
We had a delicious south African version of portugese food for dinner (yep, Dublin is quite the melting pot) and headed back to the Beckers for a bit more down time. We finished the day with the treck back into city center and a short time of debriefing.
Thanks for your continued prayers on our behalf. It is clear that God is working already and these students are desiring to learn and grow. They have also quickly fallen in love with the Becker children (which isn't hard to do)!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Ireland 2011
Here are the bullet points...cause I haven't slept for 30 hours or so...
- We met at Grace Church and had a time of prayer with Grace staff, a few elders and parents of our LEaD students.
- We headed to Newark to begin our long journey...
- We arrived in Dublin right on time this morning around 8:45.
- We headed into the city to drop off our luggage, then to the Crossroads Church ministry center for a time of orientation with Rebekah B.
- We grabbed lunch (or whatever meal it was...) and headed back to the hostel for showers and power naps.
- We met up with the Beckers (minus Scott who will return on Sunday) for dinner.
- After a longgggggg day (or two), we ended up at the hostel for an early night...and hopefully a long night of sleep.
These students are doing a geat job keeping good attitudes in spite of their fatigue. Please pray as we begin some serving and planning for our kids camp next week during the day tomorrow. We will also continue some more orientation.
- We met at Grace Church and had a time of prayer with Grace staff, a few elders and parents of our LEaD students.
- We headed to Newark to begin our long journey...
- We arrived in Dublin right on time this morning around 8:45.
- We headed into the city to drop off our luggage, then to the Crossroads Church ministry center for a time of orientation with Rebekah B.
- We grabbed lunch (or whatever meal it was...) and headed back to the hostel for showers and power naps.
- We met up with the Beckers (minus Scott who will return on Sunday) for dinner.
- After a longgggggg day (or two), we ended up at the hostel for an early night...and hopefully a long night of sleep.
These students are doing a geat job keeping good attitudes in spite of their fatigue. Please pray as we begin some serving and planning for our kids camp next week during the day tomorrow. We will also continue some more orientation.
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