Today started a bit earlier than others, but it was a day of touring the country, so we were a little bit more relaxed.
We headed to Newgrange, Trim Castle and Hill of Slane - all three worth googling. Try to figure out which one is older than the pyramids in Giza, which one hosted some filming of a Hollywood blockbuster, which one hosted a significant event for the cause of Christ in Ireland, and which one Doug and Renee entered a "lottery" to return to! All were VERY interesting sites.
We also enjoyed "fish and chips" for lunch - well, most of us. Some chickened out and ordered burgers! We ended our tour back in Dublin at an Indian restaurant for dinner, followed by a debriefing time with the Beckers. Though our time here in Dublin is not finished, our projects and work with the Beckers has essentially ended.
It is clear from some of the discussions we had tonight that our students have really been catching the idea of ministry in a different culture. Some have even recognized how to better reach people for Christ in their own culture because of their experiences here. We are praising the Lord for how He continues to move in these students.
But as I said, we aren't finished yet!
Tomorrow morning we will be packing up to leave this Hostel and preparing to head to the last leg of our trip. Those of us who are 18+ will be going to a training session while the others do some last minute souvenir shopping and touring. We will all meet up to register for Urban Soul and get moved in to another hostel; our new home for the next few nights.
Urban Soul will commence tomorrow evening and our team will be doing service projects in the community in the name of Jesus alongside other students from all over Ireland. We are thrilled about the opportunities that are ahead of us and covet your prayers as we close out our ministry here in Dublin!
Cheers!
DK
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, July 5
Another great day for the books! It's hard to believe how quickly our time here is passing, but with the pace we have been keeping, it is not hard to understand why.
This morning Xander, Jimmy, Rachel P. and Heather were picked up to go help with a special project, cleaning up from a festival that took place yesterday. The rest of the team was able to enjoy a little later wake-up time, though some of these crazy students got up to go exercise!
We all met up and walked to Grafton Street for an hour or so where students were given money to find lunch on their own. We headed out to Dundrum by Tram after that (towards the Becker's house) where students had a few hours to do some shopping in Europe's soon-to-be largest shopping center. (Souvenirs are on their way Mums and Dads)!
We ended up at the Becker's house late this afternoon and everyone immediately jumped in to help prepare food and the house for this evenings service with Crossroads Church. Those without tasks met in the living room to pray for the evening.
By 5:30 or 6, folks were begining to show up. We enjoyed worship together, a time of thanksgiving and prayer, as well as some teaching, reflection and application from the book of Daniel. One thing we have in common with the Irish, is that we understand that most good fellowship happens over food! So after the service, the BBQ was fired up and the kitchen was in motion. We had a wonderful evening interacting with folks from the church and getting to know them a bit better. We arrived back at the hostel "early" tonight (11:40 p.m.) for a good night's sleep.
Tomorrow we will start earlier than other mornings, but we should be relaxed as we will be touring a bit in the countryside. We will also be closing up our time with the Beckers tomorrow night before we head to Urban Soul on Tuesday.
Please continue to pray for health and safety as well as great attitudes and open eyes for the opportunities God wants us to take advantage of!
Cheers,
DK
This morning Xander, Jimmy, Rachel P. and Heather were picked up to go help with a special project, cleaning up from a festival that took place yesterday. The rest of the team was able to enjoy a little later wake-up time, though some of these crazy students got up to go exercise!
We all met up and walked to Grafton Street for an hour or so where students were given money to find lunch on their own. We headed out to Dundrum by Tram after that (towards the Becker's house) where students had a few hours to do some shopping in Europe's soon-to-be largest shopping center. (Souvenirs are on their way Mums and Dads)!
We ended up at the Becker's house late this afternoon and everyone immediately jumped in to help prepare food and the house for this evenings service with Crossroads Church. Those without tasks met in the living room to pray for the evening.
By 5:30 or 6, folks were begining to show up. We enjoyed worship together, a time of thanksgiving and prayer, as well as some teaching, reflection and application from the book of Daniel. One thing we have in common with the Irish, is that we understand that most good fellowship happens over food! So after the service, the BBQ was fired up and the kitchen was in motion. We had a wonderful evening interacting with folks from the church and getting to know them a bit better. We arrived back at the hostel "early" tonight (11:40 p.m.) for a good night's sleep.
Tomorrow we will start earlier than other mornings, but we should be relaxed as we will be touring a bit in the countryside. We will also be closing up our time with the Beckers tomorrow night before we head to Urban Soul on Tuesday.
Please continue to pray for health and safety as well as great attitudes and open eyes for the opportunities God wants us to take advantage of!
Cheers,
DK
Independence Day - July 4
This morning we got a slightly earlier start because of the rain forecasted. The students were great -as they had a short night and showed great attitudes. We made our way to the school where we have been working to finish up the projects that had been started. God was gracious and held off the rain for a bit longer than what was predicted. Then, it only rained for an hour or so, so we were able to do all we needed to.
The principal of the school stopped by and was extremely impressed by the amount of work that we had done. He even had pizza sent over for us for lunch! We were also able to work alongside another Irish woman who is part of the Becker's church.
I should also point out, that a couple of our students, each day, have been spending time "minding" the Becker children and doing work around their house while the children rest. These girls have been jumping right in to serve Scott and Rebekah in all sorts of practical ways. One of the ways the girls served today, was by working on some food for our 4th of July picnic tonight.
Scott was the griller and everyone else pitched in to pull together a delightful dinner. After dinner and clean-up, we broke into small teams and played a (sort-of) traditional pub quiz. These quizzes are trivia from all types of categories. It was quite fun, and the "Irish Cream Dream Team" took home the prize.
Another thing I should mention is that Joanne, a GBIM intern has been spending a lot of time with our team. You may see her in some of our photos. Our students have enjoyed getting to know her and hearing her story as someone who is a few years ahead of them in life.
I left my camera a the Becker's house - so no photos just yet for today! Sorry!
DK
After our work was finished
The principal of the school stopped by and was extremely impressed by the amount of work that we had done. He even had pizza sent over for us for lunch! We were also able to work alongside another Irish woman who is part of the Becker's church.
I should also point out, that a couple of our students, each day, have been spending time "minding" the Becker children and doing work around their house while the children rest. These girls have been jumping right in to serve Scott and Rebekah in all sorts of practical ways. One of the ways the girls served today, was by working on some food for our 4th of July picnic tonight.
Scott was the griller and everyone else pitched in to pull together a delightful dinner. After dinner and clean-up, we broke into small teams and played a (sort-of) traditional pub quiz. These quizzes are trivia from all types of categories. It was quite fun, and the "Irish Cream Dream Team" took home the prize.
Another thing I should mention is that Joanne, a GBIM intern has been spending a lot of time with our team. You may see her in some of our photos. Our students have enjoyed getting to know her and hearing her story as someone who is a few years ahead of them in life.
I left my camera a the Becker's house - so no photos just yet for today! Sorry!
DK
After our work was finished
Friday, July 3, 2009
July 3
Were you praying? We had a BEAUTIFUL day for painting today and got much more accomplished than previously anticipated. We are expecting some rain tomorrow, so we decided to push extra hard to get the outdoor projects done at the school. Lots of paint! Everywhere!
We had several folks helping us out on projects today, so it was nice to rub shoulders with some Irish as we worked. We continue to pray that our lives will be a significant testimony to them.
We changed our dinner plans because of wanting to push forward on projects and enjoyed a pizza party and great social time with the Beckers in their home. That was followed by a film about the Irish quest for independence, and we closed our evening with a long trek back to our hostel. Being that it is a Friday night and we are in Dublin, the tram and walk back were again an eye-opening cultural experience. Please continue to pray that God would break our hearts for the oh so many lost people here in Dublin and at home.
We arrived very late tonight and are tired from our hard work in the sun. We are also getting started a bit earlier tomorrow than the last two days in order to finish things up before the rain, so please pray for dilegence and good attitudes. Also, please pray that the weather will hold off so that we can get everything done.
Cheers,
DK
We had several folks helping us out on projects today, so it was nice to rub shoulders with some Irish as we worked. We continue to pray that our lives will be a significant testimony to them.
We changed our dinner plans because of wanting to push forward on projects and enjoyed a pizza party and great social time with the Beckers in their home. That was followed by a film about the Irish quest for independence, and we closed our evening with a long trek back to our hostel. Being that it is a Friday night and we are in Dublin, the tram and walk back were again an eye-opening cultural experience. Please continue to pray that God would break our hearts for the oh so many lost people here in Dublin and at home.
We arrived very late tonight and are tired from our hard work in the sun. We are also getting started a bit earlier tomorrow than the last two days in order to finish things up before the rain, so please pray for dilegence and good attitudes. Also, please pray that the weather will hold off so that we can get everything done.
Cheers,
DK
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