This week is Respect Week in our area. The Community Empowerment Partnership for the New Lodge area is putting on several events, some of them at the 174 Trust. The week will highlight the work of community projects and how they are inclusive and exemplifying the ideals of respecting differences.

http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/nbcau_empowerment_partnerships#cep_greater_new_lodge
(for more information on the CEP)

The children in the afterschool project have been working through some lessons I put together about respecting differences and creating artwork that will be displayed this week along with information about our project. So, in the spirit of Respect Week I painted a picture of the occupants of 31 Thorndale Avenue. The children wrote a bit about the person they respected and I'd like to share with you why I respect my roommates.


(From left to right)

I respect Alison because when I'm baking or cooking she sits in the kitchen with me, DJ's our favorite tunes from the computer, and is the best at stirring things. She leaves me messages on the magnadoodle in the hall and she makes me laugh, especially late at night. She will finish any food that is leftover and usually mixes it all together. When she has a really tough day she can still laugh about it and end by saying how much she loves her job. She understands the beauty of having an ADHD conversation and she is kind and patient in a way I truly admire.

I respect Dan because he can put up with 3 girls everyday. He taught me never to throw something away without asking (Christmas cake that was months old) and he taught me to be more confident in my own opinions and not worry about what other people think. He makes great pancakes, opens the window when he cooks something smelly, and plays beautiful music on the guitar. He does things that need to be done, even if no one will see or give him recognition.

I respect Libby because she taught me how to pluck my own eyebrows, she takes videos of me and Al dancing and laughs with us late at night. She watches Nick Baker's weird creatures with me and appreciates how often I change my mind. She persevered in her placement with great patience and determination, and she continues to love and sincerely care for the youth she works with even though funding is running out. She organizes the silverware in the drying rack. She tells great stories and laughs out loud at the computer when no one is around. She has a heart for the children in Northern Uganda and shares the message with a passion. I respect her even though she is an Appalachain State grad and UNC fan. :)

God blessed me with wonderful roommates who listen to me, surround me with grace and love, and make my days bright just by their presence.

The Power of Choice

The book of Jonah is one of my favorites. Newly discovered at orientation I latched onto Jonah's story as a kindred spirit who has experienced the desire to run the other way from God's suggestions at times. Jonah also has a bit of a temper, especially in how he has the audacity to get angry with God when God is merciful in forgiving the people of Nineveh. Jonah goes and pouts, growing in agitation when his shade withers and dies. I feel like God was sort of smirking when he spoke to Jonah, explaining his depth of concern for every plant and animal. As a person quite concerned about the treatment of animals, my love for my Heavenly Father swells when I think of his concern for every living thing.

Liz used the first two chapters of Jonah as her text for today's sermon. She talked about how some of us might think Jonah weak for his choice to go West to Tarshish instead of East as God had asked. But when she put it in the context of us being asked by God to solve the problems in Iraq, we could all more easily identify with wanting to run in the other direction. She also talked about how we all have a choice, places in our lives where God is illuminating for us the course of action that would please him. We have a choice whether to follow that illumined path or to flee in the opposite direction.

March 7 is election day in Northern Ireland, a significant step in moving toward a power sharing, devolved government future. Our street is covered with posters of candidates, some in our area are even written in Irish.



Liz reiterated for people the importance of making their voice heard in their vote this Wednesday. Many people in Northern Ireland have grown discouraged, as politicians continue to argue back and forth with one another. I can see how it easy it would be to be frustrated with politicans who play games with one another, seeing how long they can hold out to make the best deal for their party, and often times losing sight of what might benefit the greater good. The same is true of politics in the United States, the more I think about it. Yet, I would never sacrifice my gift of having my voice heard through voting. You have a choice to vote, to invest in the future, or to sit idly by and be an observer of a future that happens to you instead of with you. I also pray that Wednesday is a day that passes peacefully, with people turning out to vote, showing their committment to the future of Northern Ireland.

The next two weeks are Fair Trade Fortnight at many businesses. Companies like Marks and Spencer are opening their doors to organizations like Tear Fund so Fair Trade products can be promoted. In the store last week I stood mesmerized in front of the eggs at Tesco. I could choose 6 eggs that were about $1.20 or I could choose free range eggs that cost about twice as much. I had flashbacks of seeing the truck full of chickens in tiny crates bumbling down Poinsett Highway and I chose the free range eggs. I buy fair trade coffee, even though it costs more, and I'm trying to use recyclable bags when I go to the store since I heard that Tesco (our main grocery chain) uses 4 billion plastic bags a year. I'm trying to make conscious choices that do my part to contribute to fair working conditions for the people whose hands grow and prepare the food I purchase. Some people might argue that just one person making that choice isn't going to affect change, but I remember God's compassion in the story of Jonah. I remember God reprimanding Jonah for not knowing that God would care for every living thing and I feel that in my heart, making a choice for fair conditions is making a choice to live a life striving to be worthy of the calling I've received.
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/fairtrade/index.htm

So this week as you hear news about global warming and purchase your groceries, when you feel God illuminating areas of your life where he is calling you to respond, big or small, how will we respond? Will we make a choice that we know in our heart honors God and invests in bringing his Kingdom here on earth, or will we, like Jonah, run in the opposite direction. The other question posed to us at orientation was, "If Jonah had not eventually gone to Nineveh would God's purpose not have been accomplished?" So if we don't make the choices we feel God bends our hearts to make, will his will ultimately not be accomplished? I believe it will and I believe God invites us to be a part of things. It's what we do with that invitation that is the answer to the question, speaking through our lives.

Under God's Tent

Women's World Day of Prayer was celebrated yesterday across the globe as women joined in common prayers written by the women of Paraguay. I joined with some of the women from Whitehouse in the service that we shared with other local women from various faith backgrounds. Star of the Sea Catholic Church, also located on the Shore Road in Newtownabbey, opened it's facilities for us to use and I found myself surrounded by women I've come to admire in Whitehouse and filled with the solidarity of spirit that the gathering of women inspired. The prayers, readings, and songs told us a small portion of the culture of Paraguay and the struggles of women there. It also gave us a space to be still and be open to the presence of God as we prayed for women all over the world.

The theme for this year was "Under God's Tent" and the women of Paraguay wrote of how we are united under God's protection and enfolded in his love like a cloak. Molly Dethereage was the speaker, a fellow US citizen, formerly from Oregon and now living in Northern Ireland studying for the ministry. She spoke about her family going on camping trips, the smell of the tent, and the presence of her father that seemed to abide in the familiarity of that setting and the object of the tent. Molly went on to talk about how the Israelites, in the desert, carried about a tent or tabernacle with the presence of God inside. But when Jesus came the Bible says the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, or literally "tented" with us. The spirit of God is now in us, abides with us. God cannot be contained. I was reminded of Liz's sermon about walls, particularly the peace walls in Northern Ireland and the similarities with the walls of the temple. Jesus' resurrection proved that even the temple, with it's intricate rules and restrictions, could not contain the presence of God. Jesus' death and resurrection shattered the boundaries and scattered the spirit to be in the children of God.

I left my family tent a bit over six months ago. I know you must get tired of reading my measures of time, but I find in an experience so vast time is the only certainty. God's work in and through my life cannot be measured, but the time that passes can, so forgive me if I use it again. In the time that has passed my awareness of the global Church or Church universal has expanded. I've seen the parallels between my congregation here and those at home, but I'm increasingly aware of and my heart bent towards the needs of the world community.

Last week, the Youth Alpha group at Whitehouse raised over $400 for Habitat for Humanity. After working on the site in Downpatrick, our youth felt God pressing on their hearts to be involved in the practical ministry of Habitat, supplying homes for people in poverty and in particular they are focusing on Africa, and Malawi where Whitehouse has contacts with the Steele family who are missionaries. So they made pancakes for Shrove Tuesday (on what we called Wacky Wednesday) and offered up music and praise.

They are striving to raise 1,235 British pounds which would fund one house. In conjunction with the action they've taken, the youth are also questioning. They are questioning why other Christians don't respond similarly everyday to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters who live without adequate housing, drinking water, food and sanitation everyday. Which is more important- to share the gospel with someone in our own community who chooses a life blatantly disregarding a relationship with Christ, or bringing higher quality of life and humanitarian aid (with a side of the gospel) to people in the two-thirds of the world that live in poverty?

Their questions inspire me to new depths with my own faith questions and have spurred my own searching. My appetite for God's word, discussion, reflection is too great for the time I have for my own pursuits. I'm thankful for the busyness, because I feel so excited about the projects growing up around me in each of my placements. The Afterschool project has more children now than ever before, with no full-time placements left! Eighteen children never seemed like a lot to me, but when they are all different ages it's amazing how they multiply. Yet even with that growth, our team is growing in our approach to children and the organization of the project as a whole. I'm wandering back to my instincts as a teacher, ones that I never should have left to begin with. I enjoy taking the time to discuss behavior and choices with children in a way that provides them an opportunity to reflect and shape positive behavior, instead of me imposing a system on them. For example, there is a child who uses inappropriate language (you know that F word that I feel like is part of every sentence I hear in Belfast). Well instead of me telling this child not to say that word we've given children the chance to say, "It makes me angry when you use that word in here." Then I can talk with that child about choosing to use language that makes their friends happy instead of angry. It's so much more lasting when that child comes to the conclusion that the language isn't appropriate or productive for the setting. It's positive and empowering for children who live in an area where those terms are foreign. They may not know there was an option to using the f word, but I hope we are providing them a space where they aren't condemned, but offered a new way of thinking about the choices they make.

The "Girls Allowed" project hasn't come to fruition like I had hoped. After several weeks of faithful volunteers and me showing up, no girls were showing up. We even changed the day because some of the girls mentioned Tuesday would be better. I had never been in position where all the pieces were in place, but no participants showed up. So on Tuesday, Nicola (another volunteer at the Trust) and I sat at the table at 4:30pm, slowly realizing the girls were not coming. Nicola and I had a beautiful conversation about youth work and how God's outcomes are sometimes accomplished even when ours aren't. She also explained to me that North Belfast is an area where the youth are not accustomed to opportunity. Youth from other walks of life might think they could start something up, illicit support, and see their idea materialize. Youth from our area of town aren't used to that concept and wouldn't know what to do. A good example of this was one of the first conversations I had with the 3 girls who came about a month ago. When I told them we had some money and could do some things, they couldn't think of ideas. It was like no one had ever told them they could do anything they wanted, all they had to do was pick. There is so much more to be done in this area with youth work, even though there are so many centers in the area that run programs for youth. There needs to be more outreach, more on the streets communication with youth, giving them choices and chances to do something other than the things they know. How could I be ready to serve, have the resources, and not be able to do anything?

Doug told me, during my interview last year, that it might be difficult for me not to see the affects of the work I've done. I didn't know how true until this project didn't work out like I envisioned in my head. But there is so much that God did accomplish through it, like my science project with beans in seventh grade that molded and failed all 3 trials, but I still got second place in the science fair. I was blessed to know Nicola and more about youth work in the area, including some of the challenges facing our community right now. I gained confidence in applying for funding, promoting my project, and walking around my neighborhood begging people to let me put up posters. Bill has even got a new project for me to start this week, providing tea, coffee, and whatever I want to bake up for people who are in the Trust. We're hoping to open up the Cafe at the Trust and promote it as a social hub by having food and fellowship.

I am learning so much about youth work in various and completely different settings. I work with the children of the Afterschool project and the Youth in the Disability project at the 174 Trust, some coming from disadvantaged parts of North Belfast and bringing a range of issues completely different from the issues of poverty in rural South Carolina. I also work with the Youth of Whitehouse Presbyterian who have passionate hearts for people of poverty and for reaching out to friends and neighbors in their own community. One of the guys in our youth group had the idea that we should start a Friday night youth club, where we have a band in the church hall and invite people to come and hang out at the church. These young people know that church is more than discipleship with other believers and even outreach to global needs, but "the church should be the reservoir for social capitol for the surrounding community." (David Campton)

I attended the launch of research on faith based youth work in Northern Ireland on Friday. In my small group I shared how in the United States there is no distinction between youth work and faith based youth work, all youth work is through the churches. Here in Northern Ireland, youth work is something you can be certified to do in your own community in centers independent of the church. Secular youth work is informing best practice and accountability for youth work in the church setting, but in an increasingly secular society how do we reduce suspicion and fear about our agenda as youth workers? How do reassure people that we are professional and serious about our impact in the community? How do we committ to transparency and diversity? There is so much going on in faith based youth work in Northern Ireland that can inform our youth ministry in the United States. And I find myself wondering how God will use what I learn here and where he is leading me by filling my heart up with passion for youth work.

So what about the tent? The smell of campfire and the presence of God tenting with us? Well, someone in the meeting yesterday said that our approach to youth work has to be holistic, not just hanging out and developing youth socially, emotionally, and physically. We also have to develop them spiritually. The same is true with adults, or the semi-grown up types most of us are. How can we develop the idea of God tenting with us, abiding with us?

I bought a ring, with the trinity symbol intertwined over and over. I wanted something unique, that I knew the meaning of and that would grow in significance to me as I wore it this year. I didn't fully understand the concept of the trinity when I bought it and I don't claim to now, but as I encounter God in authentic, rushing wind ways I am stretching my understanding of the spirit and what it means to grow spiritually. Letting God abide with you, so neatly woven into the fabric of your heart that your mind is bent to his will, maybe that's what it's like.

What is it you're doing?

About a year ago, my churches, friends, and family all supported me as I applied, interviewed, and accepted the call to the Young Adult Volunteer program. Throughout the process of discernment and the journey of getting here and being here, I have been overwhelmed with the support of everyone who knows about this year. I'm impressed with all of you because when I think about it, you might not know what I do all the time. Hopefully in the space I fill I can give you a better idea of what I do all week so when I write about these projects, you know more about my involvement and can feel more a part of the vision of each.

Here is my typical week:

Monday:
Meet with Doug(every other week)- awesome site coordinator who brings Tesco doughnuts, leads us in Bible study, and helps us think through creative solutions to burning questions

Afterschools- We're starting a mural project on "Respecting Differences." We've secured an artist, but continue to pray that funding comes through and we can communicate the idea to the children in such a way that inspires growth in their perspectives and artistic hemispheres.

Girls Allowed- The new girls group (ages 12-17) that I'm trying to start up at the 174 Trust. The past 2 weeks we've not had anyone attend, but I'm not discouraged! Jonathan Temples, a Whitehouse Alpha goer, made us some brilliant professional posters and I plan to pound the pavement to get the word out. So, keep that endeavor in your prayers.

Girls Brigade- The Brigadiers are currently involved in competitions, but we get together and do a bit of Bible study.

Tuesday:

Whitehouse Primary- I work with the Primary 4 class, which is about the same age as Third Grade. This week I helped with watercolors and how to use commas. I also had a bit of a slippery walk since all the sidewalks were frozen over!!

Coffee Morning- I drink coffee and eat May's wonderful scones whilst talking with the Whitehouse ladies. I even sometimes venture over to the boys' table!
Healing Service- Directly after the coffee morning we go into the church for a brief time of prayer. This week I led the prayers, but sometimes I sing with the spectacular accompaniment of Sam.

Staff Meeting for Whitehouse- aka. Lunch with Liz and Doreen where we get a few minutes to discuss the progress of various things and they divide up the visiting for the week.

Afterschools

Youth PHAB- The youth disability project involves outings and times in as well. Tonight we made chocolate covered bananas. But the best part is riding the bus with Pat, which is a lot like a ride at Carowinds.

Wednesday:

Sleep in!!! (or catch up on work and planning)

Meeting with Bill

Staff Meeting at 174- Led by Pat who calls out whose turn it is next to speak and moves us all along. I've been in awe of how many grants people apply for. In the US, I remember how difficult the grant process is, but here funding is in such demand that anything that can be applied for, is. It's admirable and humbling. I'm still waiting to hear if the grant I applied for has come through. It would fund the Girls Allowed group.

Afterschools

Alpha Bible Study- Following up to Alpha, we are studying the NOOMA videos by Rob Bell, author of Velvet Elvis. They are amazing for discussion and our group continues to grow in number, depth, and sincerity. We are also raising money to be Hope Builders for Habitat for Humanity. If we raise 1235 British pounds we can fund a house in the two-thirds world. We've gained a really passion for Habitat since working in Downpatrick at two of the houses. We'll also be holding a sponsored fast at the beginning of Holy week to raise money for our project.

Thursday:

Ballygolan Primary- I volunteer with the Primary 4 and 5 classes, both with about 10 students. I've made circuits, helped with telling time and fractions, and discussed the construction of imaginary candy bars. The school is a Protestant state school in a primarily Catholic area. A few weeks ago I was in and the class size was almost double, because a teacher was out and they couldn't afford a substitute. The same day we visited the library that a teacher had organized on her own. There is so much we take for granted. Art teachers, librarians, the money to get a substitute, and issues that are so much larger. At the same time I find that some struggles are similar,for example, respect for people with cultural differences, how to increase connectivity between home and school, reaching students of varied abilities, and having time to cover all the material.

Friends and Neighbors Lunch Club- I play boccia and eat lunch with all my friends over 50. They freely tell me how awful my aim is and also freely celebrate when I have a seriously lucky good one.

Afterschools

Adult PHAB- Shopping, dinners out, and learning how to make tea are among a few of the things I do with Adult PHAB. I've written about this group before and they continue to be friends of mine who make me feel welcome and teach me lessons about sincerity and friendship.

Friday:
I usually sleep in on Fridays and spend the day working on planning for any number of things coming up in the week. Or I spend it catching up on things I should have done all week.

Saturday:
My day off!

Sunday:
Church- Anne picks me up, I put on my lipstick in the car, and we get to church in time to practice with our respective groups. I sing with the praise band and she with the choir. I sit in the back with the youth who run the AV equipment and they make fun of what I wear and say. Sometimes I do a children's sermon or lead prayers. I also teach Sunday School for the 11-14 age group every other month.

Lunch- I get the priviledge of being invited to people's homes for lunch some Sundays. I really enjoy this gift because I actually get to spend time with people I see and may not get to speak to at length. I get time to get to know them and their families and share a meal together. Sometimes I don't get home until dinner time, but I love the fellowship.

Nap- wishful thinking

Contact Club- Youth group with an awesome group of young people who have been such an inspiration to me already in a short time. They want to change the world, starting with their corner, and I think they are capable. We're planning a weekend away for March. Also they are working with me to plan a service of prayer for March 16 and the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq.

The schedule is different everyday. People often ask, "What do you do?" I find it hard to reply because God knew I needed something different everyday. The variety and the challenge of each facet are stretching me. Sometimes I feel like Jacob, wrestling with God for what the blessing is I'm supposed to get. I love this journey and this opportunity every second. Thank you for believing in me a year ago when I made this choice and for reading this blog today and thinking of me. I am thinking of all of you and your prayers and spirits encourage me daily.

I know Miss Landmark!

My "little" cousin Cameron was recently chosen as Miss Landmark 2007 in her school pageant. I remember hiding Easter eggs for little toddling Cameron and being so excited to have a younger cousin. She's not so little anymore, much taller than me anyway! But I have lots of memories with my little cousin and I was so proud of her that I had to put her beautiful picture up for everyone to admire.

My mom and two of her sisters are also in this picture, and my cousin Leigh. The women of my family are amazing and have taught me so much about family, strength, integrity, and faith. It did bring a tiny tear to see this picture, just because I mis them so much and I haven't seen their faces for so long (hint, hint, send me more pictures!!), but I'm just so glad they were all together. Our little tomboy is now a grown up beauty!

Thanks to Julie Resua for the photo.

Waiting on the world to change

Passion...valued in relationships, noble causes, professions. Passion is deep, intrinsic motivation. I think of passion as that itchy, excited feeling when I know I'm fired up about something and I have a vision for it's accomplishment and positive value in other's lives.

How can passion work against you? My mom says that passion can also mean temper and according to it's definition it can mean rage. It's those moments when I say something in a tone that too clearly conveys my lack of patience and quickness to jump to conclusions. "Be slow to anger," the Bible says. I often let my passionate nature prevent me from counting to ten and saying something I won't regret.

Being passionate about people means you get involved in their lives and you take a vested interest. We are all God's people, little walking around messes and that means you invest in the good and the bad. When the bad surfaces I tend to react passionately, as if my world has collapsed, but once the shock and self-induced drama wear off I find a way to look sensibly and pragmatically at what comes next. I feel productive again and in control.

I have a vision for the big picture and a passion for big ideas, but unfortunately the details get lost or an idea isn't fully executed because the hugeness of it's impact overwhelms me actually doing it.

I am a passionate person and I want to surround myself with other visionaries, albeit grounded ones. I don't want to lose my passion. In fact part of the reason I knew I needed a break from teaching was that I felt I was losing it. I felt diluted and complacent. I don't want to lose my passion, but I do want to evaluate the bits that hold me back, the pieces that impede and inhibit passion becoming action and affecting change. One positive aspect of passion is that it breeds determination and anyone will tell you I am determined about self-evaluation and learning from challenge.

Living in Belfast for the past five months has taught me more than I will ever fully recognize but I think it has also taught me to understand and use my passionate nature. As a teacher I understand more the value of distance. Remembering always to be personally professional, investing in and loving the children with all I have while recognizing that they are children each day to be met where they are while not losing sight of overarching long-term growth, and mostly when problems arise to look at them from a distance with practical support and unpack them to deal more effectively. The ultimate goal is to be an effective teacher in the time I have to facilitate learning, focusing on that the best thing I can do is focus on my students.

I've had to learn how to take my ideas, break them down into manageable pieces, and put them into action because I only have a limited amount of time to make them reality and no one else is going to do it, because they can't fully appreciate my vision until they see it alive. I've learned the value of support and seeking out resources with the start of our "Girls Allowed" club and the continuation of my hopes for Girls Brigade Bible study, Youth Alpha, developing the concept of peace in action in the afterschools, and relational ministry in the primary (elementary) schools. Even forming relationships in the places I serve, getting your hands dirty and action will always dominate any impressive words, even if it means doing dishes or picking up trash.

Reacting to change...my boat has been tossed a few times this year. Again my wise mother says that I'm worst off when something just happens. I know that there were times when I let those moments get the best of me, believing they were my only reality, but God has reminded me of my vision for the big picture. It's all part of why I am here this year. So I can go home another way, completely changed because I've seen God at work. Not in a hugely passionate sense, but in a hands and feet, put your strength behind your words kind of way. If you believe that it's true- go and act like it, Elijah says in the Bible. Well if you really are passionate, I hear God whisper, go and make a difference. Stop talking- we have work to do.

So it is with me that I've learned that my words are feeble and maybe the biggest reason God made me passionate is so I could be teacher. Putting into practical action my passion for teacher's rights, equal education, rights of children with learning differences, creative and authentic education and a passionate love for kids that isn't just smoke and mirrors but now I feel has teeth behind it and is ready to get to work. And maybe God brought me to Belfast so I could learn what I really think about what it means to put action behind my passion, fleshing out what I believe about things into Christian witness that speaks from my life.

"So this is what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking around life- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. I'm speaking out of deep gratitude for all God has given me..." (Romans 12 The Message)

Christian Peace Witness

this is how I see you

On December 28th Brian came to visit Belfast and maybe he wanted to see me as well. Since he arrived we've been on a whirlwind tour of Northern Ireland, and a bit of the Republic. My last visitor from home was my dad in October and my next visitor will probably be my mom in March. Having someone visit from home served as a personality barometer or looking glass even. The changes that have slowly molded my life in Belfast were reflected in the familiarity. The separation from my daily routine revealed again the power of this year on my life, reminded me not to take any of the moments left or spent for granted, and challenged me to look forward at how God is preparing my heart for the life I'll return to in the summer. So I'm at the turning point, almost five months finished and five months to go. At the turning point I got to be a tourist and have a little fun on vacation, I had a chance to reflect on the impact this year out has already had on my life, and I had the chance to relish the expectation of what the year will bring. I also got to play tour guide and feel how Belfast has grown in my heart as a city of great beauty, history, and character. Here is a bit of what we saw.

St.Anne's Cathedral


"The Fish" each scale depicts a portion of Belfast's history and the sculpture itself embodies the connection with the sea and shipbuilding.


The Albert Memorial clock, presented by Queen Victoria to honour her husband Prince Albert. It leans, not just in the picture, but in real life and engineers even consulted folks in Pisa to get advice on how to help the clock survive.


The Girl on the Ring symbolizes peace, which is everything in Belfast according to my roommate Alison.


On to Downpatrick on Saturday where we visited the St.Patrick Centre and Brian modeled period clothing from early Irish history.


I think Dr.Sherrard would be proud that I decoded Roman numerals and used an abacus to beat Brian in some math problems.

Other than all the fun we had the St.Patrick Centre used Patrick's confession to lead you through his life from his time in slavery when he prayed at least 100 times a day, through his travels, up to his legacy and some of the earliest monks who recorded the oral tradition of Patrick's miracles. We also visited the place where St.Patrick is said to be buried.




That night when we got home, Libby noticed that the radiator was no longer producing heat. We checked the oil and it barely registered on the stick. Slowly our hot water disappeared too and we spent the next few days taking cold showers, cuddled up in many blankets, and overusing the kettle for cups of tea or hot water bottles. We had a space heater that we put in the living room, but the wind still whipped through the house even blowing plastic bags around in the living room. So who said that the Northern Ireland YAV's don't have to struggle every now and then too? But it didn't stop us from enjoying the New Year. We even stayed up to watch the ball drop in New York and we discovered that American football does play in Northern Ireland. It just comes on at 3 am!


On Tuesday we took a bus along the Coastal Road to the Giant's Causeway. We walked along the top ridge, down the Shepherd's steps and past a mudslide to get to the famous hexagonal volcanic stones. That night we got to attend a Scottish music club meeting with Bob from Whitehouse. Bob taught me that Scottish music is like a square with distinct corners and turns, while Irish music is more like a spiral with no end and no distinction between one theme and the next. They even played "Belle of Belfast City" which has become our house favorite.

On Wednesday and Thursday the entire crew of 6 girls and Brian took a bus to Dublin. In our first few minutes off the bus I managed to find a statue of Poseidon, complete with his trusty trident for all my Tri Delta friends out there! Unfortunately I was not able to climb the height of the building and therefore will probably not be pictured in next month's Trident magazine.



At Trinity College we saw the Book of Kells which is renowned as the most beautiful book in the world, containing copies of the gospels from 800 b.c. The Long Room in the Trinity College Library was also part of the tour. After all the shelves were filled so quickly, the architects quickly made plans to expand the ceiling and add another level. The extensive, precious volumes are humbling as well as the many busts lining the corridor.

Since Alison had studied in Dublin, she acted as our tour guide a bit and walked us through some of the famous areas like Grafton Street and the Temple Bar area.






As we walked back to the hotel, past the famous bridges of Dublin, I noticed this sign with the Irish for Belfast on it. It means the "mouth of the river Farset" which is where Belfast was established.


Libby, Brian and I started early on Thursday to tour the National Museum of History where we saw Ireland's extensive gold exhibit. It turns out that the bogs effectively preserve gold, fabric, and other materials. The best part is that most of the discoveries were made by potato farmers or by people cutting turf. We met the rest of the group at St.Stephen's Green where we saw statues of Wolfe Tone and Oscar Wilde.


"Nothing that is worth learning can be taught." -Oscar Wilde


There were even palm trees in the park! I think I've shared with at least a handful of people the story of how the Civil War began in South Carolina, but again I was reminded how I love to see a third grader's eyes light up when they hear the story of the palmetto tree.


We passed Christ's Church Cathedral...


And then were on to the Guinness Storehouse where we learned that massive amounts of barley, hops, water and technology are used in Dublin daily to produce one of the world's most popular brews. I was fascinated that Arthur Guinness so much believed in his product that he signed a 9,000 year lease on the building and the nearby water source. I had my first pint of Guinness in the bar on the seventh floor which overlooks the city of Dublin in fantastic panoramic views.


Friday we toured City Hall. We saw where Belfast City Council meets and sat in seats representing almost every spectrum of the political rainbow here. Brian even sat in the Lord Mayor's chair!


We spent the afternoon shopping before we headed off to dinner with Liz and her family. Brian got to experience a carvery, which outdoes the Southern Sunday buffet by a mile. More than once on this trip has he been in awe of how much food is consumed in this country, but when it came time for dessert he did finish his tiramisu and have a double espresso too! It was something else to add to his list of firsts and accomplishments.

Yesterday we enjoyed a serious walk from my house to the Belfast Castle, who knows how far exactly, but with a bit of sun it was a really enjoyable walk. We ended our day in City Centre with some shopping and then the Odyssey for a movie.

So tomorrow I start back to work at the afterschools and Girls Brigade. Today three youth from my Alpha group joined the church and we shared in the first communion of the New Year. As things pick back up and the time continues to fly in I am continually grateful for the blessings God has given me this year and in 2006. I look forward to the girls youth club starting at the Trust, getting back into the primary schools locally, and continuing to push myself in the activities I'm blessed to be involved in each week. Thank you for your prayers and support. Happy New Year to you and your family!

Do you hear what I hear?

My favorite Christmas song is "Do You Hear What I Hear?" There is a version of it by Third Day on the Christmas Offerings album. I sincerely wish that for each of my entries I could select a musical track to accompany the text you read. If I could choose one for this entry, it would be that song. I'm listening to it while I write, as many times as my roommate will let me, because it really captures the spirit of Christmas for me.

The news of Christ's birth, beginning with just a breath of the wind and a message to a humble lamb. The news spreads in a strange hierarchy, to shepherds, whose word was not trusted in court and to a child, who is the least likely to be listenened to. Then, the best part of all is that the little shepherd boy goes straight to the mighty king and is actually taken seriously when he tells the king about the Messiah. How awesome is the message of this song on so many levels!

I see the beauty of that favorite song of mine reflected in the amazing experience of Christmas I've had in Belfast. Christmas began as an idea, a message to be shared in plays, skits, and readings that would happen throughout the advent season. But Christmas infected my heart and came to me through the people I've come to love and know as dear friends here in Belfast. There is no way I could ever thank everyone for the myriad of gifts, cards, and well wishes I received this season. Today, Boxing Day, I stood in Frances' kitchen drying dishes and my heart was so full thinking of all the people who are now my extended family.

Christmas came to me through the youth at Whitehouse who put on an incredible Christmas Eve service, through visiting housebound and giving out potted plants, through sing alongs at a local nursing home and the Salvation Army, through people I served alongside or observed, through carols and the faces of children showing off their presents (even one putting Scooby Doo in the nativity!), through the people I work and worship with, and through the city itself. Now I see pictures on the walls of our house and think about how they are so familiar to me. I am already so changed by this experience and feel a bit of sadness that my Christmas in Belfast is coming to an end. It truly was a blessed Christmas and I hope that yours was the same.

home by another way

"So they worked out another route...and returned to their own country." (Matthew 2, The Message)

The wisemen, or scholars, were warned in a dream to go home by another way. I like The Message translation, "they worked out another route." Lately I have felt comraderie with the wisemen. It's not that I claim to be wise or even scholar, though like everyone at this time of year I am hoping to meet Jesus and experience the joy of Christ's birth. No, I feel like the wisemen are my kindred spirits because I've been faced with the possibility of having to work out another route.

I am loving Belfast these days. Most mornings when I wake up the sun is shining and I truly thank God for the miracle of sun and it's beauty on the hills behind our house. I walk down streets where the shops are now familiar and I've ventured down a few new ones either on purpose or by accident. I feel more confident, like I understand a bit better the people that I work with and the way things go. I think Frances said it best when she said about me, "When she first came she was a wee quiet thing and now she's a right cheeky little girl!" I'm feeling more like me and taking some good advice- lighten up!

That's why, I guess, I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me yesterday when I learned some things that have made me reconsider my route back to my own country. My previous blogs give a picture of my renewed passion for teaching and how much I value the gift of being a classroom teacher. My route has been, over the past 3 months, that I would return to teaching and almost step back in to the cookie cutter of the life I left behind. I felt I was learning to appreciate the immense joy of that life. Yet some part of me felt that God wasn't through and I wasn't just meant to tick away the months in Belfast. This experience is too much of a gift for it to just be that. And this must be a bit of what those wisemen felt. They went on a pilgrimage because of a star they had studied. Yet when they arrived they were overcome, their lives changed, and they had to return a different way because they were not the same.

So here I find myself recalculating my route, finding that I'm a bit scared about what else God will change while I'm in Belfast. But I also have a bit of a thrill-seeker feeling that I'm suddenly in this strange position and there is no telling what God has in store. I can feel the tremble of fear and excitement as I consider that God is shaking up my route. That means that He's in control. That means that He has concern for me, He has plans for me, and now is another chance to cling to trust in Him that He'll use my gifts to do what He wills.

I remember the feeling I had this time last year when I turned in my application to be a YAV. I felt like I had just jumped out of a metaphorical plane. But there was this amazingly awesome freedom in knowing that I had no control over my future and God would guide each and every step I took. When I think of how richly He has blessed my life in this year I am overcome. How can I worry and what should I be afraid of if He is the one doing the changing and charting the route.

So I have six months to live in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In the next six months I hope to wake up each day, whether sun or not, and completely and unabashedly live in the dancing joy of the gift of being here, sharing God's amazing, life-altering love with anyone who happens to get close enough to catch my joy.

Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, and support over these past months. I am learning so much about myself and about how alive and at work God is here in Northern Ireland and in the universal church. Peace, joy, and blessings to you as you prepare your heart during the season of Advent!

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach a gospel of peace

To prepare for our arrival in Northern Ireland, Doug sent us a briefing paper on the history of Northern Ireland. The paper was supposed to outline for us the history of the country and explain somewhat the history of the political situation. It seemed like Greek to me when I read it page by agonizing page back in the summer and I was comforted when my roommates told me they couldn't understand it either. Even after explaining it to us, I'm sure Doug got a few blank stares. But lately it's become apparent to me that I can't endeavor to work in this country for peace, change, and passionate Christ-like action if I don't understand the current situation. Just because I've realized the need for my own political education, doesn't mean that I now know everything, but my ears have been more atuned to what people say, what's going on in the news, the front parts of travel books that have history portions, and the vast information on websites. In the next few paragraphs I hope to endeavor to share with you some of what I have learned and I'll take the approach I always take with my students- if you find the teacher's mistake you get to put a bean in the jar (you get bonus points!). So look into the situation yourself and email me with your comments and findings, because as we learn about the situation together you will feel what I feel, that all of you who take the time to read this blog and support me with prayers and thoughts are involved in this year with me.

Now is an interesting time in Northern Ireland's history. November 24, today, was to be the deadline for choosing a first minister and deputy minister for the devolved government of Northern Ireland. That means that Britain had set today as the deadline to choose those 2 positions from the leading political parties of Northern Ireland (DUP and Sinn Fein) so that Northern Ireland can make it's own political decisions here in Northern Ireland, at Stormont. There were smaller deadlines along the way that were not met, or were only met in portion. Skepticism and apathy are two emotions that I've heard in conversations with people about the power sharing agreement. Part of me understands those emotions. I recall how I felt such a sense of hope when I thought about the possibility that in my time here Northern Ireland could really make strides in working together in government. Then as decisions come down or deadlines pass, I've seen parties still approach government with an "if they do this, then we will hold up our end" mentality. I can see how people are disillusioned and skeptical about the progress of their government. One woman remarked today, "Catholics and Protestants are just different kinds of people. There is something just different about how they work [think]." This is a divided society where people still keep to their own communities and avoid certain activities or areas because they feel unsafe or unwelcome.

I don't understand it all, but people are willing to talk if you're willing to listen and approach with humility. They talk about times when they had to call loved ones at work and warn them to go home by another way because or road blocks or bomb threats. People will tell you about the feelings they get when they walk through a "different" area. Those are the stories that tell about what people are dealing with, what they carry as they try to face the issues of their country.

I think especially of the youth, the ones that I see at Whitehouse and the ones in the area that I hope I will have the chance to work with. I've been encouraged that the congregation of Whitehouse really sees the youth as the future of their church and really does value them. I wonder if the youth themselves see the crucial role that they play. I went to a conference last Saturday entitled "Deal or No Deal" and it was about the upcoming political deadline, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and focusing on the role of peacemaking. A youth worker mentioned that some youth do not even know what the Troubles were. They are left to sort through and make the most of the baggage of a time they know very little about. I hope that I'll have the chance to talk to them about what they think about all of this and what they hope for their future. I hope that they would see their place in all of it, as peacemakers and dearly loved children of God, in communicating the attitudes of Christ in all areas of change in Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday I attended a "Building Blocks" conference with Liz and Doreen. Marlene LeFever, from Cook Communications in the US, was the speaker for the conference and author of several books about education young Christians using their various learning styles to create more effective lessons. I was miffed by a few things that Marlene said. First, that she didn't give any credit to Howard Gardner for his theory of multiple intelligences, which was really what she was talking about except that she had condensed it to 4 learning styles. Secondly, she said that no one was one specific style, but she forced us to choose a preferred one for ourselves and then gave descriptions of each that were very distinct and almost made you feel embarrassed about your choice. But I benefited from the conference in a lot of ways also. Once again I saw the harshness with which some Americans can attack an issue or discuss a topic. (Of this, I am also guilty so this is no pot and kettle situation.) I was reminded of learning styles and how exciting the implications are for education and the individuality of learners. As a teacher, it means that you have good reason to be creative and varied because your learners are too! I gained new energy for the youth and children's programs that I'm involved in at Whitehouse and even for when I return home, because I was reminded to apply my teaching knowledge to a different setting. If we create a boring environment in our churches for youth and children they will learn to see church as they do school. Then we will have lost the potential for sharing the message of Christ simply because we lost the vision for the learner before us.

Lastly, we took a look at youth during the conference. At one point I was even given the role of a Northern Irish youth and had to describe my weekends, my favorite things, and my challenges. I talked about the things I had observed about the youth I work with over the past 3 months. As Marlene stated some of the characteristics of this group that makes up 1/2 of the world's population, I thought about how we can sometimes be too eager to observe for fear of joining in and getting dirty. I've observed the young people I work with and slowly crawled out of my comfort shell to start enjoying life alongside them, but there is so much more to be done. This group is characterized as

• taking consumerism for granted
• having seen enough advertizements to expect that you are lying
• self-reliant, do not trust their elders
• rely on family, but define family as anyone in their set who loves them and takes care of them
• not as pessimistic and cynical as perceived
• into American stuff that is exported
• have pride in their nation, but feel their place in the worldwide sector
• want to see the world and make friends with people all over the world through mass media
• mediavores
• nonlinear cognitive system learners
• 93% watch TV
• 93% prefer to be with friends
• conscious of saving the world, on their terms in their space
• want to save their block (or immediate area, neighborhood)

Those last two really struck me. If youth in Northern Ireland really do feel that way then now is really their time. They have the chance to affect change for peace in their neighborhoods by doing practical things and if Marlene is right and they want you to tackle tough issues with them and do practical service and mission projects then we have work to do and things to talk about.

I feel like I'm coming out of a fog that was my settling in time. When people are faced with difficult tasks they revert to their basic learning style. I think mine is analytical, because I'm sure those of you out there that know me well will agree that I severely analyze things and I am a fan of the list. My system of operating was shocked when I moved here and I reverted to my basic learning style: observing, being rational, deferring to authority, and being very thorough. Now as I get more comfortable I'm able to add in the style of learning that I'm glad is part of my personality, imaginative: people-oriented, asking the mental question of why, creating a colorful atmosphere, and learning by talking.

One of my greater challenges has been not being the smart one. I am not valued for my knowledge of teaching methods and research, my liberal arts education, or any of the other academic parameters which used to define me and validate me as an intelligent person. I am laughed at when I say something that is culturally a different word. I am valued for hard work. I feel embarrassed when I misspeak because I don't understand the politics or the history of this country. I am humbled and it has taken me 3 months to be okay with it, even though I said all along that I was ready for it. So now I want to meet the challenge of being humbled with the attitude of Christ, reaching out to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3) I want to learn about the politics of Northern Ireland so I can talk authentically with the youth and challenge them to see the possibilities of the future and their place in it. I want to learn about the complexity of a divided society and infuse the places I encounter with the presence of someone who believes peace will be accomplished. But I want to tread softly, not with huge American boots, but with the soft feet of someone who wants to search for the good news with all the people I meet, seeking to live a life worthy of the calling.

Count Your Many Blessings

One of my first Monday nights at Girls Brigade, some of the leaders mentioned that the Seniors would like to put together a Thanksgiving dinner to learn how to prepare some of the traditional dishes, earn an entertaining badge, and comfort me on a special holiday when I'm far from home. We spent several Monday nights planning the menu, the guest list, learning about Thanksgiving in general, and even making sweet potato casserole! The girls were surprised that sweet potatoes could actually taste so sweet.


Preparing for Thanksgiving with the Seniors and leaders Maragaret, Sarah, Kim, and Janice made me feel not so far from home. I got to learn Mom's recipes when I desperately emailed her for them before GB one night. I shared a bit of Southern American culture by cooking with the girls, a tradition that I have enjoyed in my family throughout my life. And even if trying out a new holiday still felt awkward to some of them and they turned up their noses at the cinnamon in the sweet potatoes, it was fun for me and it dulled my heartache a bit. All along it was obvious to me that the girls and the leaders were really putting a lot of effort and thought into the celebration and it humbled me that they would do something, try something different with such grace and generosity.

So tonight was the big night and when Doreen and I arrived we were seated and served sparkling juice (red or white) by the girls. The table was set and as the guests arrived we chatted and enjoyed the relaxed fellowship of pride in what our Girls Brigade Seniors were doing.




We were seated, with placecards even, and our starter of melon and orange was served.

The girls were our servers and the leaders had taken time off work to come in early and be sure everything was ready. All the guests were folks who helped out with GB in various ways and we were all gushing over how well the girls were doing in their service.

When I got up to take the picture above, Liz made a comment when she was asked to join the picture. I told her that for Thanksgiving you suck in for the pictures and wear your elastic pants. Well, there I go again, forgetting that pants are underwear. The whole table was in stitches and it took me awhile to realize that I wasn't really funny. So for the rest of the night, Raymond laughed with me and made jokes about his pants and elastic pants. He will forever be "Uncle Raymond with the pants" and I will never live that one down!

Throughout the meal we heard jokes, talked about our families, talked about what a typical Thanksgiving is like, and enjoyed each others company completely. Somewhere between the brussel sprouts or turkey, talking about the beauty of South Carolina or the enormous blessing of family reuniting in a holiday specially designed for thanks even before Christmas, I paused long enough to reflect that this new extended family of mine had created an evening of thanks that gave comfort and joy to my heart in a way that was truly humbling. They captured the true spirit of Thanksgiving. We talked and laughed, shared a meal prepared by loving hands, and gave thanks throughout the evening with fellowship and genuine friendship and love. At the end of the night, the girls brought me a Willow Tree Angel of Friendship and said that they hoped the night had been a blessing for me, since I was far from home on a special holiday. My eyes filled with tears and my heart was overflowing thinking of my new friends and the amazing night they had given to me, and to all present. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, humbled by the grace of God in surrounding me with incredibly caring people who reached out to me and joined in the joy of celebration.

They are my family, this church and all the people I have met in Belfast. Only three months away, and they are my family. They laugh with me and at me, they surround me with love and thoughtfulness, and they walk with me as I stumble to follow God's will and join His purpose here in Belfast.

I think of the spirit that always was so palpable in Old Stone Church on Thanksgiving Day or in our kitchen as we made dinner. The ache of homesickness won't go away during the holidays and I live with it most days. It helps me to talk to God like an old friend and it helps me to be reminded to look for the beauty and joy in each day. But I felt that spirit, the Holy Spirit, there with us tonight in the lounge at Whitehouse. Thanksgiving came to us today, on a Friday, with bluegrass hymns in the background, friends gathered, laughter shared, and for these and many other blessings, Lord I am truly thankful.

Finally, at my Grandmother's memorial service we sang "Count Your Many Blessings." I cried and laughed my way through the song, because my mother's maiden name is Blessing and the hymn was also a pun about the vast number of our family, the Blessings. I often count my blessings here in Belfast and mostly my journal entries are just lists of things that have made me happy. This day will truly go down as one and I pray for all of you that read this, that your Thanksgiving will truly be a celebration where you can count your many blessings name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done!

A Maze of Walls

Yesterday was Rememberance Sunday, which is much like our Veterans Day. It is a day when people commemorate lives lost in the World Wars, the Troubles, and in present struggles around the world, inlcuding Iraq. In Belfast people wear poppies to remember the Battle of the Somme where the field was stained with the blood of fallen soldiers and now red poppies bloom. To some people wearing the poppy is not only an act of remembrance, but a symbol of allegiance to the Queen of England. This was more true during the times of the Troubles, but even today you are less likely to see someone from a Catholic/Nationalist background wearing a poppy than a Loyalist/Protestant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/remembrance/
This BBC site has some interesting information on Remembrance.

With a tense history surrounding Remembrance Liz took a different approach and chose to focus on peacemaking and forward movement into a shared future. Whitehouse launched a discipleship course, “The Gospel in Conflict” on Sunday evenings and Liz wanted to echo that in her sermon on Sunday. She asked me to do the children’s focus and discuss what it means to love your neighbor. I was very nervous, because I feel like children’s sermons are like teaching in front of a lot of evaluators. So Doug gave me some advice on our retreat and with a few practice runs on Doreen, the deaconess, and my roommates I was ready to go.

The service started with the Act of Remembrance which includes laying of wreaths, a bugle call with a poem read, silence, prayer, and the National Anthem (“God Save the Queen”). I did my children’s sermon and felt an amazing enjoyment being there with the children. When I asked who their neighbor was one wee boy replied, “Eugenia and Alex!” I talked to them about how some people don’t know the love of God and their hearts are cold like ice cubes. I have never seen such excitement about touching an ice cube! But Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, which is everyone, and that means surrounding their hearts with our warm love. So each child held an ice cube and felt it melt. I also talked with them about how the water in their hand is like how we always get something in return when we love someone. It was such a blessing to be there with them, to see the genuine excitement of approaching the Kingdom of God like a child. I truly hope they made the connection and will endeavor to surround their neighbor with warm love.

Then Liz stood to give her sermon. She began with a story about an Indonesian man who had gone to England to study and was living with a family. He went to his minister and complained that he needed to be moved because he was not getting on well with his host family. He explained how the woman looked down on him. On one occasion he was eating an orange. As he began to peel she instructed him to get a plate, knife, napkin, be careful, and so on. He remarked that she looked on him as an uncivilized fellow because he did not know how to eat an orange. He looked upon her as an uncivilized woman because she did not know how to enjoy an orange. The point was that it is amazing how small differences can get seriously out of proportion and be difficult to sort out.

If an orange can create a barrier, how much more a wall…
Liz showed slides of the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, and the wall being erected in Iraq by the Saudis. She talked about the lives sacrificed in the building of the Great Wall, the hope of the day when the Berlin wall came down, and how even Mary and Joseph would be stopped in their tracks by the wall now going up on the way to Bethlehem.

And then she showed a picture of a Belfast peace line. There are now 41 peacelines or district barriers in Belfast, not Northern Ireland, but Belfast alone. Peacelines are used to separate Catholic/Nationalist areas from Protestant/Loyalist areas.

Houses along the lines became derelict because of petrol bombs and other objects thrown over them. There are even a few peacelines that you can drive directly through, but they are closed during times of tension. Peacelines can be a blaring, high, barbed wire wall or even a wall that has since been covered with growth to make it less stark. It has always been ironic to me that you need a wall to have peace. There are over 20 kilometers of peace wall in North Belfast.

Walls here are also covered with images, murals of allegiance and declarations of belief.


These physical markers stand, but there are also invisible barriers. People are reluctant to travel in areas where there used to be tension, in neighborhoods less like their own. Liz even mentioned me and where I live. Sometimes people in the congregation have expressed sympathy for me when they hear that I live in the New Lodge area, which is strongly Nationalist. People say that an area “used to be nice” when they are simply referring to the fact that the Loyalists have moved out and the Nationalists have moved in. This movement can also be referred to as “the greening” or Catholics moving into an area that used to be largely Protestant.

Race is also increasingly becoming a barrier in Northern Ireland and sexual orientation. The Community Relations Officer of Newtonabbey reported that she has been out 24 times to victims of racial attack. Barriers are created where difference is noted and in an effort to increase our security, making an “us” and a “them” we put people in a box or behind a wall.

In Ephesians Paul writes that Christ is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Christ has broken down the dividing wall! When Jesus died, the temple curtain was torn in two, proving that God cannot be contained within walls, even the walls of the temple. God’s love is not within bounds, walls, or divisions and He calls us to join him in breaking them apart. “There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, men or women, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” Jesus calls us to abandon our prejudice and trade it for a shared vision.

As Liz delivered her sermon, which I’ve sort of paraphrased and added my own embellishments to here, I was struck by the bravery of my minister. How she stood with enthusiasm before the congregation and delivered a sermon that artfully, unwaveringly, faced the issues before all of us. In my first months in Northern Ireland I have observed a dichotomy. People who want to talk about the Troubles, talk about the current issues in government, society, and even our own communities. I have also observed people who dance gracefully around everything and keep peace by layering silence on top of it. I think what I have learned most from this dichotomy and from the bravery of Liz’s sermon yesterday, is that we in the United States could really learn a lot. Here, the lines of division are raw, painted, flagged, and labeled. There are also the divisions that bubble under the surface and are exchanged in a glance. In the States, we have a few labels on our boxes, a few defined divisions, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and political view. Most of the time we don’t have much trouble talking about them, but we do hesitate to make much of them.

“History is going to judge us in this country,” Liz said. “Our grandchildren are going to ask us, ‘What did you do to make a difference?’”

History will judge us in our own country as well. What did you do to make sure that all people were treated equally? What did you do to stand up for what you believe in, in a way that affected change? What did you do to eliminate and break down the walls that built a maze around you? What did you do to ensure that there is no longer them and us and share the message that we are all one in Christ Jesus and God’s love knows no bounds? What did you do to make a difference?

How do you know when the night has passed and the day has come?

When you can look into the eyes of every person you meet and see that they are your brother or sister, because until you are able to do this, the night will never end and the day will never dawn.

Miracle Maker

Children as young as 3 develop prejudice, noticing physical and racial differences. 1 in 6 children in Northern Ireland are making sectarian comments by the age of 6, that's a comment that relates to a characteristic of being Catholic or Protestant. From this age there is only an increase in discriminatory perception in children. NIPPA, NICIE, and Queen's University are working together on a media initiative project which has recently launched a series of children's cartoons that focus on a group of children, some of whom have physical, ethnic, and background differences. The idea is that through nursery schools, parent programs, and other public awareness initiatives children will be exposed to positive images, be able to recognize exclusion, and be given the tools to begin practicing inclusion exhibited by a willingness to include others.
www.mifc-pii.org (for more on the Media Initiative)

Last week, I attended the "Respecting Difference" seminar at Ulidia Teacher's Centre with at least 20 other participants from Nursery Schools around Belfast. The first day we examined our own attitudes by looking at prejudices against cultural groups that we carry as we seek to introduce a program of respect to our children. The second day we looked at the materials in the packets we will receive. They include the DVD of the 3 media messages, each one dealing with a different topic. We spent time at 3 different tables with the materials associated with each media message. In small groups we discussed the developmental appropriateness of the materials, usability, and other aspects. We concluded the day by talking about how we would implement the program, make the parents aware, and inspire parent support.

Over the two days I noticed some interesting comparisons between the Northern Irish school system and what I know of the American school system. Firstly, all teachers desperately want the support of parents. We truly do believe that parents are the first and best teacher and we want to be unified with parents to help children succeed as people. Second, even in Northern Ireland, teachers feel pressed for time. I heard more than one group say, "I just keep wondering where I will have time to fit this in with everything else." The challenge of implementing all the programs that will benefit our children is something that educators worldwide deal with and it takes humility to discern what to prioritize. I found solidarity in talking with the other teachers and nursery workers there. It reminded me what it feels like to be a teacher and I actually found comfort in discussing some of the same struggles that I was running from when I applied to be a YAV.

I learned about the conflict over the two days as I listened to people from both sides react to the portrayl of the different groups in the materials. In conversation with the people in my group, they taught me about customs of the culture and their hopes for the future. The third media message is entitled, "Playing the Same Game" and it shows one group of children playing with Loyalist/Protestant band equipment like a drum and a baton, while the other group of children is playing with a Hurling stick and ball, usually associated with Republicans/Catholics. Puzzles to go along with the message where intend to portray the cultures of the two groups by showing celebrations or festival photos. There was a photo of an Orange Order parade, which everyone felt looked too busy and most children who had used the puzzle thought it was a funeral. There was also a photo of St.Patrick's Day and the majority felt that photo made it look dull and trite. As an observer and an outsider I tried to make generic observations and filter my comments through an educational lens, but you could feel the tension in the room at times. I was reminded that in all cultures, even in ours in the United States, there are cultural tensions just under the surface. There are wounds of bitterness, stemming from differences in understanding or lack of understanding that permeate all cultures. Yet here I am with the unique opportunity to learn from another culture and how they are positively surrounding children with ways to address difference. Bill told me that because of the Troubles Northern Ireland would have had less immigrants in the past 30 years. Now as the number of immigrants increases and the religious and political differences of the Troubles are coming into the light of open and productive dialogue, there is much to be learned from progress in Northern Ireland.

We could learn to recognize when someone is left out
We could learn to remember the anguish of being excluded
We could reach out to someone in need
We could value others
We could accept religious differences
We could lay bitterness aside, sacrifice it for the sake of peace and progress
We could forgive
We could break the circle and include everyone

The weekend before I attended the seminar, I went to a concert with the youth from Whitehouse to see Delirious. Nothing has inspired me so much about the future of Belfast as when I saw the youth gathered on the floor at that concert praising God. At one point they sang in a unified voice about God at work in their city through them. As I've gotten to know the youth at Whitehouse, the children at the 174, the teachers at the seminar, the other people I work with at church and the Trust, I am humbled by God at work in Northern Ireland.



There are days when it's difficult. Days when I feel more acutely the sting of being separate from everyone I love and the places that defined me. There are days when I feel misinterpreted, because English is not always Southern English and being laughed at isn't always easy to shrug off. Moments of isolation when I want people to know who I am and how much I care, but I'm not sure where to begin. But God reminds me, in all those people I mentioned above and in new experiences everyday, that His power is perfect in my weakness. He doesn't need me to show how good He is, He would accomplish it anyway, but being here is a gift because there is so much I can learn if I only open my eyes to the work of the Miracle Maker.


Miracle Maker

I’m waiting here for my life to change,
When the waters stir you can rearrange me.
Just one touch is all I need,
I’ve nothing much but the wounds I feel,
I’m looking for the hand of the miracle man.

Holy, you are holy,
Who was and is and is to come.
Holy, you are holy, Saviour, Healer,
I’m standing at the feet of the miracle maker.

I’m holding on, with your life in mine,
Living water’s come,
And you’ve rearranged me.

Holy you are holy,
Who was and is and is to come.
Holy, you are holy,
Saviour, healer,
I’m staring in the face of the miracle maker.

Holy, you are holy,
Who was and is and is to come.
Jesus, precious Jesus,
Thank you, Saviour,
I’m walking in the shoes of my miracle maker.
I’m standing with the faith of a miracle maker.

Written by Delirious? ©2005 Curious? Music UK