This morning I sat outside in the brisk cold air and read my morning devotions. As I was too tired to do my read.walk.think.pray devos… I sat beside a stone wall across the road from the Methodist College’s chapel and read, thought, and prayed.

I was there about an hour or so since breakfast wasn’t until 9:00 AM. (Irish people sleep in and I get up around 5:30!) As I sat there I was a bit distracted by a large seagull at the steeple of this church building. He was cawing like crazy and getting on my nerves! It took me a little while to realize that he was protecting his turf on the steeple from another seagull who wanted his spot. Every minute or so the seagull to his left would get a foot closer or so… too close for the bird on it’s perch. So he would caw and scream and stamp his feet in anger. As the hour went on the two got closer and closer making racket all the while.

As I think about this and the troubles [as they call them] here in Belfast I can honestly come to the conclusion that the groups here are so divided so deeply that even the birds fight just to fight about nothing. Of course, it’s nothing to me… Because I’m not involved… But it is important to them. Just like the birds this morning.

In our training we’ve learned a fair amount about the troubles. We know what to look out for and we know some background information. But we don’t understand it. We know that in about 30 years of these troubles there have been about 3600 people murdered… Half of them innocent bystanders. [Contrast that with gang and crime in Detroit for the last 30 years and Belfast seems like Mayberry!] We know that 90% of the crimes go unpunished. We know that the factions now look more like gangs in some way since they have started to generate income by selling drugs.

Peace. Is it possible in Northern Ireland? I think so. I am stupid enough to think that Christ’s love compels people like our team to action for change. This change begins with introducing kids, students, and parents to the Peacemaker. We’ve been trained and had drilled into us the simple thought that we can change this world with our service. It’s my prayer that what God does here is merely the beginning for these 8 folks from Romeo. Our goal has always been and continues to be bridging this experience here to home and igniting a passion for evangelism in Romeo that starts with these 8 and spreads to the rest of our church family. Please pray for that!

Updates
As I type this, all of the teams are packing for departure. We’ve had a great time here at Methody but it is time to go. We won’t be staying up late and learning new Irish terms or watching couple sneak off to go snoggin’ or hopping the fence to go snag fish & chips before curfew. [They lock the gates one hour before curfew… We’re like a bunch on Mexicans!] It’s time for us to head to our towns and get down to business.

Last night was one of the most powerful worship services I have ever been to. I’m not sure I can explain it. Awesome music. Jon described it as the best worship he’s ever experienced. He was greatly moved.

Beth is doing great. She’s headed to a town that is pronounced “Maura.” She thinks her team is great… They are all a lot like her. Quiet, studious, considerate, and highly influential. She’s been a great help to me this week in helping all of us adjust to team life.

Dawn is very ready to go. She will have the most internet access of all of us so expect to hear from her. I am very excited to see what God has in store for her in Ballyclaire. [I think that’s her town!]

Katie and Autumn are ready for Kilelea. They’ve been told their work will be hard but rewarding. Please pray that their team would get really tight. Also pray for Autumn… No major homesickness yet… But one asthma attack last night might bring that on. [SHE IS FINE, relax Barb… We’ve got Beth!]

Jon has it all together as his team is headed to the 2nd largest town in NI. Partadown. They will be working with an existing youth group that needs a serious kick in the pants. Portadown is about the size of the Romeo area…. Yeah, that’s right. 40,000 qualifies as the 2nd largest town.

Andrea had a very happy birthday. Lots and lots of singing and embarrassing moments. She’s been told her town is pretty rough… If you know Andrea you know that makes her excited.

Lisa is headed up to Monkstown. I know we were told before that this was a high crime area. It is. But never fear, Lisa has a massive Highland Games guy that is a former bouncer. He’s more protective of his teammates that I could be.

Adam I guess that leaves me. We have a very loud team. We’re going to be taking little 5 miletown by storm. I don’t think the pastor was lying when she said emphatically “all of Fivemiletown” is waiting for you. The 4 churches, about 900 families, have a combined active student population of 5. That’s not a type-O. 5 in Fivemiletown!

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Prayer requests: Safety on the roads is a major thing. Europe has very, very narrow road. And yes there are road hazards like cows and sheep to contend with. There was a YFC staffer killed in a motorcycle accident just 2 nights ago. His name was Matthew. Team health. We’ve been told that many team members have reported mysterious extreme pain in their hands and feet in previous years. Pray that Satan would be bond from here while our work is going on. Team group dynamics. Putting this many cultures together in a stressful environment will be crazy. All of our teams have several nations represented. Pray for our leaders as the travel around fixing problems on teams. They are judged and jury and will be stressed out. I’ve been told I will get to go around and visit all of the Romeo team next week… Pray for wisdom since I am not sure I want to do that. Pray for me as I will be preaching on 7/31. I hope they can understand my accent and that I don’t say anything that has a meaning I don’t understand! Pray for Dawn’s team. There is a team member they have already decided to “vote off the island” as he is very very rude!

Last thing. I’ve added more pictures. Check them out in the gallery.