Last night was a good last night of drop-in. We spent some time hanging out and also had a bit of programing as well. I think we really saw that there could have been much, much more programing throughout the two weeks. We sang some praise songs, played some LF classic games, and I did a quic talk and challenge. They sat and participated and really listened as I answered their questions from the question box and shared the gospel.
For the 2 weeks, 9 students have given their lives to Christ and many, many more were willing to take my challenge to “give Jesus their Friday nights.” [This is when the drop-in/youth group will meet.]
As my mind starts to shift from what has happened in 5mile to what will happen in 5mile I am also reminded of the aims of this trip. Our work doesn’t stop when we leave Northern Ireland. For the people here, the work begins. And for the team coming home, the work has just begun. I know I have learned many things that I can do better in brining students closer to a relationship with Jesus… let’s pray that I am not alone in that.
I’ve also just realized something about myself. For a lot of the 2 weeks I have been very antsy. I’ve felt like I wasn’t giving anything to the team but just happily stayed in the background. In a lot of ways I’ve had to learn a new role… that of a backdoor supporter. I have been around to pick people up, challenge them, correct them, and just plain serve them. But it wasn’t until I got up to speak last night that I realized that I hadn’t gotten to do “this” the entire time I was there. Speaking to young people is something I like to do and am comfortable with. But since I wasn’t allowed to do it I had to learn a new role. Frankly, it stunk to be out of my “strong role” and it wasn’t until I got back into that role last night that I even noticed that. I really hope I have learned something from that. More on that in the future.
Camera problems… I don’t know what the deal is but I am taking pictures but not able to view them later. It’s pretty annoying. I took some videos last night that I’d like to have… but they seem to be gone. That stinks!
Clean-up My team will be busy all day trying to clean the hall. It is very, very bad. We have a few more hours, but I suspect it will take an all out effort to get it done.
Troubles in North Belfast Derek Tang asked me if these latest problems have anything to do with our teams. In looking at the map it is several miles from any of our teams. LisaB is closest in Monkstown… but still a long way away from any of that. While I don’t understand a lot of the history of “the troubles” it is clear that this is a case of two paramilitaries [gangs to us in the States] that are fighting over drug turf. Both parties technically fight against the IRA… but from what I can understand since it is so quiet right now the paramilitaries care mostly about drug turf. We are going to Hillsboro later today and that is a good distance from Belfast. [An hour or more… in NI that’s a long way!]
Just about 36 hours until we are home. Praise God for His abundant provisions. Thank you for praying for us!
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