A busy start...

Yesterday was a pretty busy day for all of us. A local minister came to speak with us in the morning and taught us about the history of Northern Ireland and "the troubles" (this is the term they use for the conflict between the Catholics and Protestants that has extended over generations). It was very helpful to hear an unbiased view about the political issues that began years of violence and killing of innocent people. We asked questions and were very well informed. It flowed with the bus trip we took, following the talk, through Belfast. It was chilly and the rain sprinkled down as we sat on the open roof top of a double decker bus. The tour was very heavy as we drove past murals that depicted the violence and aggression on both sides. The hardest thing to take in for the team was the wall that separates Catholics and Protestants in one specific area and the gate that is shut on weekends so that there is no interaction between both sides in that neighbourhood. The last half of the bus trip was a lighter more positive look on the future of Belfast and the hope of peace. There's a large star-shaped Titanic museum (because Belfast was where the Titanic was built) being constructed right in the city which should be a huge draw for tourists. Already Belfast is a much safer place than it was only a decade ago. Unfortunately we got news that Dylan's blood results came in and he has mono, so we would much appreciate prayers that he will have energy and feel better and that the rest of us would stay healthy too. So far he has felt well enough to participate in everything but his energy level is low. In the evening the team split up, half with Kevin to plan next week's vacation bible school for the local children (which we will be hosting) and the other half with me (Steph) where we went to a youth club where the children from ages four to mid-teens go every evening to just hang out with eachother. We played soccer and jump rope with the younger kids and then sat and chatted with the teens. They get a kick out of our accents and words like 'ketchup' (they call it 'red sauce') and flash-light ('torch')! Today has been a planning day (practising skits, handing out flyers and preparing for next week's children's ministry). And this evening we will be going to a Belfast Giant's ice hockey game with some of the local children! (I haven't mentioned before that the kids in the area absolutely love having us here and it's not unusual to have a constant banging on the windows and doors of the Friendship House for our attention! Never a dull moment here! Thanks for your prayers! :)