Moving

Greenhill YMCA closed for the year last week, so all the volunteers scattered back to their homes all over the world. Well all except the RAD team. We were in Ireland to do missions, so that is what we were going to do during the three week vacation.

Kevin, Caitlyn and I moved to Belfast to work at the East Belfast Mission (EBM). We are now volunteering in a charity furniture shop that EBM uses to raise money for other important work, one being a counseling center for ?????????. EBM houses us in a nice place that is just the right size for three people to live comfortably. It is right across the street from a "peace wall." A peace wall is a 50 foot high fence put up to keep Catholics and Protestants from destroying each others homes. Luckily the violence has diminished in the past 5 years. The homes that are right by the wall, which were destroyed during the troubles, are now being rebuilt. It has calmed down enough for people to feel comfortable in homes so close to the "border." Its exciting to see a sort of renaissance for this part of Belfast. Also in Belfast we are closer to Tim (he's in charge of us while we are here) which is good, because Tim is a really good guy to just have a conversation with or help the group through a problem.

One downside about working here is that, like any time one moves, we don't know many people. What makes it worse is that we only have three weeks here, which isn't enough time to start a meaning relationship with the community. So lately I've had a lot of time to myself (with no TV or internet). This gives me a chance to really reflect on my time in Ireland so far:

I have been struggling to make Ireland my home in a sense. I keep thinking back to how things were back home. Other times I look ahead to what life will be like when I return, or what college will be like. I have struggled to live in the present. By not living in the here and now there are so many moments that can be missed, and I don't want to miss any important moments during this year. I have realized the opportunity that is here for me to grow in my faith, and to live out my faith. For the first time I am living in a secular community in Greenhill. I have realized that while most of the other volunteers don't really have a faith they still want to talk about spiritual matters. I'm always glad to facilitate that. I have had many good conversation with them, and have built up a good relationship with all the other volunteers. Being away from all the guys in Greenhill has made me realize how close I have gotten to them. I hope that I can continue to strengthen the relationships I have with them when I return there in January.

I miss you all. Thanks for all the Prayers.

Check this out

Well things are winding down at Greenhill for the year. I leave for East Belfast Mission on Thursday, but other than that I don't have much news. I saw this video at an FCA meeting before I left, and I thought it was awesome, I just came across it again and thought you might want to check it out. Enjoy :)

What I've been doing

Those of you who get my email would have already read this, but I realized that I hadn't writen about the actual work I've been doing, so I thought that it would be appropiate.

I've been in Northern Ireland for over a month now, and things are going well. I am working at a YMCA called Green Hill. It is a youth camp. They have all sorts of outdoor activities. I've spent this month figuring out what my role here will be. It's been frustrating at times not exactly knowing what work I would be doing. Most of the other volunteers (13 of us live in one big house on the beach) here are outdoor instructors primarily. About half of them would call themselves christian. One of the reasons we were sent to this YMCA is so that hopefully we can start a trend of Christian volunteers here. also to get the "Christian Ethos" back in the Greenhill Y (over the years it has lost many church connections). But the work I'm doing while trying to help accomplish these goals is what I have struggled with. I like to do a little of everything so thats what I have been doing. First one of my tasks was to start up a shop (sell tee-shirts and chocolates and such) to help raise a little money for the center. That was a very slow and boring process, but I think that once its running well it will be useful. I have also been working on a DVD for a charity in Uganda. This is more of a favor. A man at Rod's (volunteer coordinator) church had worked in Uganda, and saw how orphans were treated, so he decided to start his own children's home type thing. The land had been donated, but he needed some help raising money, thats where the DVD comes in. I had some experience editing movies, and I had a good program for making it, so Rod asked me. He also hoped I could make one for Greenhill afterward, which is fine with me. I have also been working with the rest of the RAD team on a prayer walk, which should help give Greenhill a more christian feel. These jobs still weren't nearly enough work though. I was used to a busy schedule of school, practice, homework, and having fun. Plus being at an outdoor camp I really wanted to do some outdoor work. So now I am also training to lead outdoor activities. This morning I was helping lead a group through a river (yes it was cold), but I loved it. I think my year at Greenhill will be great. :)

Now as I'm finally getting settled in at Greenhill Christmas vacation is coming. While its closed Caitlyn Kevin and I (the RAD team) will be going to Belfast to work at the East Belfast Mission. It will be a big change, but it sounds like exciting work. Marry Christmas. I'll write you next year.

God Bless,
Jon