What a trip

Wow I had a great week at home. Thanks to everyone who visited with me while I was home it was so awesome to see everyone. After that great time home I was hoping for a nice trip to Ireland... it didn't quite go as planed.
Everything went fine getting Checked in at the Cleveland airport, but our plane was delayed. We got to Newark (our connecting flight to Belfast) right when our other plane was supposed to be leaving. It was still on the ground but they were done boarding. We couldn’t go that night. They gave us a hotel room and some food vouchers, and the next plane was going out the next night, and we might get on it. So Saturday I spent with Amo Daoud’s family (after we could find them with the messed up NJ train system). Tata (Grandma) found out that I was going to be there so she made Aunti Phoebe take her. Tamara and Yasmin also come down to see me. It was really a good time, and again showed me all the people who cared for me, and would be praying for me. So we went to the airport hoping to get on the plane. It was overbooked, and we only had standby tickets. The terminal was packed with people. While we waited for the workers to load everyone else on the plane and tell us if we had seats, I used all my food vouchers to buy snacks for the flight. Finally we were called! There was just enough room for us. The plane was packed, but we were on it. I slept for some of the flight, but about 6 hours later we landed in Belfast. We had finally made it after two full days of traveling, but when we went to get our bags they weren’t there. We waited around for a while, then waited in line for a longer while, waiting to tell the workers what had happened. My guess was that our bags had somehow gotten on the plane the night before, which we had missed. The clerk said that it had probably been misrouted, and we would have it hopefully by tomorrow. I had already spent 2 days and nights in those clothes, and didn’t want to spend another, but we left and waiting for us in the pickup area was Tim (the guy in charge while we are in Ireland). He welcomed us and told us what had happened to our bags. The plane that we missed was stuck on the runway for half an hour, and then the people were sent back inside for another 2 hours (all of this after we had “missed it”). So our bags had gotten on that plane, and were waiting for us at the airport. We got them and stuffed them and ourselves into Tim’s small car. He took us to his office where the three of us could eat change and relax after our long trip. We were finally in Ireland.

Now We Know...Kinda

I have been waiting to blog until Darrell got back from his trip in Ireland where he was basically figuring out what to do with us. He was supposed to come here on Tuesday, but surprised us and was here today. So now I know a lot more about the work I'll be doing, but I still don't know that much. But first I will tell you about my week. (If you want to go to the good stuff then skip the next paragraph).
Monday we talked about discipleship with 3 members of the Brethren/ Mennonite Churches. It was really cool because we got to hear 3 different viewpoints (plus our own) instead of one. On Tuesday we talked about Anabaptist history with Megan Ramer (the Mennonite pastor). We continued the conversation over lunch with Megan and Orlando(the Brethren pastor). On Wednesday I went to work...without Kevin :( I did the same on Thursday, but felt sick, and went home early. I felt bad on Friday also so I stayed home. I spent most of my time sleeping or praying for Kevin who had his surgery Friday(mistake on my last blog about it being Sunday). That afternoon we found out that the surgery went well and Kevin should be coming back this tuesday, instead of in a month! Praise God! The weekend wasn't that special. On Saturday I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art, where I found out I don't like contemporary art. On Sunday I went to Trinity United Church of Christ. It was an afro-centric church, but although Caitlyn and I were like the only white people there I never felt out of place. It's now sort of famous because Barack Obama goes there (he wasn't there he's campaigning). The service was really cool though. Sunday night Dell Hershberger came to talk about the cross cultural experience. He talked through Monday morning.
Monday Darrell showed up during breakfast and we were all excited to see him. After Dell talked we had lunch and a talk with Darrell. He was really excited about the two places we were going to work. First we will be going to Green Hill, a camp on the coast, and I mean right on the coast with a great view. The camp is a place for the Protestant and Catholic kids can come and have fun together. After a month there we will go to the East Belfast Mission. This is more "in the middle of the action." He was a little more vague about that, but it sounds like it will be an exciting month. After that we will return to Green Hill for the rest of the time.
So thats what I know so far, and I will try to keep everyone updated.
Thanks for reading

Mom Comes, Kevin Leaves

This week started out relatively normally. Krista talked to us about conflict on Monday. Then that night she talked to us about scripture. Wednesday Kevin and I went to work, and thats when things got weird. Kevin was acting odd during work and taking some long breaks. That night after dinner he told me that he was having some health issues. He had a fatty tumor on his leg that was causing him pain, and needed to be removed. He would be leaving on Sunday and would hopefully be able to rejoin us in time for our commencement at the end of the month. That was really a shock. I would appreciate it if you could all pray for him (Kevin Gray). He will be having his surgery on Sunday. Well that was the bad news for the week. The good news for me was that my mom come to visit and speak to us more about conflict (which we talked about Monday) on Friday. It was a good presentation and everyone enjoyed visiting with her, especially me. The next day the group helped Krista move to an apartment that is exactly 30 seconds away from our house. I helped move but left early to go have breakfast with my mom and cousin. I really enjoyed it and said goodbye to my mom. On Sunday Caitlyn and I took Kevin to the airport in the morning (the whole Ireland team). He ended up missing his flight, then not having room on the next one, so he finally got the third plane and arrived home safe. After that I went and played ultimate frisbee with the mennonite church. It was so much fun. It helped get my mind off of Kevin leaving, and it was the first "sport" I had played since I had been in Chicago (I know thats crazy for me). So that was my week. Again please pray for Kevin and the whole group who will be missing him.
Thanks for reading!

Crazy weekend, talkin' & workin'

Last weekend was crazy. It started out with Maria and her mom coming to visit on Saturday. That was awsome. We went to Millennium Park, the Celtic Music Festival, Navy Pier (boring), the conservatory, and walked around a lot. Sunday a group of us went to the Harvest church, which was right down the street. I didn't realize when we went there that I would be in for such a new experience. The music was very loud, and people were jumping around and falling down. Then when it looked like the paster was about to give his sermon he suddenly got all this energy and started "anointing" people, at least thats what I think it is. He put his hand on their foreheads and they fell down. I had seen things like that on TV before, but I had never seen it in person.
So that was my weekend. This week started with a lot of discussions. We talked about Sundays worship with everyone who would listen. We also had a discussion with Darrell about spirituality types. We took a "test" to see which type we were. There were 12 questions and 4 types. I had a four way tie! Later we had a discussion on prayer with Krista, we learned different ways to pray. That was a good discussion. Wednesday- Friday I went to my service project doing the same basic thing as last week. This weekend I was hoping to see the Cubs game, but because they are actually good this year I won't be able to get tickets. I'm going to the art institute, and I'm sure I'll find other stuff to do this weekend. I'll let you know about it next week

Speaker, Soccer, Service Projects

Since my last blog I have learned a little more about Northern Ireland. Although nothing is for sure yet I will probably be working with the East Belfast Mission. I will most likely do work with their youth program. I don't want to talk about that too much because it seems every time I do something gets changed and I end up having to correct myself. Just kidding
Anyway here in Chicago I have started my service project. I am working with Catholic Charities, doing office work. I work with Kevin Gray (the only other guy in RAD). We work at desks typing information from cards into the computer. It's not the funnest job in the world, but it is very helpful to the agency.
Also last week we had another guest speaker, James Kraybill. He talked to us about evangelism and peace. It was really a powerful lesson the eight of us continued to talk about what he had said for a long time, and It's an issue we will probably continue to discus. I am really greatful for the speakers Darrell has lined up for us.
I have also been enjoying my free time. I have figured out the CTA (Chicago’s mass transit) and I am utilizing it. Last weekend after going to church I went to the USA Brazil soccer game with Melina and Caitlyn. I met up with Jameel and Joseph there. It was a great game and it was good to see my brothers again. Next weekend looks to be just as much fun Maria is coming up to visit, the cheesecake festival is going on and the Celtic music fest will also be happening so it looks like this weekend will be full of fun.

Big News

Yesterday Darrel, the guy in charge, said he had some news for the Sweden team. He then went on to tell us that there was a problem with the visas and we were not going to be able to go to Sweden, but he wasn't sure where we would go and he had to narrow down the options. Needless to say that kind of took us all by surprise. We spent the rest of the night speculating, and wishing where we would end up. Today I got an email from Darrel which said that he had made a decision. We were going to......... Northern Ireland!!! We were all very excited (and I think some of the people in the Columbia team were jealous). This isn't the first time this has happened to me (I was supposed to be with the Columbia group but when they started the second team I was switched), so I feel a bit of deja vu. I am really looking forward to this year.
God bless

Mailing List

I forgot to tell you that I am starting a mailing list, so if your not on it and want to be than just send me an e-mail saying so, my address is jon_B_15@hotmail.com.

I will also take this opportunity to update you on whats going on in Chicago. Yesterday we helped clean up at the Chicago Mennonite Learning Center. After that we met up with Mike Zehr, who taught us about worship. He brought up some good points, and was a very interesting speaker. Today Krista (the DOOR director, who's helping us out while we're in Chicago) dropped us off in groups of two throughout the city and we had to find our way home. My group found our way home pretty easily. Tonight Krista is cooking dinner for our group, which is nice because last night Caitlyn and I had to cook (it turned out pretty good though). I'll talk to everyone later