Week 4: (July 7th-13th) Letterkenny

Hello, friends! Long awaited update on Week 4!!! 

(Quiet and wonderful early breakfast before going to Dublin on Monday, July 8th- the view from Trudy's)

I spent a week at Allister and Trudy's in Letterkenny. Allister and Trudy were a huge blessing to open their home to me for the week! I had a wonderful time from them. They are a lovely couple. Letterkenny in north of Strabane, but is not in Northern Ireland (the part of Ireland that is in the UK). It is in the Republic of Ireland in the County of Donegal.

(Meet Allister and Trudy Johnston who hosted me my 4th week at Phyllis and Kassim's wedding)

So Sunday, July 7th, I worshiped with the fellowship at The Bridge for the last time during my stay. Claire, Kerry, and I did worship together and several members of The Bridge spoke a few words on their reflection of the past year. Stephen spoke on how he saw the gospel, Alison Smyth on prayer's impact, Clive on unity, Nan on faithfulness, Sheila on God's provision, Darlene on God's control and comfort, and Joe on the presence of God. It was wonderful and bittersweet because it was the Cornell's last Sunday at The Bridge and in Ireland before they moved back to the states. 
Later, there was a BBQ at the Aiken's to say goodbye to the Cornells. 

(Clive, my Irish dad)

(my little pals!)

(The Barrs and I)

(Lauren and I)

(Aimee and I)

(Damien!!)

(Noeleen and I)

It was wonderful and sweet. I was surprised and touched that the fellowship and friends also pointed out it was my last time with them as well. I miss my friends that I made at The Bridge and I do hope that I will be able to see them again sometime. I do hope that the goodbye was only a goodbye until later. But, if not, I can have full assurance of worshiping together one day with our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Brian and Heather Chambers came to pick me up early from the BBQ so that I could make it to prayer time at Letterkenny Baptist Church. Goodbyes were short and sweet. Prayer time with the members of LK Baptist was encouraging and Spirit-filled. Afterward, I went home with Allister and Trudy Johnston who were members of the church. 

On Monday, July 8th, Trudy, Sylvia (Trudy's friend) and I went to Dublin. First, we went to Newgrange, a pre-historic monument in County Meath, Ireland. It was built about 3200 BC in the Neolithic period, possibly older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. It is not sure what the purpose of it was, but it is most likely that it was religious purposes, possibly a temple for the people who worshiped the Dagda, the sun-god. According to legend, the Dagda built the monument for himself, his wife, Boann, and his three sons. 

(Newgrange, County Meath)

It was truly a miracle that we got into Newgrange! Usually groups book tours about 2 years in advance and those who are wanting to get in need to come in hours before tours to try and get tickets. 
We came in around 10:50 am wanting the 11:15 am tour, and the lady told us that the only next available tour was at 2:15 pm which we would not be able to stay for. Only a few minutes later as we were about to walk away, she came back with three tickets for 11:15 am and we got them half price because it was so close to the time and someone did not want them! 
We were so excited and shocked and we ran to the bus stop for the tour! 

(entrance stone with megalithic art)

We ate lunch and barely made the train into Dublin on time. We went to Trinity College and Trudy showed us around because she had studied Pharmacy there for 4 years only a few years ago. 

We saw the Books of Kells in the Trinity College Library. 

(dreamy bookcase in the Trinity Library)

(Trinity College Library, home of the Book of Kells)

We sat on the great lawn of Trinity and watched people and talked. Trudy and I got orange juice from the bar which was pretty humorous because the bartender seemed pretty surprised by our request. 

(Trinity College in Dublin)

(Dublin)

(Dublin)

(Temple Bar in Dublin at night)

We walked around and went through a beautiful park. We ate dinner in Dublin's Temple Bar which was buzzing with people of all kinds. Around 10:45 we ran and barely made it to the train in time. It was a wonderful day! 

Tuesday and Wednesday were both days that were more relaxing and full of preparing for the BYE team (Baptist Youth Evangelism team) coming to Letterkenny Baptist coming to help with the Holiday Bible club and the youth club on July 20-28th. 

(Holiday Bible Club flyer- designed by myself with help from Trudy)

(Youth Club flyer designed by myself with help from Trudy)

On Thursday, I had lunch with Heather Chambers and then we worked at the bookshop that Letterkenny Baptist Church has. In the evening was the wedding of Phyllis and Kassim. Phyllis and Kassim are both from Ghana. (There is a large population of immigrants from Ghana in Ireland, and many people who go to Letterkenny Baptist are from Ghana.) Last minute, it was decided that I would play my own rendition (me improvising with the chords) of Amazing Grace (it was not as impressive as this sounds) for the bride, Phyllis to walk in Letterkenny Baptist to. It was informal, exciting, and a combination of two wonderful cultures! Not bad for my second experience of a wedding. I had a blast! 

(the Letterkenny Baptist worship team played some worship songs)

(me playing "Amazing Grace" for the bride's entrance)

(Pastor Stephen Wilson marrying Phyllis and Kassim)

(3 ladies sang songs in blessing to the bride and groom! one in their language!!)

(Sweet Mona Lisa, a member of LK Baptist)

(Pastor Stephen Wilson and Alister Johnston)

(Heather and Brian Chambers)

(after the ceremony!) 

(One of the sweet girls who befriended me because they thought I had a good sense of fashion!)

(dancing!)

(Phyllis and Kassim, the newlyweds!)

On Friday, July 12th, I went with Alison and Aimee Smyth to Ballymena, N. Ireland for the Protestants march. Every 12th of July, the Protestants gather pipe bands and parade and celebrate together- obviously a big day for Protestants. (Just to make sure that everyone knows- I DID NOT go for a political statement- only for the purpose of the experience and to see what it was like.)

(It was pretty fun!)

(Alison, Aimee and I)

(One of the MANY bands!)

Later, Alison dropped me off in time to go with Trudy to Allister's family's caravan park in Marble Hill on the north coast. It was wonderful. We had tea (dinner) with Allister's parents.  

(Allister and Trudy and Allister's parents)

(Allister's parents, the Johnstons)

Saturday, July 13th, I prepared to go to Richill Baptist Church to work with the CYIA team in Derry (Londonderry) and made cookies for Trudy to bring to her nieces and nephews when she went back to the caravan site. David Baird, the pastor at Richill Baptist, picked from Allister and Trudy's to bring me to the church. I met the team that night and even though they had all worked together before, I connected and fit in pretty well immediately. 

My next update will be about my week with the CYIA team working children's holiday Bible clubs in the neighborhoods in Derry.  

Hashtag ByeTeamBanter

Hey you guys,

So as many of you know I'm in Ireland! (woo) The land of the famous Tim Houston and Mark Chambers, or as I call them, my friends. 

Let me tell you about Mark firstly, he has some the greatest quotes he comes out with ever. Search "#craicmarksays" for more. Here's some examples: "Helllllo still Andrew!" and "Who do ye think ye are talkin' all american on me?!" 

Now for Tim, he enjoys life and loves all my Americanisms, he finds me quirky in a fashionable way. Sometimes I think he is a heavy drug user but then I realize that he is just a Northern Irish dude and they are 100% crazy 100% of the time.


I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with everyone here and they have changed my life for the better so I'm sad to announce that I will not be returning hope to grace the starry, stripey nation i once called home. In the spirit of the pioneers of old I am going to begin a new adventure in this wet, green land because it supercedes everything in the States...sorry guys the craic just is so much better here.

much love and epic banter yal 

Week 3: (June 30th- July 6th) Strabane

Hello, folks. So bad at keeping up- I do apologize. Thanks for your patience. 

(view from the road on Tuesday with Joe and Lauren)

The weather has been beautiful since Monday, July 1st- which is a miracle for Ireland since it is virtually rainy all day, every day! And when I mean beautiful, I mean 20 degrees Celsius  80 degrees Fahrenheit and completely sunny- NO RAIN! The locals tell me that they haven't had consistently beautiful weather like this since 2006!!!!! So most people are taking off work and enjoying the weather or going to the beach. Completely understandable for people never see the sun unless they go on holiday to another country. 

Well, June 30th, Sunday was a wonderful day at Richill Baptist in Derry. I was asked to play piano for worship with one of the member's sons, Adam, who played guitar because they did not have anyone for worship at the moment. Even though it was a bit on the fly and unorganized from lack of communication, we played fairly well and the service was enjoyable. The pastor of Richill, David and his wife, Elizabeth, gave me a lift back to Clive and Shelia's in time for lunch. Clive and Sheila's son, Craig, and his wife, Alison, and their children, Caleb and Micah came over for lunch. 
Very shortly after lunch, I went with Lauren, Chris, Jenna, Simon and Graham to meet up some other folks to go jetskiing. It was great fun! Afterwards, we all went back to Ally and Alison's house with Joe's take out and had tea (dinner).

(Ally and Alison)

(Simon's hand, Chris, Lauren, William, Damien, Jenna, Aimee)

(Claire in her inflatable canoe- it was cool)

(Aimee and I)

(Damien and I!!!!! NEW CHRISTIAN!!!! :D) 

 

(Me on the jetski!!! I wasn't very good but it was a blast!)

On Monday, July 1st, I went horseback riding with Lauren, Bethany and Clive on his horses, Misty and Shiloh. It was Bethany's birthday :) Alison, Craig's wife, and Caleb and Micah came down for a little bit to see the horses and ride them. It was a blast. 

Afterwards, Lauren and I talked for a while, then I went for a long ride on Clive's electric bike (not a motorcycle- a bicycle with a motor on it). Lauren came back over after tea, which was Shelia's homemade enchiladas. 

(Alison and Caleb on Misty)

(Bethany on Shiloh)

(Papa Clive and Micah)

(Sweet wee Micah)

(On Shiloh and receiving instructions)

(See you later! Going off riding with my Ireland dad)

(Lauren on Misty)

On Tuesday, July 2nd, I saw and played with little Timmy and Naomi Aiken for a few minutes before going to Derry with Joe and Lauren for the day. It poured. Typical Irish weather. But, hey, that's what makes this place so green. Then I had tea with Ally and Alison which was wonderful. We went to The Bridge for walking club and then returned to Alison's with Lauren to watch The Notebook. (I had never seen it before so we decided it was about time that I saw it.)

(Teaching Timmy piano)

(Coffee at Cafe Nero in Derry)

(Tea with Ally and Alison)

(Walking Club on Tuesday)

On Wednesday, July 3rd, I went off on another 2 hour excursion early in the morning. I went running, walking around, exploring some paths in Sion Mills. Later I went to Derry again with Lauren and Darlene, and after I got home, I made some cookies to bring to Damien McCrory's for tea. It was grand. 

(the ladies at the McCrory's)

(The McCrory's and I)

On Thursday, July 4th, Sheila and I went to Port Steward, Portrush, and Dunluce Castle. It was amazing. We had a great time talking and walking around. Then we had lasagna with the Cornells and afterward I played piano for Clive and Sheila. 

(East Strand, Port Steward)

(Port rush)

(Port rush)

(Port rush)

(Dunluce)

(Dunluce)

(View from Dunluce)

(Sheila and I)

On Friday, July 5th, I went to The Bridge with Nan and Damien, and we kept the place open for tea and coffee for whoever wanted any. Later that evening, a bunch of us went to tea at Jason and Alison Smyth's house. 

(Alison and Jason Smyth and their daughter, Rebecca)

(sunset view from their yard!)

On Saturday, July 6th, I practiced for worship with Claire and Kerry then a bunch of us got ready for a fundraiser 5k walk/10k run for Caring For Life, an organization that works with people to support them throughout their lives. Later, Clive and Sheila's oldest son, Niall came to visit with his wife, Debbie, and son, Gabe. The day ended with Niall and Debbie and I going down to Kerry and Stephen's for a few hours before heading back up for sleep. 

(the group for the walk/run) 

My friends, I will try to update you about Week 4 as soon as I can. Week 4 was in Letterkenny with Alister and Trudy Johnston. 

But, the next two weeks will be my busiest, so it may take a while. 

Week 5 will be in Derry working with Richill Baptist's Child Youth In Action team. 

Week 6 will be in Letterkenny again working with Letterkenny Baptist's Baptist Youth Evangelism team.