A conversation I had

So Cheryl Bailie (my "line-manager"-boss-friend) is awesome. On Friday I was sitting in the office wracking my brain for some innovative ideas for Kidsfest (to be only the sweetest kid's program ever) when she told me to go out & get some fresh air (She reads me like a book). The walk that I took was just what I needed. I didn't think of any innovative ideas, but God answered other questions that have been lingering in my mind. I've been asking Him WHY? : "Why am I here God? I'm not doing anyting that any of the other DYFC workers/volunteers can't do to impact this town, from what I can see at least. Kidsfest? Cheryl can think of way better ideas anyway, & I'm not really an evangelist either. Anything that I can do, others in Dromre can do as well, & I can do anywhere. Why Dromore, Lord? Why can't I be in some physically impoverished place where I'm able to see the results of my efforts & feel appreciated by the peole I am helping? I want to get back to basics (Jeremiah 6:16! I so want it!)- surely living in a hut & eating rice for dinner would be just that?! So, again, why Dromore?"

I said all of that to God whilst dandering through the woods of Dromore park with "Freewheel" by Duke Special looping around my mind, & God replied,

"Faith is being certain of what you cannot see- this is why I've had your nose stuck in Hebrews 11 & pondering faith lately! You are here in Dromore by faith... though you can't always see all the results of your efforts to inspire, guide, & love like you would if you were in a third-world country or any place with physical needs, & though you may not always be helping people who appreciate your efforts, know & trust that I need you here. Have faith that your presence in this town is necessary for this time. 'Back to basics' doesn't only mean back to material things... the most basic of all 'things' is to Love. Love for all you're worth."

Freed from doubt & sure of my Savior's hand in my life, I meandered back to the office.

NI vs USA

What if rain drops were different colors & so when it rained buildings would become multi-colored? And they wouldn't all run together & turn brown because the colors miraculously wouldn't mix. God could do that, & it would be stellar. Ireland would be the most colorful place in the world!

They don't refrigerate their eggs in the supermarket?! ...& 5 other things done differently in Northern Ireland (& probably the entirety of the UK) than the US:

1. Cute &/or fancy mailboxes are non-existent. Rather, post-boxes (a slit in the door) are installed on every front door, & the post man walks up to each door to deliver the mail. To send mail, one must go to the post office, or use a community post-box down the street (I suppose this probably happens in some places in the States as well?)

2. "Crisp" (potato chip) flavors: Fancy trying some Roast Ox (actually not too bad) or Prawn Cocktail crisps? How about Worcestershire Sauce, or Pickled Onion?

3. For dinner (or, "tea"), usually your food is piled onto your plate for you in the kitchen, & then brought out to you at the table. I prefer the American way of putting all the food on the table & everyone helping themselves. (I'm not a fan of gravy, & I unfortunately tend to forget to mention that before my plate is brought out to me.) 

4. In a wedding, the bride's family pays for bridesmaids' dresses & groomsmen's tuxes. Lucky for the bridesmaids & groomsmen... not so much for the happy couple.

5. This isn't really something "done" differently, but check out these police cars & ambulances! You can't miss them on the road.

So there's some culture for you =] & for some reason this is typing underlined & I can't get it off....In the DYFC office, now consisting of our fantastic 2008-2009 team (Cheryl, David, Anna, Bob, & myself...check out our photos... link to the right...), we've been brainstorming for the year ahead. For those of you who don't know, the Base has gone mobile. We no longer have the centre that housed BaseKids and Drop-In; what we do have, however, is a mobile caravan, out of which we're praying that God is going to do great things. I've been put in charge of a project that will hopefully electrify out children's ministry.. 

Love.