This week was orientation week--in other words, "Info Dump." This was the week we were informed of policies and house rules/inner workings, signed contracts, and made our debut at events as the "new DTS." We also received our first assignments in the classroom, and received extensive introductions to topics like hearing God's voice, intercessory prayer, dependence upon God for finances, and conflict resolution.
We started in on mealtime chores, went on tours of the house, and went on a scavenger hunt around Rostrevor (on which we had waaaay too much fun taking pictures of us doing things that were not required).
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| An Cuan, the YWAM Rostrevor Base |
It has been a very full and informative week, which has left little free time (except in the evenings, when we are tired from the day and want to do little else than lounge around socializing and drinking tea, take showers, or sleep). We have all been adjusting from jet lag, which we finally figured out has been especially difficult because of multiple time changes; we "sprang ahead" with the time change in the States, then lost an entire day to international travel, lost 7 hours upon arrival (since the U.K. is currently 7 hours ahead of California), and then found out the U.K. has not yet hit Daylight Savings and will be "springing ahead" within the next couple weeks--meaning yet another time change. Needless to say, we're all looking forward to this weekend, both for free time and for sleep.
"Free time" does not, however, mean that we are left with nothing to do. Most of us still have an assignment to complete this particular weekend, and we all have to come together to sort out meals on weekends in general (as we just learned). But there is plenty to do corporately outside the base as well. Pub ministry takes place on weekends. Our Irish teammates have connections to other ministries, as well as friends to connect with. And some staff members open up their homes for movie and game nights. The local restaurants and ice cream shop also stay open until late at night, as people are out late for the pubs.
Most American Christians, I think, would hear "pub ministry" and cringe. They think of a Christian sitting at a bar, fighting the temptation to conform and get drunk with people, as they try to evangelize the the unbelievers around them, and wonder how valid of a witness that is. (Or at least, I would, because I've heard of too many people falling.) But pub culture here in Ireland is very different from American bar atmosphere. The legal drinking age is lower, the overall attendance age is very mixed, and the music doesn't start until 10pm and goes into the early hours of the morning. When I say "music," I mean live performance...and when I say "live performance," I don't just mean a band; I mean there may be one hired musician, who gets paid, but anyone else is free to join in--either with their voice, or with an instrument they brought. And there are times when the entire pub will quiet so a single person can sing--a person who may or may not be an accomplished musician or a seasoned patron. Never have I seen such a music-based culture, so rooted around creativity and performance. This creativity permeates the YWAM base, and propels its residents outward into the community to share their gifts effectively for Jesus, whether in worship halls or pub settings; the versatility is truly amazing.
The crazy part is how well recognized the YWAM base is in the community. The townspeople are aware that new students sweep in and out every few months, and they are aware that we stay at the historical Christian Renewal Center, which is so famous for its work during the Troubles. They have seen the community work of previous DTSes. They have come to Open Mike Nights, Community Fairs, and Monday night Harbour services at the base. Please pray that this outstanding witness would continue.
Please also pray that, as we all get ready to enter into our first "real" week as a DTS, we would grow together, that we would be refreshed, and that we would be able to hit the ground running.
For me personally, please pray for my Jesus time and alone time, as I am not yet sure what that should look like here. Please also pray that God would direct me as I seek out both Him and those places and things that He has shown me and continues to show me, and that He would keep tight hold of my heart for the duration of my time here (and beyond). Another continued prayer of mine is that God would continue to cement into me the reality of where I am and what He is doing with me here.
Thank you for your continued prayers and little electronic notes of support! I appreciate them. :)
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ReplyDeleteIt's cooler (pardon the lack of intelligent adjective) reading this knowing that this is where God has you. You're not there to prepare for grander things but you're there to be THERE.
I was thinking of the sharing testimonies day last week and wondering if you would be going through that too. So awkward at mine! But I was younger than you and not half as confident.
That's interesting about the music culture and do you regret not having your flute? :-P Or did you take it? Anyway, you'll fit into that nicely.
Pardon me rambling on your blog, but I really enjoyed reading this. And hey, why didn't you post any of the crazy pix you guys took? ;)
And what's up with wearing your hair down! I hardly recognized you!
I almost packed my flute--I even had it in my backpack--but then I decided against it. I remembered that almost every time I bring my flute with me somewhere, I don't end up using it. It's an expensive thing to tote around an outreach country, and it took up valuable space I could use for packing clothes instead, so in the end, I didn't bring it. But once I got here, I realized that might have been a mistake. Ireland as a whole is so incredibly musical that using it would have been obvious. But if called upon to do something, it sounds like I might be able to borrow a flute from somebody, or maybe I could just fall back on my voice.
DeleteI didn't post the crazy pics because I'm pretty sure Nash has them all. :/ I wanted to! I've gotta get some of those from him.
Haha! My mom took me to get a relaxer put on my hair right before I left for Northern Ireland. It makes it so my curls actually extend downward rather than completely poofing/froing sideways, and the perpetual moisture in the air here keeps down the frizz, so for the most part I've been wearing it down during the day and then braiding it to sleep. It's a welcome image change. :)