Saturday, July 22, 2006

"Ceeyaptain Keeyetchup!"

"I love ketchup, ketchup, ketchup!" has been the familiar chant of the week. The past five days have found us running around, singing wacky songs, and playing lots of "What time is it Mr. Wolf?" with a bazillion kids at the two Kids' Clubs that Swords Baptist Church ran. It has been a hectic and physically demanding week to say the least!

Here's a run-down of a typical day:

We started off our days packing up Nancy's car with the day's supplies, heading off to the green in River Valley, setting up the stations and running our morning club. I have become quite adept at thinking up kids' games and getting them off and running while Jordan's got to practice his footballing (soccer) skills with a less intimidating crowd. Just when I thought another relay may possibly lay me flat, the kids would be broken into their small groups and trotted off with their leaders. The Baptist association sent a team of teens from Northern Ireland to help out with our clubs and we decided to try them out as small group leaders. As this was a first for many of them, Jord and I were appointed to wander between them and give a hand as well as a sense of support.

Nancy: the amazing woman who organized the whole kids' club op!


It was really cool to see how these teens grew in their leadership and confidence as they led the discussion questions and talked to their kids about who Jesus is and what He's all about. I also got to get to know most of the kids by helping their leaders out, which was so fun. After small group time, the groups were rotated around the craft station, story station (with Captain Ketchup and the Red Hot News Desk reporting on the story of Joseph), and work sheet/snack station. Finally, all the kids gathered to finish off with songs (Jordan got some fame by playing guitar). After getting people moving to pack up, we'd head off for lunch, then up to Swords Manor to do it all again!


Our days did not end here though. Since the B.Y.E. team (the teens from the North - don't ask me what it stands for, it just is) were here for the week, there was more to be done. It was super hot this past week so a shower was a must, but then we would pack up and head for whatever house Hazel was feeding them all at. Hazel did a marvellous job at getting food together for everyone and she let me help when I could. The evening entertainment ensued and we had much fun with them. We even made it out to Howth (does not sound like "mouth"), climbed a small mountain, and got some great views. Jordan and Nev also nearly made some of our girls wet themselves by scrambling up two trees along the trail and screaming at them when they walked under. The team also had a leader named Andrew from the south side of Dublin who led them (and often us) in a nightly Bible study. By the time we fell into bed, we were spent! It was great being able to be involved with the B.Y.E. team and I think it was an encouragement for our youth who were also helping out with the clubs. We'll post some sweet pictures from this excursion shortly.

Finally, a picture of Hazel-Anne and Neville!


It was really exciting to see kids come to the clubs who normally don't have much, if any, contact with the gospel message. The stories followed Joseph and brought out the points of God being a planner, helper, provider, forgiver, and King and the small groups had great material for presenting the message of Christ in a clear, understandable, and relevant way to the kids. We even had a parent come to check out what was going on and he seemed pleased with how open and non-pressured the club was. So please be in prayer for the kids who came out and their families! There are so many people here well acquainted with the terms of Christianity and the Name of Jesus, yet unaware of the meaning for them personally (similar to what we experience in Canada) so please pray that the truths these kids heard would penetrate their heart and that God's Spirit would move in them to bring understanding.


Last night we finished off the week with a BBQ at Hazel and Nev’s (EVERYONE who helped with the clubs plus more were invited - I don't know how Hazel does it). It was great "crack" and I was so over-tired that I had an uncontrollable laughing fit with Claire (one of the older Impact girls). Everyone was feeling the effects of the week which resulted in much levity and laughter. It was a great way to end off the week.

View from Howth

That's Dublin you're looking at:



We started down by that castle.



Jordan looking suave.



The Swords girls: Leanne, Kristine, Lynsey, and Laura.



The village of Howth.

You never finished the story about Fair Glen!

The Family
It's been over a month since we left our family at Fair Glen for this trip across the pond, so I think it's about time we put up a bit more on our time there. First of all, it was absolutely great to be there with Ben and Jocelyn not to mention our niece Suava and brand new nephew Kai.

Out days typically started at the easy time of 8:30ish with the sound of Suava running about and calling out "Ashee! Ashee!" or shouting for "Uncle Dornan." We loved it. We had such a wonderful time getting to know this little girl who won our hearts completely before the first half hour was over. On top of that, we got to snuggle and see our nephew Kai for the first time. Even over the two weeks we were there we saw him change and become more interactive. We were SO glad not to miss out on Kai's baby-stage. He was easy to get a giggle out of and seems to be just as ticklish as his dad. Understandably, the babes consumed most of our attention and we were pretty enamored with them. Spending time with Jocelyn and Ben was also a total blessing and although they feel backstage to their little ones, they really did make our time in limbo much easier and fun for us.

A few of the highlights beyond the relational touchy-feely jazz. A big one was camping! Ben had to check out a site for this summer's Woodsmen camp through Fair Glen Youth Camp and we all got to tag along. This was such a boost for us since we had been commiserating in our disappointment of missing a summer of camping with our dear Jer and Sheree as well as missing the camping trip with the Swords youth. Not only did we camp, but we also got out on the water in a couple of kayaks (Jordan's first time) and were there for Kai's first canoe trip. (Another point of pride - we were his first babysitters=). Then the guys played in some caves and had a great time.

taking a canoe break
After a refresher on belaying, the four of us started our way up the rock wall. Jordan scampered up quite fast, while I, being fairly height-fearing (and restricted) took my time but did eventually make it to the top. Next day we hit the high ropes and Ben beat our friend Tyler Yancy's record on the playpen with a stunning 26 seconds. Suava topped us all though as this tiny little 1 1/2 year old fearlessly and smoothly went to the top of a ladder that leaves most of the staff shaking (Jocelyn was right behind watching over her of course!). THE most precocious little one EVER (and that's not only a biased opinion).

Jordan conquers Mt. Moriah
Higher Please
Belaying
All in all, we had a fab time, lots of laughs, lots of good talks and so much great Suava and Kai time. It took me by surprise just how very difficult it was to leave them all. Very glad that's our first stop when we return eight months from now!

An uncensored glimpse into the Hoffman house.

Meet Kai Thomas Hoffman:



...and his big sister, Suava Amai:



Kai loves his blanket and soother...



...but Suava is just too cool for such babiness.



However, she does love a good bag and her shades.



Kai enjoys a one-on-one sess. with mum.



Goodbye...



...for now.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Great view, but could we move that huge fence?

Hello, what do you look so apprehensive? Oh, you're wondering about that visa thing I mentioned in my last post? Dear me, I've really lost my head this time -- I'm sorry to leave you "sitting on pins and needles!"

It turns out that the truth was indeed more anticlimatic that we could have imagined. In fact, we'll have to wait until next week for the answer to our Question. (The question is: will we get a visa and stay in Ireland, or will we take the next flight back to Canada?) Someone is on vacation and, logically, unable to help us for a few more days. Hang in there!

Before I go any further, I should perhaps clarify something. If you're not big into dogs and you don't read the comments after a post, you may not have realized that Jack Russell is a terrier and not a surly immigrations officer! Thank goodness!

Now, let's see what the girls are up to!

What the girls are up to!It looks like Ashleigh, Leanne and Christine (the one who's hiding) are doing crafts. Christine was caught on video camera last year break-dancing on a picnic table at TeenStreet, but she's not about to make the mistake of getting caught of film again! The crafts are for KidsClub, which is happening next week, Monday to Friday, 4 hours a day. I have been practising playing upbeat children's songs such as "I'm Gonna Jump Up & Down" and "Man Looks On The Outside" on guitar.

On to the subject of today's title, "Great view, but could we move that fence?" I'm sure your brain has been subconciously attempting to solve the question of what this might mean, but time is up. I was in prison on Wednesday.

No, this has nothing to do with immigration. Could we not make anymore jokes about that, please? While we were making name tags Wednesday afternoon, Rory invited me to a game of football at the juvenile center north of Swords. Just for crack, of course. Now, I haven't played football (soccer) for a good many years (excepting Sunday), so I was pretty nervous about playing with a bunch of die-hards against a team of juvenile delinquents. Fortunately, I wasn't the only one who showed up without knee socks and shin pads, and no one was as serious as I feared they would be. In fact, the biggest challenge was keeping my eye on the game, because the scenery was jaw-dropping. (I had not really gotten out of the city and into the country since we arrived, so hadn't had much of a taste of "the real Ireland" yet.) The field was on top of the highest hill, and all around us, as far as I could see, was bright green rolling farm land. The sun was 2 hours short of setting, and there were next to no clouds in the sky. As for the game, it was super. Playing an aggressive game with juvenile deliquents results in a very unique dynamic. It was clear to me that they had a lot of anger and aggression which was channelled directly into the game, either through physical exertion or shouts of frustration at a failed goal-attempt. Hungry came to mind. But when I caught their eye, talked to them, or shook hands with them after the game (we won 1-0), they were shy and respectful. I think I'll be returning for another match.

That's all for now. We're going to a BBQ today at the Chaloner's house. Donna makes excellent food, for the record. Until next time!

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Jack Russell and his evil minions.

Saturday was a red-letter day: we moved into Linda Wagner's condemned mobile home at 19 Mantua Park after months of living with various hosts; we are free, like birds. Sure, the walls are as thin as paper, the roof leaks, the heating is shot, and the long drive is guarded by three, maybe four, unfriendly dogs--two of which do not wear a leash. We will win them over yet, but I do not have a very good track record with Irish dogs thus far (see KidsClub pamphlets). Strangely, as I sat here, a Roman candle exploded against the foundation. On the positive side, it's free and not likely to be bulldozed in the next seven months!

Also on that rainy day, the 8th of July, was our first experience of an Irish wedding. We didn't know the bride or the groom, but one of the bridesmaids, Ruth, invited us. We thought it might be very different from our North American weddings, but it may have passed for an unorthodox one. The wedding was held, as it turned out, in the very church that first caught our eye when we walked to Swords three weeks ago: St. Columba's.

Well, in Ireland we don't let a little rain stop us from getting married or, in the event of this Sunday afternoon, getting together for a picnic at Newbridge House. (I've already mentioned that Newbridge House inspires Austinesque sentiments.) This was an interconference Baptist Church event, but we all sat at our own picnic tables and played it safe. Kudos to the two men from another church that came over to our table and got our names. We also gathered a dozen people together for a game of European football, including 5-year old Kate Robinson. She was perhaps the most promising player of the bunch, but got a red card for tackling me and not letting go. (Did anybody see that massive French head-butt tonight? Trop mal.)

The picnic.



Tomorrow is, somewhat anticlimatically, the day of our moment of truth. We will either be awarded an 8 month visa, or pack our bags. Pray for us and our good man on the inside, Declan.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Sixteen youth sack Swords Castle.

Petri dish.
Okay, what you are looking at right now is actually nature's petri dish. The Irish Sea separates Ireland from the United Kingdom (unless you count Northern Ireland). If you want to go surfing, you have to go to the west coast, but there are lots of cliffs there. The east & south coasts have the beaches. One such beach is at the mouth of the estuary, at Malahide. We know because we went to this beach on Saturday. We didn't know exactly where we should go, but we started pedaling in the direction of the sea and ended up about 25 minutes away, in Malahide. The beach is quite rugged. We had a modest picnic of apples, yogurt, ham sandwiches and absolutely nothing to drink. So we had lattes and wrote significant things in our journals. Ashleigh took a picture of me squatting with Ireland in the background:

Squatting with Ireland in the background.
Today, being Wednesday, was a particularly beautiful day. Ash & I made our second attempt at organizing a youth group event, all by ourselves (the first didn't really work out, but we did end up spending an evening with the Robinsons, who are simply wonderful people. I should elaborate: we played Rounders). Anyway, I sent a "text" (that's modern lingo for "text message") to perhaps 25 kids and informed them that they would be more than welcome to join us for a picnic and games at Swords Castle Park. Swords has its own castle, of course. 10 said they would come, but the final number was closer to (you guessed it) 16.

Well, we had a great time. The girls all ran out onto the grass and started engaging in sports, while the boys lazed around on the blanket and improved their tans. Finally, David took it upon himself to teach me the rules of rugby. I made myself an enthusiastic student, and then 12 of us, including 4 girls, took to the field. The final score was very high, but I remembered that I am fully out of shape. I think that our time here will be very good for my physique.

We didn't take any pictures at the Castle because we were too busy having a great time. The football (soccer, for you Americans) went in the creek. Then the frisbee went in the creek. Then the park ranger informed us that we couldn't play here, but he would let us anyway, so we cheered cautiously. Then several people nearly lost different parts of their face to the frisbee, while others were winded or otherwise in a rough game of double-touch rugby. Best of all, I think I nearly know everyone's name. Cheers.

P.S.
I almost forgot to mention that it was hotter in Ireland than in Manitoba and British Columbia.