Belfast

Friday, July 10th 2009

From Belfast. Ireland

Yesterday we arrived in Belfast and caught a bus to Newtownards. We were met by friends of friends. Thank you Mike for introducing us to Gary. Gary is currently in Swaziland working alongside the Swazi’s in prisons, schools and churches. Although he is not around he opened his house to us. Gary’s daughter, Danielle and his son-in-law Samuel along with their five children have been hosting us. Once again we are surrounded by amazing people. Samuel runs a business that is similar to a 99 cent store blended with a 7/11. He is a good man. When we walk with him through the community people are constantly saying hello and stopping him to talk. From what I gather he is highly respected by the community. He invited us to dinner and an evening prayer meeting with his faith community. We were blessed by the listening to God’s word, worshiping Jesus through song and prayer.As we were walking through the neighborhood I was blown away by a towering pile of wooden pallets that will be set on fire during the annual celebration of “Orangeman’s Day”. It is a celebration similar to the 4th of July. We were told by two guys on the train that people build the huge towers out of wooden pallets and set them ablaze. These towers are set up in various areas throughout Northern Ireland. This would not fly in the states. I guess the burning man, a big party in the desert would be the exception. I have attached a picture for your viewing enjoyment.

From Belfast. Ireland

Hopefully I will get a picture of it burning as well. I think they set it ablaze at 11pm on Sunday. I guess the crowds can get rowdy. Today Danielle and the kids picked us up and took us into Belfast. We walked around the market and surrounding areas. We said hello to Samuel who has a stand in the market on Fridays. He loaded us up on candy and chocolates. We walked around the market with him and again people were grabbing him to talk. Pretty amazing! Their kids are a joy. The kids are well mannered and friendly as can be. We are blessed by being able to observe the way they love and parent their children. There is an apparent legacy that has been left by the grandparents and parents of these children. These people’s lives have been radically changed by their initial and ongoing encounters with the living God. It is clear that all that they have is from God and not themselves. I suspect they give abundantly and reap the joy that comes from holding God’s materiall gifts loosely. We finished the afternoon with a hike to the top of Scrabo a castle like structure that we can see from the backyard of where we are staying. It overlooks the nearby bay. It also sits next to the 3rd hole of a beautiful golf course. Nice! The girls counted 117 steps from the bottom of the castle to the top.