Trip Video

"This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Winston Churchill

Well... Like everyone's said... This is the last one. The last blog.

Honestly, like everyone's said, this leaving is so incredibly bittersweet. Everyone misses home. Everyone gets into drama. But, at the end of the day, I'd be more than happy to stay for another 2 weeks... And another 2 weeks...

The bonds I've created on this trip will forever play a huge part in my life. I've made some amazing new friends, and strengthened some older ones. The youth here will be a forever reminder that we do in fact have friends around the world. And the SHYCer's have been through something so incredible. This group will never be the same again. This group will never be in the same situation as we are now. This feeling can and never will be re-created.

And that statement is so incredibly meaningful. This can only happen once. I don't know if it's quite hit us all yet.

I don't think it's technically hit any of us that this is the only time that this group of people will be doing this group of things with this group of feelings. This is special. And when we're all sitting in our beds this time tomorrow night, I honestly believe that this trip will play-back in our minds like a movie montage. That we'll see all the smiling faces and beautiful places that we've shared together. And we will know that these people will all be doing the same thing. That this memory for you will forever be a memory for everyone else as well.

Being a senior member of the SHYC, I know I'm feeling it really difficultly. This is the last time I'll be around these people, in this environment. I choose to not continue, as I've already cried too much on this matter. But, SHYC has been the stability in my world of craziness, and the people are what made it that. And I thank each and everyone of you for making SHYC what it is, because I'm not joking when I say it wouldn't have been the same without you. I love each and every one of you with my entire heart. If you'd like to hear Cryfest 09, stick around me tomorrow, you'll hear enough of it, I'm sure. :]

We journey back tomorrow. To a familiar place. To a place were we cannot simply surround ourselves with these Christians that push us to lead this life according to God. We go back to a place that we need to challenge ourselves to live. We go back to a place that life isn't going to be easy--that life isn't going to be simple and full of an itinerary full of good influences.

So that's my challenge for myself. Everyone else is free to join in as well... I want to go back to where I came from with memories under my belt and experiences to fill my brain with. I challenge myself to live a "Jesus Way of Life."

And I know it's not going to be easy. But, I do know that I have a group of people here that have been through the same thing. I challenge this knowing that I have a support system for when I fall. A safety net to catch me free-falling towards rock bottom.

And that feeling is the best one can have. Love.

But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.
1st Corinthians 13:13

Northern Ireland; Deuces, baby!

Katelyn Nutter

My final farewell to a place I will remember always.

The past few days our group has been site seeing. WE saw the Giant's Cause Way and some other interesting places. We have also spent the night in Derry (a strictly catholic area).

The times i have spent here will be remembered always. I have made new friends and I have strengthened the friendship with others. This trip has done what I have needed it to do, it has strengthened my relationship with God.

I can't wait to get home, and yet i don't want to leave this place.

-God's words aren't meant to be taken litteraly, but used as guidelines.

-David was able to beat Golieth, but only with the help of God.
-Blog U Later
David Petty

the journey home

Well, this is my last blog. We have all reached the end of the trip in one peice. This has definitly been a growing experince for me. I feel that my faith has grown as well as my knowlege of the world; and I feel that I have grown. I feel changed; but I can assure you that the change is a good one.

The mission work that we participated in, enriched my life in ways that I didn't think it would; Summer Madness affected me in ways that Trineum didn't even begin to; the friendships formed here through shared experinces, can never be broken; and lastly, the memories made, will never fade.

It is definitly a bittersweet farewell to Ireland.

Hey, y'all!

The bonfires/parades were amazing. You honestly can't say much more. We were celebrating the Battle of the Boyne today/yesterday... Which none of us really knew was about until a "man of the cloth" came and spoke to us right before heading out, which was "roughly" celebrating the Protestant King defeating the Catholic King, which was really interesting considering we had literally drove right past the battlefield on our way in on the 1st.

Whilst the bonfire was considered "wee," it was more than enough for me, it took forever and a day to get it started, and after a bunch of guys had made really bad judgement for a good 20 minutes, they did finally get it aflame, and the wood went a-tumblin'. We stayed a good distance aways, and I was more than happy with that. While I know that we were always safe, and I'd obviously put my life in Steve's and our advisor's hands, we were quite warm! :]

Oh my goodness, Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade will seem like seconds compared to today's. Whilst it was all good crack, the picoloes were definitely upsetting our ear drums after a quick while. Nonetheless, the street was bursting with pride. It was full of bands and banners and it was always fun to try and pick out a "top-five" of the hot guys from each individual band... And there was a full accordian band just as we were leaving and the first thing that popped into my mind was the fact that Dan Little belongs in this band. We also saw a couple guys in full-on attire (a couple too many if I say so myself), kilts and all, and named each and every one of them Andrew Blaikie. And you guys know me, I love me a good drumline, and today's parades were full of them.

THEN, our host families teens, decided it'd be a great time for a walk, so after a "dander" from the parade all they way back up to another host family's house, it was time for the Barbeque at the Pointon's. It was a much needed break from the "hustle-n-bustle" that has filled the last weeks. It was a good time to simply "hang" and eat with the people we've gotten so close to over the past weeks.

Deuces, baby!

Katelyn Nutter

Fifes and drums and acordians, oh my.

Today we went and saw the parades. They were very big. There were alot of fife and drum bands, a few flute bands and only one acordian band(that one surprised me). Each band had its own banner, color, and uniform.
After the parades we went to the Pointen's for a BBQ. Whilst we were there some of us watched Alladin. Whilst others congregated.
Today was great. I can't wait to go to Derry tommrow.

-A to mourn and a time to sing.

-God's love can be the good or the bad.

-God does not force his love, but encourages it.
-Blog U Later
David Petty

Planes, Trains, and Bonfires.

Today we visted the Folk and Transport museum. One way to describe it is to call it the Henry Ford/Greenfiel Village of Northern Ireland. The ouside part of the museum was amazing with many different buildings, including a few churches. The other part of the museum included the evolution from the bicycle to the motorcycle. It was also filled with different cars and even trains.
Tonight we went to the bonfires. the first thing we did was meet at Steve's church and listened to a speaker. His name was Marvin and he is a minister at a presbyterian church. It was great to hear what he said, but i beleived he was only single sided. I would have loved to hear it from some one that wasn't so much involved in the fighting and in the orange. Thebonfires are a signal to the 12th of july, the day the protestents won the battle of Boyne. The battle wasn't actually started because of religion (but it was a big factor).
The bonfire we went to was huge, it did take a while for the fire to start. Overall today was amazing. It is great here and Lucozade is class.

-Samson allowed delilah to be his down fall. Will we let temptation be ours?

-God's love is spread to others, but sometimes people will dissaprove of this love.
-Blog U Later
David Petty

Friday and Sunday

Friday, Beth, Nick, Krista, Katelyn, Matt and I got to go to the Belfast Activity Center, where we got the option of going caving, or rock climbing. (they call rock climbing something diffrent, but i cant really remember what.) The five of us went rock climbing, which ended up being soo much fun. First we got to try just climbing straight up a man made climbing wall. I made it all the way up to the top the first time, using every peg that aided in my climb to the top. Next our guide challenged us, to pick a color peg, and only use those ones to climb to the top. I picked using only grey, and made it up the second time. Next we got the chance to climb upa tower that was held together vertically by metal wires. The thing shook the whole time you climbed up, and that was what scared me the most. I made it to the top. YAY! (and mom i have a picture of me standing on top!!) The next opportunity we got was to take the leap of faith, which sounds very Indianna Jones-esque. The object of the leap of faith was to climb, up onto a little platform, jump off the platform and catch a trapeeze bar that was hanging about a foot in front of the platform. The first time I tried, I didnt make it, but our guide, seeing how dissappointed I was, let me try again. I caught the bar and held on, just long enough for Beth to take a picture from the ground. I was sooo excited.

Sunday, we went to St. Johns church in the morning, and I got the opportunity to speak infront of the congregation about community out reach programs that we have at home, and about what i had done for GLU, the days previous. Then after church, we had an hour break until we met up at the Folk and Transport Museum. These were both very interesting places, because we got to see what the houses, farms, school rooms, and transportation was like a hundred years ago in Northern Ireland.

Tonite we are going to see the bonfires, which i am looking forward too. We have the parades on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday we are in Londondery.

Looking forward to the rest of the week!

yours in faith,
Allie Harkins

wee leprachuan

here is a fun picture from summer madness

GLU, great for sticking different groups of people together.

Today was the last of GLU and it was a huge party. It included all sorts of blow up things, like a giant slide (shaped like the sinking titanic) as well as two bouncing castles. I worked at the zorbing area (huge hamster ball type things that go around in an oval and people can fit inside of them. I also worked at the gladiator area. It was a giant circle with a mushroom like thing sticking out of the center, and the competitors would have to knock each other off. The final thing i did was litter picking. I went around the area cleaning up garbage off the ground.

So my day consisted of huge hamster balls, kids beating the snot out of one another( whislt being safe), and garbage cleaning. I considered it to be a great day.

-God's love can gather many people in a short amount of time, even when people don't know it.
-God's love can even be the simpler things in life.
-Blog U Later
David Petty

Part of the Summer Madness service.

Moooooo...

Our inn during Summer Madness.

Doing Some Warm-Ups

City Hall in city center.


Matt

So much fun, so little time!

Greetings and Salutations, loves!

Well, we're a full week in and running, and basically we've got a wee bit less than a week left, which is absolutely ridiculous... Looking back on the past week, we've done so much. Not only have we had so much fun, we've also spread His love at the same time... Which, of course means a ton to us. Because whilst it's cool that we're having fun, we came here for a distinct reason. From what I hear, everyone's host families are incredibly hospitable, as well as mine. We're truly getting to know them more and more with all of the amazing things that they do to go out of their way to make us more comfortable in whatever we're up to that day.

Finished the actual work part of GLU up today. It's nice to know that we've truly made a difference in the community, making this world a better and cleaner space one graffiti clean-up at a time... It's incredibly fulfilling to be able to completely decline donations and tell them that we've done it because we're all brothers and sisters of the Lord. It's incredibly gratifying to say the very least. Yet another project is wrapped up here, and it's rough to think that we may never see some of these amazing people ever again... All the elder ladies in the church looking out for us, Neville's craziness, and Rachel's amazing voice. But instead of fretting about the time left, might as well go out and live it!

As you all may know, I'm a huge environmentalist, so when Eve's mum was telling us about all of the recycling programs, I literally freaked. I hope that someday back home we'll have something as in-depth as it is here. No joke, we've been here this entire time and I still don't know where the litter bin is because we recycle literally everything.

A good 5 or so of us went in with a ton of youth into the Belfast Activity Centre today, it was a TON of fun, but incredibly tiring. We rock-climbed and took a huge leap of faith--similar to the one we all took in coming to a strange place, and similar to the huge leap that a few of us will be making in a month or so when we head off to college for the fall.

Tomorrow's bound to be terribly long, so I best be off to bed.

Deuces, baby!

Katelyn Nutter

GLU, sometimes works on dirt.

Today I got to help with gardening. It was the house of an older woman(whom i dont recall the name). The garden was full of a weed that had spread everywhere, a few annoying ferns and some mean rose bushes. My arms are sore and tired from the work, but the yard and garden look great. After that i went and helped painting at the flat again. It was the hardest i have worked painting so far. This time the cause was an older man named John. One time after i had almost perfectly painted around a stainless steel towel holder (just so the roller wouldnt have to touch it), i go to paint somewhere else. I look back and i see john using the roller and the towel holder is now blue. What FUN it was to clean up blue paint. Even with the troubles aside, i had a great time today. Oh yeah, it was Andrew's 18th birthday today and at dinner he was surprised with a cake. When we got back to the Breen's house (our host family) he was surprised with a gift of some scout badges and a scarf (boy scout scarf and patches) as well as a t-shirt. I dont really want to go home yet, i fancy it here.

-God's love is easy to spread, but sometimes the hardest part is the reaction.
-Blog U later
David Petty

Kids Club and a Movie...well two actually

Today was really fun. The kids club went great, and everyone of the kids behaved really well. After kids club, I worked the Cafe and Film club and we watched High School Musical. i have to admit that this was the first time that i actually enjoyed watching that movie, because all of the Americans and a few Irish sat in the backrow of the room and sang along with the movie; it was a ton of fun!!!
After the Cafe and Film thingy, we went and saw Hangover at the "cinema's" (not the movies btw.) And I laughed until I cried, even after having already seen it. Today was just a great day.
Tomorrow the lot of us will be getting up early to go shopping before GLU. (So Ryan if your reading this, i will be getting your hoddie tomorrow hopefully)

Love you all,
Allie Harkins

GLU, it is really hard to wash off.

Today i helped paint over graffitti in some alley. My shirt was covered in the paint. It was a load of fun and the walls look alot better. After that I went back to the flat to paint another coat. My body is now the one being covered in the paint. Northern Ireland is amazing.

-God's love doesn't always come at once, sometimes it takes a few COATS.
-Blog U later
David

GLU, what a STICKY situation

Today I was involved in kids club (Steve asked if I would help out). That was a good mess. It was a hard job keeping young kids entertained for a couple of hours. I sure am glad that I don't have to work it tommrow and I feel bad for anyone signed up to work it. Tday I also helped put on a few coats of paint a person's flat(apartment). He is not very old, but some damages done to his body make it hard for him to even paint. Today was fun and tommrow looks like an even better day.

-Spreading Gods love isn't always done in church, sometimes you can get STUCK in it by just walking done the street.
-Blog U later
David Petty

Anyone want a better picture? Shout some ideas and i will do what i can.





Matt Jones

GLU

Glu was great today, gardening was alot of hard work and tomorrow I will be working the kids club venue, becuase that is where they need the most help. The amazing thing about gardening today, was that the people who's gardens we cleaned seemed to appreciate the help so much, and I just know that they knew God's love today, and won't forget it. There is a week left until we come home, and it makes me sad, yet happy. I don't want to leave a place where I feel that I am doing such good, and where I feel so connected to God; but at the same time I miss everyone from home so much, that I am looking forward to going home.

Allie

To all who read, I thank you

Northern Ireland is amazing(except for the rain). I have been to the city a few times, but only for a little amount of times. My host family is the best, i couldn't have asked for a better one.
For those that don't know. I am staying with the Breen family consisting of: Noel (Father/husband), Catherine (mother/wife), and Matthew (son, 10 years of age). The other person with me is Andrew Foutain of APPC. The house is only a little walk from Steve's church and an even shorter walk from Jacynth's house (hosting Anna B.)

Summer Madness was unlike anything I have ever been to. It was like throwing a few bands, a few thousand kids, a number of churches, an unknown amount of adults/advisors/worship leaders/speakers, add a little bit of crazzy, a few pinches of controlled chaos, minus sleep, put it into a blendor, and serve it on a slice of worship with a side of prayer.
I only went to a few talks. I saw some great bands, made some new friends, sang my lungs out, and praised the Lord.

Next on the list is GLU (God Loves U). I have already signed up for the activities I will be a part of. On Wednesday I will be doing some activities with children from ages 5-11. On Thursday I will be cleaning up some grafitti around the city in the morning and at night i will be helping out with a cafe/movie. On Friday I will be helping out with gardening in the morning and the cafe/movie at night. On Saturday is the fun day. The GLU team will be helping out with many fun activities, as well as cleaning up the facilities being used.

Blog U later,
David Petty

Summer Madness was amazing! The worship was unlike anything i have ever seen in my life and, everyone was truly there becuase they were called by God to be there; it was definitly a moving experince to be a part of and not one that I will so forget. The seminars that I attened were bothe thought provoking, attention grabbing, and fun all at the same time. Katelyn and I went to twelve seminars in total. The two seminars that I liked the most were "Growing out of your faith..." given by Brian McLaren, and "The Bible: Fact or Fiction?" given by David Shepherd. And when we weren't in seminars, just chilling and hanging out with every one was fun too. I have gotten to know some of the people from the Newtownbreda church and it seems like life here is quite diffrent from ours, far more than I expected. In the coming week we plan on partcipating in GLU: God Loves You, where we will be doing things such as gardening, child care, car washing, street cleaning, and painting. It seems like its going to be alot of work, but i know it will be fun participating in it.

-Allie Harkins

The Madness is finished but not the Summer

Well Summer Madness has been and gone and we are enjoying the relaxing settings of our beds and warm showers for the afternoon.

Ireland's largest Christian Festival lived up to its name...especially last night when both groups (APPC and NEwtownbreda) had superb fun in fellowshipping together through worship, spoons, 'go fish' and singing.

Over the last 4 days it has been incredible to watch both groups grow together and to see so many of our young people grow in terms of their own faith.

Our God is an awesome God and we have felt incredibly blessed to date with our host families, with the hospitality and the opportunities.

Our Mission Service Outreach Project (GLU- God Loves You) begins this evening and runs through until Saturday. Pray for all the project members as we reach out into a community divided by violence over the years but uniting under Christ's love today.

Blessings,
Steve

Summer madness

Well we are coming towards the end of Summer Madness and I apologize for any spelling mistakes. I have managed to borrow Youthlinks Wireless Laptop but this thing is tiny and thats the truth. Its like a big iPhone without the features!!

We have had a fabulous 3 days so far. We have worshipped with 5000 people yesterday (above)morning, we have attended seminars like 'what if Jesus had a facebook' and ' 5 things they didn't teach you in sunday school'. We have danced, sang, played 'football' shared in jokes and had great fun translatting between the northern ireland and appc group. There are 11 from the newtownbreda group staying on site with us and the two groups have just integrated soo well. It has made it wonderful and simple to supervise them.

We leave our journey of spiritual and personal development here at summer madness tomorrow morning (tuesday) and get the chance to shower and sleep in a comfy bed. GLU (God loves you) begins Tuesday evening with a meeting with the 80 volunteers that have registered to work in the community.

It has rained every day so far we have been here but thankfully at Summer MAdness mostly at nights and at times when we have been indoors. We even had a wonderful visit from Mary McCausland who journeyed across from Glasgow for the night to spend it with us at Summer MAdness in the luxury of the stables!!

We are feeling soo blessed by our experiences to date and are soo thankful for everyone's prayers. Please keep us in your prayers this week as we reach out into the local community and share Gods Love Us.

Any homesickness has gone and we are just enjoying and growing each and every day.

If you want to pass on a message to the group please do leave a comment and I will pass it on.
I promise more daily updates from tomorrow afternoon!

Blessings,
Steve

Travel and Arrival

Well having set off from Allen Park early Wednesday 9 am (ET) we arrived in Cleveland where we just had time for a little team picture (see below).



Our flight was delayed and undelayed and delayed and finally undelayed after which we touched down in NEwark Airport around 6pm (ET). A little walk to the other end of the TErminal saw us boarding for our flight to Dublin and off we set for Ireland close to 7pm (ET).

A wonderful flight was had with good food and good entertainment systems keeping everyone occupied on all the journey after which we arrived at 6:50am GMT (1:50 am ET). Customs and Immigration where a breeze (nice job guys!!) and our bright loud obnoxious yellow coach waited to take us on the 2 hour drive to Belfast and to Newtownbreda Presbyterian Church. Our families meeted and greeted us there and off we went for some Rest before Pizza and some teambuilding at the church this evening.

I have no idea how long we have been travelling...but I know that the adults are still going strong :)

Pray for relatively dry weather and that any initial home sickness and stuff might become lost in the excitement and business of the following few days!

Blessings,

Steve

Prayer Partner Points

Team Members:

Anna Bartkowiak Rebecca Carlson Nick Church

Andrew Fountain Joseph Fountain Robert Fountain

Allie Harkins Allison Hohn Christa Lehecka

Kurt Lehecka Will March Nathan Martin

Samantha Martin Ashley McBride Katelyn Nutter

David Petty Beth Seabloom Alison Cave

Matt Jones John Kaneko

Jeff O’Riley Steve Pointon

Travel Dates: Churches:

July 1^st – Cleveland – Newark – Dublin Newtownbreda Presbyterian

July 16^th – Dublin – Newark – Cleveland Allen Park Presbyterian

Points for Prayer:

- For the team to unite and support each other

- For those in Northern Ireland that we will encounter

- For the church in Northern Ireland

-

For the example we will set on behalf of APPC and Christ

- For people’s minds to be opened and hearts transformed

- For safety and well being and no sickness throughout the trip

- For God to be glorified in all we do

- For friendships and relationships to be developed and nurtured

- For strength and confidence to try new things and overcome barriers

Northern Ireland Mission Trip 2009

This is the blog where you can check out what we are up to whilst in Northern Ireland and follow all of the adventures along the way!