Day 3: Belfast and Downpatrick

Today Gabrielle Case and Indasjah Figeuroa share a little about our trip to Belfast.

Gabrielle: This morning we went to the Titanic museum in Belfast which took us about an hour to get there. The museum was five floors, and it was packed with so much information about the building of the ship, the departure of the ship, and the passengers. It was really interesting to read about every little detail about the ship and find out things that we didn't know already. After we went through the first floor, we took an elevator up to the next one and we got on a little ride where we found out more about the steerage people of the ship. It was very interesting to see things about the Titanic that we didn't know before.

Indasjah: Today the team went around the city of Belfast and examined the different cultural activities and style. The girls that we saw today wore stockings with high waisted shorts in 30 degree weather, the way they had their makeup and hair was very shocking to me because its seems like they were trying to not be themselves and hide something very precious that God has in store for them but they don't realize it yet. The way teenagers act here compared to the ones in United States is different because you don't see parents with them and they do whatever they want such as drugs, alcohol & they smoke much more than American kids. That kind of affected me in a way because it makes me care for their health and future & they don't realize that with God in their lives He is their medicine and cure for every problem and incident that the devil may attack them with.

And now some from me (Jack): Today we drove I to Belfast. And by we, I mean I drove the big minibus, with a manual transmission, on narrow, unfamiliar roads. I truly love driving but this was just a little stressful. I had Alex in the front to remind me on right had turns to turn to the far lane and to stay to the left. In the end, we only hit the curb a couple of times and we made it back in one piece. By the time we get home, I hope I can adjust back.

Belfast was a pretty interesting city. It is divided Protestant and Catholic. You could tell what the loyalties were by either a Union Jack or an Irish Tricolor flag hanging on the street lamps. It was fascinating and tragic all at once. After the Titanic Museum, we wandered around the city center for a while. We saw the Albert Clock Tower which leans over by a few degrees and, much to my annoyance, went to Starbucks. Why we would travel thousands of miles to go to a Starbucks is beyond me. After visiting Belfast we drove to Downpatrick and visited what is believed to be the gravesite of St. Patrick, which was pretty awesome. It may not really be his grave, but it is a reminder of the great evangelistic work Patrick did in Ireland and how he allowed himself to be used by God. The Cathedral next to the cemetery was awesome. The large cross outside looks to be hundreds of years old. We truly are a church invisible, continuing through the centuries in the devotion and faith of people all over the world.

I am constantly amazed by Lauren's natural gifting to be able to engage people in conversation. Every time we just we sitting around she would be talking to someone new. Being pretty shy, I am praying that I learn something from her this week. I was reminded about that, unfortunately, when we walked under the Main Street to cross from one side to another. There were a group of teens smoking and drinking. Instead of talking to them and sharing the gospel, I hurried our group along. I am praying for the boldness to stop and engage, as Jesus (and Lauren) would.

Pray for us as we celebrate Easter away from family and friends. We will be at a small Methodist church in Newcastle tomorrow and then will be helping with a children's program in the afternoon. Everyone is very excited to start our programs.

Happy Easter everyone. Christ has risen, everything has changed!! May I be constantly changed by Christ.