Christmas in Ireland

A special group of us had a special event to attend this afternoon! Our job was to deliver a handful of Christmas carols, successfully, to a group of older men and women of the Green Country (Ireland). We partially achieved that goal! Apparently we underestimated the importance of preparation. I mean, they’re Christmas carols, how hard could it be? Plus, they’ll all be singing along and they won’t hear us anyway! WRONG! We also underestimated that fact that the people of Ireland sing our Christmas carols a bit differently! But regardless, it was a big hit amongst the people and it went over really well! We mingled with the people, sang our carols, washed all the dishes (thanks for preparing me mom), and went on our way home (I mean to the Murlough House).

After Tea Time we set off to Cross Point for another night of organized chaos. It seems as though we are really starting to connect with some of the students. We prepared a Christmas/Out of School party for them by baking cookies, a white chocolate extravaganza, and an American Punch! It was a HUGE hit! A few stolen gifts and footballs to the head later, we began the dance party! We and the students would have danced all night if two songs into it, we weren’t about to collapse from the lack of sleep the night before! We played the “left, right” Christmas exchange and were able to love them in a new way. Our original plan was to watch a movie, but we had far too much fun interacting with each other! Praise the Lord we all walked away blessed from the entire night! Every night we planned for a disaster but the Lord’s hand has been in and through every conversation and action! But the most rewarding part is the ability to see it! Every night we meet as a group and get to share story after story of the Lord’s influence in everyone’s lives, not just the students. We are all learning as much as we are teaching, especially from the morning sessions with John Moxen. Every morning, he prepares us for the battle that lies ahead.
“And for all You’ve done and yet to do, with every breath, I’m praising You!”

- Julie McNett