Below was mostly all written while on the place back Monday. I was going to finish the whole story of my trip before posting this but have decided it would be too long for anyone to want to read in one go. So....I give you part one my young life advance trip adventure.
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Currently, I’m sitting on the plane on the way back home from Northern Ireland. And as I stare as this screen my mind is reaching for the right words to describe the last ten days.
I started the trip with picking up my rental car at the Dublin airport and made the 2 hour journey to Craig Mawhinney, Young Life Regional Director, at his home in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Good news. I didn’t fall asleep OR drive on the wrong side (sadly that wasn’t true of the whole trip. Haha).
That evening I hung out with Craig and his adorable family as well as a group of Young Life leaders and a couple of their older students. I would be spending the next couple of days with one of them, Krissy, and her family. They definitely lived up to the Northern Irish standard of hospitality and was blessed by the little time I got to spend with them over the next couple of days.
Saturday and Sunday was spent with Craig and Bangor Young Life. It was great for me to observe Craig with his team and to just hang out with all of them. Craig and I got also spent a large chunk of time just chatting through lots of questions I had. I wanted to make sure I understood his view of philosophy of ministry and what his vision for Young Life and the future of it in Northern Ireland. If I’m honest, just as much as I was looking for an understanding of Craig, I was looking for ANY red flags that who signal to me that Craig and I wouldn’t work well together or that I would philosophically disagree or I’m not even sure what. I just was waiting for something or anything that would make me hesitate. And you know what happened? You know what red flags popped up? NONE! I was so incredibly impressed with Craig and how he views life, ministry and how he takes care of his team. By the end of the weekend there was no doubt in my mind that it would be an honor and privilege to serve under a man like him. I know I would learn so much from him and that he would do an excellent job taking care of me as international staff. 
That Sunday night I got to experience my first non-American Young Life club. It was awesome and so much fun to see how club is club no matter what country you are in. It was fun to watch the Bangor team in action and see them just being ridiculous and loving on the kids. The energy level was super high and I just love this team so much and had so much fun at club.
It was also an exciting night as the group from Craigavon came up to experience their first club and see what it looks like. Craigavon is the next place in Northern Ireland where Young Life will be starting. It is also the area that, if I came, I would be working with. So, the plan was that they would be coming to club, meeting me and I was going to head back to Craigavon with them for the next couple of days. It was super exciting to meet them but also overwhelming especially when I thought about how this is potentially the team of people that I would get the honor of leading! There were a lot of them and I tried my best to get around and introduce myself to all of them. (I'm not sure I succeeded in that) The first thing I noticed was that this group was significantly older than the Bangor team (who are mostly all college students) and that actually almost all of them were older than me. Slightly intimidating but also intriguing as I know the potential benefits of having a diverse team that spans life stages.
After club was over and the kids all went home Craig debriefed with the Craigavon group and I about our experience that night. It was neat to hear people's initial thoughts and reactions to their first experience of Young Life club. We also had the opportunity to pray as a group together. There is something about praying as a group that I absolutely adore. I think you get a different glimpse in people's hearts when they pray and it was no different in this time. I heard people pray that were passionate about reaching lost young people, about being Jesus to them and about loving each other and being a team. I got really excited at that point to spend the next couple of days getting to know these people, hear more of their vision and just spend some time getting to know them and the area.
So...stay tuned for the next installment
YL Adventure Part Two: Craigavon
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Just for the fun here are some random thoughts I had during the first few days.
(Obviously, many have stories behind them. haha.)
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| My new chocolate bar |
"Yes. I'm 28. I know, you're shocked."
"Oh chocolate. I have missed you and will forever love you."
"jet lag feels like a hang-over....not that I actually know what a legit hang-over feels like"
"What side of the road am I suppose to be on again...uhh."
"So much tea....all the time."
"I am not driving to Craigavon....there is no way I won't get lost ALL THE TIME there with all those stupid roundabouts.Why am I driving here again?!"
"Diluted juice, I still think you are gross."
"Oh hello flirty Northern Irish guys......it's a good thing I know this is a cultural thing."
"Just keep talking... I can't understand half of what you are saying....but just keeping talking"
"Wait, did he really just say that in front of everyone?!"
"I'm so aware of how American I sound...why in the world does anyone think our accents are cool"
"I forgot how much of my heart this country holds."
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