Learning as we go!

 We arrived about a week ago and Christy was sick in bed for a few days, but is feeling better now. We've been busy meeting with people and getting to know the area here. The YWAM staff has been amazing at welcoming us by taking us out to coffee, setting up a nice place for us etc.

For the first couple days, we went through some training to work with children.

This week we started working at a cafe on the street where we live. It is called The Feed and is run mostly by volunteers - YWAM helps to run the cafe. Joseph and I started yesterday and today we were given the keys to open the cafe. The cook didn't show up so Joseph cooked while Christy took care of the customers. It was a lot of fun and we learned fast. The main item on the menu is the Ulster Fry (pictured), which consists of greasy sausage, ham, soda bread, potato bread and egg. Usually the frys come with tomatoes and mushrooms but most of the folks on the Shankill aren't keen on the veggies! :) Almost always served with a cuppa tay(tea).

 It's lovely to be able to meet people in this setting - and have a chance to begin to get to know people - we met one lady in the Cafe who remembered us from when we were here a couple years ago. She and her husband have been to Ketchikan.

 Tomorrow, we are going to Bushmills, a town a bit north of here for a few days retreat with a Catholic group called Sword of the Spirit. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of, people deciding to work together in this area.

We took a cab the other day and he just immediately started telling us about all of his family and friends that had died in conflict here. The people here are so lovely and many of them want to just talk. They wonder why we would want to be here, staying in this area of Belfast. (We are living on the Shankill Road which is the protestant side of West Belfast). On the other side of the 'peace' wall is the Falls Rd. (primarily Catholic). YWAM works in both communities.

 The history here is so intricate and we are seeing that there is still an incredible amount of division and pain here. May the healing love of Christ shine in all of us. We need Him so!

We also did a walking tour of the murals in West Belfast which helped a lot in understanding more about the area. There are 44 'peace' walls (26 miles of them) in and around Belfast.

Kids have been coming around the house and throwing stuff or putting boards through the mail slot...there isn't a lot for them to do around here and they can get a bit rowdy, so they test people to see how they will deal with it. Love, grace and healing Jesus!

Some challenges have been: understanding what people are saying :) , beginning to live in community again, the radiator in our room being broken, and the incredibly icy sidewalks with no salt on them.

We are glad to be here and are getting settled in with lots of learning.

LOVE,

Joey and Christy