End of Year One

Friday March 4 began with Micah heading to the Allotment. The allotment crew did some weeding, built, assembled and painted raised beds and filled the beds with dirt. Lucy worked in the Ember in the afternoon. In the evening, a bunch from the community headed to a ‘table quiz’ held at a supporting church. ‘Table quiz’ is a quiz game for teams of people. It has many different rounds such as ‘In the news’ or ‘Child’s play’ or ‘Advertisements’. The two of us were on a team with a few older ladies and Larry (and we got 3^rd place...no thanks to us!).

Saturday we worked in the Ember. Micah went to Common Grounds with Thomas and Lucy headed to Michel’s (the local green grocer) with Jillian and then went to coffee with Jillian and Joy. After lunch, the boys took the 6 months worth of recycling to the recycling centre and the girls went to a craft show at Jillian’s church. In the evening, we were all pretty tuckered out so we decided to watch a film together!

On Sunday, we attended church in the morning and then made a yummy lunch and relaxed! It was perfect!

Monday began as usual with a prayer and team meeting. Micah had a meeting in the afternoon to discuss how to use a £2,500 grant that must be used to better the community. Afterwards, we went for a run to train for the team marathon!

Tuesday began with a formation on the mission of L’Arche. In the afternoon we worked in the office. The day was spent beginning to tie up loose ends in preparation to leave such as the newsletters, confirming volunteers and having a supervision meeting with Scott (our boss). Since it was international women’s day, the women of L’Arche Belfast went out to eat, and then all the community celebrated Pancake Tuesday. The boys made yummy pancakes for the women upon their return. After a brief celebration of Pancake Tuesday, the two of us headed to babysit for Joy and Bobby’s boys. They were already in bed so it was pretty easy!

Wednesday was a Root Soup and women’s cell day. Then in the afternoon we worked away in the office. Wednesday evening, Lucy went to cell group and Micah watched the Tottenham game...he is such a bad boy!

Thursday was a rest day. In the morning we went running and then went to get groceries. Around lunch time, Micah went to hang out with Bobby and Sam. Lucy started working on packing! In the afternoon, Micah did a bit of work and then we watched the final ‘Human Planet’ on BBC (if you ever get a chance...check these out!)

Friday, Lucy headed to the Ember for a full day and Micah headed up to the Allotment. The allotment crew finished ‘the new world’ aka finished making raised beds and filling them with soil in the new allotment space, did some weeding, built a bench and tried to stay dry. Lucy and Thomas made dinner and then watched a film in the evening.

The Bench Micah built is in the back of the picture!! Way to go Micah!

The garden's oasis from rain!

So much excitement from Matthew to be at the allotment!!

'The New World' aka the new allotment all finished!

On Saturday we had a BVS day in the Ark. Our European coordinator was in Belfast and so all the Northern Irish volunteers (about 10) gathered at our house for the afternoon. We had a lovely dinner at ‘Hooligans’ to finish off the day.

Sunday began with church and then lots of preparations for our trip to the States. In the evening we headed to Joy and Bobby’s for yummy soup and to play cards.

Today has been a whirlwind. We have been attending meetings, doing laundry, packing, cleaning, and running errands. It has been a very busy day! But tomorrow we will be heading to the USA! Our first flight is at 6:30 in the morning so it will be an early start and a long day. But, we are excited that it will end with seeing family and friends for a few weeks! We are pumped to see many of you very soon! Pray for our safety in travel, patience with the long trip and a speedy visa process! We have not had much time to reflect on the end of year one, so hopefully that will come in the next couple weeks! For now...a video compilation of our first year!

Bryson's View of Root Soup

Thursday 24 February was the Root Soup ‘Friends and Forks’ evening in the Ark. About 32 people came from the community and beyond. We had a lovely time chatting and eating delicious food including mushroom lasagne, chilli and rice, and cauliflower mac and cheese. It was great to spread the word about Root Soup to people beyond the community. Many ideas about future events were formed by the guests including women’s evenings and a weight watcher point-based evening. It was a long day with lots of work, but it was a true success!

Friday, Lucy worked all day in the Ember and Micah worked in the Ark garden and then headed to the allotment for the afternoon. It was a beautiful day outside so it was finally a joy to be up at the allotment after many weeks of rain and wind. After the allotment, Micah headed to church for ‘Street Pastors’ training. ‘Street Pastors’ is an initiative in cities around the UK to provide a church-based response to anti-social behaviour. With the backing of the police force and the city council, Street Pastors go out from 10-2 to care, listen, and help people get home safely and keep the city safer. Micah’s first training didn’t last as long as expected because only a couple showed up. When he got back, the two of us hung out in the Ember with Larry.

Saturday was a rest day. We headed to St. George’s market in the morning and then hung out at Bobby and Joy’s house. Micah and the boys brewed beer and Lucy and Joy headed to the park with their kids.

Sunday we headed to church in the morning and then went out to lunch. After lunch settled, we went on a run to start training for our team marathon! Sunday evening we had a chat with our housemates about a few problem areas around the house. The talk went better than we had anticipated.

Monday began with prayer and a team meeting. In the afternoon we went for a walk in Botanic Park and then had a date night! We headed to the cinema. It was our first time without the chaperones of Micah’s parents! We watched ‘Gnomea and Juliet’ which was quite good! Afterwards, we went out to dinner at Nando’s a Portuguese restaurant after being rejected at our first choice since we didn’t have a booking!

Tuesday we worked in the morning in the office. Then we met with Kristin (our BVS coordinator) who is visiting Ireland for lunch at Common Grounds. In the afternoon Micah had a meeting and Lucy went for a run. In the evening we had a community gathering at the Loom (our prayer space in North Belfast). We celebrated Maria’s birthday and enjoyed some yummy pizza.

Wednesday morning, Micah headed to Root Soup. He did an interview with Bryson, a trainee from Open Door Housing Association and then made Broccoli, Potato and Cheddar soup. Lucy went to women’s cell in the morning and then both of us worked in the office in the afternoon. Micah edited the video of Bryson and Lucy worked on sending out the L’Arche Belfast March newsletter. In the evening we went to our cell. It was the first time we met since our cell ‘multiplied’ into two and added a few new members. It is exciting to see how much the church has grown in the short time we have been here.

Adam drying dishes.

Jill cleaning up (with her new glasses).

Bryson.

Alison and Matthew.

Today is a rest day. We went to Ian’s bakery for an Ulster Fry which includes soda bread, potato bread, eggs, sausage, pancakes and bacon. Yummy! The rest of the day we are planning to clean the house and relax. This evening Micah has a training and Lucy is babysitting for Scott and Megan’s children.

12 days until we are back in the USA to visit. Yipee!