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.
Jill cleaning up (with her new glasses).
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!
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