Dublin—Day 4

Got to sleep in a little today, which was nice.

Went to Dublin Christian Mission around noon, had a meeting with Johno (?) and then some lunch and tea and a prayer meeting with the DCM group. 

Around 3 o’clock the kids for homework club showed up. They learn Irish as a language (which is what we call “Gaelic,” by the way). All the girls wanted to know who was dating who in our group, and then Kyle, Nathan, and Kelly stayed behind with them while Aubrey, Becca, and I went off with the four- to seven-year-olds to an indoor playground for some roughhousing and chips (french fries) and jellies (gummy bears). We had a blast.

When we returned, it was time for Monday Club with the seven- to twelve-year-olds. Aubrey, Kyle and I led some worship and Kelly and Becca shared a good word about forgiveness, which was so appropriate—the Queen of England will be in Dublin tomorrow, and there’s a whole bunch of strong emotions and opinions fluttering around town. Apparently, this is the first time in one hundred years that Royalty has been in Dublin, and the first time since Ireland won their independence. Also, Ireland has spent millions of taxpayer euros to prepare Dublin for her visit; naturally, lots of Irish people are upset about this. And others just don’t care. We prayed a lot for the Queen’s safety and for this spirit of bitterness and resentment to leave the Irish people. 

After worship and word, we split up into teams, and Kyle and I were with a group that was baking. Ironically (at least to me), all the kids in the baking group were boys; I did not vocalize my desire to chuckle at this, however. They baked “fairy cakes,” and when I inquired as to what those were, the lady leading asked “Do you know what Queen Cakes are?” When I responded in the negative, she replied “They’re like cupcakes, but not very sweet.” I am still not sure if this was an intentional joke.

Becca, Aubrey and I made the best assembly line of dish washers ever after all the baking was done, and then we talked some more with some of the DCM people about Irish vs. American culture. Apparently, “bastard” is the worst thing you could say to someone, and the “F word” is the most common one, and not received as offensive in any way. In fact, “F--- off” was a common phrase among the kiddies. I still thought this was strange, but none of the DCM leaders really stopped anyone or seemed offended. Also, soccer players yell and curse at refs here. We told them about American football players receiving technical fouls for even raising their voices at a ref. 

When we arrived back at the hostel, I refreshed myself with some Jon Owens worship music, and then we all had baked ziti by Becca. 

After a debriefing, I find myself sitting in the common room of the hostel with Kyle and Nathan (who is struggling: apparently, a professor from a class from last semester lost his final project, which resulted in a failing grade for the class. He needs the class to graduate, so naturally, he is quite stressed. :( ). I am about to put on some more worship music, pull out my Bible, hopefully Skype with Lauren and/or Erica and/or Danielle and then get some good sleep.