Yesterday I returned to First Presbyterian
Church in Iowa City for the first time since the summer of 2014. I greeted some
of the people who had supported through prayers, encouragement, and donations,
but it would have been impossible to thank every individual for their
contributions. I try to appreciate all of the gifts that people have given me,
and I am quickly overwhelmed with gratitude.
This will be my last blog post, so
I would like to tell you about my last week in Belfast, which proved to be one
of the most exciting and affirming weeks of my YAV year. On Sunday, the 26th
of July, I was asked to deliver the sermon on my last day at Whitehouse. It was
also the commissioning service for the Rwanda team, before they departed for
their Skills Exchange Trip, an exciting step in their ongoing partnership with
a church community in Kigali, Rwanda. The theme of my sermon was distance and difference.
I was preparing to fly back across the Atlantic, and the relationships I had
with people in Belfast would be stretched by distance. The Rwanda team was
preparing to have an encounter with people who have a very different culture
and history. At these times it is so important to remember that God was holding
all of creation closely and lovingly from the very first moment. From that
perspective, division disappears, and we can see people the way God sees them,
in spite of difference and distance.
Speaking of disappearing divisions,
I spent the rest of that week with a Peace Players program called the Belfast
Interface Camps. In each area of the city, (NSEW) young people came together
for sports camps that included instruction in Soccer, Gaelic Football, and
Rugby. Every day also included a community relations seminar from the Peace Players
staff. The days flew by, and the craic was legendary (that means it was fun).
On Friday, over 100 kids gathered on a soggy pitch for a friendly competition
to determine which side of the city was best at working together to win games.
My team from South Belfast made me proud, not only because they won most of
their games. They also exemplified a positive attitude. Between matches, as the
rain dripped on our already shivering bodies, I gathered them for a peptalk. I
said to them, “You’re all heroes just for showing up to play today. And you’re
superheroes for playing hard, being good teammates, and never once complaining
about being wet or cold.” The kid just to my right said, “What would we
complain about?” He was having a great time.
The ministry that happens in
Whitehouse Presbyterian and Peace Players is tremendously valuable to
communities in Belfast. I have no doubts about why PCUSA chose these
organizations as mission partners in Belfast. I have faith that their work will
continue, every day contributing to God’s kingdom on Earth. It is far too early
to give an estimate of what my YAV year has meant to me. I suspect the lessons
will continue to emerge as my life continues. Old stories will take on new
meanings, and those relationships will fill my heart again and again.
Thanks to all those who supported
my ministry; if you ask I would be happy to tell you what your prayers and
encouragement have meant to me.
Peace and Love,
Will
