I Am The Green Monster!

One of the locals dressed up everyday as Captain Jack Sparrow for Kids Camp.  All the kids loved him, and on the second day he received an enemy.  I was approached minutes before service started and asked if i would get in a green monster costume and go taunt the kids, then fight captain jack.  It turned out that the monster costume looked a whole lot more like a frog prince.  The first day went great, except that the only thing covering my face in the costume was a pair of aviators i borrowed from Matt.  Within a few hours, two thirds of the camp was attacking me, screaming, "Chaunce is the Green Monster! Chaunce is the Green Monster!"  I denied every accusation, saying i was in the bathroom or i was eating lunch, so it obviously couldn't be me.  On the last day, The Green Monster had a turn for the better, and was renamed Greenie The Great.  After camp, I admitted to the kids that i was indeed the Green Monster.... the end

Chaunce

The Longest Day

Well it all started around 5 this morning in Ireland time and we still haven't arrived home. after the 8 hour flight we spent 9 hours in the Atlanta airport going stir crazy and waning to go home. I will say that the past week has been one of the most deadly weeks ever (deadly equals sweet in Irish). I made a bunch of new friends that I will never forget and worked with some of the craziest kids ever.  God is doing amazing things there in Ireland and will keep doing great things. Thank you to everyone for the prayers and thoughts while we were gone!

Mitch

Capers Cove

I had an incredible week!! I spent the majority of my days working with kids during the kids camp.  It is one of the most tiring things I have ever done.  The great thing is that I feel like I have been rewarded more than I ever have in my life.  We got to spend all day encouraging kids and playing with them.  More than that we were able to speak life in to every kid at that camp, we told them Jesus loved the and how special they where over and over again.  By the end of the week you could see the fruits of our labor begin to show because the kids where encouraging one another, and sharing their precious zany bands.  It was so much fun to join in and dance with these kids, worshiping God without caring what anyone thought because every kid was dancing before the Lord with the same abandonment.  This week has been incredibly rewarding and loads of fun!! thank you to everyone who was a part of sending us!!

Dillon Etter

Finally, Ireland...

The kids camp was a huge success.  We are excited to share with everyone when we get back.  The team did such a great job.  We all celebrated on Friday night by going to GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) with everyone.  On Saturday, we got up bright and early and went on a tour of Glendalough, a monastic settlement founded in the 6th century.  After that, we traveled to Bray which is on the east coast of Ireland. We ate fish and chips and enjoyed the sound of the sea.  Our day ended in Dublin where we did some shopping and ate dinner.  Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity to really see Ireland.  We are again joining Open Arms for their Sunday worship services.  Tomorrow will be a hectic day as we will have to get everyone to the airport, checked-in and through immigration before boarding.  Hopefully our last few team members will post something today.  See ya' tomorrow night.

Matt

k;[nnnn;'oo., nn nn

Whew, what a trip!  I did not know that missions work was this difficult.  Let me tell you, it's exhausting.  I feel like we've been here for a month and it's only been 8 days.  Everyone here is super nice.  I'm hungry.  I especially like Sean Duncan, one of the pastors on staff.  He's my favorite.  This Eric Redmond guy is super scary though.  I'm still not sure about him.  I have worked so hard this week.  You know it is not easy being this cute and cuddly.  Daddy did such a good job doing the lessons.  I'm excited to hear what he will say today in church.  Wow, I'm hungry.  The entire team has been great.  I've enjoyed hanging out and getting to know everyone better.  I'm really, really hungry.  Anyway, I guess I better finish getting ready for church.  I need to do my hair and put a bow on.  I hope everyone back home is doing well.  I really miss Madie and Evan.  They are the best sister and brother ever.  Now I'm tired. God bless.

Stella
The Hardest Working Team Member

Hello from Ireland, Keri here!!! Let me first start off by saying, I miss everyone very much and I cannot wait to see everyone again, especially my family! :) It's 8 days into our trip now and there's a lot that's happened (especially funny things), but since everyone has done so well in keeping you updated with that, I thought i would just share with you some of my thoughts.


Today our cordinator for this trip was on a walk through Dublin with Lauren and I on our search for fish and chips. When the beach was in sight and we were approaching our destination, she asked us what we have learned on this trip or what our experiences have been. Do to the lack of time, I didn't really ever get to share...but it definitly got me thinking! There is soo much I've learned from this trip however, one thing in particular really sticks out to me! Back at home our motto is Loving God/Loving People, and we are constantly reminded to look at things like a newcomer. This was always something I knew was important, but how was I suppost to know what that feels like? I grew up here! Coming here allowed me to be put in that position and help answer a few questions.


However, rather then discovering all these things I could come back with and maybe help solve potential issues, I was instead blown away by the spirit of perfection these sweet people attained. I was never at a loss for welcoming, direction, influence, or even the one that is special to me, company. :) They are some of the nicest people I've met in awhile! I don't really think it would be fare to just say that it's there culture though, because we came across plenty of people who could of done with out us there and made it known. No, they are different for a reason. It's important to them so they are making the extra effort to be that way, and I'm blown away by there kindness! I came looking for questions we could help answer at Woodlake, instead I found an incredible roll models. Don't you love how God knows what we need more than us? :)


We all know every trip isn't without it's hick-ups and we've had our fare share... but what we have all gotten out of it far out ways those little things! This trip has been a huge blessing to say the least! :)


Keri

Payback...

Dillon and Chance pranked Phil and I at the airport on our way to Ireland.  For details, read this earlier blog.  We vowed to get them back.  After we had arrived and met the pastors, a plan began to hatch.  We knew that timing would be important so we waited until Friday afternoon to make our move.  Here is a quick summary of our revenge: Dillon and Chance were called out of a team meeting by Liz, the pastors wife.  She escorted them to the church's counseling room and sat them down with PJ, the pastor.  They both proceeded to lecture the guys without really telling them what they did.  After they were finished, they left the room for Dillon and Chance to have some time together and discuss.  They returned with both Phil and I and continued to lecture the lads.  After we let them off the hook, Chance told us that he knew it was a prank and that he thought the girls were trying to get them.  Honestly, I was a little disappointed as I wanted them to feel just a little bit of fear after the stunt they pulled at the airport.  However, after watching the attached video, I was happy to see that they were a little more nervous than they let on.  I'll let everyone be the judge.  Remember, he who laughs last, laughs best.

The thing is, this would not have been possible without the assistance of the church staff.  PJ and Liz Booth, Sean Booth and Eric Redmond were all instrumental in pulling this prank off.  We have been blessed to work with such a great church.  I'm sure it will be said many times, but we have all fallen in love with the Open Arms family.  I hope everyone has enjoyed this as much as we have.

Matt