I was blessed to spend a week in Newcastle, England with a few of the other Xplore people, what a week it was!
We went over to do a Kids Club in St. Paul's which is an old Church building, no longer a church due to no congregation. Aoife was an amazing organiser and I wouldn't have pulled it off half as well as she did, so thank you Aoife for being an amazing person in general.
Day 1 consisted of us travelling a lot and then attending Sunday celebration, thankfully it wasn't too hectic and we were able to chill out with some kids and their families. We got dinner there which was lovely and then headed home for some rest.
Day 2 was just getting stuff ready and getting the hall set up for the club to start the next day, it ended up looking pretty well and we had fun making stuff and what not, although the army net things smelt a bit and we're super dusty but we got over that very quickly. Our setting up was over before we knew it so we went home and had dinner then Phil, Pete and I went outside to kick a football about and talk for a while, altogether a good evening.
Day 3 consisted of kids club, twice. A nice number of kids turned out to it and we had a lot of fun being silly with the kids. At the end of the day it's for them, and telling them about God and that's the reason we're there. The kids were such a blessing to be around and their energy gave me energy! After 2 kids clubs we were pretty tired so rested for the rest of the night!
So day 4 turned out a bit different than what we had intended it to be as the weather was bad so unfortunately we couldn't run our sports day which was outside. Instead we went to Walking With which is a food bank run by St. Luke's church who help asylum seekers. We met some really cool people and I was touched by their ability to speak in such a positive way when it seems like they have nothing. A guy was telling us how much we should be thankful of little things and it really gets you thinking about everything we have and just take for granted! It was a super fun day and I was so happy we got the opportunity to go there because it was just amazing. Phil, Pete and I also went to go see Hangover 3 which was really good and we had a nice wee walk there and back too.
Another full on day came along for day 5, the last day of kids club which was really good. It worked out really well and the kids seemed to enjoy it! I did a drama at the night time session with the children and it was really good to see them act out the story of the lost sheep, I just hope they understood it and got something from it! That night we went to Aoife's mentors house for dinner which was really good and I was so stuffed after it and also super tired but still managed to stay up to 12:30am!
Today was the best day of mission week I think, on a socializing note. We went to the coast which was warm for about 1/2 hour but then got cold so we went home at about 2:30pm and then sun bathed in the garden for about 2 hours which was so relaxing and just what we needed. Everyone was less stressed about the kids club and it was just great fun to hang out with the Xplore family! They're super good for your soul, I recommend them!
Over all I've had an amazing week filled with laughter, children but most of all God. A presence was with me the whole week, while we were laughing, while we were stressed, while we were tired and while we were working. God was in our midst and it was great! I've come out of this tired but refreshed, I cannot wait to see everyone in 3 weeks time. For now, it's back to working in Monkstown in the final stint of our year. How quick has it gone in?! I'll definitely miss this bunch of crazy Christians!
Charlotte x
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