I have never had such care put into my fingernails.  Two nights over they were delicately painted by Cameron, a nine-year old boy who I’ve known for a few years by doing breakfast club at the local primary school.  The first night he chose a brilliant orange, and the second night, it was a variety of gummy pinks. 

I just don’t have the heart to take it off.

For the last few days we’ve been working in the Lower Shankill with an initiative called “FWD”—Faith With Deeds.  It’s a Wells Church thing, and we YWAMers helped, too.   I have really never seen people on the road so open and thankful…it was radical for me to see.  We played with kids during the day, knocked on doors offering lightbulbs/smoke alarm batteries/prayer, and put on free community barbeques in the evenings. 

At one of the barbeques is where I got my nails done. And I look at them lovingly even as I type up this blog.

I so wish I could put more pictures of the kids from this past week, but unfortunately we’re asked not to do that, as to protect the kids.  But—you can imagine it, can’t you? 

There’s something happening on the Shankill; I can’t put my finger on it, exactly, but it feels big and small at the same time.  It has the feeling of something about Love, it’s giving me anticipation of Love coming. 

So watch this space.

Currently I’m in Closkelt, the other YWAM base in Northern Ireland, helping cook some meals for them during the DTS debriefing week.  It’s special to be here because this is the DTS that spoke on in February, and I feel connected to these students.  They’ve just returned from their outreaches—one team was in Ireland and the other was in India.

I’m looking forward to a week in North Carolina with my family for my holidays this year.  Roll on, beach with the Seibels!

Please check out YWAM Ireland’s new website:  www.ywamireland.org

You’ll find more info about how FWD went on that site, as well as more info about our upcoming trips and training schools.