Things began last Saturday as the team either drove or aquaplaned (not mentioning any names) their way to Rodney and Ruth’s for the start of the 2007 Riverside GO Team. After introductions and a prayer time, the over 20s went up to Sam and Dot’s, with the young guns staying put.
On Sabbath morning, after the anticipated fry, we worshiped with the congregation, with Blair McFarland preaching. We then, accompanied by unofficial team member Shane from Mourneview, went up to a viewpoint for a picnic but it started to rain so we retreated to the sunnier climate of the Murphy’s back yard. After the picnic we gave out one or two leaflets in the estates we were starting the kids clubs in the next day, before returning to Sam & Dot’s for a full Sunday lunch at tea time. And then it was the evening service, which Tim preached at.
On Monday morning, we started early. Team devotions were followed by leaflet distribution in Greenfields/Windmill and Mourneview until the clubs started at 11. In Mourneview no kids turned up so they cleaned up the place. Then it was back for lunch and the first of our Bible studies with Timbo.
“So where was Peter at on placement this year?”
Then it was out again for more distribution of the 4,000 4You magazines until tea at Anna Hanna’s. Then door-to-door and back to R&R’s. Tuesday followed a similar pattern, but going to Sam and Dot’s for tea.
On Wednesday we had a lie in till about half 8 or something, and we started with the clubs and got the rest of the leaflets out in the afternoon. Then we headed for Cranfields and when we eventually found the Lyons’ caravan we had a BBQ, played games, including a clean sweep for the Mafia, went for a walk and listened to stories of the good old days.
BBQ
Benwise
Steelo, 10star, Rachel
Bowling. Cracker.
On Thursday, we still did the clubs, but from 10am to half 5 we did a free car wash at the church which was to encourage people to come in, drink tea and coffee, take free tracts/magazines/CDs, and browse stalls with Fairtrade stuff, information about the RP Church, and books from Tom. We also took donations for Tear Fund. We must’ve washed about 20 cars (not counting our own), and a good number came in for coffee and a chat. In the afternoon a quartet of the better singers went into the town centre, introduced and sung a few psalms and advertised the car wash and meeting.
Good work son
Shane
Fresh from Enniskillen
The weans needed entertaining too. Though I’m not sure if it was us entertaining them or them entertaining us!
The Pilgrim Fathers each featured a record 3 times on the posters advertising the Church. Proper order.
We went to McCune’s for tea and then came back for the public meeting, at which Blair returned to speak about Wilberforce and how our Christian faith should lead to similar social action today.
On Friday we had the last day of the clubs, and in the afternoon gave out the remaining magazines that hadn’t been taken the day before, and did a bigger and longer psalm sing in the town centre. Then we used our free coffee vouchers in Grounded, before returning to Rodney & Ruth’s for a Mexican tea, evaluation and final prayer time.
And that was basically it for Riverside ’07 (apart from the drive home via Dromore, and the slight matter of the fan belt, the Castledawson roundabout, my uncle Harold, and 03:30am). I reckon it was the best team I’ve ever been on on Irish soil. Great week, learnt a lot, and Newry’s some place. The only disappointment was team leader Paul’s refusal to go to the appointment we booked him with a 23 year-old single RP hairdresser!
Much potential. Much prayer needed. Pray especially for a minister. It’s some place.
