catalyst academy

The Line managers and interns include the following: Young Adults- Laura Bell Youth-Paul Francis Kids-Owen Sweeney Events Coordinator- Joan Gilpin Second year interns: Allie Thompson- N.I. (She is serving with young adults) Chelsea Garrett-Australia (She has lived in Belfast for the last year and a half. She is serving in the youth dept.) Mark Miskimmin- N.I.(He is working in the youth dept.) Scott Hamilton- N.I.(He is serving with young adults)) First year interns: Ashleigh Kilgore- N.I. (serving at the Antrim location as a part of CFC) Cherie Tinsley- N.I. (serving at the Antrim location as a part of CFC) Joel McNeilly- N.I. (serving at the Antrim location as a part of CFC) Camila Alencar- Brazil (She is serving with kids) Patricia Matias-Brazil (She is serving with events and admin.) Estelle Skinner- N.I. (She is serving in the youth dept.) Liz Blackwell- Virginia (She is serving in the youth dept.) Naomi Fries-France (She is serving in the youth dept.) Now I am going to attempt to quickly give a snap shot at my first week in Belfast. I have been under the false impression that the more times I engage in the process of writing that each time it would become easier than the last. This does not yet seem to be the case; each time doesn’t seem to have an effect on the next. I was under the impression before I left that I would be posting something short every day or if not at least a few entries every week. I have had the intention to write on many different occasions since I have been away but every time it was time to write words were few. I think partly this writers block if you will comes from when I feel inspired to share what God is doing through writing I want my words to do him the most justice possible. When I face this I realized I cannot do Him justice but every time the feeling remains a strong urge to communicate the best I can hoping it is evident all good things in my life are from him and are signs of him in my heart doing the work in and through me.  I flew into Belfast Sunday morning in my new time zone half an hour before my plane was scheduled to land at 9am. I was glad to be early knowing I would still need to go through immigration before I could meet up by with my lift from CFC. Walking through the Belfast airport is much simpler than in London so I quickly came up on the immigration desks. After I gave my immigration officer my passport she looked at her computer for awhile and then asked if I had been denied a visa. I told her no but I was denied entry into the U.K. my last trip for not having a visa. She told me she had to go and check if what I was saying was accurate. I was asked to have a seat and wait for her. I decided singing would pass time more enjoyably so I quietly sang How Great is our God and Great is Thy Faithfulness.  When my immigration officer returned after about 20 minutes I was officially the last person from my flight to cross into the United Kingdom. It was a great moment. I felt like dancing when I spotted Allie. She had been waiting for me and was nervous she had missed me. We both were excited to see the other. She took me to my host family and I drop my stuff off went straight to church. I spent the afternoon at Allie’s house and then had dinner with my host family, the Browns. I went back to CFC for the night service/ Catalyst 2011-2012 graduation. A highlight from the day was during the morning service I had  a repeating though during worship, less of me and more of you. During the message the speaker spoke about Apostle Paul and John 3:30. Also after the night service all of us as interns for the coming year were prayed over. It was very powerful and encouraging.  Monday September 3rd Every Monday morning CFC has a staff meeting a little after 9. This is a time where everyone on staff in the church comes to worship the Lord and pray together. It is powerful and unlike anything I have been a part of in a church. The interns were prayed over again at this meeting. I was brought to tears by all of the love and passion from the staff.  Laura spent the day going through orientation with the interns. Andrew the senior pastor welcomed us and gave us some background about cfc. We also were welcome by Garath who is in charge of international travels- he helped my visa happen : ) That night I had a Youth meeting with all volunteers that Paul lead.   Tuesday September 4th The interns went into City Center (downtown Belfast). After lunch Paul went over the youth interns schedule/timetables. Estelle drove Liz and me to Tesco (grocery store). Estelle then insisted I come over for dinner. I met her husband Reuben and he offer me Estelle’s old bike. They are the sweetest! A few days later they gave me a blackberry to use while I am here from Reuben’s dad. I am trying to convince Estelle to come to Kentucky this summer for a bit! Wednesday September 5th Bronwen went over building info with the interns.  I skyped with my parents for the first time. I ate my first kebab since being back in NI : ) The interns went down to the dock to have the monthly catalyst collective event with all the young adults from the CFC Thursday September 6th The interns had 7  life languages training Chris went over building maintenance with the interns. I set off the cfc alarm and Chris had to come back to church to help turn it off.   I went back to my flat and read some more hunger games : ) Friday September 7th I had the day off because it was orientation week. I slept in for the first time and cleaned my flat! I uploaded pictures some pictures and spent the day relaxing. Alex picked me up and drove me to Newcastle to stay with her family.  I stopped in the Newcastle Presbyterian Church where I had planned to volunteer with my trip I planned this last February that fell through. I spent the rest of the night at the Lynns catching up! Saturday September 8th We drove to the north coast for an airshow Sunday September 9th  I was a part of SunGlo for youth. The Sunday morning youth service is held at a movie theatre across from church and is for p7- year 3 (last year of elementary and middle school age) I spent the afternoon in the office reading Romans and singing along with the band I could hear from café church. The Lynn’s took me into city center to get a sim card for my blackberry I skyped with Danielle and Tim Dinner with Lois (host mother), Julia (daughter), Julia’s boyfriend, and Lois’ mother I served on welcome team and attended 7 service at night. Monday September 10th At the staff meeting I prayed with Estelle. All of the staff were praying for family and walls to come down and others to see Jesus. Paul had the Youth interns over to his house for breakfast : ) his cute wee dog does funny tricks. We went to School work at Ashfield Boys which is great craic. I went shopping with Estelle and Naomi for organizational things for my flat. I sat in on Estelle and Liz’s meeting with Joan.   Tuesday September 11th Week of prayer, fasting, and worship started! More thoughts from this to come…