From an Email Home

I realized that I hadn't blogged all week since this week has been so busy! Here is a brief e-mail that I sent home to my parents about my week:


This week has been CRAZY! Probably crazier than usual because I have had several meetings in the evenings. I have been doing well though. I still have a bit of a cold, but I have been getting 7 or so hours of sleep each night and I have been making sure to drink enough fluids. So it's still there a bit, but it's not too bad.

This weekend we are going on a volunteers residential (retreat). The YI model is where you have youth come through the programs and after they have been involved for a year or two or three, you have them starting volunteering with the younger youths or even with other programs for their peers. Twice during the year, there is a massive retreat for all of them from West Belfast (where I work), East Belfast, Banbridge, and Down Patrick where each branch of YI is located.

It was neat because I am starting to become good friends with a girl named Heather who is the new girls worker for Banbridge. She did a gap year in Northern Ireland (where she's from) with a bunch of Americans, so she knows the American culture well. She is also a deep thinker and verbal processor, so we have hit it off well. She also loves Belfast and taking new people around the city. Last night we went to this neat pub near Queens University that was really delicious and pretty cheap. The best part of my night (outside of spending time with Heather talking and laughing) was going to this coffee shop called Common Ground. It reminded me so much of places I would go to in Minnesota. It was really great to be able to find a "Sarah" place within Belfast. Common Ground is a hip church run coffee shop that attracts loads of different people from different communities and even countries since it's located near the international student housing at Queens University. I also had the best piece of chocolate cake in my entire life. It was mostly gooey fudge (warmed) with a bit of cake and of course whipped cream. AMAZING!

God continues to be so faithful to me here and provide for my needs no matter how small they are. People have been so generous and welcoming. I am slowly finding my way around and figuring out little things. I am also getting more used to eating a bit differently than what I would at home. My schedule has finally been figured out, so I should have a bit of "stability" in my life whatever that means. I'll update you more with what I am exactly doing sometime next week.

Outside in Ireland

Residentials: I think they are going to become my favorite weekend activity while in N. Ireland. You go on a retreat with a bunch of people some where out in the country where everything is green, hilly, and beautiful. Usually there is a little cottage you stay in with a fire place and mountains in the background. It's truly living straight out of a dream.

This past week, I went to Downpatrick. It is said that St. Patrick is buried there (but another place claims that as well, but most people accept that he's in Downpatrick), so it is a place of pilgrimage. I was there for a University Christian Outreach (UCO) retreat. I was involved with UCO while I was in Michigan, so I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved with young adults here in Ireland who want to built Christian environments to reach other students and disciple them. It was an incredible weekend to get to know each other and set a vision for the year.

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was Saturday afternoon when a small group of us ventured up a little trail to the top of one of the mountains (or it could be called a large hill). It was so beautiful and incredible. Words can't describe the beauty of Ireland or how the hills just continue rolling in different shades of green or the how the sheep speckle the land or how majestic the mountains look when the clouds dance along the tops of them. It isn't the same as a breath taking view of a large mountain or a spectacular waterfall. Rather it's this continual beauty and fingerprint of God all around you. It's these moments that brighten my heart and when I stand in awe saying "I'm outside in Ireland right now. This isn't a dream, but I am really here in this incredibly beautiful place."

While in a field dodging piles of cow dung, we enjoyed the view, played frisbee, and scoped the scenery around us using binoculars. It was a great time to just be and have fun with one another. I am so blessed to be in a beautiful country and even more blessed by the community around me. I know these pictures don't do it just, but I thought you might enjoy a glimpse from my weekend view outside in Ireland.

Donating Online

Thank you to all of you who have supported me financially or showed interest in supporting me financially. I know that there has been some confusion on how to give online through the Sword of the Spirit E-give page. Below is instructions on how to give online. If you still have questions, please e-mail me at sarah.nilles@gmail.com.

Giving online:

1) Go to http://sos-nar.com/eGive.htm

2) Click on the

Click Here to Give >> eGive

3) MAKE A GIFT WITHOUT AN ACCOUNT Give to your favorite organizations without an account. Use our online form to complete your gift now! (Unless you want an account)

4) ENTER YOUR INFORMATION

5) ENTER BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION

6) ENTER GIFT INFORMATION
LOOK FOR LINE THAT SAYS : Support a gapper or staff (enter name at Special Instructions)

7) AT THE BOTTOM LOOK FOR:

Special Instructions
Please specify any other instructions for the breakdown of gift

.

TYPE IN

Sarah Nilles, Youth Initiatives

IN THE BOX.

TA DA! You're done. I will then receive an e-mail from this incredible lady named Jan who is processing all of my donations. At the end of the month, Jan will send a check to Doug who is the director of YI here in Belfast who will make sure I get the money to pay for rent, buy toothpaste, and other personal needs.

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. God has made it very clear that I am meant to be here. I know I wouldn't be able to do the work he has for me without you back home! You are all so incredible. Cheers!

A Home Away From Home

I am starting to settle into my life here in Belfast. The past week has been a whirlwind or as they would say here "mental." Despite the craziness of everything, I feel really at home with the family I am staying with. They are a young couple just a few years older than me who just had their first baby 5 weeks ago. Sheena is from the States, and Matthew grew up in Belfast. Everyone LOVES them, so I am quite grateful that I get to live with them. It's helpful that they have both lived in the States because they help make the transition a little smoother because they have both been through it as well.

I always find when I move to a new place that the things I worried about haven't been a problem, but there are LOADS of things that are challenging that I had no idea about. Everyone speaks really fast and uses so many words that are different than American English. Within the house the light switches, electric plugs, and showers are different too. When I move to new places, I talk about being in "survival" mode until it becomes second nature. Fortunately, I am starting to figure out the bus and taxi system which has been helpful. I have also met lots of people within a Christian community called Charis here as well as getting to know some people I will be working with.

Below are some pictures of the house and neighborhood that I live in. Things are much smaller than here than they are in the States (cars, refrigerators, houses, milk cartons, etc.) The food has been incredible and full of abundance... especially wine which I eat at most dinners followed by tea. They truly eat lots of potatoes, but I will write more about food another time. Enjoy the view of my house on Erinvale Gardens.










When you wake into the house, there is a staircase to the upstairs bedrooms and a little front room. Then you walk through another door (we keep it closed because of the dog) and there is the living room and kitchen which are connected.





I was so worried about having a "blah" room, but it is so bright and beautiful. It's my little joy place. Thanks to my friend, Anna, for the HOPE painting which is on the directly across my bed.



The backyard!



Baby Caleb- the greatest cuddler in the world. He has been so wonderful to have around especially when I feel home sick.



The view walking down Finaghy Road towards the bus stop. Belfast is in a valley so there are mountains all around. So beautiful!

Am I really here?

On Saturday morning a little past 9 AM, I walked out of the Belfast airport with my trolley of luggage. I was in a bit of shock that everything had gone beyond smooth through the airport. Absolutely NOTHING went wrong, and even little things that I was nervous about where taken care of. So there I was with out much sleep, water, or food in me, climbing into the wee car of a man I had just met. Driving around the windy roads, I quickly realized that I wasn't in the Midwest any longer. I had arrived in Belfast, and I was ready to begin my new life!

The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind. My mind, body, and soul seem to be all over the place! It's hard to even know what to write or explain because I barely understand it myself. It's so strange that I am here, but it seems so natural and normal. I feel like I am living in a dream, and I am just waiting to wake up. I know that I am in Belfast, but it totally has not hit me that I have packed my bags and I now live in another country.

Sometimes I have little moments when I realize it, but overall, it has not hit me. I have just been going through the actions: rapidly learning as much as I can and enjoying the company of lovely people. My life here so far has been incredible, and I have been blessed with so much grace, love, and friendships. God knows exactly what I need when and He has been providing for it.

After I settle in a bit more, I will write more details and include pictures. Thanks for all your love, support, and prayers. You are all incredible. Love to you all!