Today was our second last full day in Ireland, and so much has happened since we first landed at the Dublin airport on June 22nd.

Our team has connected in a way I never could have imagined, and I'm leaving Ireland with a ton of new friends.  I've gotten to know every person on our team, whether through their testimony, talking one-on-one, working together at the YMCA, or in our free time - it has been a great experience.  I see myself growing each day, and challenging the youth each day.  As one person put it, "The teenagers of Ireland smell of body odour and beer, but they've captured my heart."  

There really is no better way to put it.  "The Rock" as the drop-in center is known in the community, generally attracts the toughest kids, not the ones who are doing well.  The youth that walk through the door everyday are a truly varied bunch.  Some drink or do drugs, some are loud and others quiet, some angry and some polite.  No matter their story, they're all looking for a refuge from their boring small town lives.  

Over the past two weeks are team has really connected with them in an amazing way.  Through playing games, talking, and sharing our stories of how we got here, they've began to change in small ways.  In two weeks the amount of cussing has diminished, maners have increased, questions have been asked, and personally I've seen my patience grow by leaps and bounds.  It's all the little things that these kids say and do that have cpatured my heart and make me wish I didn't have to go back home to Ontario.  It's so sweet when a tough looking teenage boy asks how to make a friendship bracelet snd then when done gives it to you, or when pre-teen girls ask if they can join you in prayer. 

Irealnd, and the kids of New Ross have captured a piece of my heart...

With love,

Maria Walsh