Derry Diary #3
1 July 2004
Rosemount Resource Centre
Cold, rain, 5 minutes of sun

Meeting at Brooke Park Youth Club at 11 am. The kids are finally getting into the swing of things by jumping head long into the Summer Scheme. The center is expecting 250-300 wanes (wee ones) to sign up for the program come tomorrow (Friday). Whoo-weeee up and running.

Before we went to Brooke, we cleaned up our center for the classes taking place in our bedroom (computer suite). We hit the kitchen and the floors and the toilets with good old American Teen-age enthusiasm...I believe I over exaggerate here...must be the hour of the night. Cal (Caroline) is sitting up with me whilst I write which is nice. But the work was done and without a modicum of complaints. Good kids I think. When they come back home to their parents they will have learned valuable skills like, cleaning up after themselves and washing dishes. Yes there is hope.

Back to Brooke Park: Maryanne, who is the director of the program wanted all of our kids to work the program which runs from 11am-1pm; 2.30pm-4.30 pm and on some evenings from 7p.m.-10.30 p.m. Long days but fun days. They met with the other student leaders and played dodge ball the old-world kids versus the new world kids. (Us vs.them). They were also instructed on the child protection laws and even what to do in case of a fire. The purpose of the meeting was to give our kids (and the other teenagers) a sense of ownership of the program. Our kids came back enthusiastic and, I believe ready to go.

Tommy regaled the troops with several hilarious stories from his youth and had the kids in the palm of his hand. I have heard these stories before and start to laugh when I see the punch line coming.

By the time Nora and Mel started dinner, I noticed that there were 3 neighborhood kids outside waiting for our group. The dinner by the way was outstanding, pasta with a marinara (or something close to it) sauce; fresh salad, bread and an "interesting tasting" soda called "Raspberryade". We all decided that this soda didn't really need to be purchased again. You see we are trying new things, by golly...and this new thing for all practical purposes has been tried. By the time dinner was finished I suggested that we start an old Derry Immersion custom, the stoop ministry. In short, it is to hang out with the kids in the neighborhood who show up at the door and play or talk with them. Well the small group turned into a large group and our kids played soccer on the side lawn. The local boys (mostly 14 years old) were amazed at Mel's skills (as she pushed by people to make goals). When Bobby was our goalie the kids scored at will...it was so sad. He was replaced by a boy nicknamed "Harpo" who played for our side. Needless to say, no goals got past him and we won the match 700-4. Janelle scored three and Patti scored 2 (although she was only watching...them American teenagers are amazin' ain't they??) It was fun to watch. When Matt and Andrew finished cleaning the kitchen, the group had grown even larger and they joined in. Soccer gave way to general chasing around and conversations.
Below are some of the pictures from this evening.

Here is a picture of Bobby and Andrew and Janelle (in the background)

And a picture of Patti and friend. (Below)

We finally got rid of all of them by 9 and came inside for our quiet time before prayer and journaling. We sat around and traded stories from the day while consuming a ton and a half of sugar. Nora led prayer and reflection this evening with some great insights into smiling as being the best medicine. There was also a reflection that with the meeting at Brooke Park and the evening soccer match, ouur kids had awakened from their slumber.

More later.

Cheers,

paul and caroline