Knackered?

You will have to read to the end to find out about "knackered?" But back to the beginning. Forty of us met at Upper Deer Creek Church to get on a bus to Chicago. There was some repacking as some bags were over 50 lbs. There was also a big box of books to be distributed in bags that were not overweight so we wouldn't have to take another bag. There were 18 large plastic trunk/totes with supplies for the weekend. Those who can pack lightly gave up their free checked bag so that we could bring decorations and supplies for the weekends, Castlewellan Great Banquets, #1 and #2.

The day was beautiful but a bit windy. We were able to get everything packed and boarded the bus. After about 40 minutes, we pulled over. There was an oil pressure problem. We prayed; we posted the request on Facebook and we proceeded. A couple of calls were made and there was a backup plan. Amazingly...the pressure held and we made it to Chicago in the original bus! Praise God!

Just before we were called to begin boarding, Ted and Jean went around to tell all of us that the plan had been to have a devotion time. There didn't seem to be a place to do that so they suggested that we gather in groups of 2 or 3 to pray for our flight, the weekends and each other. That was a beautiful sight in the Chicago airport as there were ten or twelve clusters in the waiting area huddled in prayer!

On the plane!

More Great Banquet team...

It was a 7 or 8 hour flight...tiring. We arrived in Dublin at 7:40 a.m. It may have been 2 am or 3 am in Kokomo or Chicago. At that point we just knew it was time to be alert as we had to collect all that baggage and get onto another bus which was en route. We only had to wait a few minutes and then we saw four of our Irish friends' faces waving at us from the other side of the airport road. We walked down to the crosswalk lugging those bags...probably over a hundred total...each of us with a carry-on and a personal bag plus some who had a checked bag plus those totes. 

Collecting baggage

A great welcome from Alan Dumigan!

Adrian became our tour guide. The driver took us for a "look see" in Dublin. We passed Trinity College, the Guinness factory and other impressive buildings as Adrian gave us an abbreviated history. Then we stopped at Christ Church which is over 1000 years old....one thousand years!! Time was limited to 90 minutes but we were duly impressed with the structure, the relics, the icons and the history.

Christ Church, built before 1170

Sharon mentioned that we would need to gather for the Moment of Remembrance. I didn't know what she meant. Today is November 11...known in Europe as Remembrance Day rather than Veteran's Day. People gather to pray at 11 am on 11/11. So we joined that tradition. Our group met in the crypt area of Christ Church for prayer. Yes, wars have touched every nation. 

A stop at a historical cemetery was cancelled as we had rain. There was a late lunch at a small food court on the motorway. The terrain seemed to change as we headed north. We saw sheep, stone fences and quaint towns. We were in Northern Ireland! 

It was about 3 pm when we arrived at Castlewellan. Andrew boarded the bus and inquired about how we were feeling using a term we weren't familiar with (and I don't remember). He tried to define it by saying, "are you knackered?" We were, we just didn't know it....worn out!!! 

So those 100 bags and totes were moved again. We were assigned rooms and given 2 hours until "tea time". Tea is supper. We had a lovely sweet and sour chicken over rice followed by apple crisp with warm custard sauce. And of course, coffee and tea.

Team enjoying supper in one of the dining rooms. 

Some local pastors came in to chat with our leadership and most of us kind of "hung out" in front of the cozy fire blazing in the sitting room. All in all....a wonderful full day. We ARE knackered but in a good way.