They're in Dublin and this afternoon (April 15) are visiting Trinity College and the historic collection of the Book Of Kells (see one of the beautiful illustrations at the bottom of the blog). Here's more from the Trinity College website and also even more detail from Wikipedia.
One of the comments left on one of the blog posts a couple of days ago was from Christian Guadron, one of the staff members at the Corrymeela Center, where they were based for the first part of the week. He has a blog, as well, with some pictures of our group, which I've linked here (his blog is in Spanish - as he's from El Salvador, but the faces and message of our singers come through in any language!)
The pictures are from their performance at the Cregagh Road Presbyterian Church in Belfast the other day. There's also one taken at the beautiful Glenariff Natural Park in County Antrim.
Chris, Mike, Tom, Andrea, and Christian at the Glenariff Natural Park in County Antrim
10 comments:
TL and Diana here: Having a hard time finding the words to describe how proud we are of all of you. What a magnificent adventure you have had.
this is great, guys! The pictures up here are simply amazing! It looks like you're having a great time! I love checking the blog; it's a great break from studying...!
"Agape Singers and entourage: Thanks for sharing the good times this week."
Love,
Mom / Mary Smith
What incredible memories you all will take with you from your "Fantastic journey"- We loved seeing and hearing about you all every day- Thank you, Zukauckas family, for the terrific pictures, and to the singers who wrote about what you did everyday. It helped us feel a little part of what you were experiencing!!
Thank you, Agape singers, Dr. and Mrs. Portice, and shaperones, for going on this trip, and for lifting up so many, many hearts with your songs of "Hope and Peace"!!
We look forward to seeing your happy (and I'm sure a bit exhausted) faces Monday evening!!
-The Fryer family
(and Hope HAS missed you, Jessica, regardless of what she might say!)
Have been thinking about what to say to you all since last night. Feeling overwhelmed with thoughts and don't know how words can express how utterly amazing this experience and gift has been for me, none the less what it must be for you.
I have lost track of time and where you are in your adventure now, but I know it is winding down and know you must be meeting the end of this trip with mixed thoughts.
I am humbled by the breadth and width of what this has been for you and wonder what it will be like to home and how we can greet you with any measure of regard that is equal to what you must have experienced.
Although I know it is not as magnificent as Ireland...I have the following thoughts. To the Portices and the church I am grateful beyond words for this opportunity. Jim, you will always have a couch to sleep on at my home and a dog to sleep with. Harper, I promise to keep being the scariest parent/person you know and to want to discuss and better understand how I attained that status in your mind. Jess, all the Tiramasu is yours. Jordan, I promise that Buddy will pee on the floor everytime you enter my home with the unabashed and genuine enthusiasm that you do. Erik, I realize these castles, churches and wonders are old and have history beyond our understanding, but I offer you love beyond old and to an eternity that is truly a God thing... and.....just in case that's not enough...there is a whole meatloaf in the fridge for you.
Travel safe.
This is Chris and Andrea from a kiosk in Dublin! Thanks!!!!!!
Love from the Agape Singers
From the Fryer family-
Thank you, Agape singers, Dr. and Mrs. Portice, and shaperones, for taking this trip and lifting so many hearts with your songs of Hope and Peace- We are so very proud to have you all representing our church, faith, community and country in such a beautiful way!!!
Look forward to seeing you Monday evening!!
-The Fryers
For Danielle and all of the sports fans:
The Wings' game just ended.
Wings 3, Flames 1
Wings had 51 shots on goal, Flames had 15.
Ryan, hope you are continuing to recouperate.
We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night.
Love,
The Fischers
Let me give everyone a hand with what Christian said about our group:
He doesn't usually write about the groups he works with, but he identified better with this one. They presented originally as "subdued" but he credits this to their being tired after the long flight and they soon changed his perception of them. He speaks about the group demographically, who they are and their ages and marvels at how big the smallest of the group are, thinking it may because they eat cereal. He admits he doesn't usually like religious music, but was won by what fine artists they are. He speaks specifically of Danielle, who he refers to as Monkey Girl, Andrea, Chris, Michael, Sarah and Alicia. He admires Alicia as being the "best singer of the group, with a voice like a dove" and she reminds him of a singer that he admires from a Finnish group.
He speaks of walking the street of Cregah with Alicia and Andrea and how they explained life in Detroit and how much Detroiters depend on the motor industry. He comments that there surnames not necessarily matching their nationalities such as Andrea having a German surname but being a descendant of an American native tribe. He shared a birthday with Alicia, they had a cake and bonfire, the smoke staying with him all week. He speaks of other places they went, walked, shopped and that the kids wrote messages of peace on the wall that divides the catholic and protestant quarters.
He hopes to see his friends again someday, invites them to El Salvador or maybe he will come to Detroit or maybe some of them, such as Jess, who plans to study in Europe, he will see there.
We just want to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the Portices, the chaperones, all the church staff and members, and Presbytery for this awesome trip for the Agape Singers!!! Also another BIG THANK YOU to Jeff Smith for this OUTSTANDING website blog!!! What a phenomenal experience this has been for everyone!
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone Monday night!!!
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