History is Alive.

Today was filled with exposure to the culture and history of recent Ireland. We took a trip down to the city of Belfast, but not the part of Belfast most tourists would visit. One of our leaders was raised in the terrorist area of Belfast. This area was divided between the Catholics and the Protestants, with a peace wall built between the two divisions to minimize the attacks on one another. Elaborate murals covered several buildings, each holding a story or remembering a fallen terrorist who posed as heros to their many followers. People walked around carrying baggage of their past, brokenness for their futures, and strength for their present to just survive this war that continues today even though the height of the movement was over thirty years ago.

Walking down these alleys and seeing these murals first hand sent chills down my spine. History has never felt more alive than it did in those moments. We walked by two large churches that have been disregarded as mere pigeon homes and graffiti canvases within the past ten years. Upon this horrid site, our leader asked us to consider Christianity in America today...would our churches someday soon become nothing but empty buildings holding nothing but fading memories?

We remained on this side of town for awhile, soaking in the culture of the Protestant side, namely Shankill Road. Located on this road was a tiny dinner where I had my first fish and chips experience. For a pound of grease and a little cod and taters, not too shabby.

Later that afternoon, a few of us went on another bike ride to a rose garden that holds several world titles for their extravagance. Though the roses are yet to be in bloom, the view was indescribable. Flowing fields were embellished with magnificent flowers, trees, and bushes alike. Life could never be more at peace and rest than in a place like this. Standing in the middle of one of the fields stretched as far as one can see is like being on top of the world with time standing as still as mouse. Rain accompanied by bright sunshine illuminated each flower to perfection. True, beautiful calm in the storm.