I arrived home almost two weeks from Northern Ireland. The last couple of weeks I was in Northern Ireland were full, so I didn't post anything on this blog during that period. However, I think there are a few more posts yet to be made before wrapping up my initial experience at Corrymeela and in Northern Ireland.
Volunteer Retreat
There were many highlights during my last few weeks at Corrymeela and spending time with the volunteers and staff at Corrymeela, and with other people stands out as the biggest highlight. One way we did this was when the long-term (year long) and mid-term (3 months or so) volunteers and a few others went on a two-day retreat off site in late March. Guided by the passenger van driver at Corrymeela, who has lived in the area for many years, we started out by exploring a number of places that most visitors would never get to see and many locals wouldn't even know about.
After a day of exploration, we spent one night a facility called Knocklayd owned by Corrymeela, which is located in a farming area near one of the highest mountains of the same name (Knocklayd) in Northern Ireland (they're really hills when compared to the mountains we have in British Columbia). Our drives through the countryside and along the coast treated us to much spectacular scenery. The evidence of spring surrounded us - flowers, lambs and the tree buds bursting with new life.
This was a totally relaxing time that provided opportunities to simply hang out, play games, have great conversations and enjoy each other. We concluded out retreat by going to the recently released animated movie Rango (featuring the voice of Johnny Depp). It was a fun way to wrap up our retreat.
Here are a few pictures from our retreat.
A Special Evening
After returning to Corrymeela following the movie, we gathered in the evening in Coventry (the building where I was living) for a send-off gathering given in honour of three of us mid-term volunteers who would be leaving within a few days. This was a heart warming time during which others said really nice things about and to us. We were also presented with truly unique gifts. One of these gifts was a handmade album of pictures of volunteers along with personal notes from volunteers and others. I cannot really find words to describe how deeply the evening touched me. I was blessed to be able to spend three months with a group of people who cared for each other, openly welcomed the mid-term volunteers, who worked hard and also knew how to have fun!!!
More to come in the next post.
Ernie
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