10th Day, May 16: Derry with Jon McCourt and Adrian, Karin Eyben and Gavagh Forest School

Starting the day in one of the most beautiful places in the world! Experiencing a majestic sunrise, filling the sky and sweeping up across the hills of the distant lands, down the shoreline, across the sea, up the coastline of Ireland, and into your soul with the Creator's Peaceful Presence...A sunrise for ALL God's children everywhere.

Moving devotions by Rod...moving original poem, greeted by a caring staff that is a joy to be around. What better way to start the day, Praise God!

Rod's Poem

Reconciliation 

Many brave souls planted the seeds,

one venturing act at a time,

holding visions of healing petals 

opening some bright shining morning, 

fluorescent sheaves centered on love at the heart. 

Now the caretakers 

labor to nurture forgiveness among the weeds of retribution and anger,

and the brambles of resentment and backsliding. 

They watch and listen with open discernment. 

They act in cultivating harmony. 

All are needed -

Brave pioneers and committed cultivators,

those whose faith overcomes violence, jealousy, and tribal hatred

one emerging seedling, growing shaft, rising stalk, whirling vine, or stalwart tree 

at a time. 

Bless the gardeners of peace!

Ray Davis had a vision of the need for a place for peacemaking even before the "Troubles". People from Ireland and all over the world have come here to be the recipients of that purpose. One thing you realize is how much you are in need of that peace making in your own life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, on this journey, you begin to change.

In Derry we met Jon McCourt at the St. Columb's Cathedral, which also served as a fortress during the siege of Derry by King James II. Jon went over a brief history of the various invaders of Ireland, the vikings, the English, Scotts, French and even an attempt by the Spanish.

There has been ongoing distrust between the Catholic and Protestant Communities, but they are now working together to resolve many issues. He said the youth of today say "it his not our war", it was a war by their parents.

A good sign is that they have started festivals where both Catholic and Protestants attend, and there have not been violence!

Jon, who had been an active IRA member stated he realized that there were "too many deaths, what's the point". With tears in his eyes he said I carried too many coffins.

After lunch we met with Adrian Callan, also a former IRA member. He spoke movingly of his 11 year imprisonment, and was part of the hunger strikers. If the women had not come out and insisted they stop their hunger strike, Adrian and many of his imprisoned friends, would have died.

They all decide to put down their guns and find a better way. The motto became "we needed pencils in our hands" instead of guns, meaning they could achieve civil rights through their votes.

In the evening we met with Karin Eyben, who talked about her community work in the Garvagh Forest School. All participated in discussing her program.

Submitted by Don Washburn