As you probably know by now I am Ellie O'Connor. I created this blog so that family, friends, supporters, and whoever can see where I am at in my journey to Ireland.
Why I am going to Ireland?
Excellent question! Well, when I was 17 I decided that I wanted to become a missionary of some sort so began looking at mission programs I could join after high school. Well, my parents ended up in a conversation about my plans with my sister's youth group leader (Kristen) and she told them about this ministry in Ireland that her friend is involved in called JIMS. Well then my parents told me about it and I asked Kristen to have her friend email me some info about the program. She did and I immediately fell in love with everything about the program. It's a youth ministry that is basically a support system for kids in this town in Ireland. And so I've been email back and forth with the project manager, Ivan, since the winter of my senior year of high school; I sent in an application last November and I have my final interview in March.
What will I be doing while I'm in Ireland?
What is JIMS?
To get more detailed information about the JIMS program you can go to the website http://www.thejimsproject.org.uk/ (there is also a link to the right). Basically what I will be doing in Ireland is serving God by serving the community of Kilkeel. I will be looking after the youth of the town just being someone to talk to. There are a few different events that they have going on, here is just a quick over-view of what they are and it should give you a taste of what I'll be involved in:
- After School Computer Club: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 2:30pm-5:30pm. This an after school activity that teaches students basic I.T. skills for all the primary schools in the area.
- Be Fellowship: Saturdays 6:30pm-8:00 pm. This is a bible study time for girls ages 14+ where they can come together and grow in their faith.
- Boys Night In: Once a month 7:30pm-9:30pm. This is just a night for boys around the ages 12-15 to gather, eat, have fun, and enjoy each other's fellowship.
- Discos and Theme Night: This happens at least once a month...if not more. Discos and parties are from 8:30pm to midnight. Drop-in theme nights are from 8pm-1am. This is just a fun night. Young people from the community get involved to help plan these.
- Drop-In: Every Friday and Saturday 8pm-1am. This is one of the major things that go on with JIMS. People can just come in, hangout, have great talks with the crew and leaders, get food, drink, warmth; there are video games, and a pool table.
- GAP: Tuesdays 3:00pm-5:30pm. This is a great time for 12-15 year old kids to come in and hang out after school. There are games, pizza, and just great fellowship.
- Girls Night In: Once a month from 7pm-9pm. A night for girls the around the ages 12-15 to come to do fun events like game night, film night, and craft night.
- Lads Group: Saturdays 6:30pm-8:00pm. This is for ages 14+ to come together in a safe environment to talk about God, faith, and questions.
- Lunch Fellowship: Mondays 12pm-2pm. This was created to reach out to those 65 and older. A time to get together and enjoy homemade meals and companionship.
- Nite Lite: Saturday Evenings. Nite Lite aims to build positive, voluntary relationship with the young people hanging around the streets. This is to show that we really do care about them and their well being; this also allows the team to see how they are effecting the community and to reach out to whole new crowds of people.
- Partner Programs: Weekly and Monthly. This is a mix of collaborations with Kingdom Youth Club (KYC) which builds relations between the youth community of JIMS and KYC. Also JIMS becoming more and more involved in school at Kilkeel.
- Souled Out: Last Sunday of the Month from 8:00pm-10:30pm. This is a worship service that targets ages 14+ though all ages are welcome. There is a youth band that sings current popular songs and classic favorites.
- That God Thing: Once a month 6:00pm-8:30pm. A night of desserts and games with a reading and teaching from God's Word.
As you can see JIMS is a program dedicated to being a support system to the youth and community of Kilkeel Ireland.
So that is the basic rundown of why i am going there and a little bit of what i will be doing there. As i learn more i will post more. As of right now I am concentrating on raising funds to go. I need a total of $7,000; and i am also concentrating on preparing myself spiritually for this endeavor.
Please keep me in your prayers. And feel free to email me questions, concerns, or if you just want to say 'hi' or 'good luck to you'. Any friendly words are encouragement to me.
Ellie O'Connor
