Updates from Ireland

Wednesday, March 5, 2008-03-05

As I looked out the window this morning, I thought of Louis Armstrong singing: "What a Wonderful World."

First we heard Eamon speak on educational development in Glencree’s plans reach into the business community and the youth to facilitate in finding their own solutions to “The Troubles.”Glencree is a place of safety, neutrality, a space away from their troubles, a place of isolation and history and transformation. Negative peace is a lack of something and positive peace is about equality, justice, human rights and dialogue. He said reconciliation is whatever it takes to get on with your life.

Michele, Paddy, Jim and I took a run into town for more work supplies and wonderful brown bread while the rest of the team tackled the painting and cleaning in the Wicklow Wing. What a Wonderful World.….

After lunch, Phil Killeen, the Women’s Program Coordinator, spoke to us on how women have been marginalized throughout all of “The Troubles.” She's formed groups through Glencree to begin to empower women across the island. What a Wonderful World.

We then spent an hour brushing and rolling in the kitchen and hallway.

At 5:00, Collin Murphy talked to us about the church role in “The Troubles.” He talked of all the damaged relationships and how can Christian churches that profess to believe in the "Prince of Peace" hate each other so much.

As I was sitting there, I looked on the wall at the list of 15 characteristics of an effective team and decided that our team has all of them. What a Wonderful World!