The Work of Reconciliation by Ryan
The pilgrims from St Albans, Washington DC, got up early on their last full day in N Ireland in order to spend the morning serving with their new friends at 174 Trust. Quickly picking up where he left off the evening before Bill Shaw, the director of 174, took the time to tell his story and give the pilgrims from St Albans a clearer picture on what it really means to do the work of reconciliation. After that it was time to help get some practical reconciliation work done around the grounds of the facility, ie sweeping, picking up trash, and playing soccer with the local youth.
After that quick morning visit with 174 however it was time to head off to downtown Belfast for an afternoon of exploration. For the rest of the day the pilgrims combed the streets of the city, meeting friends, making new ones, and picking up some relics of their time in N Ireland.
At our pass the candle event in the evening the pilgrims took one more opportunity to really consolidate their experiences in N Ireland, remembering how their perspectives have changed as a result of their time away. The work of reconciliation is hard, it takes patience and perseverance, but it is not without hope, love, or promise for the future.