Email: Sarah Craven

Dear Friends,

Writing this letter is probably one of the hardest things that I’ve had to do so far in my YAV (Young Adult Volunteer) experience. I didn’t want to write it too soon because I wanted to feel like I had a substantial grasp of what this year was going to look like, but after four months it feels like a daunting task to try to put into words my experiences. I’ve been like a sponge soaking up so much. I think it took me the first three months before I even felt like I had a simple understanding of the situation here and of people’s feelings on both sides. I’m glad that I’ve waited though, because there are so many nuances that I didn’t pick up at first.

Although I’ve come to understand the conflict here is not really about religion, but mainly a political one about power, economics, and differences over national identity and allegiance, there are still many ways that different denominational traditions have been used to reinforce the division between the two opposing sides. They each have their own traditions and don’t really venture into using the other side’s traditions. Christmas was the most obvious example of this for me. In the States, I was always used to having an Advent wreath and a Christmas Eve service. These are both traditions that are associated more with the Catholic and Anglican traditions here. I had the opportunity to do a children’s address at Christmas, so I decided to talk about the Advent wreath and what it represented. I asked the children before I started if any had seen one before, and none of them had. I’ve learned that it is little steps like introducing traditions from the other side that will help in the long run. It’s not about making a big wave while I’m here but maybe a little splash that has a ripple effect and subtly reaches out. There is no simple solution to storm in with and correct the situation—if Northern Ireland stays part of either the United Kingdom or Ireland, there will be people upset.

Most of my work has not actually dealt directly with reconciliation. I am one of the two volunteers that was placed only in a church, and because of that my work has focused more on helping the church reach the community around it. After four months, the community feels a lot smaller to me; I can walk down the street and see a child I know from school, or a youth from a club I work with, or a member of the church, or an elder lady from our church’s Wednesday older-persons group. (They don’t like the term “senior citizens,” and some have so much will that that argument is very persuasive.)

It isn’t always easy though. There has been culture shock, and you always have to be flexible because you just never know whether people are going to show up for a program or the kids are going to be interested in what you’ve planned. The kids here are some of the most loving kids I have ever met, and sometimes I think they just want someone who sees their true value. They are much more mature then kids I’ve encountered in the States, but this is also my first urban church setting. I’ve lost the deer in a headlight look I first had when I saw young girls in heavy makeup or skimpy clothing with Playboy logos.

So far, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself. I wanted to give a year of service, but sometimes I feel like I’m cheating because I get as much as I give. I just pray that the year will continue to be as fruitful as it has been so far.

Sincerely,