IFES

Today was by far the best day yet, and I knew that it would be. That is because today was the meeting for the CU (Christian Union). You see, I have met lots of nice people in Ireland, and I've done some fun things, but I had yet to meet a Christian who shared my values and my faith.

I didn't realize how taxing it can be to be around non-Christians, and I think it's one of those things that you don't really notice until you've done it for a while and then gone back to a group of Christians. It's a completely different experience. Sure, there are loads of really nice, polite, friendly non-Christians, and it's great to hang out with them. But there is something much deeper and more comfortable with relationships with other Christians.

Looking back at this week, the difference is staggering. I drug myself out of bed in the morning to go to class, which I didn't really enjoy, I came back to my room and hopped on my computer to either talk to friends on Skype or muddle around on Facebook for a few hours, and if I had to, I would go downstairs to chat with my roommates or grab a bite to eat. And I slept a lot to make up for time I just couldn't fill doing these other things.

And the reason, which is so obvious to me now, is that I had nothing in common with anyone, and that's depressing! Well, I have some things in common with my roommates. They are very sweet girls and I love them all. They've been very hospitable to me and helped me transition to the new country very nicely. But they also spend their time gossiping and partying, and I just really don't find that very fun.

But tonight at IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students aka their version of InterVarsity), I met other students who don't party. Who sing the same worship songs that I do back home. I met another American student, from Ohio, who loves Euchre (yay)! It was like a breath of fresh air, and a huge sigh of relief that, yes indeed, there are Christians in Ireland.

The meeting followed normal procedure: there were announcements, some singing (all songs I know including some favorites such as How Deep the Father's Love for Us and In Christ Alone), small group discussion, and a message. It was fun and good and normal. I met some Irish students who were happy to chat for a while afterwards, and a couple of girls that insisted we go out with them tomorrow before they cook for us and we watch some movies. We also found a Vineyard church to check out on Sunday, so that's pretty exciting.

I am just ecstatic that I found people that I have something in common with. Maybe this semester won't be so bad afterall. Oh, and before you all ask, yes, there were some cute Christian Irish boys there...