To keep your interest, I want to tell you about a couple of "field trips" that we've taken the junior missionaries on. The first was to the Dunbrody famine ship in New Ross, Co. Wexford. The second was just yesterday to Waterford Crystal.
Seven years ago, when we first came to Ireland, we happened upon a replica of the Dunbrody "famine" ship which was reportedly commissioned by President Kennedy when he visited Ireland in 1962 (?). Since we were very interested in everything famine-related, we took the tour, and learned a lot from it. Because of this initial experience, we wanted to share it with Elder Coombs, especially, because he was very close to finishing up his mission. So we took him, Elder Zander, and the Sisters - Henkel and Montgomery to see the ship.
These pictures were taken outside the tour building and before we entered the ship itself. Aren't they cute?? Everyone's proud of their home town.
The outside of the ship
The inside of the ship, with Elder Coombs threatening to eat the brick-hard bread and Elder Zander questioning his decision.
Topside again, happy to be spending time together.
I think this really was an educational experience for them and helped them to recognize a little better part of the "baggage" that Irish people carry in their ancestry.
So that was about three weeks ago, and then just yesterday we went with the sisters to see the "new" Waterford Crystal Factory, which was up and running in June 2010 after having shut down in 2008 for economic reasons.
We feel so blessed to be able to spend time with these fine young men and women. When we're not field-tripping, there is a lot of hard work going on. Between the two companionships, they currently have four baptisms lined up over the next month. We couldn't be prouder of them and the high standard they set for us and for everyone who knows them.
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