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A quaint little cottage in Dalkey.
This is the ruins of the old church on Dalkey Island!
This is one of the small "Townhouse" Castles in Dalkey.
This is also in Dalkey. |
BIT 23 - June 23 2008
Hello again,
Well things haven't been as hectic over the past 3 weeks, so besides
playing a few gigs my parents and I have been able to relax and get to see
some of this beautiful country! The new friends we've made are quickly
becoming more like family to us and that makes it all the more special to
us.
One of the families we stayed with, it turns out, we are distantly related to
through my mom! The De Paor's, It's Irish for the surname Powers. As Leigh,
the husband, explained, it comes from
an old Norman family of Nobility who converted to Christianity and sold
their possessions and gave to the poor. They also changed their Surname to
Le Paor... meaning, "The Poor" to identify with the poor to whom they were
ministering.
That was a really neat connection as we are missionaries and we pretty
much sold everything we had and gave to the poor 17 years ago and now we
find out that our ancestors did the same thing! Not just coincidence I
think!
Over time the Spelling has been Anglicized and the most common spellings are
Power or Powers! The latter being my mother's maiden name!
In fact one Sunday after Church, Leigh took us to see Fern's Castle. We
got their just before they closed it down for the day, and got the last tour!
It is incredible how they could build these castles the way they did! the
our was very interesting as to how they built the castle and the varied uses
of the sections and how they could protect themselves during an attack.
It turns out that one of the guides is also a Powers. So, we got a
nice photo of the four Powers together! I even had the privilege of locking
up the tower gate! Who says it doesn't pay to come in last! :)
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I'm getting ready to lock the tower gate up in the top of the tower!
In front of Dublin Castle.
This looks like a statue, but he's a guy dressed to look like one and he was
really funny to see him scare people as they walked by!
Here I am posing with him. He really looked like a statue...Great stuff!
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Here's four 'Powers' together!
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We've also been to Dublin a few times and on one
occasion, there was an evangelistic group trying to draw a crowd on the main
walking section of downtown Dublin... and after my parents and I had lunch
my Mom suggested that I offer to play for them in order to draw a
crowd...so, we went and offered, and as I played the people started to
gather in a half moon line surrounding the area they were set up at.
After I finished playing a few arrangements they had a "captive" audience
to here the Gospel! It was a nice experience and it was a pleasure to be
apart of it!
We spoke with a lady who was working with this same group, Michelle
Wallace, for quite a while and it turned out that a week or so later we
ended up staying at a Bible Helps Ministry that she works at...such a small
world!
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Drawing in a crowd in Dublin!
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Evangelizing in Dublin after I played a few songs!
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My parents and I took a free "Bicycle Taxi's" tour
near the Spire, center of Dublin, and except for the power being from a
bicycle instead of feet...kind of like a rickshaw. It was a great way to see
the city. We also went over to the Dublin Castle where we walked around for
a little while and took some great pictures. After a long day we headed back
to Arklow where we were staying with the De Paor's for a nice hot meal and a
warm bed!
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My mom and Dad ready to go on a bicycle tour of the city.
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My parents are celebrating their 30th wedding
anniversary today! It is a special day for my Mom because of her Grandmother
coming from Ireland! For my Mom to be here for the first time in her life on
her wedding anniversary was the perfect gift to her!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mom and Dad, I love you!
I need to go for now...
Take care,
Buddy
By the way, my
Photo Album is now up, and I'm adding to it regularly!
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