Filming went well today, as we captured some great interviews. I also learned about yet another group that came to Dublin to prepare for the revival. It is a children’s ministry from Oklahoma that the guys from Teen Challenge met yesterday.

The entire day was spent at Teen Challenge capturing the viewpoints of those recovering from drug addiction. Each person gave examples of how they see the revival growing through one on one encounters. Their personal and disciplined approach has seen a recovery rate around 88% compared to standard recovery rates at rehab facilities of 5-15%.

Tonight, I found a little restaurant that had the best food I’ve tasted in six months. The sword fish was perfect and the dessert to die for. Finds like this must be revisited with the first possible opportunity.

Oh, by the way, I wasn’t able to get to the theatre show I hoped to visit, as our visit to Teen Challenge went a half dozen hours past are allotted time. But, the great food quickly made up for the loss.

We spent the day building risers in the new balcony section of the church for additional seating to handle the growth in attendance. During lunch a few guys from Teen Challenge came by to share their stories. These men were all victorious overcomes who walked away from a life of drug or alcohol addictions. Each story was amazing to hear and filled with such hope, it was hard not to be taken aback by the miracles shared.

The city inspector came by to assess our work today and everything passed, but set us back an hour or so. The main part of the attic was completed and the balcony started. It seemed that the amount of food served was in direct correlation with the amount of hard work that was done today.

Since several people worked last night until 1 or 2 am, there were numerous opportunities for people to lose their tempers, but everyone shared grace instead. It was wonderful to watch so many people translate their end of week frustrations and tiredness into generous gifts of grace and kindness. And, of course, there were a few jokesters making sure we didn’t forget how fun it can be away from home.

I went out shopping with a couple guys after dinner and came across a taped off police scene with blood all over the street. Police were working their way quickly through the crowds trying to find key suspects. The cleaning team arrived and worked to return the street to it’s normal status. As best as we could surmise from the comments, the scene was based on a gang fight.

I plan to shoot more film tomorrow including interviews and hope to see the Irish play “Translations” tomorrow night if possible. There are a couple friends also interested, so we’ll see if we can make it happen. But if not, there is always plenty of other activities to do in town.

Today was touring day and the weather was perfect. Carolyn (my daughter), Evan (my sound guy), and I hopped the Dart and rode the rails to the end of the green line where we saw beautiful hill country. Our goal was to enjoy the town and then head back with stops at a handful of other towns to see various sites.

By late morning my stomach suggested that lunch would be appropriate, so I asked a lady when the restaurant would open. She replied, “Half eleven and the kitchen at 12.” Once again the cultural differences became clear.

In Ireland, it is common for the stores to open around 9 am and restaurants 12pm. Most stores close by 6 pm except on Thursdays, which is the big shopping day during the week. Dinner is typically eaten at 9 pm.

I was hoping to shoot some B-roll footage during our tour, but something went wrong with the equipment and the camera was only good for a minute, at which time the battery crashed. Evan and I brainstormed a solution and the camera is now good to go for tomorrow’s shooting.

While the camera was down, I used my daughter’s Flip camera to film the castle we visited. It had endured a battle of some type and was no longer inhabitable. Other sights included a marina, numerous shops, a fair, a couple beaches and beautiful country.

We met up later this evening with some interns who knew the area well and took us to an inexpensive place to eat with great fish and chips. Shopping was next on the list with large discounts that dropped the prices well below the exchange rate. I bought an imitation leather jacket for $26.

Every evening has been filled with great conversation and I’ve learned a tremendous amount about the quality people who surround me. It is always humbling to realize that my life is so insignificant compared to the wonderful people I’ve met. Some day I’d love to write a book called “Living Miracles: My Amazing Friends.”

I wish It was my place to tell you the wonderful stories, testimonies and shared events that have made and molded each of the people I’ve met this week. I am so honored to be in their presence and I’m in awe of who each has become and what they are doing to share their wisdom, good fortune, and compassion with others.

This is an amazing trip!