The YWCA on Lower Baggot Street

Almost since September and the beginning of this school year the residents at the Y have been divided. 

Divided between the German's and the Spaniard's. At points it's felt like WWIII was about to happen. As a neutral party it's been comical to me to see and just watch. 

But it has hurt my heart to see, and at points being asked to join a "side".

I would tend to spend more time with the German side of the division. Mostly just because 2 girls I've cliched with are on the "German side", (and also they tend to be better at speaking English than the Spanish people). 

That said though, my roommate, Marta, is Spanish. So, if for no other reason than her, I have to be a neutral party! 

At this point you're probably wondering why in the world is there a divide? What's the big deal? 

Good Question. 

Apparently there's something about German culture and Spanish culture that naturally causes division. Something about the German's and their time management and general orderliness, and the Spaniards general lack of those....? I don't know. 

Just tonight, I got to go to dinner with some of the residence for my room mate's birthday. I was so surprised I was actually invited. (I was the only blond/blue eyed person in the mix of Spanish, Italian, and Turks.) 

  

One of the Spaniards I would have judged wrongly wound up basically sitting across from me during dinner, along with a Turkish girl and a guy from Italy (English had to be spoken!). 

The group out for Marta's birthday!! (Marta's 3rd on the right)

The question came up about what I was doing here, I work for the church, charity work, I'm a protestant.... Then it came out the Turkish girl was muslim (I had no idea). So I asked her all sorts of questions about why she didn't have to wear a head covering, etc. Then she in turn asked me all sorts of questions about Christianity and Jesus. Then it came out that the Spanish boy is Catholic (confusion on the difference between Catholic and Protestant!). The Spaniard and I ended up tag teaming about Christianity, (which needless to say was really special). 

I ended up inviting her to come to church with me Sunday. She's very keen to come. Please pray! Totally God showing up, yet again! 

As the 3 of us are talking, I suddenly remember the Italian guy... I ask him if he's Catholic. Turns out he was raised Catholic. But now doesn't believe anything. Before we can get too far into talking the legitimacy (authenticity) of the Bible we have to pay and go.... But man what a can of worms I'd love to open one day. Please pray with me for these moments. Just planting seeds. Pray that God would water. 

Later that night Marta and I had an amazing, "adult" conversation about the divided that's happening here at the Y. (This would be the first time we've actually talked about it). It meant a lot to her that I'd been a part of her birthday dinner. She invited me to join the Spaniards anytime. Which, now that I've actually gotten to personally know them, I will defiantly be doing just that. I feel like our friendship has now taken a turn, just by these seemly simple steps. Now, I'd say we're actually friends, (more than just sleeping buddies). So thankful we get to continue as roommates in the spring term!