MAIN PICTUREFOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOs!ESONLY W.' . , . t. ~ \ ... , , r , I I I I The early years for a number of reasons. Firstly, Crossmaglen our heart's desire to get that property! When In 1978 lan Bothwell watched a television is known locally as Cross and they also we returned home from our honeymoon, we documentary that moved him. Not only wanted the name to convey the heart of God. moved into the annexe of Darkley House, did it move him, it prompted him to do The trusteesfelt that Fire representedthe fire of which was just about habitable at the time.' something about a very bleak situation in the God's love burning up the bitterness. Also, lan County Armagh border-town of Crossmaglen, and the team wanted to stand in the crossfire In 1990, a second bus was purchased which Northern Ireland. His simple but potent for Jesus.The remit of Crossfire Trust since enabled CrossfireTrustto maintain a presence message of God's love has brought about then, was and continues to be 'caring for the locally at the height of the.Troubles. In 1991, transformations still being felt 30 years later, physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the lan and Pauline had an addition to the family, as he continues to reach out in love to his people, primarily in South Armagh.' Justin.Two years later his sister Megan arrived. community. A third bus was purchased in 1997 but it was Darkley House becoming apparent that a more substantial lan was just 21 years old and living in lan describes the desire to buy a property to vehicle would be needed to support the Tynan, County Armagh when he watched further Crossfire's work in 1986 as a 'faith growing ministry and prayer began for this the documentary. He had just returned from venture'. The trustees fell in love with a two need to be met. studying theology at Moorlands Bible College. storey country house on the edge of Darkley After seeing the isolation and fear portrayed, village, County Armagh, which was on the Worn Again & New 2 U lan decided he would go to Crossmaglen and market for offers over £38,000. Darkley In 1998 a charity shop was established simply knock on doors and tell people that House dates back to the 18th Century and called Worn Again. It came out of a desire God loved them. At the height of the Troubles, used to be home to an entrepreneur named to help alleviate the financial strain of buying however, that presented many challenges. Mr Calvert who was responsible for much clothing, blankets and curtains, etc. It is held Back then, Crossmaglen was hard to find as of the development of the linen industry in every Wednesday from 11am-5pm at Darkley even the signposts were blackened out. lan the area until 1959 when the mill closed. House and is a vital social and financial was also stopped at checkpoints by the Army The surrounding community became cut off help to the community. Building on the and viewed with great suspicion. due to unemployment and few prospects successof Worn Again another initiative was for the future. The Troubles greatly added set up called New 2 U, where old donated Undeterred, lan continued building trust and to the pressure, isolation and fears of that furniture is restored and sold on to make relationships with the people of Crossmaglen. community. profits for community projects. New 2 U is Gradually, three volunteers joined him and open alongside Worn Again. Any donations one of them was a young lady called Pauline lan recalls: 'In 1986, people were wanting to either of these projects will be gratefully who would later become his wife. lan and his out of Darkley and we were wanting in. There received. With furniture donations, it would team continued to visit people door to door had been massacres in the area and great be preferable to have the items delivered and in 1980 they set up a market stall (which unrest. After two years of prayer the property directly to Darkley House (to keep costs still continues today) to try and help alleviate was sold to someone else but we still believed down) although arrangements can be made poverty in the area. They provided family and prayed. The sale fell through and we through lan for collection points in Bangor support and youth work in the form of a 5 day were then able to purchase it. We received and Newcastle. Children's Club with day trips and camping. a gift of £10,000 and prayed for the rest. We They also started a coffee bar on a bus which secured a mortgage through Nationwide and Shelter they purchased from Ulsterbus in 1982. The they encouraged us to get sponsorship to In 1999, Darkley House was completely bus was to become a vital tool in creating a make up the difference. We are so thankful refurbished to bring it up to standard so that forum for hospitality and cross community for those who faithfully supported us on a it could be approved by agencies like the work which also still continues today. monthly basis. Back then, we had no heating Housing Executive and the Simon Community. or a budget for renovation costs. The slates The refurbishment created two lounges, four Support from like minded people and faith fell off the roof when we closed a door! bathrooms, nine bedrooms, an office, a full groups meant the ministry was developing kitchen with an Aga and a dining room. The rapidly and led lan and his three volunteers to 'We got married in 1986 and went on our increased facilities meant that Crossfire could establish themselves officially under Crossfire honeymoon. We gave the money we received reach out further out into the community as a Trust in 1984. The name Crossfire was chosen aswedding presentstothebuildingfund.ltwas care provider. 19 Crossfire's care programme provides mainly Recognition was obtained in 2006 and cost £150,000. A emergency, temporary or sometimes long- In 2003, lan was awarded the President's donation from the Irish Foreign Office started term accommodation for individuals or Peace Prize by Mr George Bush for his cross- the fund but at the moment Crossfire still families who are homeless for a variety of community work. lan dedicated the prize to need approximately £50,000. reasons. It caters for people dealing with the people of Crossmaglen. Also, in July this life challenges like drug! alcohol addiction year, Crossfire received the Queen's Award for The Mega Mobile is equipped with a plasma or domestic violence or people who have Volunteering (a crystal cup) at Buckingham screen (for presentations), comfortable seating simply been lost in the system because of Palace. areas and a snack bar. The comfortable a shortage of resources. Agency resources setting makes it easy for people to feel are becoming increasingly stretched and Darkley Club House safe and relaxed and allows them to have referrals are often received from the Housing In 2004, Crossfire Trust celebrated its 25th open discussions and receive advice and Executive and the Simon Community. The anniversary and a new programme was counselling. It proves especially effective programme covers a 15 mile radius and is developed for 13-25 year olds which built on with young people. The Mega Mobile has no run by four staff members. It is funded by the the success of previous youth activities such denominational or political markings which Rural Development Council in Cookstown, as barbeques and fun days. The programme means that it can go into any area and be County Tyrone. was developect with the aim of empowering used for social and educational purposes. It local young people through support, guidance is used several times a week and travels on There are in-house specialist counsellors and training in a safe and fun environment. A invitation to neighbouring towns to provide available as the staff strive to meet emotional committee was set up by Crossfire Trust staff, workshops, family support and counselling. as well as physical and spiritual needs. Prayer local parents and young people. The club and a listening ear is offered for anyone members meet twice weekly (Wednesday The vision for the Mega Mobile is to also who expresses that need. Those who avail evenings and Sunday afternoons) in one make it available for hire to other churches, of the accommodation are made to feel at of the nine garages, which form part of the businesses, charities or educational groups home and everyone sits down to meals and Coach House. A refurbishment grant from which will benefit the whole community. conversation at the kitchen table. Birthdays the Community Relations Council has given There is a wealth of opportunity at the many and anniversaries are celebrated and them great facilities such as a snack bar and community events and festivals each year Christmas dinner is enjoyed by all! recreation equipment. which the Mega Mobile attends. The Singing Kettle A fulltime youth worker (funded by the Youth Support In 2000, a voluntary community group called Education Social Inclusion Partnership) To continue this vital work, Crossfire relies the Singing Kettle was set up to provide runs educational and social programmes at on the generosity of donors. There are many support for the people of Darkley, particularly the Club House. Some of the programmes ways to give financially to CrossfireTrust such vulnerable members of the community and undertaken sofar have included guitar lessons, as cheque, postal order or standing order. For those marginalised by conflict. A group of drug awareness, child protection training and more details on how to donate, visit www.