home

The American team (sans Kristy, who stayed on to visit a missionary friend in England) landed back in the US around 4 pm local time yesterday and were lovingly welcomed at the airport by family before we went our separate ways to deal with jet lag in our own ways, and to begin the process of unpacking everything that God did on this trip.

There is no way we can see now the full impact of this trip on us and on the communities in Kilkeel, but a few things are obvious already: God sustained us through a demanding two weeks. The gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed. One of our team members got to answer the question, "What's a Bible?" from a child at Attical. We've also made and continued friendships that we hope will continue for a lifetime. In the coming days, I hope to gather stories of grace from my own memory and from members of the team to help you as you thank God with us for this trip.

To start: Some of my friends in the States sent me with two Bibles in case an opportunity presented itself to give them away. On our last night at Kitty's Road, I was talking with one girl with whom I'd made a strong connection over the last few days, and with whom I'd talked about how much one can get out of reading the Bible. As I was preparing to leave, I asked her if she had a Bible of her own, and she said she didn't. I gave her one of the Bibles, and she was really excited, thanking me repeatedly and telling me she was excited to put it to use. I'm hoping we can study the Word together over facebook in the coming months. As I was writing the girl's name in the front of the book, another kid came over and said, "I want a Bible!" so I wrote his name in the other, adding his sister's name at his mother's request. These two Bibles are seeds that have been planted in two households in Kilkeel, and I'm praying over them.

I think one of the most obvious things I've gained from this trip is that now I know better how to pray for Kilkeel. As I go forward from these two weeks, I've committed to praying daily for those I met and the ongoing work of Mourne and Kilkeel Presbyterian in Kitty's Road and Attical. This is a major way our team can benefit the local outreach team: by praying faithfully and specifically for God's work in Kilkeel.

One of my prayers for Kitty's Road in particular is Psalm 20:5: "May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!"

Northern Ireland, we miss you!

See You Later

Tonight the team said goodbye to one another after a day filled with fun events. Each place that we went could be talked about, but the relationships have been the focus throughout our time here. We know goodbye is only temporary for God's people... ultimately it is truly only "see you later" as our Northern Irish friends keep reminding us.

God is good.

Debrief at Castlewellan Castle

We piled into our minibuses today and ventured to the town of Castlewellan, north from Kilkeel along the coast. We spent the afternoon at Castlewellan Castle, debriefing from the whole trip. We discussed everything from the logistics of host homes to the need for spiritual nourishment day to day. It was a helpful time to pull things together, look back, and look ahead to future years.

There was one untoward incident at the beginning of the afternoon:

I'm not sure who started it, but Daniel did end up making a trip to the doctor with quite a sore shoulder...

This evening the team ate our last meal in the church hall cooked by the amazing Grace, and then hung out, playing board games and watching a movie. Tomorrow is the day we say our goodbyes to our beloved Northern Irish friends before heading out early Saturday morning for the Dublin airport. Keep praying for us, that we would finish this mission strong, say goodbye well, and carry out what God has set in motion through this mission.

Grace.

last night

Tuesday night was the night we said goodbye to Kitty's Road for the year, perhaps for longer. The morning session was rather sparsely attended at first (it was a cloudy morning, and a lot of the teens in particular were enjoying sleeping in), but more trickled in as the morning progressed. We spent the afternoon at Silent Valley, enjoying a game of "football rounders" (kickball). The evening, then, was our big production, our last hurrah. The Kitty's Road community had prepared a jaw-droppingly bountiful dinner for us all, after which we had a variety show, a time of wild hilarity. The community center was packed. Our team did a few sketches, reviving an old favorite "The House is on Fire" and introducing a new one or two. Some Kitty's Road girls did a country-western style dance, and one Kitty's Road boy, who had adamantly refused to demonstrate his karate skills, had volunteered instead to read something from the Bible, and accordingly read Psalm 1 in a clear, steady voice.

After the show came the eagerly anticipated slideshows. Some Kitty's Road ladies had put together an excellent one with loads of photos from our week's adventures. Merren, on our American team, had also put many hours into a brilliant video compilation from footage she'd gleaned throughout our time. There were a few words, then, from a Kitty's Road community committee member and from our N. Irish leader Dave, and then it was time for mingling and goodbyes.

Suffice it to say that was hard.

We'll have our whole-team debrief, Lord willing, tomorrow at Castlewellan, after which I'm sure I'll have many more stories or perspectives to share to help communicate what this project has really been. In the thick of things, it can be hard to grasp the big picture, or the direction of things. As our project winds down, the pattern of grace is coming more clear. More on that later.

Today was a team day. We got to sleep in, and then met for lunch and headed to the beach, where everyone who stuck around near the beach long enough either went into the water of his own accord or was--er, helped along by a team member or three. It was windy and the water was cold (but not, I kept reminding myself, as cold as Lake Superior), and also it's around full moon time, which means high tide and big waves. It was really quite a neat experience, diving into the green-grey waves and getting that shock of cold and mouthful of salt.

Finally, this evening was our host-home dinner. The team and our host families gathered in the church hall for a meal, a rendition of one of our award-winning skits (this one, "The Pencil Salesman"), slideshows, and a few words from the team leaders. It was a great time to recognize what God has done through this outreach and to specifically thank our hosts, who have served the team in an irreplaceable way and have become some of our best friends in this country.

As we reckon with the fact that our trip here is almost over, pray that we'll continue to make the best use of our time, that we'll persevere in love for each other, and that God would solidify the lasting impact of the trip in those to whom we ministered and in us.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." John 15:16

Grand Finale

On Monday night, the Atticall community gathered at their Gaelic clubhouse for a talent show. This had been arranged by Zak, Peter, and Paul Cunningham, the coach of the Gaelic team. We weren't really sure how many would show up, but they slowly began to file in. Soon there were over a hundred people in the clubhouse.

There were 7 different musical and dramatic acts, and afterwards Stephen stood up for a few minutes and explained very clearly why we're there: we would love to see less people identify as Protestants and Catholics and more identify as Christians and simply followers of Jesus.

Yesterday (Tuesday) we said farewell to the Atticall folk as the last day of programming finished up. In the morning one of the teens made a profession of faith after talking to a team member about John 3:16. This was unprompted and simply came after talking about the implications of the verse for eternity. Pray that the profession would grow and the initial signs of faith would blossom into God-fueled faithfulness as the Northern Irish team follows up with her.

While several stayed back to work with the Irish language program (and memorize John 3:16 in Gaelic!), the teens caught a ride to Country Fried Chicken, a restarant in Kilkeel. Afterwards they walked down to the beach, where people were thrown in, and great fun was had by all.

Last night we gathered for our last meeting with the teens... about 15-20 or so came out. Dawn shared her testimony, and Zak spoke on God as a judge, reading from Matthew 25:31-46. Both were used by God to point to the reality of judgment... although not many deep conversations happened after that, we trust that God's Word does not return void, but it accomplishes all he purposes for it.

Today the teams are gathering at the beach in Cranfield and then preparing a thank you meal for our host homes. Pray that

• the Northern Irish would be given opportunities and remain faithful to followup with the young girl who professed faith in Christ, and all the others who have heard the Word this week.
• the team would look to Jesus as our comforter and friend in these days when we're saying goodbye to so many new friends.
• the relations between the two churches (Kilkeel and Mourne) and the two communities (Kittys Road and Atticall) would be strengthened in weeks and months to come, and that genuine love would abound.

nearing the end

Kilkeel

Members of both teams have described tonight as a "significant" moment for our ministry in these communities. This is a real answer to prayer. At Kitty's Road, I (Madeline) shared a testimony, which went well, I think (many thanks for your prayers), and Dave (the Northern Irish team leader) spoke on the truth that Jesus is sufficient for every challenge in our lives, a message which struck something of a nerve. There were some really, really good and honest (and in some cases, difficult) conversations in our small groups after the message. Many of us felt real connection tonight, and received an answer to our many prayers for opportunities to have God-centered conversations with our friends at Kitty's Road. Our debrief back at the church hall was also an intense time. We had a substantial discussion and were very near to each other in the varied emotions of the moment. Our hearts are full for each other and for the people of Kitty's Road. Fyodor Dostoevsky says that "Active love is a harsh and fearful thing compared with love in dreams." We thank God for the love he has given us for each other and for the people of Kitty's Road, and we ask your prayers as this love for the lost is not a light thing to bear. We long so deeply for these people to know our Jesus.

Atticall entered the rather somber Kitty's Road debrief full of exuberance after their excellent variety show tonight. The team were rejoicing not only in good performances but in the fact that the Atticall community was incredibly welcoming, stating that our folks don't need to wait for an invitation to return at any time. The atmosphere was joyous, the message of unity through Jesus Christ was clear, and the whole team was greatly encouraged by this definite work of God that we've witnessed.

As we finish up, there are so many things to be praying for, but foremost among them is that God would accomplish the purposes he has for us and the Kitty's Road and Atticall communities in the next few days. Pray that sin and distractions would not be able to hinder us from gleaning and contributing all God wants us to. We ask also that we'd succeed in forging bonds these last few days that will last. Finally, "from him, through him, and to him are all things and to him be the glory." May Christ be preeminent in all things.

Strive to Rest

This past week the whole team had worked hard all week in ministry to children, teens, and adults, and a time of rest was needed. In Atticall on Friday, the teens doused each other with water while the Treasure Hunters continued to play with and teach the children. 

In the evening Peter spoke on God as a listener, and Phil told a story with a gospel-centric message, clearly stating that the rescue that God offers is predicated on a choice we must make. Good conversation was had by all, and it continues to amaze us how God has given an open door into the community. 

Over the weekend the Lord gave some temporary rest, as we gathered at the Chestnutt's for a grill out and a time of prayer. Afterwards many went to Newcastle, while others stayed back with their host homes. On Saturday night, I (Daniel) went out with Edward and Jean Forshythe and Jim and Sandra Chestnutt to the beach, where some of the best fireworks I've ever seen (I kid you not!) were shot off. America could learn a lot from Northern Ireland about fireworks. 

On Sunday, Daniel was interviewed in the morning at Mourne Presbyterian, and Alli was interviewed in the evening while Daniel preached at Kilkeel Presbyterian on 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:7. We genuinely feel that the churches here have received us in a manner worthy of the gospel... and we trust that when we head out on Saturday it will also be in the same manner (3 John 5-8).

While the Kittys Road team attempted to set the Irish countryside on fire (see Maddy's post below), the Atticall team had a more controlled fire where we gathered for smores. Matt broke out the guitar and he and Rachel sang as we gathered around.

Tonight Atticall has its talent show (or "variety show")... where the Northern Irish and the Americans are performing various musical pieces and skits. Please pray 

• that we would continue to strive to enter into the rest that only Jesus provides. 
• that we would persevere in the ministry that God has given us. It is very fun being out, but also solemn, because we know that we will give an account for this ministry when we stand before him on the last day.
• that we would live consciously of eternity, both of the souls we're praying will join us, and our own souls, that we not be deceived by the enemy in the midst of ministry. 
• that we would be sensitive to the Spirit in all we do, seeking to obey God with our minds, hearts, and hands. Hebrews 4:11-13 is a gracious (but solemn) reminder. 

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

we expected the fire brigade

To begin at the end for a moment, this evening the two teams had bonfires at our respective outreach sites. I have to say, I think the Atticall fire couldn't hold a candle to the couch-devouring inferno at Kitty's Road (pictured above). Roasting marshmallows to eat atop our chocolate digestives was quite the task.

In the morning, we Americans accompanied our host families to their churches and spent the afternoon in various ways (I for one begged off climbing another mountain today and instead took a nap). In the evening, the team met up to attend Mourne Presbyterian's evening service. Mourne is the second largest Presbyterian church in Northern Ireland and bears a definite weight of tradition and formality. Some of the team who attend Mourne were joking that "Mourne clapped while we were singing this morning! ...for about five seconds!" We were led in worship by a choir and organ, and we sang along from our hymnbooks. It was a powerful time--our God is ancient and magnificent, and the power and richness of the music was a beautiful picture of that. Allison and Ryan, accompanied by Matt on the guitar, sang Patrick and Molly Lockwood's "These are Written", a gorgeous, Jesus-filled piece, for the congregation, and then some of our number sang a song as well. Allison was interviewed by Reverend William as well, and shared with the congregation about the outreach we've been doing.

Reverned William continued the church's series in the book of Matthew with a message on the parable of the wise man who built his house upon a rock. Jesus Christ, with his authoritative message, must be the cornerstone of the lives we're all building moment by moment. The value of our digging down to build on the rock is not always readily apparent, especially compared to that guy over there who didn't bother to dig and is already on to the second story, but when the storm comes, only the ground that's truly solid will hold us up. It's a foolish man who counts God out of his thinking.

To return to the evening: praise God that Matthew was able to share the message he had prepared for Friday night with the group tonight, and had an attentive audience as he stood by the flaming wreck of the sofa and talked about God the Potter who is molding our lives. We are made to be molded, Matthew pointed out, and if it's not God molding us it will be the world.

Pray for us as we move into the final stage of our ministry here, with only two days left at Kitty's Road and Atticall. I'd appreciate it if you'd lift me (Madeline) up specifically as I'm slated to share a testimony with Kitty's Road tomorrow; I'm tempted to be a little terrified about that. Pray for all of us, that we would really make the most of these few days we have left with our new friends, and most of all that God would do his will and bring people to himself. He desires all men to be saved, says that we have not because we ask not, and promises that whatever we ask in his name he'll do. So let's plead with him for salvation to break in on these communities. I believe he's going to do it. I don't know when; as Allison and Reverend Stephen were discussing around the bonfire today, this is a marathon, not a sprint. We don't know when this will pay off, but what we do know is that God is with us, and his word doesn't return to him void.

Grace and peace.

an unexpected trip to the beach

Friday morning and afternoon were good at Kitty's Road, as we continued with Treasure Hunters with the kids, football with the teens, and coffee morning with the adults. The afternoon was filled with a ladies' day and a men's day, where some of our girls did hair and nails and Allison washed feet and painted toenails. Dave and Matthew led some sporting activities with the men, including some golf and wrestling.

The evening threw us for a bit of a loop. We had known beforehand that many of the adults in the Kitty's Road community were planning to go out drinking this Friday evening, but what we had not expected was that they were planning to have drinks at the Community Center beforehand as well. Our leaders were not comfortable with our being present under these conditions, and so we called off our evening session and instead spent some heavy-hearted time in prayer for our dear friends at Kitty's Road, cleaned up the church hall, and then headed to the beach and for ice cream.

It can be discouraging, especially for team members who have come back to Kitty's Road year after year, to see people we've been ministering the gospel to choose to seek fulfillment in alcohol rather than Jesus and continue to resist the gospel. As Allison put it, one begins to fear, because they are no longer ignorant; they've heard the good news, but are choosing not to walk in it. We remain hopeful, however, because God is on our side. We know he is at work here. "Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart." 2 Corinthians 4:1 Thank you for your prayers.

The team is enjoying a day off this Saturday. Most of us were able to sleep in, and then we met up at the Chestnutt's house for a barbecue. Some of our number are now hanging out in Newcastle, which is a touristy, beachy town, but Kristy and I are off now to hike a mountain with our host home. More later!

Trusting in the Name

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 

Throughout Monday and Tuesday, the Atticall team met a few kids and teens at the community hall. On Tuesday there were the same number of kids as Monday (4) and one less teen (4). So, on Wednesday, we weren't quite sure what to expect. The Lord knows our struggles, and gives us grace to endure. And he also gives grace when

One car after another started coming into the community center parking lot, and before long there were 26 kids and 10 teens. More than a dozen adults came to the tea (after having none on Monday and four on Tuesday). The teens took a walk up a local mountain (we were told it's called a hill around here, but it felt like a mountain), and took in the sweeping vista around Kilkeel.

In the evening Stephen spoke the Word from Isaiah 64:8, on God as a potter. Kristy shared her life story how God had molded her, and Matt and a few others sang "Jesus Paid it All" for the teens. Good conversations were had; pray that more opportunities would happen today and that the Lord would work in both our hearts and the hearts of the teens (and everyone else!) at Atticall. We don't trust in big numbers or anything that aligns with the world's wisdom... instead, pray that we would trust in our God to do mighty things here in our hearts. 

The Kittys Road folks went up to Newcastle yesterday, a town about 25 minutes up the coast. There some went bouldering (or wet bouldering) up the river, and others blasted and were blasted in laser tag. As the team returned, they prepped for and then served Kittys Road a potluck dinner. Katie Park and Caroline Graham had key parts in that. 

After dinner, Gordon McCullough spoke a straightforward word about the mission of the community outreach team: to exalt Jesus in Kittys Road that they might believe and become followers of Jesus. Pray that this bold Word would be used to destroy strongholds of unbelief in people's lives, and that good followup would take place as the week ends. 

So, new challenges arise as the ministries encounter increased numbers and Jesus' servants are bold. New opportunities for belief and unbelief in both communities. Pray that we would treasure Jesus above all else as we call others to do the same.

God's Varied Grace

Something amazing is taking place here in Northern Ireland - God is pouring out his grace in such a way on the two teams that they are able to mutually encourage each other. In Atticall the work is smaller - a few have come out thus far, and the schedule. This brings its own discouragements. In the meantime, the work at Kittys Road has been large and many have come. But there are unique challenges that come from being in the community for a while (6 years), and discouragement can set in there as well.

The two communities have much to point out to each concerning God's varied grace... one place where God is working is teaching us to build each other up in love (Ephesians 4:16). 

And his grace has been evident in other ways. The number of those coming out to Atticall have been growing steadily since Monday (even though the numbers have been comparably low), and Kittys Road has hit a stride in terms of relating to the people and spreading the good news.

In Atticall yesterday we saw twice the number of children in the morning (8 or so came), and 4 ladies came to the tea after several days of no one coming. Just a few teens arrived in the morning, so we trekked up to town and met several others who were milling about. Most of us were so exhausted from the previous day's events in Dundrum and Downpatrick that we just rested and talked.

While most of the team returned to the Church of Ireland Hall after the morning/afternoon program, Phil went up with one of the moms who came to the morning tea and spent the afternoon helping her husband dig post holes for a fence. Phil came out of the brushwork during the evening.

At night more teens came out then had any previous evening. After some silly games (including some involving toilet paper!) Daniel spoke briefly on Matthew 7:24-27, and Matt shared his testimony as a living illustration of what happens when a life is no longer built on sand, but instead on Jesus and his Word. Many men came out in the evening due to another event happening at the hall, and there were many men from the two Presbyterian churches (and Phil!) there to meet and greet them.

God is truly faithful, and his Word does not return void. We pray he uses his Word to soften, mend, and capture the hearts of many in this land. Today in Atticall the Treasure Hunters will meet in the morning with the kids while the teens go on a hike up a mountain for lunch. In the evening Stephen Johnston, the minister at Kilkeel Presbyterian, will be speaking on how God is like a potter. Pray for all these things, and for protection... physical and spiritual. 

A "Fun Day" at Kitty's Road

I think the adjective "fun" is less often used over here, hence the significance of the phrase "Fun Day". As contrasted with any old day which we Americans would be ready to describe noncommittally as "fun", a Kilkeel Fun Day involved, in this instance, a small mobile petting zoo, several inflatable attractions (including a large fake bull to try to stay mounted upon (think: rodeo), and loud music. Many folks turned out for the day, including many not from the Kitty's Road community. Our team members mingled for about two and half hours of the fun during the afternoon, throwing ourselves into the activities and making new connections with our Kitty's Road friends.

Before this extravagant enterprise, the usual crew (our international team and the actual members of the Kitty's Road community) made use of the then quiet plot of land for our coffee morning conversations, children's "Treasure Hunters" lessons and crafts, and games of soccer and Frisbee with the older kids and teenagers. This evening we gathered again for our evening session of praise, testimonies, teaching, and discussion. Ryan gave an excellent, easy-to-grasp yet thought-provoking message on the truth that God is our rock, asking us to consider what "rocks" we rely on, and how God fits into the equation. As my group discussed, turns out God is all over the equation; in fact he is the source of and the one in control of all the other elements in the equation.

Team members report good conversations all around.

Thank you for your prayers. Please ask God to stir individuals in the community--women, men, their little children, young people--by his Spirit. I'm praying for a true pouring out of the Holy Spirit on individual hearts, because the gospel is being proclaimed--these men, women, and children are hearing the truth that can save them, and it takes then the breath of God to set them aflame with spiritual life. Please join me in asking our Father for this. He delights to give his Spirit to those who ask. I'm beginning to envision the difficulty of leaving in such a short time, because these faces and names have grown really dear to me even just in the past three days. I want so sharply for them to know the Jesus I know. God is answering our pleas for love for those we're ministering to; he can answer our prayers for spiritual awakening, for new birth. Intercede with me for them.

We the ministers need the Holy Spirit as well. Pray especially for opportunities to have gospel-pointed conversations--or whatever conversations these people's hearts need at this point in the story God is leading them through--and that we would recognize and boldly take these opportunities and that by his Spirit God would speak to hearts. We have seen God answer prayers, and I believe he's going to do this.

Please also ask for sanity, as the American team at least is growing a little loopy with lack of sleep.

Rejoicing that God is working in us a tested genuineness of faith, more precious that gold that perishes though it is tested with fire, which will result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1) God's work is pretty much always like an iceberg, I think. We only see the tip, but there's eternal work going on beneath these daily things, as we live by faith and not sight.

A Murder Mystery

On Tuesday, the Atticall teens went with us up the coast to Downpatrick, where St. Patrick is buried. There, they had to solve a murder mystery as two of our number mysteriously collapsed. It was all great fun... the Irish leaders Zak and Peter, together with James, Mark, and Jeffrey, did a great job setting up the mystery and making it fun for everyone.

After the murder mystery was solved (and Kristy discovered as the culprit), Zak spoke on the greatest murder mystery the world has seen... an empty tomb. And in fact, that murder mystery gets solved when we see that it was God's rescue plan to save a sinful world. 

From the castle, we headed to McDonald's (where the meat is superior to the U.S. and they have curry sauce!), and then on to a movie. It was a sweet time. Pray for us that:

- The day together would be used by God to knit hearts together. 

- That the Word put forth in the evenings would accomplish all God's purposes... we pray to soften hearts of these teens that they might see Jesus as he is: infinitely worthy of committing their lives to him.

- For Daniel as he speaks tonight on "God is Like a Rock"; Ryan is doing the same talk in Kittys Road.

- For the team, as Wednesday is normally the "brick wall" moment when the team is exhausted. Pray that we'd be given strength to persevere, especially in faith towards God and his promises. Pray we would cling to 2 Corinthians 9:8:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

a day out

I have yet to hear from the Attical team today; they may have a bit of a late night of it and will have to be included in tomorrow's update. As for the Kitty's Road community and team, we loaded up onto two coach buses and headed for the long-awaited Tayto World just north of Dublin. The day provided good opportunities especially for the many team members who are new this year to get to know some Kitty's Road folk better, walking around the park; flying down a six-story zip line together; seeing wallabies, bald eagles, black swans, and other curious creatures; and spending about four hours total together on a bus. Tomorrow we resume our programming at the Kitty's Road community center, about which I for one am excited. Pray that this time spent together today will begin to bear fruit in our continued ability to really love those around us, particularly by pointing clearly and winsomely to Jesus. Please lift up American team member Ryan as well, as he is scheduled to teach the lesson tomorrow. We ask that he would be able to connect well with his listeners and that in all our programming and conversations, God would be seen as glorious and Christ would be seen and submitted to as never before.

This morning on part of the bus ride I was blessed by the narrative of grace laid out in Galatians. Here's a taste:
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." chapter 1:3-5

in which we venture into the communities

Today felt like about four days in one. Both the Kitty's Road and Attical teams spent their first day in these communities. Just a few brief updates as it's late and we've got an early morning tomorrow:
-Attical in particular faced a challenge in that the community had, due to a miscommunication, arranged for their own evening program for the week--a talk on a secular approach to Protestant-Catholic peacemaking. The Northern Irish leaders of our Attical team were able to negotiate such that our gospel-centered message was proclaimed instead, as had been our plan. The team is encouraged by this, awkward and hostile as the mishap was, because it is a demonstration that God is fighting for us and for our ability to proclaim the gospel in this brief window of opportunity we have. Praise God with us for that answer to the prayers of the several Attical team members who were interceding as the discussion was taking place. Some folks did turn out and overall, the day was a good one.
-Kitty's Road was full to the brim with women and some men and their children of all ages, from a year-old infant to late teenagers. The community gathers multiple times a day as this is their Kitty's Road Festival Week, and it's a great grace that our team of Jesus-lovers are so welcomed to be a big part of it, organizing Bible-focused activities for the kids and leading a gospel-proclaiming evening session that almost everyone attended and paid careful attention to. It's only day one of official ministry, and even those of us for whom this is our first time on the trip are feeling connected and able to have good conversation with those we've met.

      Praise God for the love he's given us for those we're ministering to! As our Northern Irish leader Dave told us, "You won't find them hard to love." It's true.

      Both teams are tagging along to off-site activities that our respective communities have planned tomorrow: Attical to a murder mystery in a castle, and Kitty's Road to Tayto World (I think officially known as Tayto Park) outside of Dublin. We've heard conflicting stories about Tayto World, but I finally Googled it tonight and found that it is, in fact, an amusement park built off of the Tayto crisps company--a theme park whose theme is potato chips. We'll have a two-hour bus ride to the park, which is on the north side of Dublin, which should provide some excellent time to continue the relationships we've begun, as we hope to do the whole day.
       The thing with these activities is that it means we're losing a day of our programming. Pray that we'll be able to love truly and witness faithfully to Jesus as we just spend time with these folks.

An encouragement from Jeremiah 46: " 'But fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, for I am with you."

Rejoicing that he is with us!

Day Two

Today was another day of international team-building. After an evening of getting to know our lovely host families on Saturday, this morning we woke up (some of us with a bit of difficulty) and headed to Kilkeel Presbyterian to prepare for church. After we had spent some time practicing a song we were to sing, the congregation began to arrive and we worshiped our King Jesus with brothers and sisters not just from Northern Ireland but also with a few visitors from Uganda--the former Anglican archbishop and his wife, no less! Archbishop Henry shared an encouragement with the body, reminding us that the world is bold in marketing its message; we, who have the news of Christ's total kingship, ought to be bolder. Reverend Stephen of Kilkeel Presbyterian preached on different aspects of the Kingdom of God--the kingdom which has come in Jesus Christ, is coming in God's work now, and will come in fullness--this morning and this evening at the evening service, encouraging us to remember the solidity of our hope and the already/not-yet aspects of the Kingdom. At the latter service, Matt, part of our American team, shared his testimony with the congregation, which was a powerful pointer to the utter potency of our Lord's grace.
         In between these two soul-feeding meetings (morning and evening church), there was some excellent stomach-feeding as we all enjoyed the bounty of our host homes' Sunday dinners, and then an excursion to Silent Valley--a beautiful area of woods, grassy open space, mountains, and a sparkling blue reservoir. It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and lots of people were about, particularly on account of a sort of fair that was going on, with live music (which sounded funny to the Americans... because it was so familiar. Stevie Wonder, among others, was played.) We enjoyed some football (the real kind), and Ultimate Frisbee. After the evening church service we gathered in the Church of Ireland hall for a few words from Reverend Stephen to get us readier for the ministry we'll begin, Lord willing, tomorrow.
          Bit by bit, our ears are beginning to adapt to the local jargon, our stomachs to the narrow and quickly-traversed roads, and our circadian rhythms to the shift in global position. Baby steps.

          Thank you for your prayers. We appreciate them as we hope for good rest tonight before we jump into our project tomorrow. As has been a theme thus far on the trip, with 2 Corinthians 4 being our theme passage, I for one am feeling my weakness in pretty much every area, and would ask that you pray with me for Jesus Christ to be made much of in our jars-of-clay frailty.

        I'll close with a passage that Matt referenced in his testimony that particularly resonated with me:

"The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day... Stop regarding man, in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?"        Isaiah 2:11, 22

When we recognize that we all will kneel before the King, we're freed to love as he did by laying down his life. Pray that we'll find our sufficiency in the dying, rising Lamb, and then truly love.

Grace and peace.

on the right side of the pond, at last

Take it as you will. By "right" I could just mean right (as opposed to left) on your typical world map...

The team has arrived, safe, sound, and sleepy. We landed in Dublin at 8:45 a.m. local time after a peculiarly short July 12 (strange thing, transatlantic travel...) and are mostly all retiring to bed around now, rejoicing in the bounty of God's goodness. A few manifestations of that goodness:

- meeting Northern Irish brothers and sisters. Our God is much bigger than Minneapolis, MN, and this is a heart-blessing and concrete reminder.

- rolling hills, fleecy sheep, little shops, accents

- Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, forever, and everywhere--our Savior and our great delight

Rejoice with us, praise the Giver, and continue to pray for

- focus

- physical strength

- real love amongst the team members, especially now that it's an international team

- God to be treasured through Jesus Christ by us and all those in Kilkeel

"For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the work of your hands I sing for joy." Psalm 92:4

His Mercies Are New... Every Morning

Last night Bethany Bennett, one of our team members, couldn't find her passport. After staying up all night with her family looking for the passport, the morning came, and mercies were there. New for her... and for us. 

Bethany went to CVS to get a photo, and went downtown with only 5 hours until the flight departed. The Passport Agency was surprisingly empty with only one other person there... but filled up right after she arrived. 

After filling out the necessary forms, she was told her application would be expedited. And it was. She got her new passport in 50 minutes! 

Strength was made known through her weakness as God sustained her with his strength. And she was able to join us before we even went through security:

Thankful to our God who continues to sustain us. We are currently in Chicago with a three hour layover; pray for 

- Rest on the plane. We need to wait to sleep until we're on the plane if we're going to arrive rested for a full day tomorrow. 

- Team unity as new challenges await us tomorrow and for the next two weeks. Jesus prayed that we might be one as he and the Father are one. We believe this unity is ours in Jesus... pray we'd have tangible, sweet expressions of this on the plane an in Northern Ireland. 

Treasure... in Jars of Clay

We must be convinced that pain and feelings of weakness do not equal failure. They are not to be avoided at all costs. Can we learn to give thanks for weakness and pain because we believe that is the vehicle God most often chooses for the gospel to travel forward?

Pastor Jason Meyer

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

The gospel of Jesus Christ compels his people to move outward towards others - even when it hurts. For the Northern Irish, there is much remembered pain caused by many years of conflict. But where pain is, where weakness is found, there the strength of God is found in fullest measure.

Simply consider the cross. At the point of apparent weakness, the Son of God, mangled and bleeding in the most horrific way imaginable, God's power was fully on display. The Son was sustained through the Cross, faithful unto death. And unto resurrection. And unto eternal reign.

So too ministers of the gospel today as sustained as their weakness (and oh, we are weak!) is made known through trying circumstances, through subtle and overt persecution, and through the sin-sick bodies and souls that we carry through this fallen world. But there is a Lord and Savior who bids us go... go and preach the gospel. Go and share our very lives.

So, we go! Tomorrow! Pray for us that the weakness that is evident... through nervous energy, sickness, and whatever the Lord has for us in Northern Ireland... will display in full measure the "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6) That is the treasure! Jesus himself, on display in weak vessels. And that is our prayer. 

Would you pray with us?

For your encouragement, two sermons are embedded below. The first is Jason Meyer, Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church. The text is 2 Corinthians 2:12-14... on weakness and evangelism. 

The second sermon is by recent Bethlehem Seminary grad Jeff Lacine, on 2 Corinthians 4:7:


Jeff Lacine from Bethlehem College and Seminary on Vimeo.

Packing and Praying

Tomorrow the team meets to weigh and tag our luggage and to continue to pray over the trip before we depart on Friday. Prayer requests for this last stage of preparation:

• safe & smooth travels
  "He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid..." Psalm 78:53
  
• that we would not fret but would entrust ourselves, and the myriad details involved in pulling off this departure, to God
  "...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" Philippians 4:6
  
• wisdom and forbearance in whatever circumstances arise in transit
  "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
  
• that the busyness and excitement of these days of preparation wouldn't distract us from abiding in Jesus
  "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." John 15:4
  
• health (a number of us are recovering from pretty bad coughs)
  "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." 2 Corinthians 4:7