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.