Belfast - dinner - goodbyes

"we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."

1 Thessalonians 2:8

This verse, which Ryan put in our Kitty's Road wrap-up video/slideshow, applies both to the communities of Atticall and Kitty's Road and also to our Northern Irish brothers and sisters on this outreach team. When I saw this verse come up on the screen, captioning footage of a game of Lightning out at Kitty's Road, my heart felt like bursting out of my chest. This is totally what has been happening all around the board during these past two weeks. Praise God.

The outreach team spent our last day up in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. It's a lovely city with a lot of history and we enjoyed exploring shops, cafes, alleys, and city landmarks, to the echoing soundtrack of street musicians and Irish voices.

This evening the team gathered with our host families in the Church Hall for a meal. It was a fittingly moving time of retrospection, gratitude to the many folks to whom it is due, and rejoicing in all God has done. As Rev. Stephen of Kilkeel Presbyterian emphasized, God is doing a work here. We see it. We testify to it. We glorify Him for it and thank Him for including us, and we thank you for your irreplaceable part in it as supporters and pray-ers.

Then, of course, we turned to goodbyes, some of which will be re-enacted tomorrow morning in the dusky pre-dawn before we head for the airport. As you know, this outreach is a really special time of nearness to God and to our beloved fellow believers, and the least fun part is saying goodbye. We'd appreciate your prayers as we do so. If you think of us around 10 p.m. central time tonight (4 a.m. our time), ask God to give us hearts full of gratitude--that our sadness would be a godly sadness that reflects Jesus's perfect beauty and perfect sufficiency rather than expressing selfishness. Thanks for coming on this adventure with us!

From Him, through Him, and to Him are all things.

Wrapping up in Kitty's Road

From American team member Ann (Kitty's Road):

Today has been another busy, but wonderful day in Northern Ireland. It is hard to believe that today was the final day of enjoying fellowship with our friends on Kitty's Road for this trip. We were once again blessed with a sunny day. The Irish all tell us that the warm, sunny weather that we've had for most of our stay here is quite unusual. We have continued to be grateful for that gift. After a time of worship and devotions, the Kitty's Road team headed out to spend the morning continuing to show the love that we have for these folks through games, play, and conversations around tea and treats. God has definitely been gracious in allowing relationships to form, both among the younger and the older people. True friendships have been formed over the last two weeks, and these bonds allowed for some "God conversations" to occur. The teens were able to gather together, open up the Bible, and share in discussions centered on the Bible. We pray that God's spirit would move in many, and that hearts would be changed for eternity. Maddie brought treats from home for the kids, and shared the analogy of the Bible being kind of a "candy for the soul," just as the real sweets are candy for the stomach. We are grateful for opportunities to share Truth and it's importance in our lives as we interact with these terrific kids, young people, and adults. It's wonderful to see the trust that is built in friendships that are growing.

After a productive afternoon of debriefing with both the American and the Northern Irish teams, we spent a wonderfully entertaining evening back at the Kitty's Road community center sharing fun and laughter together with the the "Kitty's Road's Got Talent" night! Thank you to Alli for all of her creativity and endless energy! Skits, songs, and all-around silliness was displayed by many, both from the team, and from the Kitty's Road folks. Another great night of friendship.

Before our final cup of tea was shared and the last goodbyes were said, we sang our week's theme song one more time:"This is Amazing Grace." Both young and old sang together joyfully; loudly and enthusiastically. Those of us who truly know Christ marvel at this grace that has been given so freely to us, and the mercy that God has show by rescuing us. We long for our friends on Kitty's Road to know this grace, love, mercy, and freedom that ONLY comes from Christ. We pray that we were faithful in bringing God's message of love to these people, and that God would stir their hearts; that many would come to see truth, repent, and live changed lives. As we hugged new friends goodbye, loaded the bus, and drove away our hearts were heavy...it's amazing that God can put His love into us so that we can now love others who we may have only known for less than two weeks. Pray with us that many of our friends on Kitty's Road would be called by God and would give their lives to Him. Thank you for praying for the team, as well as for the Northern Irish who as of yet don't know Christ.

Ann

Goodbye in Atticall

After worshiping together on Tuesday morning, we filled the minibus and left for Atticall for our final morning session.  Treasure Hunters ended with the final scenes of the puppet show.  After many close but unsuccessful attempts to find Jesus with his time machine, the main character concluded that he doesn't need to time-travel to find Jesus; he can find him in the Bible wherever he is.  Between scenes, Zach clearly presented the gospel to the children and to the teens who also watched the puppet show.

Besides watching the show, we played games with the teens, and then transitioned into a Bible study for the third morning in a row.  Monday we looked at Peter's denial of and restoration to Jesus in John's gospel, as well as Jesus' teaching about his role as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep in John 10.  Today we opened John 11, and Daniel and Peter taught about Jesus' bold statement, "I am the resurrection and the life."  On hearing that some of the girls did not have a Bible, we decided to purchase several Teen Bibles that afternoon.

Between the morning and evening times in Atticall, the team gathered for a final debrief.  Much encouragement was shared, and we celebrated the many visible evidences of God's grace to each member.  He has truly shown his care for us and given us great joy in Christ during the last two weeks in Northern Ireland.

Our final night in Atticall brought a talent show at the Gaelic Club.  The previous year's show gathered many attendants, and also opened the door for further ministry opportunities.  Many from Atticall joined us again for this year’s show and enjoyed the various acts, including: Peter, Rachel, and Matt playing a song; Grant playing his guitar; Trish singing; and many from the team performing dramas.  Stephen, the minister at Kilkeel Presbyterian, ended the event with a message about the supremacy of being Christ's over all other possible identities.  He shared from 2 Corinthians 5:17, our theme verse, and encouraged conversation over its message.

As it was our last night in Atticall, we said goodbye to the teen girls with many selfies, hugs and tears.  We gave away the Bibles, signing our names and writing encouragements on the opening pages.

Consider praying already for the Bible studies and other gatherings that will be taking place in Atticall during the following months.  Exposure to the gospel and genuine Christian fellowship for the teen girls will be limited; pray that God would raise up more laborers (Matt. 9:38), encourage those already involved, and continue bringing the teens to events.  We are grateful for the joy that we've seen in some as they have received the word; pray that time and trial would show their hearts to be good soil (Matt. 13:8, 23), and that they would bear fruit and endure.  

Thank you for "your partnership in the gospel" (Phil. 1:5).

Matt Klem

packing up the puppets

From American team member Kristy (Atticall):

This year's Treasure Hunters program finished up today. The program is geared for children up to around 12 years old. A new addition to our program this year was a puppet show! One of our Northern Irish leaders, Zak, wrote and recorded the puppet shows, and the were phenomenal! The show starred Tiernan, a boy who travels through time to try to meet Jesus. He is always a bit too late. By the end of the week, Tiernan learns that he doesn't have to travel through time to meet Jesus. He can meet Jesus any time because Jesus wants to have a relationship with us. In Atticall, we had around twelve young children come to Treasure Hunters. We are thankful to God for their excitement and interest in learning about Jesus.

Monday in Atticall

After a very relaxing weekend (see Maddy's post below) that included a couple hours each day in Atticall , we returned to Atticall on Monday. God was gracious to give a few key conversations, furthering the opportunities to talk about the gospel with kids and teens. The Treasure Hunters continued their puppet show, and just as many kids came out as did the first day (about 12). Teens came out, and we had a rousing game of "Articulate," which is something like Catchphrase but apparently with more screaming. I think a few ears are still ringing.

We then opened the Scriptures and looked at Peter's denial of Jesus from the Gospel of John. Most of the teens were at least somewhat familiar with the story, so the conversation was very fruitful. God is merciful to the point of restoration... despite betrayal. His steadfast love extends to the heavens, and this we declare (Ps 36:5).

In the evening, we had dinner at the local hostel after being invited by its owner to join her. That was great craic; Matt stood up, read John 10, and prayed that the Shepherd would get his sheep. At the hostel, a French brother and sister who were staying at the hostel joined our little caravan, and we went over to the community center for a cultural game night. It was sweet fun, and many came out of all ages.

Tonight we gather again for a talent show at the Gaelic Club (as we did last year). Many acts are coming together both from the Irish and the American side. Pray it would be a success; also pray as Stephen Johnston speaks again to the reason that we're coming to Atticall... yes, for the good craic, but also for the gospel that calls people to take up their cross and die... and live.

As you read this, would you pray for both communities? Pray for those who are hurting from sin and its effects. Pray for boldness on our last day in the communities. And please pray for wisdom for us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we leave our friends again on Thursday.

Daniel

Monday

Been a bit low on photographic accompaniments these days, so here is a picture of cows:

Second-to-last day in Kitty's Road today. As the coffee morning was wrapping up, a big game of rounders (like baseball, but confusing) finished up the morning. Afternoon hangout time, though cut short to make way for preparations for this evening's community banquet, was fruitful as well. Having discovered the power of candy to bribe children to explore the Bible, I had the delight of gathering in a little circle on the grass with a group of girls, having a lively time flipping to different verses and talking about Bible stories. Isaiah 53 made one girl wonder, How could Jesus have created people if people like Isaiah were alive and prophesying before he was born? This led us to John 1 and awe at the wonder of the Incarnation. Sweet stuff! 

This evening, those under 18 (except Americans) endured a flurry of flying chips in the kids' tent for dinner (along with Country Fried Chicken), while the rest of us reveled in a first-class banquet that was equal parts entrees/sides and desserts. After we had cleared away the last of the sausages and pavlova, everyone gathered into the center for our last evening message before tomorrow's talent show wraps up the outreach. Mark and Ann shared their testimonies together, first talking about how God worked to save them individually, and then spending some time to talk about life in terms of their 20+ years of marriage, something that is pretty much unheard of in Kitty's Road. Afterwards our N. Irish leader Dave talked about Peter's denial of Jesus and ended with a direct and frank appeal to our friends of seven years at Kitty's Road: You've heard the gospel many times now. The rooster is crowing. Don't keep denying him. Repent and be saved. A gentle hymn ("There is a redeemer") closed the night out.

Please pray that as the folk of the Road turn to bed tonight and wake up tomorrow morning, they would be pondering Dave's challenge, and would realize that now is the day of salvation: now is the time to stop denying the call of the Christ, and instead to hear it and be His!

that which we have seen and heard

"that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

From American team member Grant (Kitty's Road):

Today we enjoyed fellowship with Kilkeel Presbyterian Church, one of two churches that have partnered together to reach their surrounding communities with the Gospel. What was most encouraging today was the unity of two groups of people coming from different parts of the world to worship together and receive from God's word. We hear a lot about the unity of the body of Christ but it quickly becomes a reality and a foretaste of what heaven will be like when it happens. One body, worshiping the king, from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. This is the truth we are enjoying now, but also the truth that we are bringing to the communities we are serving here in Ireland. We want others to enjoy fellowship with God through His son, as we are already enjoying him in worship and fellowship.

Those of us who are serving at Kitty's Road spent just a few hours after the 2nd service at Kilkeel Presbyterian with the community playing games and performing dramas. I also got the opportunity to share God's story in my life with those at the community center. The relationships that have been built over this past week have been very memorable and conversations about the Gospel continue to spring up.

As we enter our final days here please pray for the Spirit to continue his work of changing hearts and the seeds of the Gospel to take root and to bear fruit. Many have come to see there is a difference between a life of faith and a life of faith in Jesus Christ. Pray also that as the team experiences physical weakness from the long days that we would rest in Jesus while trusting that God's Word does not return void.

Like the heavens, let us declare.

Today was a day off for the Kitty's Road team and an afternoon and evening off for the Atticall team. We got to catch up on sleep this morning, and spent the afternoon and evening barbecuing with the team and hanging out in the nearby town of Newry. We will be back out to the Road, Lord willing, on Sunday night, for the bonfire of our lives and some praise and testimony-giving, and then Monday and Tuesday will be our last days out there before we wind up and head for home early Thursday morning.

As we think through the past week and look forward to the home stretch, we can only give praise to God. He has answered prayer and showered grace on us, from the miraculous weather to the prayerful spirit of the team. This outreach is most certainly his work, and we are encouraged.

Kitty's Road and Atticall are very different settings. Kitty's Road has a long history of exposure to the gospel and to people who have genuine relationships with Jesus. Some of the local team members lead a year-round Bible study and a kid's club, where conversations have been developing for months and some Kitty's Road-ers have been slowly coming closer to faith. There are many strong friendships between folks on the Road and local team members, in the context of which God has been at work in hearts. Many of the kids take a measure of ownership of the message we're bringing. They've grown up with their summertimes including singing to Jesus and hearing about his work. From a cultural standpoint, I've heard many locals say that this sort of relationship between Catholics and Protestants in this country is unbelievable. Dark times of blacklists and car bombs, segregated street corners and deadly vendettas are very fresh in people's memories, and some are very much alive as they are passed down through generations and young people align themselves with one side or the other. But in at least one neighborhood in this town, cultural Catholics and cultural Protestants are friends, some despite their families' vehement disapproval, and the context and content of these friendships is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is massive, massive grace. This is the kingdom of God which Christ died to bring, coming.

The moment-by-moment decisions and the vivid array of startlingly beautiful experiences that make up this trip from our perspective can be bewildering, like mounds of tiny mosaic tiles strewn across the studio floor. This day off, for me personally, has been very, very good as a chance to step back and remember what is really happening as this handful of redeemed ones in one stunning, tucked-away corner of God's earth spend time with other real people for a few weeks, living life and speaking his words. It looks like leading kids in crafts, doing puppet shows, throwing an American football, eating sweet buns and talking about family, singing songs of praise, opening the Bible, saying a few words in teaching and discussion, praying, praying, praying. That is to say, it looks pretty ordinary, looks pretty human.

But the key here is He in whose name we come. Remembering that because of who our God is, because of what our Savior did, death is dying, light is breaking in, our King has won the battle and he's at work establishing his kingdom--remembering this in the daily actions is what it means not to regard anyone according the the flesh. It's what it means to have faith; to look not to the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen.

And let me tell you: this perspective came by no profound perspicacity on my part. My mind has been swimming as much as I have been (which is to say, quite a bit). But this evening as we were coming back from Newry, God knocked us all flat on our little backs with the most enormous, scintillating, iridescent, arching, luminous, distant, present, brilliant rainbow, stretching across Carlingford Lough from the south of Ireland to the north. We hopped out of the minibus, flabbergasted, into the glowing rain, to try to capture the miracle with our cameras.

No photo can communicate the thrill of standing there with this gargantuan half-ring of splintered light singing out its colors to all the world above you, tying earth to sky, with you, tiny but indelible, right there undeservedly in the middle of it, in the luminous grey of rain in the evening sun. As we all stood there in various expressions of awe and delight, running through my mind was the sovereign, mirthful voice of a promise, the LORD saying to this earth of His after the Flood, "I will always be true to you." Oh, how he loves us!

Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt his name together!

Psalm 34:3, ESV

Another Day, More Grace

Friday was another picture perfect day in Atticall, not a cloud in the sky to be seen.  We began the day with two men for our adult tea, which was an answer to prayer, since typically it’s all women.  Three more of our regular women followed as the morning progressed, which was wonderful to see them again.  Stephen read the story of the woman at the well from John 4 and a local priest who was visiting prayed to conclude our time.  Our teens played some water games with water balloons, which turned out to be quite a blast (yes, pun intended).  

On Friday evening, after playing a super fun game where everyone except James (who won) got red spots on their face, Daniel taught out of Luke 18:9-14 and Luke 19:2-10. He explained how the tax collector Zaccheaus was justified (or made right with God) while the self-righteous, religious Pharisee was not and how Zaccheaus is an example of how a person is made right by their belief and confession and how works follow after this.  The gospel message was clear and we can tell from our discussion groups that the girls are learning about Jesus and what it means to believe in their hearts and confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord.  We are praying that the Spirit will make it clear to them to move forward in faith. Grant shared his testimony and how God has worked in his life.  Grant also played the djembe (an african drum) to You are My Vision while Rachel sung and Matt and Joel played guitar.

Tomorrow we begin the Treasure Hunters children’s ministry.  Please pray that we have a good turn out and that the children in this community would learn and hear more about Christ through the ministry of our team.

Joel and Trish Matasovsky

Not Only in Word

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

This is our prayer in Atticall. That they would know that they are chosen by God because the gospel came to them not only in word, but in power, in the Spirit, and with full conviction. That they would know beyond a doubt that they are Christ's, and would live a life of discipleship that flows out of that. 

This was our prayer Wednesday as we continued to speak the gospel into the lives of the teens in Atticall. After a rousing game of ultimate frisbee in the morning (in which multiple people collapsed at the end), we came back in the evening to do a abbreviated program. Matthew, one of the local Irish teen boys from Kilkeel Presbyterian, gave his testimony. Joel talked about Jesus' brothers, and we talked a bit more about his family in discussion groups. The girls were quite surprised that Jesus had brothers, and that led to them opening up about a few things. 

Afterwards, when we went up to watch a comogie match at the nearby pitch, a couple of the girls expressed a desire to have more Bible teaching; they also made it clear that the cost of discipleship is what is holding them back from coming to Jesus. This is a good thing that they realize the cost is high! Pray that they see the price of not following Jesus to be higher. 

On Thursday, the adult tea saw 11 adults come out. We played several games with the teens, including mafia (the best) and a few others. In the evening, Nina shared her testimony and Matt spoke about the leper that Jesus healed in Matthew 8. In the discussion groups, the weight of the message meant the girls were quieter, but they were totally engaged. The power of the Spirit was evident in the room throughout the evening. 

Pray for fruit in these young girl's lives. Pray for fruit at the adult tea in the morning. Pray for those who are starting the Treasure Hunters programming this weekend. Pray that God would break stony ground and bring forth salvation for those that do not yet know him.

Daniel

Updates for Days Two and Three at Kitty's Road

Another miraculously clear day dawns in Kilkeel as we gear up for Day Four at Kitty's Road.

Day Two:

Tuesday saw enthusiasm from the kids about the pretty spectacular puppet show our team has put together, an ongoing story about a puppet named Tiernan who time-travels back to the time of Jesus, but has never quite caught a glimpse of the Man himself, always arriving only to see the people who have been affected by His various miracles and teachings. After Treasure Hunters time was over, fifteen or twenty kids joined a few of us in a big game of soccer, where with reliable teamwork and cheery encouragement our team members continue to build trust with the kids, which I've been seeing pay off in more open communication and readiness to have a real conversation at other times.

In the afternoon the whole Kitty's Road crew headed to Cranfield Beach, where, despite the fog that had crept up during the late morning, was a really enjoyable outing for all.

In the evening we returned for our second session of silly skits, worship songs, a testimony or story of salvation from one of our team, teaching, and discussion. Alli shared her story for the first time, though this is here fifth year on the team and second year leading. The community know and love Alli very well, and hearing her talk with complete frankness about her life with Jesus was powerful. Grant's message about David led into a good discussion of sin in our own lives and the true possibility of forgiveness.

Day Three:

The afternoon activity at Kitty's Road today was their annual Fun Day, where rented inflatables and a DJ invade the grassy space and turn it into a carnival. The day lived up to its name, and what's more, the time we got to spend just hanging out carried over into an evening session that was remarkable for its frankness and fluidity of discussion. Justin shared his story, which included the recent loss of his father. As some said in the debrief afterwards, "You could have heard a pin drop," and "There wasn't a dry eye in the room." We were all riveted on this young man as he spoke of this tragedy with both sadness and an undeniable hope. Afterwards, as the children were dismissed before the talk, I winced as one of the teenage girls in front of me got up from her seat, supposing she was leaving with the children and bringing her friends with her. But then, "Where are you going?" asked one of her friends.
"To sit in the front," she whispered back, and the row of girls climbed forward to fill the front seats vacated by the children, eager to hear.

Ryan's talk about the reaction of Jesus' family to his rise to ministry was immediate and engaging. It was so easy to imagine Jesus as one of the Kitty's Road kids, growing up and then coming back, standing in this community center and, shockingly, reading out, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me..." Various discussions ensued, some difficult, some relatively easy, but overall, the gospel and what it means to have a personal relationship with this Jesus are some very live questions at Kitty's Road right now. Praise God!

Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

The team has been up for two days now in Atticall. On Monday, Zak and Peter hosted a brilliantly done gameshow marathon at the Gaelic Association Club. Several people came out, and the craic (as they say here) was great. The main purpose was to reintroduce the team to the community, but Zak made it clear why we were back: because we love Jesus, and we want others to love him. 

Yesterday (Tuesday) the Lord brought about 6-7 teens to the various teen programs and 4 adults yesterday to the coffee break. Last night we went out and watched a Gaelic football match and interacted with the dozen or so spectators, just to get the word out about the Americans being back in town and the programs. As with last year, the work in Atticall begins small, but word-of-mouth spreads quickly.

Peter pointed us to the gospel in the life of David amid his sin and repentance with Bathsheba. A couple of good conversations ensued as the teens wondered aloud alternatively why 1) God would let off a murderer or 2) thinking that God is so merciful that he'd let David off no matter what David did. Pray for wisdom as we follow up on these conversations today.

Tonight there is a camogie tournament game that we'll be attending after Joel opens the Word and we spend some more time with the teens. Tomorrow the program will begin properly. Due to a schedule conflict this year, we'll be back in the community from Saturday through Tuesday with Treasure Hunters for the kids in primary school. This has freed up the various Treasure Hunter workers to spend time with the teens and adults in the morning.

One might be discouraged when looking at the number of people who have come out, but as with last year we trust that our God will provide fruit in his timing; our work is faithfulness as he gives grace to us. Pray that we'd ask for more grace to be faithful today, and in so declaring our inability and thus humbling ourselves that we'd speak boldly of the glories of God in the gospel.

Last night a rainbow extended above the misty clouds that were covering Knockchree (the local "hill" that towers over Atticall). Just as it signified God's blessing and promise to not judge the earth with water, so we desire that God hold back his wrath from those of our friends who don't yet acknowledge him as Savior and Lord. Might it be, Lord.



Daniel

Paul planted, Apollos watered

The Kitty's Road team went out three times today, with the first session being Treasure Hunters (a Bible lesson-puppet-craft extravaganza) for the kids, sports for the teens, and a coffee morning for the adults; the second session being more play outside in the rare blessing of Irish sun; and the evening session being a time of silly skits, singing of gospel truth, and a talk from the Mourne Presbyterian youth pastor Andrew interspersed with group discussion. Andrew presented the gospel through the lens of the story of Noah and the Flood: 1) sin grieves God; 2) God gives grace; 3) Noah points to Jesus.

This is a bit of a bare-bones summary (sleep is an important means of grace!) but here are some praises and prayer requests:

-We are encouraged by the enthusiastic turnout, the truly amazing weather, and the ease with which the team and the Kitty's Road-ers mingled and conversed today. Really, the Spirit of God is at work here--I think many of us are distinctly sensing His presence with us during these days, both as we're praying and speaking with each other during break times, and as we're actually out on the Road. I can testify myself that God is guiding the members of this team. Our hearts really are his, and particularly in the locals who are reaching out year-round, I see so much of what can only be the love of our crucified and risen Jesus. It is a remarkable thing for all of us to be able to be a part of this piece of kingdom-building with this team of "new creations" in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17, which is on our awesome team T-shirts: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.")

-Prayers for continued good weather would be appreciated, and some other recurring requests are that more men would turn out for these gatherings and take more part (praise God that about five did show up at one point or another today!); that the teens would stay with the evening gatherings all the way through to the message and discussion; and that we as a team would not get legalistic or uptight about either numbers or people staying exactly where we want them, but that we'd trust the Spirit to move, which is just what we are longing for and what, we hope, we are beginning to see Him do.

We're so grateful for you. Know that God is hearing your prayers and showering grace on and around us (even as he keeps the rain at bay).

just a note

First day of ministry tomorrow at Kitty's Road and Atticall. Had a great day today of filling up with grace with God's people, with church in the morning and in the evening, and in between, Thanksgiving-worthy Sunday dinners (at our host home, we walked out to a field in front of the house, pulled up some potato plants, kicked them out of the ground, and ate them an hour later) and a lovely day at the beautiful Silent Valley, where we hung out at the coffee shop, played football up and down a steep, flat hill, went for walks, and played frisbee. We are revved and ready to go at it tomorrow. Praise God who is our help!

second comings

Three parts to today's post, for those of you who are taking notes:

1. Update -- Here's what we've done.

2. Reflection -- Here's where I am seeing God.

3. Prayer Info -- I won't prescribe your prayers, but here's stuff to know as you go before God on our behalf.

1. Update

As is apparent from the conspicuously green photo above, the team have arrived on the Emerald Isle. Day one was spent meeting our N. Irish team members and host families and resting, and then meeting together in the evening for more team bonding and times of worship and prayer.

Today we got to sleep in and then spent the day with the team, first at Greencastle, where that photo was taken (Greencastle is, in fact, a castle, not pictured) and where we ate a picnic lunch due to a funeral occurring at the church hall where we're headquartered. Next stop was Cranfield Beach, where most of us at least dipped a toe in the misty grey (cold) sea, and some of us considerably more than a toe. After this fun time to enjoy the beauty of this unique place and the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ and in ministry, we drove through the two communities where we'll be, praying out loud together as we drove. This was a sweet time of dedication as we look forward to starting our outreaches on Monday. After an evening meal together, we were briefed on Northern Ireland's stringent child protection laws and guidelines, and then a word from the pastor of Kilkeel Presbyterian on the cultural context we're stepping into, and that despite the complexity of the culture and heritage of this island, the bottom line is that we're reaching out to people with the message of Jesus Christ, by means of love.

All these activities were carried out in the midst of a bewildering patchwork quilt of small farms and hedged fields spread over gentle slopes and mountains, speckled with sheep and cows, and patterned with narrow, windy roads, stone houses and their gardens, and a colorful, packed-together little town.

2. Reflection

Last night I sat pondering how it feels to me personally to be back here for the second time. So carefully for this past year have I curated my memories of this place and its people that now that they surround me again, it feels very natural, almost a given. I had kept rubbing away at that spot in my memory, wearing that groove smooth, and now that the reality is here again it fits right into its place.

I bring this up not as a psychological fun fact, but because it occurred to me that the Bible tells us to remember some very important things, and now I'm seeing what that looks like in one instance. "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead," Paul urges Timothy. Later, "Remember my chains." Many times in the New Testament, we're exhorted to remember specific things Jesus said, and to remember the teaching of the apostles. (Might not hurt, actually, to search the Book for the word "remember" and see how we're doing...) What I thought of in particular was of another second coming: the Lord's. Fact is, we know we're living in the age between the comings of Christ, but it's hard to keep that in mind. I want the image of the second coming of Christ, which he describes so vividly in places like Mark 13 and Luke 21, to be vitally present to my mind--kept alive by remembering, like a flame, or like my memories of Kilkeel from last year. Then, when this comes to pass:

"...there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken"--

we won't be fainting with fear and foreboding, not because it won't be terrifying, but because we know what comes next:

"And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28)

3. Prayer Info:

We are of course physical creatures used to a very particular spot on the globe, and a request I've heard from people is, naturally, for good rest. Thus far things seem to be going very well on that front; we've had a great weekend with plenty of time for sleeping.

Please continue to keep the people at Attical and Kitty's Road in your prayers. We are longing for God's Spirit to work, that many may come to a saving knowledge of Christ. We also need the Spirit to move in us, that we may have peace-giving faith in, and receive the fulfillment of, Jesus's promise that his witnesses will be given the words they need at the time they need them. The team's preparation and fellowship have really been wonderful as we seek God together on behalf of ourselves, each other, and the communities we're headed to. God, glorify your name!

We'll be fellowshipping with one of the local churches tomorrow.

I'll be praying for you that you'd be remembering all that we ought to be remembering as children of the new kingdom, such as the greatness and sufficiency of our Father's goodness.

-Maddy

that the works of God might be displayed

I (Maddy) am camped at the MSP airport, where I was dropped off early, expecting to be joined by the team in a few hours but in the meantime savoring this time to take deep breaths of God's goodness. Here's one:

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." John 9:1-3

I flipped open my Bible a few nights ago and my eyes lit on that sentence of Jesus'. I was reminded of the fears that many of us shared at our last team meeting: We're afraid that we've done things wrong, or that we will do things wrong, and we're anxious to figure out what those mistakes are and how to fix them, living meanwhile in uneasy anticipation of the dreadful effects of our failures. "I'm constantly looking for the leak in my boat," Alli said. "But the problem with that is, once you start looking for leaks, you won't find one; you'll find a hundred."

"Who sinned?" asked the disciples.
Wrong question.

That's what we reminded each other at that meeting--a simple message, one of those easily articulable truths that have the power to transform us if we only believe. God is the worker. He's about displaying his perfection and sufficiency, not exposing our gaps. There's a strong connection between humility and joy. This adventure is not about our own strengths, and it's not about our weaknesses, either. Pride credits its own strengths with things that go right, and its own failures with things that go wrong. The reality is, we're very small beings called to obedience in a story much greater than we can perceive fully, told by one much greater than we can grasp. Singing out our own few God-given lines with abandoned gusto is a much more exciting (and God-glorifying) place to be than floundering in a backstage control room whose buttons we can't reach, or apologizing for our every stammer on stage. We're free, children of God, consecrated bearers of the light of the world. When things go wrong and when things go right, we can know that our God is displaying his works.

That fills me with joy right down to my wriggling toes.

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5

Mercies New Every Morning... Year After Year

As the sun rises over Kilkeel this morning, I'm (Daniel) reminded of God's goodness to us year-after-year. I've arrived a few days early to meet with the area pastors and community outreach leaders in the local Protestant churches. The Lord has been good to give Bethlehem these partners in ministry.

Dave McIlveen (the Northern Irish team leader) and I drove around Kilkeel yesterday, praying for the different communities. It was a sweet time of concerted prayer as we asked God to powerfully shake these communities with his Spirit. Would you pray with us?

Pray for the team as they prepare to leave later today. Pray for their rest, for their quick adaptation to the new time zone and culture, for their trust in Jesus.

Pray for the Northern Irish team that we're partnering with.

Pray for the meetings that are upcoming for me today.

Pray for the two communities (Atticall and Kittys Road). Pray that faithfulness would blossom into fruit.

Pray that we would live in light of Jesus' authority that declared in Matthew 28:18-20 (here's an excellent article that was just posted on DG's website about what this verse means for missions today).

Grateful,
Daniel

Spiritual Perception

I (Daniel) leave for Northern Ireland tomorrow for a couple days of prep and meetings before the rest of the team leaves Thursday. I appreciate your prayers!

The Northern Ireland team is meditating on 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 this week; we're hoping to memorize these verses together, as well as another passage in Philippians next week. The passage seems to fit our mission in Northern Ireland: we are ministers of reconciliation. Just as we've been reconciled to God, so we seek to persuade others to be reconciled.

In this mission, we need to have right perception of the world around us, the people we're caring for, the circumstances we encounter. Concerning spiritual perception from 2 Corinthians 5:16, Jason Meyer said this in a sermon:

Paul says that there are two kinds of perception: physical (flesh) and spiritual. Everyone can do the first kind. It is natural ability that comes from physical birth: You are born into the first creation. The second kind of perception comes from spiritual birth: You are born into the new creation. Christ and the ambassador of Christ can only be seen rightly with spiritual perception, not physical or fleshly perception. Can you see what he is doing? He is worried that they are regarding or seeing according to the flesh—according to the outward appearance (as he said last week). He says, “Though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.” When did Paul regard Christ according to the flesh? When he was an unbeliever. When did he “regard him thus no longer”? New birth. He saw Christ with new spiritual eyes. Paul is asking the Corinthians if they are unbelievers. Do they only see according to the flesh? Can they not see the things of the Spirit?

Pray for the Northern Ireland team, that as we go we would be sensitive to the realities around us... spiritual realities. We are a new creation in Christ, with new eyes to see spiritual realities, not just according to the outward appearance of people and circumstances. Pray that we would keep this reality near the forefront of our minds over the next few weeks.

His Mercies are New... Every Year

The Northern Ireland team is preparing to leave again in a couple weeks. I (Daniel) will be headed over a couple of days early on July 15th, with the rest of the team following on July 17th. We'll all be returning together on July 31st.

Pray for us! The Lord knows our needs, our anxieties, our desires. Pray specifically:

• For team unity around the gospel and our Lord who we're going to proclaim.
• For unity with our Northern Irish brothers and sisters who we'll be partnering alongside. 
• For the nine new team members (including little Andrew Matasovsky!) who are going to Northern Ireland for the first time. Pray especially that they would cross the "cultural divide" easily. 
• For the ten team members who are returning to Northern Ireland. Pray that we would not go into "cruise control," but be on the lookout for the opportunities God has for us.
• Pray for the Matasovskys (Joel, Trish, Andrew) specifically as they love the Irish while caring for their almost-two-year-old Andrew and as Trish enters her third trimester with their new baby.
• Pray for the whole team to be sensitive to the Spirit's promptings and seeking God in his Word and through prayer during the days leading up to, during, and after the trip (and while you're at it, pray our whole lives would be marked by seeking God!). 
• Pray for the two communities, Kittys Road and Attical, that there would be an excitement about our arrival and that the Spirit would be moving to draw people to himself through the ministry of the team. 
• Specifically there has been much relational hurt and some deaths in Kittys Road; pray especially that Christ would be seen as the balm that heals all wounds with his love. His love is better than life!
• Pray for Attical, that the relationships that were built and the good will that was established last year would continue this year, and that through these relationships gospel opportunities would arise. 

Finally, please pray that 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 would be on our minds and hearts during these weeks, and would characterize the team.

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;  and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

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!