Oh, Ireland. You have captured my heart. In spite of the
homesickness, crazy weather, and lack of frozen bananas, I have loved
this place.
So, my last blog was about me
being homesick and questioning whether or not I should be here. I wish I could say
that all the homesickness has faded, but it hasn’t. It has definitely gotten
better, because I have been choosing in. I think that’s one of the major themes
for the race for me- choosing to do, when I don’t feel like it.
But- honestly- there could not have
been a more perfect first country for me. You know those times when you feel
like God does things just for you? Well, having Ireland be the first country,
and Galway be our ministry city was one of those things. I realize this in
hindsite, of course. 🙂
to Galway as being “the Austin of Ireland”
and it was very accuratein so many ways. Jimmy himself reminds me of my college pastor from back home. He’s funny, maybe a bit ADD, an incredible visionary who
actually sees that things happen, is full of funny stories, can switch to
serious conversations right after telling a joke, and everyone enjoys being
around him, just like Mark from back home. Their wives even look similar. Weird. Jimmy also has this awesome idea for a business similar to the
banana stand, so I had someone to discuss business ideas with, and, because he
was from Texas, someone to talk about Texas with. There were just so many small things
that just felt like God was saying, “Hey. I know you miss home; here’s a
taste of it. I love you, now let’s move forward together.”
and that people are “post-christian” because they don’t care. They
say these things, but I haven’t seen it here.
Yes, the numbers are small in the
churches, but the people are ALIVE.
Yes, people are resistant to Christianity here, but it’s not because they don’t care. Suicide is so common
here. Not just people who are depressed. Mothers, fathers, sisters brothers-
people of varying ages, and socio-economic statuses. Even those who seem like
they have it all together have turned to suicide. Children begin drinking at
the age of twelve- sometimes younger- because they’re looking for something
more. Disillusioned with what this world has to offer, they try to numb
themselves with alcohol. That same disillusionment grows as they do, and they
find that this life is not worth living. They are searching for more, and
when they don’t find it, they lose hope.
People aren’t resistant to Jesus
because they don’t care. They are hungry; they are searching. They are
resistant to Jesus because they haven’t met the real Jesus. They’ve met the
corrupted church’s version of who He is. Instead of mercy, they have met
condemnation. Instead of unconditional love, they have met formulas to try and
earn salvation. I sometimes wonder if no church is better than a church that speaks empty words.
just began to cry out to the Lord, “HOW LONG, GOD? How long will you
let Satan claim these people’s lives? They’re yours. Take them back!”
it. Say God’s presence does fall on Galway…Is the church ready for it? I
don’t know. Not that the churches here aren’t wonderful. They are spirit-filled, and incredible.
I think we spend a lot of time
asking, and not enough time preparing. I remember when someone said that to us
at a revival meeting in Austin. “What would we do if God rained down in
this city? If people started really seeking, and coming to us by the
bucketloads- would we be ready? To share the gospel and our testimonies, to
disciple, to sacrifice? Would we be ready?” It took me by surprise because
I know that I would not have been. It’s so easy to pray and ask God to come,
but what about when He does show up? We need to be ready. Ireland needs
laborers– people who are willing to disciple, mentor, sacrifice, and just love
when God brings revival here.
I believe God is bringing it
to this place. I get the same feeling like I do back home. There’s this
expectancy in my spirit when I walk the streets of Galway, just like when I
walk the streets of Austin. As homesick as I have been, I’ve been really drawn
to this city. To pray for it, but also to pray about becoming a part of it one
day. Not immediatly, of course. I want to see God transform me and Austin
first, and who knows when the banana stand will offer an opportunity to move,
but… I just see it happening. Maybe.
Regardless, I want to be ready for
God’s outpouring wherever that may be. I want to be willing to sacrifice myself to love those
around me. I want to make the most of whatever God has in store. To ask
for kingdom is one thing; to bring it is very different. I think I’ve only
scratched the surface of what that means, so I’m sure it’ll be unpacked in the
next few months.
Tomorrow, we head for Romania! My
team will be staying with a family and internet will be very limited, so please
pray for all of us. I love y’all!
