Hey everyone!!
Ireland is so beautiful, 
but has been cold and rainy since we’ve been here. 🙂 We are 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time, so for those who may be randomly thinking of me you can figure that out…
Two nights ago it was so windy that one of my tent stakes came up and my rain fly came off it’s stake and most of my stuff got wet. Oh well, I guess that’s life. Today turned out to be a pretty nice day, but since it’s my turn for internet I am “stuck” inside updating you on what’s going on…
but has been cold and rainy since we’ve been here. 🙂 We are 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time, so for those who may be randomly thinking of me you can figure that out…Two nights ago it was so windy that one of my tent stakes came up and my rain fly came off it’s stake and most of my stuff got wet. Oh well, I guess that’s life. Today turned out to be a pretty nice day, but since it’s my turn for internet I am “stuck” inside updating you on what’s going on…
The J Squad left Dublin on Sunday to travel to Galway where we began ministry on Monday. Our ministry so far has been street evangelism. Three of the six teams on J Squad have been working with Abundant Life Christian Centre in Galway. We arrive at 11 am and watch a video by Way of the Master, which is an evangelism training series, and then have lunch and head out to Eyre (air) Square for ministry. Some of the guys have been hanging out with skaters and talking to them; I have talked to two people in two days, Baden and Fiona. Some of us have also been praying in the Square for Galway 
and Ireland and also working on some dramas that we may use. Our first day, Monday the 17th, we went to the other group’s orientation for their ministry and heard a lot about the spiritual need in Ireland. The suicide rate is astronomical, a lot of people have been hurt by the established church, and in only 1 generation the entire country has pretty much completely turned their backs on God. The children and teens in this country have no clue who God or Jesus is unless they have heard something from their parents and even then it was probably not good. We also learned what words and gestures not to use. Some of the guys are having a little trouble not using the “peace” sign… and I’ll leave it at that.
and Ireland and also working on some dramas that we may use. Our first day, Monday the 17th, we went to the other group’s orientation for their ministry and heard a lot about the spiritual need in Ireland. The suicide rate is astronomical, a lot of people have been hurt by the established church, and in only 1 generation the entire country has pretty much completely turned their backs on God. The children and teens in this country have no clue who God or Jesus is unless they have heard something from their parents and even then it was probably not good. We also learned what words and gestures not to use. Some of the guys are having a little trouble not using the “peace” sign… and I’ll leave it at that.After street ministry we head back to the church about 4:45 for dinner and team debrief time and then the church has a prayer service from 6-7 every night. It’s so cool to see these people just break for their country and city, and they are so blessed by our presence every night as well. The guy who leads it, Mark, is so on fire for the Lord and his passion for Ireland is very catching. It’s really neat to see the people get fired up and just pray their hearts out for an hour every night.
We haven’t yet met the pastor because he is traveling in the States and should be back for Sunday’s service. He and his wife are from Texas, so in all reality they are long-term missionaries here in Ireland which is really cool. There is also a girl who just moved here from Illinois to intern for a year as a kindergarten teacher in their homeschool program, and I met a couple teenage girls from Nigeria last night at the service.
We haven’t yet met the pastor because he is traveling in the States and should be back for Sunday’s service. He and his wife are from Texas, so in all reality they are long-term missionaries here in Ireland which is really cool. There is also a girl who just moved here from Illinois to intern for a year as a kindergarten teacher in their homeschool program, and I met a couple teenage girls from Nigeria last night at the service.
Today is Thursday the 20th and tomorrow will be our first day off. I hope we’ll get to do some sight-seeing, but we all need to do laundry! Last night they had a service here and then Irish tea and biscuits (cookies) afterwards. Saturday they have a youth service that we’ll be helping with and then Sunday service begins at 11 am. I’m not sure if we’ll have the same schedule next week, but it’s been great so far. I’m hoping soon to be able to share with you some stories of the people we’ve been ministering to and with. Thank you for your continued prayers!
