Looking back at Ireland I can not help but chuckle. The amount of God we saw in His people of Ireland was incredible. The beauty of the culture and the surroundings where breathtaking, and truly the hardships of the month were lessons that needed to be learned. Coming into this month I was dreading it for numerous reasons, yet leaving Ireland I can say a piece of my heart was left there with its people and its beauty.
We were again back with the entire squad and personally struggling with shallow relationships I felt that our team Reckless Redemption would backslide from the great unity that God has formed inside of us. Sadly we as a team did fall short on some of our relationships but it comes with being around so many other people. Looking back at it I can see that through the hard talks and feedback that happened people grew stronger individually, and closer together. Relationships flourished and newly kindled love for our team was blazing in my heart. I thank God more and more for times like these because I know He rewards those that persevere until the end.
My heart was hardened towards Ireland also because of how western it was. I had a misconceived notion in my head that Ireland would be more like a vacation and I wouldn’t really be doing any ministry or connecting with the people of such a big church as Causeway Coast Vineyard(hereby CCV). Already arriving and seeing the church I was shocked by CCV. “They are already developed and thriving; what could we possibly do?”. There goes those lies of ministry again rambling around in my head. Casting out the lie, I began to see the people and how incredibly open to hearing the Word of God and how proud they were to be called Christians. As the month progressed God surrounded me with such incredible people and friendships that made ministry an everyday, everywhere, anytime reality and I was so thankful to experience this.
Ministry with CCV was incredible. One that truly had my heart was a program called Celebrate Recovery. It is a christian based 12 step program for any sort of addiction or suffering you could possibly go through as a person. I have never heard of such a program but I can tell you that this program has such incredible results. Seeing these results first hand I just want to encourage anyone to seek out this program. With Jesus Christ as the center of the program you see such incredible forgiveness, acceptance, and growth through these 12 steps. I was able to really grow close to a man named Steven who was the director of Celebrate Recovery. He instilled such wisdom and encouragement into my heart that I will definitely be taking along with me for years to come. I just want all those who read my blog from Ireland CR group, to know that I love you dearly and thank you ever so much for opening up your hearts and souls to me and my squad mates.
Now when you open your hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to show up, He definitely likes to show off. He did by way of a man named Mark Marks. This visionary is an incredible blessing to CCV and the World. His radical and influential views and approach to spiritual healing through a program called Healing on the Streets is impacting and inspiring. This man of God rocked our first few days in Ireland. God truly had this route change for T-Squad in mind when we met this guy. He spoke on the authority given to us through the Holy Spirit to heal the sick and perform miracles just as Jesus did. We all were like “…umm what? I don’t have the gift of healing….”.
Yeah, he quickly kicked that lie right out of our heads with performing spiritual acts of healing on not 1, not 2, but 5 of our squad mates. FIVE PEOPLE healed right before our eyes this month. From shoulder pains, short legs, hip pains, and lower back pain. One of my teammates Jeffery Balance had his lower back healed and he left in a flash and went and squatted 3 times as much as he could before…If that isn’t God healing; I just do not know. Legs grew longer, arms grew longer, hips realigned, acne cleared up, vision impairments got better. This was all so exciting and new for so many people that it was incredible and it truly super charged our month and our race to come. A newly rediscovered authority in Jesus Christ sent our hearts fluttering even more in love with our Lord and Savior.
One of my fondest memories was the very last week in Ireland. There was to be held a party for all the volunteers of CCV to celebrate and thank them for all the hard work they do. This was the first type of party that CCV has ever done. They wanted it to go off with out a hitch and be the best party these volunteers has ever been to. Now you’re probably wondering where I come in; well being a chef before the race had its advantages. I was asked to cater the entire event for 100+ people; I was beyond myself. A chance to use my God gifted talents of Culinary Arts as a ministry to a big church! How incredible of an experience is that? Not to mention I WAS IN IRELAND! Setting out I began to write out a personal menu catered to the volunteers and staff of CCV. With the help of a very esteemed group of sous chefs, Brette Fischer, Amanda McDonnell, Shelby Thayer, Elizabeth Hutchinson, and Ali Bruce, the time spent together was filled with such laughter and silliness that it made the day one that I will never forget. Thank you again ladies for all your hard work, patience, and dedication to bring forth the best food and drinks we could!
Again, looking back at Ireland I can not help but chuckle and laugh at the hardships, the misconceptions, and the happiness that came with each day spent there. I am more thankful each passing day at the lessons learned and the beauty revealed to me through Ireland and God’s work He is doing there. Ireland was a vacation full of ministry and incredible movements of God.
My prayer for you this month is for you truly ask God to show up and show off in your life. To not be afraid of the happenings or the actions that God puts you through, but to find joy in the littlest of things. To rely solely on Him and His Word. I uplift you my brothers and sisters with His truths and I declare over you a peace in your hearts where the Holy Spirit rests in you. Go forth in your days knowing the love in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
