After 10 months of waiting and speculating whether Ireland would be cut from our race, we finally landed in Northern Ireland on July 1!
We were all on a high on life – excited and sad to be entering our last month on the field.
For the first two weeks, the entire squad lived and worked together; then a few teams headed to other parts of the country to minister.
We had the honor of working with an incredible church – Causeway Coast Vineyard Church – with an incredible vision – not to be the best church IN the community, but to be the best church FOR the community! They seek to impact the community for the better – they partner with over 100 different agencies to make this goal a reality.
Coleraine is a beautiful place, with a history of being a place of "firsts" – not only was it the site of the first settlement in Ireland, but also where revival broke out for the first time.
1. We've experienced the best weather since 1996 – a massive heat wave that turned normally cold and rainy conditions into super sunny days.
2. Destiny Island (VBS) – it was such a blessing to work with a church that focuses on the next generation. Their focus is not to entertain the kids during summer holiday – it is to raise them up to be the people God is calling them to be; to empower them; and to teach them the authority they have in Jesus' name.
We took the kids on wee outreaches into the city to pray for people, to encourage people, on treasure hunts, to do healing on the streets, and to bless random strangers. These kids are bold and they don't think twice about praying for others!
3. Going to Portstewart with Liz and Nadia – no plans, no agenda – we walked and talked, stopped and gazed at the beautiful creations that surrounded us! The conversation was such a blessing as we were able to encourage one another.
4. I had the amazing opportunity to visit my home church while in Northern Ireland! My church, Celebration Church of Jacksonville, has three international campuses: Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, and Northern Ireland.
It was such a blessing to spend the weekend with the Pastor and his family and the interns. Not only did I get to attend a service for the first time in a year with absolutely no role, but the message was so encouraging. The church had a BBQ that I was able to attend Sunday morning.
5. While Liz and I were visiting Celebration Northern Ireland, we met several people, including church interns. It was such a blessing to spend time with them and encourage them in what they're doing and how God is using them.
One of the points in the message while I was there was to "represent the supernatural in the natural", which is something I've certainly put into practice on the race. It's often easier to look at some else's life and call out where and how God is moving from an outside perspective.
6. Working with a church that focuses on the lost and less fortune. Early on in the church's life, God spoke to the leaders that if they go after the lost, God will look after the church! Since then they have continued to go after the lost and taken the church to the people rather than bringing people to the church.
The Church has many amazing ministries – actually, they decided early on that if a ministry couldn't find a way to shift their focus outward, they'd be cut! A few of the ministries we've worked with this month include: a food pantry, a food drive at the local grocery store Tesco, the Compassion Wear-house – where those in need can come pick out clothes to meet those needs, a vintage shop called Hope & Gloria – which seeks to meet the artist needs of people, and Grow – a program that involved growing fresh fruits and veggies to give to those in need through the food bank.
7. HUTCH!!! Hutch is an amazing man from Causeway Coast Vineyard who has set out to bless us beyond our wildest dreams. He has planned several BBQs and pizza parties for us and even arranged an Ulster fry! He has a huge heart and has found such joy in giving to others. Thank you Hutch for everything you've done for us this month!
8. This has been one of the busiest months of the entire race; however, it's actually been exactly what I needed! Yes, we've been busy, but we've also had plenty of time to sight see and have quiet time with The Lord. Being busy has kept my mind from thinking too much about going home – I've been able to concentrate on ministry and enjoying what The Lord sets before me. Having a detailed schedule has been a good transition to going home and reentering the workforce.
There's no better feeling to ending the race well – I will certainly go home tired, exhausted, and feeling like I gave all I had to give!
9. Rolling down a hill! And fulfilling my "End of the Race Bucket List"!
10. This month I spent several days working at Hope and Gloria Emporium, a vintage shop, where I put 10 years of retail experience to good use. I helped on the sales floor, organized the stockroom, and helped with other projects from day to day.
11. One of our last nights in Coleraine, Katja, our contact, invited the girls to her house for dinner and a night of relaxation and pampering. She made an amazing dinner and dessert and provided us with face masks and nail polish!
