Coming on the Race I wasn’t sure what ministry would look
like in each country. When it came to
Ireland I really wasn’t sure what it would look like. In my mind Ireland lacks the starving children
I picture in Africa, the girls sold in the sex trade in Asia or the orphans of
Eastern Europe. So stepping into this
beautiful place I asked what do I have to offer? So here is what I have been up to for the
last few weeks.
We are
partnering with Discovery Church here in Galway. I cannot say enough good things about this
congregation of people. They have
welcomed us, encouraged us, fed us, prayed for us, and they truly feel like family.
Our first few days were spent learning about
Ireland and the culture. We then did
things ranging from praying with people in the streets, sharing the gospel,
cleaning up garbage and scrubbing off graffiti in Galway. We have organized Sunday school lessons and
crafts. Then we had the pleasure to do a
lesson with the kids. We also had a
chance to do some painting for a family in need. We had
an opportunity to volunteer with Foundation Nepal, helping them to raise money
for their organization. (Foundation
Nepal works in remote villages to support things such as healthcare, education,
and micro-business).
of things these last couple of weeks and I have loved the opportunities we have
had to serve.
I am finding
that ministry doesn’t always look the way I imagine. Such as they day we went to spend a day with
a woman in the church and her three rambunctious kids. Her husband is away for a month so we were
hoping to offer our services, maybe cleaning, or watching the kids so she could
get away for a while. We were pleasantly
surprised when she had lunch ready when we got there. Our desires to serve were quickly squashed as
we realized we were the ones being served. Her desire was to spend time with us and she
just loved our company. Instead of completing tasks it was just our presence that was needed.
Ireland
has been a very different kind of ministry than I think I will experience in
more impoverished countries. Although,
Ireland has strong roots in the Catholic church it is considered a post
Christian nation. People have been hurt
by organized religion and really are closed off to hearing the truth of the
Gospel. My heart is burdened for the
people of the city. So please pray with
me for Galway.
I have some pics up from Ireland, check them out.
http://picasaweb.google.com/richalissahttp://picasaweb.google.com/richalissa
