(This blog was actually written about a week and a half ago…but due to being so busy working on different projects here I am just getting it uploaded. Will hopefully write another one soon! It was going to contain pictures…however the pictures would not upload…and despite my best efforts to remain calm I about threw my computer down the stairs of the coffee shop. So here it is….about 10 days later and no pictures. Oh the joys of blogging on the race.)
Northern Ireland is absolutely breath-taking. It looks exactly like I always imagined it would. With the giant cliffs, cold choppy waves crashing against the white rocks and rolling green hills; it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. However it is not the land that has caught my eye in this country. It’s the people.
The people of Coleraine are some of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. The thing that has touched me the absolute most though is how alive they are. They are not waiting for life to happen to them, they are living life every day and they live it well. The church we are working with is called Causeway Coast Vineyard Church. The main goal of the church is to reach the lost, the broken, the poor, the sad. To reach those who feel that no one in this big old world cares who they are and show them that we do care. There are people who care. Who want to share the love that has been shared with them through Jesus.
The church has about 900 members and has numerous programs to reach out to those in their community. They have a building called “The Sawmill Shed” which holds donations of all kinds from people getting rid of old couches, carpet, chairs, dishes, and anything else you can think of. One of our goals this month is to help organize and clean out this place so it is easier to place new donations where they belong; therefore making the process of giving to those in need much easier. When we arrived the Shed still had remnants of the old sawmill, so my personal task was to help clear out all the insulation, old wood panels, beams and nails. Here’s what we’ve done so far!
Another program they have is called the Compassion Shed. This is basically thrift shop heaven for those of you like me. People donate old clothing and shoes and this building is the churches version of a thrift store; housing clothing from ball gowns to sweaters and jeans. Some of our team has been working in here to help organize so the people who come in need of clothing can find what they need much easier.
I had the absolute privilege of working with the youth event last night called Studio 10. This is for people aged 11-18 and it is a church service where they can feel more comfortable being surrounded by those their own age in an atmosphere they can relate to. Many of the kids bring friends from school and their neighborhoods. I watched as a little twelve year old girl broke down and her two twelve year old friends wrapped their arms around her and began praying for her. It was an outward pouring of love, it was raw emotion, it was pure innocence, pure heart and pure Jesus. In that moment I just knew- this is what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like.
Those are just a few of the things I have been personally helping with here in Coleraine. Tomorrow I will be doing a prayer walk as well as praying for healing for people in the streets. Other things we will be involved in include Food Bank, feeding the poor, playing with children, and a program called Celebrate Recovery ( for ex addicts and alcoholics) This is just a tiny glimpse into the ways this church is trying to help their community, and I am absolutely honored to be a part of it. When people asked “What kind of work are you going to do in Ireland? That doesn’t seem like a ‘mission trip’ country.” I honestly didn’t know what to tell them, because I had been thinking the same thing. However, after being here for a week now and being involved in these amazing projects I’ve realized that helping the poor can happen anywhere; because it’s needed everywhere. First world or third world. This church has given me so many ideas for our community at home and I am so excited about it.
Praise Report! I am currently at $12,000 in funding! Only $3,500 to go until I am fully funded. I am 77% funded. Thank you so much to all who have been donating and praying. You are changing the world.
