The Hammock Room

The Hammock Room
(written Wednesday)

My sheep hear my voice (John 10:27) …

Monday we finally settled into Abbey Court Hostel where we will be staying for this week and the next. That evening we decided to do feedback in 'the hammock room' at the hostel.

    

It wasn't long before 20-year-old, atheist, Kelan, stumbled into the room. Although there were only the 8 of us girls in the small room, he was happy to join us. Right off he informed us of his disbelief in God and his reasonings for it, but he decided to stay because he liked our accents.
 
As the night progressed he joined our discussion and inquired as to why we believed in a God we cannot see. Later on we were also joined by Steven, a 21-year-old, Irish comedian, and not long after came 22-year-old Diarmuid. The conversation was scattered but we were able to convince Steven and Diarmuid to teach us an Irish jig. 

                                                                 

Tuesday we were to begin our first day of ministry, feeding the homeless at the Lighthouse ministry. To our surprise, Kelan decided to accompany us. We thought it odd that an atheist from London, visiting Dublin, would be willing to spend the day sorting through dirty clothes and serving the homeless … just because; as if there was nothing better to do. I must say, he was an absolute joy to have around. 

He will draw all men to Himself (John 12:32) …
 
Wednesday, the eight of us were to arrive at the Dublin Christian Mission to do some much-needed cleaning. Guess who decided to join us. In came, not only Kelan, but he brought with him 2 other atheist friends who had come to Dublin for a science convention. They figured they’d join us because they didn’t have anything else going on. I am so thankful that they came; it was a lot of hard work.

After a long day of work Steven invited us to his comedy act in the upstairs living room of Workman’s pub.
 

We stopped in the Arlington for dinner and an Irish show (singing and dancing), then we made our way back to the hostel where we decided to have worship in the hammock room.
 
As we were soaking in God’s presence, in came Kelan who took a seat next to me on the 'fatboy' bingbag cushion. Although he wasn't exactly participating, we were all glad to have him there with us.
 
The Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) …
 
Kelan wanted to occupy himself so he took Katie's bible, which was sitting on the other side of him, and began to look through it. When Rachel, our squad leader, began to read from Psalm 32, I turned the bible Kelan was holding to that chapter so that he could follow along. When Rachel was finished, Kelan asked if he could share something he thought applied to his life. Apparently, when he looked at the bible, he randomly began reading in the middle of chapter 31. He slapped himself across his cheek attempting to wake himself. As he began reading he started freaking out. He kept slapping his face because he didn't understand what was happening to him. He read more. Jesus walked in and it was evident. When we asked what he was feeling, he said that each time he started reading that he felt like someone was in the bible looking directly at him.
 
Kelan moved to one of the hammocks while Meagan put on Graham Cooke, "The Inheritance" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEisSxR2cps).

The night is somewhat of a blur, but all eight of us ended up surrounding the hammock that Kelan was laying in, and we began to pray for him and to speak life, truth and restoration into him. He broke down and began to weep. He told us that he had been to church before and had gone to a confessional and had confessed to the priest; but he said that he had never experienced anything like this before.
 
Tonight Kelan made the choice to commit his life to the Lord. We all signed a bible that Rachel and Sarah had purchased for him without him knowing. You should have seen the look on his face; He couldn't hold back his tears as he read the messages we had written him.
 
It was amazing to think about how just 2 nights ago Kelan introduced himself to us as an atheist, and tonight, exactly 3 nights later, we had the priviledge of introducing him to Christ (on the 3rd day He rose!). Thank you Jesus!!!! 
This is why we are here!