Ireland has been a month of surprises! Before coming to Ireland I envisioned it being a place of apathy. But what I found out was that its anything but apathetic. God is and has been moving in a great way in the little town of Coleraine, and I got the privilege to be apart of it.
This month we partnered with a church that absolutely gets it! God has used this church to spark revival amongst Northern Ireland because their eyes are focused on the mission God gave them: to seek the lost. Just since February they have seen over 1,200 people come to Jesus.
Over 1,200 people have encountered Jesus and said yes thanks to the many ministries this church offers. From weekly coffee meet and greets, to women's tea nights, to celebrate recovery, to a food bank, to a get-rid-of-debt ministry, to a vintage thrift store and cafe, to healing on the streets, to a clothing boutique where people who need clothes get clothes and one on one prayer, just to name a few. The ministries are vast but the one similarity they all have is that they are reaching and loving the lost.
This town has changed drastically thanks to The Body of Christ stepping up in the authority Christ has given each of his children. The police even notice the shift, and when there is a riot, or violence they call the church. Their reason is simple, "when you guys come, something changes."
HALLELUJAH! Isn't that now it's supposed to be? That's the whole reason God created the church in the first place.
In short, I did a lot this month in Ireland. From car parking, to welcoming youth to church, to holding babies, to organizing clothes for a gigantic yard sale, to cooking for the squad, to praying for the mayor, to exploring this beautiful country, to my favorite which was leading a young man to Jesus!
But the amazing thing is that Abba did so much more in my heart. He rekindled my love for His Church, he taught me to pray with authority, and he gave me exactly what I needed to make it through the next 3 months on the world race.
He's so good, and I could honestly tell you story after story of how God touched my heart this month, but for now I'll just choose one of my favorites.
Vacation bible school is something I'm used to. I went to it when I was little, and as I got older I helped by being involved in it. But Vineyard church VBS is really different than anything I'm used to. They practice what they preach, even at age 3. At VBS the kids go out and give Gods love to the community. I had the honor of going with children to give gifts out and pray for people. It was incredible and a perfect way to start teaching from a young age that we are more blessed when we give than when we receive. It strengthened my faith to pray boldly and not to be afraid to ask Abba for big things! Jesus was really on to something when he told us that in order to inherit the kingdom of God we must become like little children because they get it!
"And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 18:3
As you take a look at what my month looked like I'd encourage you to ask God to give you faith like that of a little child. If you've forgotten how, find a way to spend 5 minutes this week with children and ask them to pray to Jesus. See what Abba does!
