Direction
Although the need in both Ireland and the Canaries is huge and we wish we could go both places, we can't, so a decision had to be made about what direction we will go. Thank you for praying with us on this issue, and we're glad to be able to report that we do feel that God is clearly leading us to Ireland. Don't stop praying, though, because we still need to work with the teams in Ireland to figure out where we will spend our first year. The first year is "orientation year", which is our opportunity to adjust to Irish culture, build relationships and help with established ministries before doing things on our own. We are currently talking to the folks in Ireland and the folks at CrossWorld headquarters, so pray that God continues to lead through them!
Labels: our ministry
Posting Problems
Several people have mentioned that they have had trouble posting on our blog. I am very sorry about that but I am happy to report that the problem should be fixed now. If you still have trouble, please let me know!
Labels: miscellaneous
Youghal come back now...
I am updating this from Washington DC - we stayed here overnight so we wouldn't have to arrive home at 1 in the morning (which would feel like 5am to us). Thursday (22nd) we spent with the Tromsness' and Jessie finding out about what they do there. They are partnered with a church in Middleton, east of Cork (planted by Cork Baptist Church, just like the Douglas church). The Middleton church is looking to start a new church in Youghal. Besides the Tromsness' and Jessie, there is a family from Dublin that is also helping with this work. They have a youth group started and a weekly radio program, as well as other outreaches. However, the only way to really see things happen here is through relationships - which takes time. Pray that God will open doors for the Gospel there!
Labels: Ireland, our ministry, travel
Tenerife to Cork to Youghal
We have been traveling a lot lately, so it's been hard to update. Here's the highlights: Sunday and Monday (18-19th) we were in Tenerife - Sunday we went to two different churches and heard a couple sermons in Spanish... it was hard to fill in the blanks on the note sheet. We also went to lunch with a Spanish pastor and his family, which was very tasty (even the rabbit), but conversation was difficult. On Monday we we went to the university in La Laguna and looked around. There is a huge opportunity there for people to work with students (who are eager to practice their English). The Sells are partnering with a church in another city to plant a church in La Laguna, and are working on finding a place to meet right now. Monday was Jessie's birthday, and the Sells gave her a surprise party! But most of the day we spent in a less celebratory way - flying back to Ireland. Eventually we did get to Cork and stayed the night at the Freeces and Tuesday we met the rest of the Cork team (three families) and heard about their ministry. They partnered with Cork Baptist Church to plant a church in Douglas (just south of Cork) and they are now working on developing a plan for the Douglas church to plant a new church somewhere else. Today (Wednesday, 21st) we are in Youghal with the Tromsness'. Jessie is at a ladies Bible study right now and tonight we're going to another meeting. Thank you for your prayers, we are learning tons about what ministry here is like!
Labels: Ireland, travel
Tenerife, Part II
Today (Saturday, the 17th), we went to a Spanish market in the morning and saw lots of unusual things - including potatoes the size of walnuts and some of the biggest flowers ever. After the market we stopped by to see a black sand beach, then went back to the Sell's for "orientation" on Canary Island culture, ministry, etc. One big thing: greetings involve kissing (cheeks). This evening we got to go to the second largest church in Spain, on Tenerife, a church of about 300. We went to the youth meeting, where there were some 30+ people ("youth" here is anyone 14-mid 30's). It looked a lot like one of our youth meetings. We split up in groups, and both Jessie and I had helpful people around us who made sure we were included by doing their best to translate for us. Tomorrow we'll go to two churches on different parts of the island - we're excited!
Labels: travel
Tenerife
Thursday (15th) we drove to Cork then flew to Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands of Spain. The contrast was striking! From the chilly rain in Ireland, we arrived in a sunny tropical paradise! We can see why so many people from Europe take their vacations here. The CrossWorld missionaries in the Canary Islands, the Sells, have put us up at their place while we are here and today (16th) we got to take a trip to the capital city, Las Palmas, on the neighboring island, Grand Canaria. While we were there we also met the pastor of a local church. When we returned to Tenerife, we got to go to a children's club meeting ("Hola Jr.") at a park. Teens from local churches taught it, and as they did, more and more kids showed up and were drawn into the action - and so were the parents! Even though we didn't understand much of what they were saying, it was fun to watch!
Labels: travel
Killarney, Part II
Wednesday (14th) we got to go to the midweek service of Grace Fellowship in Killarney. They meet at Patrick's farm house, and there were 11 people there (including us and the missionary couple). This is the only Evangelical church for an hour in any direction. Wednesday night is very informal, and we had a great time sharing our testimonies and teaching from Psalm 37. The people love to talk, and we got into some fabulous (they would say "brilliant") discussions. and had some great tea, too.
Labels: Ireland, travel
Killarney
On Monday (12th) the Nickel’s drove us down to Killarney, which is in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. There are mountains and lakes and sheep – and lots of tourists. There is a beautiful state park that has an old castle, an abbey and some gigantic old houses that we have walked by. All of this is very close to where the CrossWorld missionaries in Killarney, the Scheleen’s, live. Lest you think they are too much at ease in the Lord’s work, I should let you know that it rains all the time here – in February there were 58 hours of sunlight the whole month! The weather people say things like “there will be rain clearing to showers” and everyone just gets wet. The only Evangelical fellowship in Killarney is tiny. They meet in the “cultural centre” downtown, which is a small building used for dancing and music lessons, alcoholics anonymous, and whoever else wants to pay to meet there. The Scheleen’s are new to this church, and their primary ministry now is to teach and to build relationships both with the people in the church and in their new community. They are currently taking Irish sign language classes because there are several deaf people in the church, and there are some people in the class who are beginning to express interest in the church. If we were to come and help at the church in Killarney, we would probably share in the teaching and develop ministries that would reach out to the younger population in the area. Tomorrow we will get a taste of teaching, because we are giving our testimonies and leading a Bible discussion for their Wednesday night service – pray for us to be an encouragement! Today (13th) we met Patrick, the man whose house (on a farm) the church meets at on Wednesday nights. He came over to the Scheleen’s to help them cut down a large tree that started to fall over in the last storm – so our morning was spent felling trees in the backyard and chatting around tea (you can’t come over to someone’s house and not have tea). At least we didn’t have it six times today.
Labels: Ireland, travel
Limerick
Sunday (11th) we got a taste of the work around Limerick. It tasted like tea. We had tea (always with some kind of food) six times! Breakfast with the Nickels, then at church we had tea between communion and the service. The church (which is a half hour from Limerick in Charleville) meets early for communion every Sunday, then tea, then the service. The Nickels (the only CrossWorld folks in Limerick) are working with the church in Charleville because they do not have enough help (and barely any Christians) to start a church in Limerick (yet). Right now they focus on street evangelism, door-to-door work, and one-on-one discipling of both believers and non-believers who are willing to meet and talk about the Bible. They also have kids clubs all year, but especially in the summer. The church in Charleville was about 30 strong this Sunday with a family from Brazil, a family from Slovakia, and a good number of Irish women, but very few Irish men. The Nickels work with a missionary couple from Canada and another couple from Northern Ireland. The three men take turns (monthly) preaching on Sundays, teaching on Tuesday nights (Bible study), and leading the songs on Sundays. The couple from Northern Ireland had us over after lunch at the Nickels (tea number three and four) and we had a great time with them. They have a two-year-old girl and moved the Ireland when she was 10 months old, so they were eager to share with us about how God has provided for them and what it takes to get settled in Ireland with a family. We went with them to the evening service where the church at Charleville and another church about 30 minutes from them combined. We had tea again (number five) at church, then went to the house of a man who was recently saved after 50 years in the Catholic Church. He showed us real Irish hospitality, which included tea (number six), sandwiches, and huge homemade apple tarts. Needless to say, our taste of Ireland was… filling!
Labels: Ireland, travel
Safe (and adventuresome) Trip
On Friday (9th) we drove to Washington, had lunch with Jessie's old roomate Melissa, then flew to Boston. We discovered that we had a problem: Jessica's name on her passport was her maiden name, and the tickets said "Lewis". In order to make sure we could get through customs, Jessica's manager at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea ran to our house (which he had never been to before), found our marriage certificate, and faxed it to us in Washington just minutes before our plane left. Because of that one piece of paper, our lives in Boston were much easier, and we made it the rest of the way without any problems! We are now in Limerick with the Nickel's (CrossWorld missionaries in Ireland for 20+ years). This morning (10th), we went in to the city market, where there are people selling all kinds of things on the street!
Labels: Ireland, travel
A Glimpse Of Things To Come?
From the pictures and the short movie of Daniel (on the front page), what are your thoughts on what Daniel will be like? (Click on "
comments" right below this post to add your thoughts).
Labels: family
