So, today was amazing! Weather wise, today was a little less windy, hallelujah! This morning, we did some trash pickup by a bank in town, knowing that a little goes a long way. We collected 20 bags of trash in 1 1/2 hours. I could tell we made a difference. Just letting the neighbors know we love them and their neighborhood. The people here in Northern Ireland are the best! So kind and friendly! We have met so many people, heard some awesome stories. Ivan Martin has a great vision for the rehab center (really loved Ivan telling us the history behind the farm)! All in all, another great day.

Ericka Smith

 

Good things happening in Northern Ireland

The mission team spent the day with the Ivan Martin and the rest of the guys from MEEK.  MEEK stands for Missions, Evangelism, Education and Acts of Kindness.  Today was great! We’re helping to prepare a 66 acre farm for people to spend their time to keep their minds focused on becoming healthy.  We’ve done everything from demolition on an old chicken coop to building doors for some of the buildings.  We are all exhausted, but for good reasons.  Everyone on this team put in a lot of effort and we are all so grateful that we get to do it! God is moving up here and being a part of this movement is awesome! We’re all excited to see what we’ll get to finish there tomorrow.

Jessica Lewis

Yeah! We are in Northern Ireland!

What a trip so far. We flew to New York then to Northern Ireland with a 3 hour layover in New York. We were a little bummed that Kelly was sitting with strangers on the first flight, but then we knew why. He spent most of the flight talking to the guy next to him on the plane. He was just out of rehab and asking a lot of questions. As the plane touched down in New York, Kelly led him to Christ! What a great way to start the trip!

None of us slept much on the plane Friday night. Needless to say, we were a little tired when we arrived. We immediately went to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration downtown and 5 of our team members participated in an Irish jig flash mob. Too funny! We came back and ate, later ate, ate some more, etc. We were able to get some good sleep.

The people here are so friendly. The team that has been hosting us is amazing! They have treated us so kindly and made us feel welcome. Every meal, they have prepared for us. They truly have gone above and beyond! We are so greatful to them and their hospitality.

Our first night, the heat was not working properly but thanks to feather blankets and fuzzy socks I slept well. The others were a little frigid when they awoke! The house is very large and spacious. The grounds are beautiful and we were able to take some pictures this morning before going to church.  

This morning Kelly led the God First Life Class. Had some great questions and discussion. We went back to the church that afternoon to prepare for the Sunday night service.  Each one of us was appointed to do different things in preparing for the service. Some of us met with the serving teams, others helped set up in different areas. There is a lot to do for a mobile campus, so the extra hands made for quick work.

We are going to a local rehab house in a couple of days to help with some projects that need to happen there. We will also be doing some clean up around a local business. We can’t wait to see what all God is going to do here with us! We will be posting again soon! Keep us and the people of this community in your prayers!

Marcia Medders

Northern Ireland Missions Trip – What A Few Days Can Do…

I know we are a little behind on our blog entries but I promise you it was worth it. So much has happened and we still have 2 days to go! We arrived in Amsterdam after travelling for almost 24 hours and essentially went right into 3 hour rehearsals for the Encounter Night at Thousand Hills Church. Exhausted, cold and at our limits, God showed up and the Encounter Night was inspiring and powerful. And we all knew it was God because there was no way after 30 hours that was done under our own power. All the host families were amazing and loved on us like we were their own. We were even treated to some sightseeing the next morning before we had to return to the airport for a return flight to Dublin.

We arrived in Dublin still tired and jetlagged but so happy to be here and ready for the next part of our adventure. The house in Portadown is beautiful! It’s an actual manor. I thought they were kidding when they said it but no. Of course as beautiful as it is, it’s also COLD! Our first day out we travelled to Newcastle and did the Bloody Bridge Trail up a mountain on the seacoast. Even on a cold, overcast and misty day the view was inspiring. You looked around at what God had made and felt His hand in everything.

Today, the start of a new year, we joined with the Ireland team at Celebration Northern Ireland for a night of worship and a word from Phillip Craig. The regular mobile location was not available so we set up in a warehouse building called Drop Inn Ministries. No platform, no heat – no problem. God fell in that place from start to finish and warmed everyone. It was moving and emotional. As Phillip Craig said in his sermon, I felt like I was going to explode out of myself because this was my team and I was made to glorify God!

Can anyone say “after party!” Back at the manor with the missions team and about 20 of our newest, bestest Irish friends. Fellowship and laughter. It just doesn’t get much better than this and I know there couldn’t possibly be a better way to start 2012. – August Hewlett

God Loves the Little Children

It is amazing how much the kids in Costa Rica love to play.  The first day on the mission field, we got to go to a village called San Martin and work with the children.  We played soccer, threw the football, played frisbee, and jumprope.  We also drew with them using chalk and played other games.  It is funny how kids who don’t have much in Costa Rica also know all of Justin Beiber and Michael Jackson songs!  The kids were so happy just to have us there to play with them.  Just because we came and took the time to care for them they were very happy!  Because we came from the other side of the world to show them Gods love, the kids will remember the time we spent with them for many years to come!

Preston Linkenauger

God is awesome

All through the trip, i saw God’s love everywhere. The best thing about thursday was, when we went to see Jose, and we got inspired about his life story. Friday, we got to see Britany! Also on friday, we went to the senior center and, we did stuff with them, we also played  with the kids of  San Martin. Saturday, we climbed up a mountain and into a rain forest! We slid down rocks into a river bed! It was fun! We helped familys with baby supplies, and played with the kids there.

Lainey Reese Malo Williams

God is Faithful

When I was in Costa Rica there was alot of hiking and walking. We hiked to the one of the Crosses on a Mountain, I nearly decided to quit . But god helped me through pushing me to get to that Cross. Having fun with the kids was very fun and filled with Joy. It’s Aamazing how only giving them a piece of chalk made them happy. Everyone started the race and finished it to the Cross. Houses here have small houses and some with no roofs. We went to a store to get some food for a group of family  that had a newborn baby.

              Zeb Salvador