A Few Things i Love About Northern Ireland, the Culture, & the People...

Well, any of you that have seen facebook since...um...this morning, have seen photos of me dressed in "farmer" or "cowgirl" get up. Best part is, that all was very easy for me to put together cuz I love country line dancing and everything that goes with it (including the outfits!)  But let me tell you, last night we had a blast at what they were calling a Barn Dance. We played a ton of Irish games (these must be taught to Americans cuz they're so fun!), did Social Dances which are equivalent to line dancing in America except they're not necessarily dancing to "country" songs, and we danced like crazy and with no real "talent" while non-social dancing songs played :) aka i was a very happy girl!  What made it even better was the fact that this social was going on as a fund raiser for the team from a local church that will be going to Spain on a mission trip in the summer.  And if that doesn't make it fantastic, the fact that there were drop-in young people at the social made it even better.  At first it almost seemed like it was segregated: drop-in with drop-in, churchy with churchy...but as the night went on everyone was hanging out with everyone else.  It was, to me, a vision of what the Church looks like, bringing those "on the outside" in to see what this "Jesus thing" is all about.  This event was celebrating the Kingdom in numerous ways.

Relationship differences in Northern Ireland vs USA...all i can say is i feel that neither one is better or worse, but what i love is seeing how in the Irish games they play, guys and girls play them together in such an un-petty way where if i were to have guys and girls in America play those games there would be less people participating and it would be much more difficult for guys and girls to "play nice" together.

Hearts for the lost compelled to action...i have been working alongside several people within the churches and even though they are not perfect, they have shown me Christ time and time again.  Not only that, they are showing Christ to those in the community through the Kairos Centre in town.  It is a community centre that provides emotional, mental and spiritual support to any one they come into contact with.  But the Kairos Centre is not only a place where they volunteer, but it bridges the gap between the churches and the community.  So much so that the last Saturday i was in town we had at least 7, if not more, young people from the Kairos' drop-in give their lives to Christ.

Honest Desire for Christ...i was fortunate enough to be in Newcastle for Easter.  It was an amazing weekend where youth workers and leaders brought Christ's crucifixion and resurrection to life in a way that opened the young people's eyes and hearts to what Christ did for them.  On Easter Sunday i was privileged to participate in their sunrise service where several gathered (youth included) at 5:45 am to sing praises to God while on the beach, watching the sunrise.  Of course there were Easter services that Sunday morning, but even more so there was a Monday night worship because those within the churches felt they wanted to be able to share in a time of contemporary worship with songs of praise, fellowship over tea and coffee, and Scripture readings.  It wasn't so much a time to come together, like on a Sunday morning, and hear a sermon that helps us understand Christ more, but rather a time to simply reflect on that which we already know about Christ and praise Him for who He is, what He's done, and even what we can't grasp about Him and what He will do.  Their hearts are continually drawn towards Christ throughout the week and pours into their time with young people coming through the churches doors as well as through the Kairos Centre.

Unity among the churches...during the Monday night praise and worship time it was taking place in the Presbyterian Church, yet those who attend the Baptist Church were among not only those in attendance, but those leading songs as well.  Working among the churches of Newcastle i am compelled to reflect on Jesus' prayer in John 17 where He says,

 ²⁰"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, ²³ I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Here Christ is praying for us.  For our unity as the Church in a broken world.  I see that within the churches of Newcastle in a way i don't see it even in my home town.  As i was running back from the beach the other night i ran passed First United Methodist Church then a block later passed St. Paul Luther Church...i know the churches in Newcastle don't do everything together because they don't see eye to eye on everything, but at the same time, i see them doing a lot more together to better their community than i do in the States.  That is one of the big things that has gripped me as a part of the Church in this world is the unity, even though it's not perfect, that they have in comparison with churches in America.  Besides, if everyone came together for church in either of their buildings there would be a mass overflow into the streets :)

What i'm trying to say with all of this is not that i see them as better than churches in America or better Christians than American Christians, but what i am saying is that they are onto something and it's something i want to be a part of.  It's something i have gotten to be a part of.  And i am excited to share with you that i am being given the opportunity again to go back and work amongst them on a year long internship where my main focus will be bringing Christ to young women in the area who don't yet know Him.  This is an area of ministry that has not been ventured into by a missionary yet before so i am kind of a "test run" or "trial," if you will.  As intimidating as it is, i am very excited and eager to get back.  Today i received the information i needed from the Kairos Centre in order to begin the application process for my visa.  This is an exciting time to share with you all and i thank you for your continued prayer and support.  I would not be writing today if it were not for you who are reading these words today.  Know that the world is being blessed through your prayer and support, young people are coming to Christ, lives are being changed.  Thank you so much and remember if you would like to know more you can always e-mail me!
God Bless! xx