Week 2: (June 22- June 29) Strabane

(This is Damien, Lauren, Claire, and I on Mount Errigal.)

I apologize for not getting this post out sooner. I will be posting Week 3 hopefully by the end of this week! 

Let's start where I left off.... 

June 22, Saturday, I worked on my blog and catching up. In the afternoon, I went to Omagh with Shelia and Kerry and her kids, Timmy and Naomi. 

June 23th, Sunday, I went to The Bridge for service in the morning and played with Kerry and Claire for worship. Joe Cornell gave a message that morning on the gospel message in Galations 2. I joined Kerry, Claire, and Kerry's family for lunch- it was quite lovely. Later, I went to Richill Baptist in Derry (another church that I will be working with in a few weeks) with Joe and Darlene Cornell to play piano and listen to Stephen Wilson's evening message on Haggai 2:20-23. I went back to Kerry's house that evening for the end of Fuse. 

(Lauren's last Fuse! 

Kerry, Jenna, Simon, Claire, Matthew, Damien, Stephen, Ally, Lauren, Alison, Graham, and Aimee)

On June 24th, Monday, Claire, Lauren, Darlene, Damien, Alison, and I climbed Mount Errigal!!! It was a blast! It was only half a mile high but the view was spectacular! Then, afterwards, I joined one of the small group bible studies with some of The Bridge members at Claire and Nan's house. 

(This is our group: Lauren, Claire, Damien, Darlene, and Alison- minus me)

(Me on the edge of the mountain on our way up!) 

(Mount Errigal)

(Damien and I enjoying the beauty)

On Tuesday, June 25th, I went to The Bridge for prayer time in the morning with a few of the members and then we set up deserts to celebrate and commemorate the Cornells. 

Later in the evening, I babysat Timmy and Naomi Aiken because Stephen had work (he is a firefighter and had a night shift) and Kerry and Shelia went to a teacher's desert night. 

(Alison, Claire, Lauren, and I at The Bridge on Tuesday)

(Nan and Claire Smyth and I)

(Shelia, my Ireland mum) 

(Three fabulous ladies full of wisdom and joy! Shelia, Darlene, and Nan)

(Joe and Darlene Cornell)

(Joe and Lauren Cornell)

(Joe and Shelia!)

On Wednesday, June 26th, I had a down day, so I walked through the fields, over two old bridges, and down by the river for some time of contemplation, reflection, and prayer. Then, after I came back, I played with the Aiken children for a few hours while their dad, Stephen, did some housework. I went home for tea (dinner) with Clive and Shelia and then joined them for their small group bible study at Jeff's house. I skyped my family when I got back :) 

(The rusty old bridge)

(IRA graffiti)

(The riverside)

(Serenity and quiet time) 

(Old stone bridge)

On Thursday, June 27th, I went to the Ulster American Folk Park with Shelia. It is a place that reflects on a past transition to America for new experiences and a new life. Later, I went out with Lauren and Jenna for some girl time. 

(Shelia in the weaver's cottage in the Ulster American Folk Park)

(the "American" side of the folk part after we got off the "ship to America)

(The "American" house the replicated what the immigrants would have lived in)

On Friday, June 28th, I went to The Bridge to help with the last soup lunch of the summer. So many people came and the time of fellowship was wonderful! Straight from soup lunch, a group of people from The Bridge went to ASDA (the equivalent of our Walmart in America) to pack bags. Here in Ireland, people bring their own bags or have to pay for a bag in order to promote recycling and help the environment. We went on behalf of a little charity called the Koram Center. The Koram Center is a counseling center, started Jeff Barr from The Bridge, for people with depression and mental illnesses. As we bag packed, we talked with the people who came to the store and told them about the Koram Center. Straight from bag packing, Claire and I went back to The Bridge to set up and do the youth night, Elevate. Afterwards, a group of us went to a movie. 

(Laura, me, and Isabel in the kitchen at The Bridge)

(John and his wife, Sinaed at the soup lunch)

(Soup lunch at The Bridge)

(Richard and his wife, Isabel and Laura and her brother, David)

(Damien, Claire, Alison, and Ally and I at the movie.)

On Saturday, June 29th, I went with Joe, Darlene, Shelia, and Clive to the induction of Stephen Wilson as the pastor at Letterkenny Baptist Church in Letterkenny. This is the church that I will be working at next week and be joining the Baptist Youth and Evangelism (BYE) team that is joining them July 20th through July 27th to help the church. It was very exciting and was very formal compared to Baptist churches in America, but Clive and Shelia told me it was casual for Baptist churches in Ireland. All I thought was that it was warm, lovely, and gospel-centered. Very enjoyable. 

BUT VERY IMPORTANTLY: DAMIEN BECAME A CHRISTIAN ON SATURDAY!!!!! Apparently, he went to the Cornells house and spoke with Joe- they read some scripture and prayed together. AND NOW HE IS MY BROTHER IN CHRIST! 

:D PRAISE THE LORD! 

But, friends, I cannot get over the beauty of this place. So green. 

But, there is much rain and depression probably because of the weather. As I stay longer, I start to see the quirks and details and my wonder-filled eyes see more with awareness rather than neophyte awe. Ireland is a country that is full of light laughter, good crack, bright beauty, and fun slagging, but under these blanket of beauty and good-naturedness are wounds from a long history of troubles, hard life, and wearying weather. 

(Alison and Darlene on Mount Errigal)

Continue to pray for Ireland with me. I have realized that though Ireland is not a country that often comes to mind when thinking of countries that need the gospel, it very much needs the gospel. 

Every country needs the gospel. Everyone needs the gospel. It will be EVERY knee that bows and EVERY tongue that confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. It is so easy to forget that though it does not seem as though some places are in as extreme situations as others, those places still have problems and still need people to minister to them as well. 

Ireland is being swept up in the liberal Western mentality where Christianity is a legalistic and political religion rather than a gospel of grace in faith of Jesus Christ our Lord. Or where it is hated. Pray for the growth in faith of our rising generations and that the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of the people of Ireland. 

Week 1 (and some): (June 13-21) Strabane and an Update

I have been in Northern Ireland for a little over a week. And, I have been astounded by the breath-taking views and vibrant colors of Ireland. The weather is very rainy and overcast here, but that is what makes the country so green. 

(This is the Bridge of Sorrows in Glenveagh National Park.)

I flew into the Belfast airport on Thursday, June 13th, after flying all through the night. Alison Smyth and Lauren Cornell greeted me at the air port. Thursday was concluded with joining the Cornells for their small group bible study. We ate dinner prepared by Darlene Cornell and went through Genesis 2 led by Joe Cornell. 

June 14th, Friday, consisted of helping with the soup kitchen at The Bridge all day and then returning to help with Elevate, the youth club. 

My Saturday, June 15th, started with practicing for worship with Claire Smyth and Kerry Aiken. Claire played and sang, and Kerry and I took turns switching to play the piano and bongos. Above is the piano keyboard and Claire's guitar with the mic. Saturday ended with dinner and bowling with the church fellowship. Below is Alastair and Alison Smyth at our dinner with their niece, Lucy, Jason and Alison Smyth's daughter. 

Below is Damian McCrory with me at dinner. He has just finished grade 8 and has been attending The Bridge about 2 years. 

The picture below is Claire Smyth, Lauren Cornell, Jenna, and little Rebecca, Jason and Alison Smyth's daughter, during bowling. 

After bowling, William Boggs, Alastair and Alison Smyth, Claire Smyth, and I all went out into Derry on the Peace Bridge as seen below and onto the Derry walls. 

On Sunday, June 16th, I played for worship with Claire and Kerry at The Bridge and listened to the sermon message by Charlie, a visitor, on 1 John 2:1-14. Later at 2:30 pm, I went with Clive and Shelia Johnston to Craig and Alison Johnston's for lunch with Stephen and Kerry Aiken to celebrate Father's day. At 4 pm, I went to Kerry's for Fuse with the young adults. 

On Monday, June 17th, I went to Colrain, taking a train from Derry, with the Cornells. Below is a picture of Colrain. Many of the buildings in Ireland are painted vibrant colors such as the ones seen below, but these little shops were especially bright to my delight. :) 

Below is a picture of me on the walls of Derry. 

On Tuesday, June 18th, I went with Shelia and Clive to The Bridge for prayer with some of the members of the fellowship and we all prayed together for a few hours before opening up the Bridge for people to come in and have tea or coffee. Later in the evening, the fellowship met at The Bridge for the walking club and we walked through Strabane together. 

Wednesday, June 19th, consisted of spending the day out seeing the beauty of Ireland in the company of my hosts. We drove through Letterkenny to Portnablagh, Dunfanhehy in the County of Donegal and went to Falcarragh (An Fal Carrach, also known as Na Crois Bhealai, Gaelic for "The Crossroads") and Glenveagh National Park. It was a rare beautiful day with little rain and the sun shining through at times. Below is a map that was posted in Falcarragh that is in Gaelic  showing the areas that we were in the Republic of Ireland.

Below is the lovely place that we had lunch at in Dunfanhehy. 

Muckish Mountain in Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

This is a view of Muckish from the cost of Portnablagh in Dunfanhehy.

I couldn't get enough pictures of these views. So beautiful. 

This is what was called "The Black Pool" in Portnablagh. A crystal clear river cutting through the rocks into the sea that Clive's friend, Charlie, kayaks in with his kids! It's narrow, but Charlie said that he and his kids will jump into it in the summertime even though the water is usually freezing and the river is quite narrow!!!

This is Falcarragh.

This is the Bridge of Sorrows Stone by Muckish and Errigal mountains. The inscription is in old Gaelic. Clive speaks a wee little Gaelic and could only make out a wee bit. 

This Clive and Shelia walking in Glenveagh National Park (Pairc Naisiunta Ghleann Bheatha). 

 Clive insisted on talking this one of me in the garden of Glenveagh castle. 

We did not have enough time to go into Glenveagh castle because we had to drive back in time for our small group bible studies, but we did enjoy exploring the garden and the glimpse of the outside of the castle. Below is Shelia and I admiring the vines on the side of the castle.

Here is a wee glimpse of the Glenveagh castle for yourselves. :) 

Thursday, June 20th, was not a busy day, instead it was a relaxing day. 

On Friday, June 21st, I joined the Cornells at The Bridge for the cafe ministry tea and coffee with people who stopped in from Strabane. A few folks from a church in Derry stopped in to say hello to the Cornells and have lunch before the Cornells return to the States and to discuss information with me about me joining some of their ministry work while I am here. Later, Claire and I practiced for Sunday's worship. In the evening, I joined Lauren with some of her friends for a BBQ. It was good crack! (That's a saying here for "It was good fun.") 

(The girls at the BBQ- Lauren, Jenna, Lauren, and Ruth)

(The guys- Graham, guy behind him whose name I don't remember...Chris, Tom, Simon)

My first week has been full of building relationships and friendships with the people at The Bridge who make it so easy. I am so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of their lives and serve with them. Their methods of evangelism through building friendships and making disciples through relationships are healthy and wonderful ones. 

Please pray for The Bridge as it continues to grow and as it is a small light in a dark city that desperately needs to know Christ. 

I want to leave you all with my favorite picture from the garden of Glenveagh castle as it sort of reflects what I see the Holy Spirit doing through The Bridge in Strabane. 

Ireland: A wee overview of The Bridge, N. Ireland history, and the G8

Well, it has been about a week since I have started my travels. I arrived last Thursday morning on June 13th in the Belfast airport. 

Friends, Ireland is magical. It is so gorgeous. It is beautiful and bright even when the sun is covered by the clouds but when the clouds no longer hide the sun, it transforms in an even more magical beauty. I love it here. 

(This is the backyard view of Northern Ireland from Clive and Shelia Johnston's house.)

Who I am staying with: 

Meet Clive and Sheila Johnston. 
I am staying with the Johnstons at their house in Sion Mills outside Strabane, Northern Ireland for about 3 weeks. 

-Clive is known as "The Book of Knowledge" by most of the fellowship at The Bridge and rightly so since he is full of wisdom and knowledge. Clive is one of the elders at The Bridge.
-Sheila is known as "The Oracle" because she is full of wisdom and discernment. 

(This was in the garden of the castle in Glenveagh in the County of Donegal in the Republic of Ireland)

Strabane and a Little History of Ireland

Strabane is in Northern Ireland, very close to the border of the Republic of Ireland. 

Northern Ireland is still part of the UK while the Republic has been a separate entity. In 1922, the "Irish Free State," still under dominion of the British Commonwealth, seceded the UK under the Anglo-Irish Treaty. It has been called the Republic of Ireland since about 1949. The Republic comprises 26 of the 32 counties in Ireland. 

Because Strabane is on the border of Northern Ireland and the Republic, it has been in the middle of the political and social struggles known as "The Troubles," (in Irish: Na Triobloidi). Strabane is an impoverished city with a rate of unemployment at about 30%. Strabane has the highest concentration of Catholics in Ireland at 98%! The remaining 2% is nominally Protestant with only 10% of that 2% being strong believing Christians. 
Part of that 2% is at The Bridge Fellowship of Strabane. 


The Bridge Fellowship of Strabane:

The Bridge started 3 years ago in 2010 with a small group of evangelical Christians who had a heart and a mission for Strabane and the unbelieving people of the city. Sadly, Catholicism and Protestantism in the country of Ireland have been more and more political entities and less and less about actually Christ centered faith and works. The people at The Bridge have desired to reach out with the purpose of evangelism and discipleship to the city of Strabane. (The name came from a little bridge in Strabane and also symbolic purposes of evangelism. :) )

They have been in this building since 2011 and their fellowship has grown to about 25 members and 30 attending on Sunday mornings in the past 3 years which is virtually impossible in such a heavily Catholic concentrated city. How great is our God? 

A Few of the People at The Bridge: 

Joe and Darlene Cornell and their daughter Lauren are from Danville, Virginia and have lived in N. Ireland for 5 years. They are heavily involved at The Bridge. They are in the process of moving back to Virginia this July. Joe is the leading elder at The Bridge. The whole family helps with the various ministries at The Bridge. 

Meet Stephen and Kerry Aiken and their little ones, Timothy and Naomi. Stephen is from Rochester in Kent, England but now lives right down the way from Clive and Shelia with their daughter who is his wife, Kerry. Stephen is the deacon at The Bridge. Kerry leads the young adults group called, Fuse at her house on Sunday nights and plays piano for worship on Sunday mornings. 

Meet Alastair and Alison Smyth. Alastair (Ali) and Alison have recently married in December and are new Christians. Ali has designed the logo for The Bridge. Alison has been keeping up the walking club on Tuesday nights.

(Bowling last Saturday night, June 15th, with the fellowship.) 

Meet Claire Smyth. (The girl sitting down on the cannon- this is on the walls of Derry.) She is in charge of worship on Sunday mornings- she plays guitar and sings. She also is in charge of and started a youth night called Elevate on every other Friday night. 
William Boggs is a member of The Bridge as well and works with Jason Smyth (Ali's brother). 

Activities at The Bridge: 
Sunday morning worship
Fuse- Sunday night young adults group at Kerry Aiken's 
Tuesday morning prayer meetings 
Walking club Tuesday nights 
Cafe ministry on Tuesdays and Fridays 
Soup kitchen every other Friday (2nd and 4th Fridays of the month) 
Elevate youth club on Friday nights 
3 home group bible studies held at members' houses 

Something that has caused alot of talk over here is the G8 meeting. 
The 39th G8 Summit:
Last week, June 17-19, President Obama came to stay in Ireland representing the USA for the Group of Eight, commonly called the G8, which is an annual forum of eight of eleven of the world's largest economies. The holder of the presidency of the G8 decides the agenda, hosts the summit for the year, and determines what ministerial meetings shall take place. Such events bring together ministers responsible for various portfolios to discuss issues of mutual and/or global concern. Topics include health, law enforcement, labor, economic and social development, energy, environment, foreign affairs, justice and interior, terrorism, and trade. Responsibility of hosting the G8 changes in this rotation: France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Canada. (The European Union is also represented but cannot host or chair summits. China, the 2nd largest economy, Brazil, the 6th, and India, the 9th, are not included.) France and the United Kingdom wish to extend the G8 to a group of five developing countries, known as the Outreach Five (O5) or Plus Five (P5) consisting of: Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. 
This year was the 39th summit held at the Lough Erne Resort, a five-star hotel and gold resort on Lough Erne's shore in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The UK's prime minister, David Cameron, was the host. This year's official topic of discussion was tax evasion and transparency but with all the unrest in Syria, the Syrian civil wars was the main focus of conversation.

Incredulity and Pre-Irish Endeavor Jitters

Man, sometimes I can be a little silly... My mom has been asking me all sorts of practical and good questions, but my mentality has been so "chill" that to my ears it sounded a little worrisome. But, as all the little details click into place, (many last second) I realize how wise she has been, and that maybe I was a little too "chill" in my preparation. 
***(NOTE: ALL DAUGHTERS SHOULD LISTEN TO THEIR MOMS BECAUSE THEY ARE OLDER, WISER, AND VERY MUCH AWESOMER THAN WE REALIZE OR GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR. Or at least, MINE is.) ***

But, here I am; everything in place. Everything ready. 
Ready to GO. 
Wait... is this REALLY happening? 

So many thoughts start running through my head... 

"You deserve this. You worked your butt off to make it happen."

"Who are you kidding! You DON'T deserve this at all!" 

Who is to say what we do and don't deserve? 

Sometimes I wonder. 

All I know is that I definitely don't deserve to go to Ireland. Psh no. Nope. Not at all.  

Yet, here I am, in the airport, waiting for my flight to NJ, laying-over to... N. Ireland. WAIT. What... 

No way. 

And, all I can think of, as I am about to do some mission-oriented and relational and discipleship oriented ministry, is how much I don't deserve this and how much I fall short. I think of my sin and my selfishness. 

But, then I am reminded softly, "Kait, do you deserve the grace of God?" 

Certainly not. Yet, here I am covered by His grace. An undeserved WRETCH, blind to my own depravity. 

Saved. Being sanctified. So blessed. 

And, here.... as I wait, dumbfounded and, a little nervous, but so so excited, I am just so thankful. Thankful that God would have it in His plan for little old me to go to Ireland, of ALL places. 


I REALLY CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING! 

To my dear friends, beloved family, and fellow readers, 
thank you all so so much for your prayers, support, and encouragement. 

Goodbye, USA- Sweet Ireland, I will be with you for about 7 weeks. 
:D