Yesterday....the 30 hour day.

Yesterday Leona and I got up, finished packing and Denny and Linda took us to the airport to fly home. Both Leona and I hate to fly so we were not excited about the 7.5 hour flight across the ocean that we had ahead of us, but we were headed home to our family and friends so that was good. Due to the time changes we were able to enjoy a 30 hour day and finally arrived at our homes sometime around what our bodies thought was 4 am, but the clock said was 11pm.

For me this trip was different because I did not have a team to take care of while in the country. Normally I will travel with 5 to 8 people who I am responsible for taking care of and ministering to their needs as well as those we are serving in country. This time I had the privilege of traveling with just Leona, who is more like my big sister (who therefore tends to look out for me), so I was able to spend more time talking with the ladies on the retreat and in prayer than I usually do.

Speaking of Leona...It was awesome to be able to share this trip with her. She is a great ministry partner and I look forward to more trips together sharing the gospel and encouraging women in Christ. I had the chance to watch as God used Leona's gift of music, her listening ear and caring heart as the women opened up to her and shared their lives. On Saturday night, as I mentioned earlier, Leona and I did a time of music and worship with the ladies and Leona shared some of her life story with them. She was extremely transparent and real and it led to a number of great opportunities for the ladies to open up with her and share some of their hurts and pains as well.

Overall this trip was a good one. It was great to see how many of the people I met during my first trip to Ireland, almost 4 years ago, are now believers and are growing in their journey with the Lord. Denny and Linda did a great job of taking care of Leona and I during our time there and we would ask that you pray for them as they continue to minister to the people of Ireland.

Next up for me is the Mexico team in February, but before I can even think of that trip I need to recover from yesterdays 30 hour day. Until later....thanks for your prayers, all that took place on this trip was a direct result of you lifting us up in prayer to our awesome Dad.

Tuesday at The Axis

Tuesday was the final day of ministry in Dublin. Leona and I worked on music for the time of worship and I put together a final message to share. I had an entirely different plan for that evening, but on Tuesday morning it seemed the Lord had a different idea so I changed my message. Sometimes God has different plans than us...so I tried to go with it.

One place I wanted Leona to see was a seaside village called Howth so we took a drive to the sea for lunch. Had some excellent fresh fish and chips in the harbor and then it was off to Ballymun to see the kids in the Asiling project and get set up for the evening service. For those who are not familiar with Ballymun...it is the very low income area of Dublin. The Asiling project works with disadvantage kids who live in this area. The first time I brought a team here we spent most of our time working with these kids so it was great to see some of the staff and check out their new location.

At the Axis we got set up and spent time with the people Denny and Linda are working with in small home groups around the area. Worship went well, Leona's song ministered to the people and then I brought the message I felt the Lord had for this group....overall we felt that God was honored and His truth was heard. Our prayer is that those who were there would take the message and apply it in their own lives.

After the meeting it was time to head home to pack up for travel the next day. We were tired!

The Free Day!

On Monday Leona and I had a chance to check out downtown Dublin. We were hoping for a beautiful sunny day, but then remembered we were in Ireland and settled for an occasionally saw the sun, somewhat rainy, fairly windy day instead. Fortunately for us, we seem to have fun and laugh no matter what the circumstances so we had a great day. We took the Hop on Hop off Bus that gives you a tour of the major sites of Dublin so we got to see most things as well as get a bit of shopping in as well. I also had an emotional mishap with a three legged dog, but that is another story...

I will try and post some pictures on here later today and there will be more posted on Facebook. Tuesday is another ministry day so we will be back at it.

Sunday night after the Retreat

Wow, what a great weekend. We had a brilliant time with the ladies at the retreat. Friday night started with a great meal and a good time of fellowship and worship. Saturday morning we had a morning session that started with worship and then Leona sang a few songs and I spoke to the ladies about Reflections of God. My theme was on having a correct view of who our God is: His character and nature.

The afternoon was free time. Leona spent part of the time in the prayer room meeting with people and praying with them. We had time to fit in a quick walk around the grounds and talk about the upcoming evening session.

The Saturday evening session was a time of music and reflections on life and God's faithfulness to us through the years. Leona shared some of her testimony and life's story with the ladies and we sang a few songs and led a time of worship. It was an emotional evening which led to a number of great conversations about how God can carry us through even the most difficult of life's circumstances. The evening ended with homemade pizza and conversation around the table.

Today the theme was Refections of Us with the emphasis on how God sees us and how he feels about us. So many women struggle with a low self esteem and need to be reminded of how precious they are to the Lord. Leona sang two songs that spoke to that theme and ministered to the ladies hearts through music.

After another good meal, we were on our way back to Drogheda to Denny and Linda's to catch up on our sleep. One thing we can say about the ladies in Ireland....they are great cooks and know how to treat a guest.

To me one of the highlights was talking with those I had met last year and hearing how they are doing. There were a number of great conversations about the Lord during our three days in An Tobar.

Tomorrow we are off to have a fun day of sight seeing in Dublin. Look out city we are on our way.

Thursday morning in Ireland!

Top of the Morning to you all!!!!

Ann, Linda, and I are off to a place called An Tobar which is a meeting place for people, especially people from communities experiencing disadvantage, who are involved in working for Justice, Peace and searching for a Meaningful Spirituality.

We are "Lord Willing" going to be involved in Leading People to Jesus Christ. He is their only answer for the many problems and trials that most face here on a daily basis.
We were just informed of a lady that will not be coming to the retreat, as her husband's brother died this morning. (25 years old). This was going to be her birthday present from her husband, but she now needs to stay home with the family. Please be in prayer for Noleen and her husband as they are believer, and most of their family members are not.

Our ride has just arrived so we are loading up "stuff....." and will be on our way. I will write more as the day goes on.

WE are looking forward to what God is going to do this weekend. God is Good, and His faithfulness is everlasting!!
Praise God for His love!

Here we are...in Ireland...eating cake!

Well we have arrived safe and sound. Today was a day of getting settled, working on music for the weekend and talking through the plans for the week with Denny and Linda. We are soon to head to bed to try and make up for the lost sleep on the planes. The flights went well, but I don't think either one of us got much sleep. Tomorrow we head to the retreat center to get ready for the weekend. The guest will arrive around 5:00pm and then it is a laid back evening of getting to know people. Saturday morning I will be speaking and Leona will sing a few songs, in the evening we will be doing a mini concert and sharing some of our lives stories. Then I will speak again on Sunday morning and Leona will sing again. We are looking forward to a good time with all of the ladies. I am hoping to connect with some of those who were at last years retreat and I am excited for Leona to meet them as well. Denny and Linda are taking great care of us: we have had some wonderful meals and we each have our own room at their house. We will try and write again tomorrow before we head to the retreat and then when we get back on Sunday night we will fill you in on all that has happened while we were away. Until then.....good night.

Oh, I almost forgot the cake part...tomorrow is Denny's birthday so we celebrated it with him tonight and had birthday cake...did I mention that we are having great meals?

Today is the Day!

Ready or not, Leona and I are heading to Ireland today. Looking back on all the obstacles and questions about whether or not we would be taking this trip...it seems hard to believe we are actually leaving. I am looking forward to all that God is going to do through us this next week. We will be doing some music, I will be speaking and Leona will be sharing her life story during one the sessions at the retreat. Please pray for her as she is not the public speaker in this team. I know that God is going to use her story and all that she has gone through to touch the ladies lives. Many will be able to relate to the challenges and disappointments she has faced over the years.

So, I better finish the last minute packing and get going, but before I do....let me thank you ahead of time for your prayers....they will mean so much the next seven days. Thanks to those who have helped make it financially possible for us to do this trip as well. All of you who gave and all of you who pray...this is your trip as well. Watch the blog to see what God is doing with your investment of time and money...it wouldn't happen without you.