Dear Friends,

The beginning of a new year allows time to pause and reflect on the year that was. I have been doing just that over the last couple of weeks. The year for us was split into two halves. It began with our time with you in the States. Then, it ended as we made the transition back to Ireland in the middle of August. I wanted to share a few thoughts about both of those journeys.

Firstly, our time in the States was such a blessing. It was an opportunity to meet with so many of you and share in person all that God has been doing through our partnership in Ireland and in Europe. As I process this time, there is one thing that stands out above the miles on the road, the countless storms we encountered, or the sheer exhaustion of always going and being ready for whatever was next. That one thing was simply your smiles and love and heart for us. Even as I write this, I am tearing up. We love you all and it was evident beyond all doubt how much you love and care for us as well. We are here only because of you. Your encouragement, prayers, support, and love for us and the Irish is beyond anything I can put into words. Thank you for choosing to be a part of our lives and joining us in this adventure.

Secondly, as we returned to Ireland, we faced the typical paradox. It was both difficult and seamless to readjust to life and ministry here. We started having our 1000 cups of coffee with our friends within the first week we got back. Yet, for me, it felt a bit like I was still traveling in the States. I kept thinking that before long, it was going to be time to move on to another State and another group of precious friends. But over time, this feeling of constant transition faded, and it became home again.

We found a new house to move into at the end of October. We started making new connections and strengthening old ones. One opportunity that I had this year was the opportunity to be Santa. Firstly, I never knew how tired you could be just being Jolly Ol’ St. Nick. But the second thing that came out of this was the sheer joy of watching God bring new people into my life through this opportunity. I quickly became known as the Quaker Santa. Out of this came deep and personal conversations with folks who were struggling with life and death, holiday peace and holiday trauma. One man, we will call him Sean, I had only known in a general way before. But through this opportunity, he and I became much closer, and I look forward to walking through some tough and deep issues with him moving forward.

2024 brought incredible memories for us. To see how God restored, encouraged and strengthened us during our time in the States. To see how God moved when we were struggling to raise the last of the financial support to return to Ireland, deepened our faith in incredible ways. To see how God has already deepened relationships in the short time we have been back. To see how God has already begun digging new wells for us to draw from in places we never expected. We are excited to see what 2025 holds.

Please be in prayer for us.

• Firstly, we are starting to disciple a young couple who want to grow in the faith. Please pray for us and them in this journey. As well as for all of our other relationships.
• Secondly, please pray for David as he begins his Masters in Transformational Leadership through the Irish Bible Institute.
• Thirdly, please pray for our health and safety. The last two months have been extremely rough with colds and flus and pulled muscles and fatigue. Pray that God will give us health and strength to do what He has called us to do.

Thank you for being an integral part of our team. We can’t do it without you.

Grace and Peace

David and Tricia

The post Howellclan Connection: January 2025 first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Opportunities have come up recently that I never would have dreamed possible in 2004. Ever since my home church put on “Sir Oliver’s Song” in the mid ’80s, I have been enthralled with performing. I found a love for all artistic expression through acting or music or even speaking in public. One positive that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic was a reigniting of this in me. I have been painting, writing, and even taking acting classes at the Gaiety Acting School in Dublin. Each of these endeavours creates a new avenue to help fulfill the mission of EFM-Ireland. The first part of our mission starts with a purpose and passion to fuel a worldwide movement of people who seek first the kingdom of God. This only happens when we can come alongside people and proclaim the good news. I want to share a bit more about how God is using one of these areas.

Last year, I put my name out to do some background extra work and have been selected for a few productions. This opportunity has been a lot of fun, but more importantly, it has allowed me to meet a group of people that I never would have had the opportunity to meet before. People from all corners of the island and from every background imaginable. Executives, crew members, actors, background actors, caterers, construction, stunts, etc., I’ve had the honour to have a conversation with each of them.

Recently one of them asked me what I do when I’m not doing this, since this is such a sporadic and random industry. I said this is what I do only when my schedule allows. My real gig is that I am a Quaker minister who finds opportunities to meet with people who are hurting or lost. People who are asking questions and who are looking for hope. I look for ways to help people who are broken and try to have an impact on their life.  He smiled and he looked at me and he said, “Oh, so you mean everybody on this set.”  We laughed together and, in my mind, I thought, “Lord here are my tools, what do you want to use today?”

On these sets, I’ve had countless opportunities to hear the hearts of those around me. I have been invited to share my faith in a real and personal way. The conversations that take place are such a blessing for me. From the comical and trivial to honest and soul-searching. The seeker who has no idea where to go for the truth. The beauty is that in all of this, I see God at work in a mighty way. Placing people and opportunities in front of me that I never would have been able to connect with. Enabling me to speak truth in love, to continue “to carry out the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.”

Would you please pray with us that these conversations will be a catalyst for change? Please pray that as God uses the tools that are in our open hands, that lives will be transformed and that it won’t be contained on this island, but will grow and go forth throughout the world. Pray that I will be in tune with what God would have me do. God is truly at work in Ireland. God is truly at work in me. God is moving. Thank you for being our partner in this work. We love you all.

Grace and Peace,

The Howell Clan

The post Howell Clan Connection: May Newsletter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Dear Prayer Partners,

Two weeks ago, I turned 40. It’s a big milestone birthday, unfortunately everyone I could celebrate with here in Ireland seemed to be quarantined for COVID-19 close contact or isolating to ensure safety for travel. It’s a strange thing to celebrate a big birthday in a new town and country, thousands of miles and time zones away from those I would have normally been celebrating with.

As I sat looking out at the sunset over the Wicklow mountains the night I turned 40, I felt a little lonely. I sat with that feeling for a moment (my therapist would be so proud) and I eventually gave myself some grace while remembering that I am blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Now the comfort of the presence of the Holy Spirit did not negate the feelings of loneliness but I did find it easier to hold that loneliness in the presence of the Holy Spirit. As I sit here writing this, I want to give thanks for all the ways I was celebrated, albeit a few days later thanks to COVID-19. I usually celebrate for a few weeks anyway

• As I began setting up for our home group last week, a dear friend of mine, Rhoda arrived with her husband. Now they usually attend separately so one of them can stay home with their three small children, so it was a little strange that they were there together. It turns out that they were there to help throw a surprise belated birthday party for me along with the rest of our homegroup and some other church members! I was legitimately surprised and so blessed by these new friendships.
• On the topic of surprises, I received a package from my small group at Gateway Friends in Southern California. It was full of thoughtful and random things, just like my small group. I am blessed by their friendship and intentional interaction through the time zones.
• My dad gifted me with a spa trip away in the Wicklow Mountains where I ate delicious food, got a massage, sat in a field with the three cutest alpacas, took long walks, and read an entire book. It was glorious!
• Several new and old friends took time to send me a card, buy me cake, and cook me dinner.

I am so blessed with all of my friendships, new and old. I am blessed by your friendship and support of my work in Ireland. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Blessings,
Molly

            < View from my birthday trip to Powerscourt

I’m Watching…

The Way We Were on RTE: The public television station RTE has done a great documentary series about the history of Ireland focusing on different topics like how they lived, played, and dressed. It’s helpful and interesting to look back at my new country’s past through this type of lens.

The Simpler Life: Last summer, 24 volunteers agreed to live a simpler life on a farm outside of Devon for research. They were tested on different areas including health, mental wellness and stress. The researchers are determining if a simpler life patterned after the Amish lifestyle improves those measurements of well-being. It’s fascinating plus it’s Amish and I am fascinated by the Amish.

I’m Reading…

Wild by Kristin Hannah. Hannah is one of my favorite authors and if you’ve been reading these updates for any length of time, you’ll recognize her. This book is about a disgraced psychologist that comes back to her hometown to care for a recently discovered feral child.

Educated by Tara Westover: WARNING: this book is a tough hang but very well written. Tara was raised as far off the grid as possible. The first time she entered a classroom was when she entered university at 17 years old. Since her family rarely recorded anything and were of course not recorded with the government, it was fascinating to read about how herself and her family members remembered their lives, memory is a strange and varied thing

I’m Listening To…

I’ve had a steady playlist of Dermot Kennedy, Chris Stapleton, Harry Styles and The Popcast Podcast; that’s all!

Praises:

• I am one step closer to getting my PPS number. I’ve become registered with a local medical practice and have sent a letter into the department handling my PPS registration. I’ve also been able to get a booster shot finally. Thank you for continuing to pray for patience during this process.
• My EFM team and I were blessed to welcome Dan Cammack, EFM Field Director and Rich Miller at the end of February. It was nice to show them around and welcome them into my home.
• My friend from our Ecumenical Prayer group invited me to join her weekly ladies Bible study and I am loving it!

Requests:

• I feel like COVID-19 is closing in on me. Please pray against that, and if I do get it, that it would be mild and easily recovered from.
• We at Greystones Nazarene Community Church have a busy Easter season coming up. Please pray for myself, Luke, and Tim as we guide our congregation during this special time.
• Please keep praying for my ability to be present here in Ireland. I am missing home, my family, and silly things like Target lately. Pray for times like the ones described above where I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with me.

The post Molly Morton’s April 2022 Ministry Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.