Dearest Friends,
Recently I was walking down Grafton Street in Dublin, a street that at one time held a top ten spot for most expensive rent in the world. A shopper’s delight filled with high-end stores and buskers (musicians and performers) dotted along the way. I walked along and it wasn’t the opulence that caught my eye, but something down a side street. Tucked away was a church that has stood since 1720. In the middle of this bustling city and across this island are reminders of a once prominent system. The beautiful stone and glass work on display. Some still standing regal and proud. Most in ruins dotting the landscape. In many ways, all of them in ruins.
  When I speak to people about topics of faith or God or Jesus, I am often met with this same mentality. Comments along the line of “Oh, that thing from bygone past. The system that no longer has any place or is not wanted in our modern culture.” I remember one friend came up to me and said, “You’re that religious guy, right?” I said I was. He said, “You know you’re wrong, right?” I smiled and replied, “I know you think I am.” This conversation went on for over 30 minutes. Him walking away and coming back, over and over again. Sometimes a question of faith was added to that statement. But that statement was the foundation with which everything else was being built on.
One of the core goals of EFM Ireland is to show a Jesus that is present and relevant in a culture that has moved past. A culture that has been wounded and betrayed by those they trusted with this precious gift. A people who are strong and passionate, yet timid and indifferent in matters of faith. In this, our hearts are heavy. |
Matthew 9 says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” This passage resonates with me. This is a people group that has been harassed and left helpless on matters of the greatest importance. It has been a hard row to hoe as the remnants and rubble try to trip us up and get us off track. But we move forward. And lives are being impacted and forever changed.
Would you continue to pray for us in this. Our partnership together has allowed our presence and words of life to be planted deep. To dig through the hard and fallow ground and see life spring forth. Pray that our friends will continue to be open to the hard conversations. That the Spirit of God will speak truth into their hearts. Please pray for our current financial situation as well. We are well below what is needed to be fully funded. We can’t thank you enough for your support throughout the years. I (David) will be returning to the States this autumn and would love to connect with as many of you as I can. As well as others who you may know who may want to come alongside us in this ministry.
When the conversation with my friend ended, he looked at me and said before walking away with a sly grin. “Your faith is different, huh.” May this be the sentiment shared by everyone we have the honor of coming into contact with.
Grace and Peace,
The Howell Clan
Spanish 
English (United States)