One Month in Ireland!

It is with such great excitement that I get to tell you that I have been residing in Ireland for over a month now! My plane departed Los Angeles on November 2 and arrived in Dublin the next afternoon. I’m astonished at the ways the Lord has provided for me in the last few weeks and in the weeks leading up to my departure from the US.

In The Message translation of Matthew 6, it says, “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” God has provided for my everyday human concerns during my departure and certainly upon my arrival.

Close friends from Gateway Friends Church gathered at LAX to see me off and pray over my plane journey than they yelled goodbye obnoxiously while I went through security. 😊 I am blessed by these friendships and the deep care given to me by my second church home.

When I arrived to Ireland, I had the pleasure and blessing of staying at Brides Glen B&B which is owned and operated by Betty Stevenson’s and her family. Immediately, I felt the warmth of the Stevenson’s hospitality and strong commitment to the work of God in Ireland. Brides Glen is a working beef farm complete with new calves and cute barn kitties. Rhoda, Betty and David’s daughter, and her family live next door with their three children, Reuben, Rebekah and Gideon, who I have become quite attached to already.

Two weeks ago,  I moved into my own house in a densely populated neighborhood in Greystones called Charlesland. I am overwhelmed with the blessing and provision of God in the house that He has given me. I look forward to filling this house with good conversation, good food and good company. A few days after I signed my lease, God provided a wonderful new car for me with low miles and only four years old! The freedom of having my own vehicle will be paramount to my effectiveness in ministry as will my warm and safe house.

God has been providing for my “every day human concerns” in many different ways from highly responsive immigration officers to the generosity of my new church family at Greystones Nazarene Community Church. A few Sundays ago, I walked into the church hall on Sunday to find a table overflowing with household items like toilet paper, toaster, salt and pepper shakers and tea towels that had been collected for me and my ne house. Again, I was overwhelmed by the warm kindness and generosity of God through his people to me.

Thank you for coming along with me on this journey. A new journey began on November 3 when I arrived in Ireland. I am so grateful for all the ways God has provided for my “every day human concerns” and even more than that to remind me of His love for me and for the Irish people.

 

 

Praises: God’s provision throughout the last month with housing, vehicle, immigration, utilities, good gathering for Thanksgiving and already invitations for Christmas. Warm welcome from GNCC and some solid tasks to do while I’m settling in. We are seeing one or two new families at church each Sunday. It’s exciting. Prayer Requests Christmas and lots of family birthdays are happening this month. Please pray for my family and I as we navigate being away from each other this time of year. COVID-19 restrictions are increasing in Ireland. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we make decisions about different types of gatherings and how to keep each other safe during the holiday season. Wisdom for how to reach out to my neighbors in a time of growing COVID concern and restrictions. During our Advent preaching series, a member of the congregation gives a personal testimony each Sunday. I will be testifying about the joy of God this Sunday. It is the first time the congregation will hear from me since I was briefly introduced on my first Sunday. Please pray for clarity of communication and easing of nerves.