The post July 2025 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this conversation centred around a question I asked. “What does your current support system look like?” They answered, “Non-existent, I am my own support system.” I smiled and said, “Do you know that you always have me in your corner?” They smiled back and said they did know that. I was thinking about the verse in Ecclesiastes 4. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”

Another friend was recently sharing how they feel like a failure. Wondering if it was ever going to change. Another friend was struggling with work-related issues.  They felt the crushing pressure of making the “right” decision. Another friend was struggling with keeping their faith first and foremost in their day-to-day lives.

Conversations as Tricia and I have a thousand cups of coffee with our MUPPET friends. (Many Under Pressure Pretending Everything’s Together.) In these conversations, we share the hope and peace that can only be found in Jesus.  We share that God loves them and cares deeply for them. That his plan for them is far greater than anything they can imagine. We are the second person who is there to pick them up when they fall. They know they’re not alone.

Recently, I was sitting in a room with about 20 other people. One of my friends was in a conversation across the room. He stopped and called out to me.  “David, who’s that group that you are with again?” I said, “The Quakers.” He smiled and said, “That’s what I thought.” The young lady next to him smiled at me, and they continued their conversation.

I love the fact that through our daily interactions and presence, we are Christ ambassadors in Ireland. We are representatives of Evangelical Friends Mission: Ireland. We are a living reflection of God at work in his kids.

Please continue to pray for our friends. Pray that they will have a transformational encounter with God almighty. Pray that we will have the words to speak and ears to listen. Pray for Ireland to become a nation that hungers and thirsts for righteousness. Thank you all for your continued love and care for us.

A couple of personal updates:

David has started working towards his MA in Transformational Leadership through the Irish Bible Institute and St. John’s University. This is both exciting and terrifying. Please pray for him in this endeavour. The 2025 softball season has begun. He and Jonathan play for the Wicklow Wolves. This is always a fun time. David continues to stay active in the arts community.

Tricia has been working with the Teaching Council of Ireland to get her teaching license here renewed. It is a very slow and difficult process.  Please pray for patience and for a favourable outcome. She has also been working diligently on learning Irish. Not an easy task for sure.

Both David and Tricia have been dealing with a few health issues. We have been working with our Irish Doctors to sort this all out.

On a positive note, we have had sunshine for a few days recently. That makes everything better.

The post HowellClan Connection: May 2025 Newsletter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

When we share with people what we do in Ireland (looking for the hurting, the broken, the lost, those who have fallen through the cracks and try to fill those gaps spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally), there’s a general sense of “Oh that’s so kind, or that’s so good. That’s the way we all should be living. We all should treat one another with love, dignity, and respect.”

When we first arrived, we spent a lot of time watching and listening and learning about the needs of these dear ones we have been sent to serve. One of the key goals and purposes that came about in this time is as vital today as it was in the beginning: simply living a life that is trying to be an example of what a true follower of Jesus might look like. Loving one another, meeting the needs of each other, sharing hope and joy with one another, and being the hands and feet of Jesus.

I had the image recently of a stray dog on the side of the road who had been abused and left behind. It was hungry, hurting, and scared. Yet when someone came along to help, it was so broken that it was not capable of distinguishing between the hand of healing and the hand of hurt. It took a loving soul sitting next to them in stillness and peace while they barked and evaded and snapped until they were able to see the truth. This is an image of so many of our friends.

The life of Christ was often a living example of that image. He would find those who are marginalized, who are beaten down, who are hurting, and he would invite them to follow him. He would speak hope and joy of a better way. They didn’t have to continue to live a life that caused them pain and sorrow.

In Ireland today, we live and have our thousand cups of coffee in restaurants and coffee shops, go on hikes in the mountains, take walks along the beach, or even on film sets, simply trying to imitate the love and life of Jesus. Many who we connect with have never experienced it in the first place or are unfamiliar with what it is supposed to look like. Being this example of a disciple of Jesus, flaws and all, is attractive and draws people to the gospel.

One friend recently asked me if the Bible can still be relevant in today’s culture. As we talked, I asked how the Bible had been used in his experience. It probably doesn’t surprise us that in his life, it was weaponized to fulfill a certain agenda. When I shared another way to look at it, the way the words of truth bring life, it caused a moment of reflection. Is there more than I thought I knew?

I love sharing with our friends about a loving Father who sees our ugliness and flaws, who sees our pain and yet still sees the beauty in us. As our Quaker tradition states, “There is that of God in everyone.” What a blessing to be part of this ministry here in Ireland. And for you to be putting that into action in your own communities is amazing. What a blessing you are.

Thank you for your love and partnership with us. We are blessed to be part of such an amazing community. We love you all. Grace and Peace.

The post Howell Family March 2025 Newsletter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Queridos amigos,

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.

La Familia Howell / Sirviendo en Irlanda

“Por favor oren por…”

Como personas que estamos haciendo nuestro mejor esfuerzo para ser discípulos de Jesús y caminar junto a nuestros amigos en su propio camino de fe, estas tres simples palabras son algunas de las palabras más poderosas que podemos escuchar. Porque esta frase lleva consigo mucho más que una simple comprensión superficial. Puede llevar el peso aplastador de una situación que parece más allá de nuestra capacidad de soportarla, observar la fuerza de nuestras piernas disminuir momento a momento. Puede conllevar la vulnerabilidad de admitir que estamos abrumados e indefensos. Puede llevar la esperanza profunda y resonante que sólo se puede encontrar en Cristo Jesús. Puede que lleve la última onza de desesperación para alguien que se aferra a la línea de vida que siente como si se le estuviera escapando de su agarre fuertemente sostenido. Puede conllevar la incertidumbre de los próximos pasos en la vida.

Esta última semana tuvimos la emoción de reunirnos con varios de los jóvenes que ahora tienen veintitantos años, con quienes hemos trabajado durante los últimos años. Mientras hablábamos y nos poníamos al día con la vida, este tema de “Por favor, oren por” fue resonando en mis oídos. Estábamos escuchando sus historias y escuchando sus peticiones de oración. Uno de los comentarios me golpeó como un martillazo. Me dijeron: “Esto probablemente no fue como pensaste que resultaría”. Hice una pausa por un momento y dije: “Tal vez no. Pero la fuerza que has demostrado para superar esa situación y llegar a dónde estás hoy es absolutamente lo que hubiera pensado”. La vida se pone fea. La vida se vuelve complicada. Ser seguidores de Jesús en un mundo quebrantado es difícil. Qué bendición es ser invitado a este lío a través de la oración. Porque sabemos que, en la oración, el poder de Dios se manifiesta. Hemos orado y seguimos orando por cada uno de estos “niños” de forma regular. En el ministerio en Irlanda en general, es una práctica ocurrencia habitual que nuestros amigos pidan: “Por favor, oren por”. Que alegría ver a Dios moverse y responde al grito de este corazón. Cuando lees el primer párrafo, ¿alguna vez has encontrado que esas declaraciones son ciertas en tus propias peticiones de oración? Yo sí. Pero en lugar de sentirme avergonzado o como un fracaso por eso, es fortalecedor y edificante conocer la libertad de poder compartir vulnerablemente con los compañeros discípulos de Jesús.

Amigos, qué alegría es compartir lo que Dios está haciendo en Irlanda y en todo el mundo. Para dar a conocer el amor y

buenas nuevas de Jesucristo. Pero realmente no se puede lograr sin sus oraciones. Poderosos hombres y mujeres de fe, por favor oren por todos nosotros. Efesios 6:18-19 “orando en todo tiempo con toda oración y súplica en el Espíritu, y velando en ello con toda perseverancia y súplica por todos los santos; y por mí, a fin de que al abrir mi boca me sea dada palabra para dar a conocer con denuedo el misterio del evangelio,”.

David y Tricia Howell

Descargue la carta de oración de este mes aquí...

The post Carta de Oración Octubre 2024 first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Throughout Irish history, the Quakers have had a strong reputation of being people who were actively involved in meeting the daily needs of the people that they were serving. They came alongside people who were in desperate need and set about finding ways to be an agent of change.

I found this very cool and humbling. My buddy knew I was a Quaker and wanted to send this to me. He knew that I was actively involved today with hurting people and striving to find ways to meet their needs. We shared with many of you in person that our desire is to search for people who may have fallen through the cracks and fill those cracks, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally.  Quakers have an exciting history in Ireland. But we are not done yet!!!

This year is the 400^th anniversary of George Fox’s birth. One of the defining moments in his life was standing atop Pendle Hill in 1652. He had a vision. “From the top of this hill the Lord let me see in what places he had a great people to be gathered.”

We have been home now for a little over a month and a half. And that vision that Fox had 400 years ago is alive and burning in me today. This afternoon, I was standing in a graveyard that overlooked Wicklow Town. As I stood there, this vision echoed in my heart. I was praying, pleading, crying out and praying for people to grab a hold of the message of Jesus Christ. Praying for the people of Wicklow to come to grips with their own faith and see the true Jesus. Praying for people to come to an understanding that they are loved and that they are treasured. Praying that as they grow in their faith, they will impact those around them like the Quakers of old.

As we have been back and ministering and sharing cups of coffee with our friends, we have seen God move in some very amazing ways. An invitation came from a minister of a local church in Ireland to come and speak at his church. We’ve begun the initial conversation of starting a discipleship group with several individuals when we get moved into our new home. We have seen positive reactions to my idea that I had begun to share with folks, dealing with men’s mental and spiritual struggles. As we have reconnected with so many of our friends, it is exciting to see spiritual growth happening in their lives.

Please pray with us. Pray for lives to be transformed through the good news of Jesus Christ. Please pray with us as we move and get settled into our new home.  Please pray that we will walk in step with the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the EFM-Ireland Quakers will once again be the agents of rescue and hope. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support for us.

Grace and Peace

David and Tricia Howell

The post Howellclan Connection: October 2024 Newsletter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Queridos amigos,

We are home. We flew out of San Francisco on August 5 and arrived in Dublin on August 6. It was a surreal last couple of weeks in the States with a bout of COVID-19 and trying to get all the final details sorted before flying out, but we got it all done. Leaving the States always brings with it a sense of bittersweet. Knowing we get to come back to the land and people that we love, but also saying goodbye to the people that we love that we are leaving behind. The drive from Southern Oregon to San Francisco is usually one filled with its share of tears, and this one was no different. Even a bit more as we left our little girl, of course now an adult who we are immensely proud of, on another continent.

As we boarded the plane, we were filled with so many different feelings. Exhaustion, excitement, anticipation, wonder, uncertainty, and the list goes on, but we were ready. The time in the States was such a blessing for us. Being able to connect with as many of you as we were able was amazing. Your love and support for us while we were on deputation was a blessing beyond anything we could have imagined. I regret that we couldn’t get into all of your areas to see you face-to-face. Please know that we do deeply care about you all. You are in our hearts and in our prayers, just as we know we are in yours.

We have been home for about a week now. At first, it felt almost boringly familiar. The drive from the airport home felt like one we had done countless times. But as we started reconnecting with our friends and getting our feet under us, the sheer joy of being home started to sink in. We were here to stay. What a feeling.

On Thursday, August 8, Tricia was meeting a friend for coffee, and I went with her to go to my coffee shop and get a coffee and sit or walk around. I walked in, and the barista called me out by name and said, “It’s good to see you. It’s been a while. Do you want your Americano?” You may order too many cups of coffee when, even after such a long time away, the barista still remembers what your usual was. I walked down the harbor and out to the pier. I went down to the water and soaked in the waves. I usually try to pick up one piece of sea glass or something that catches my eye. This one was a simple grey rock with lines of white running through it. I thought it was cool, so I picked it up.

When I got back to the house, I started wondering about the geological significance of this. What I found was that these simple quartz or calcite lines are filling the cracks in the rocks caused by immense pressure and causing a fracture. In doing so, these fillers help preserve the rock from fracturing more catastrophically. I couldn’t help but think of one of the phrases that we shared with so many of you that describes our ministry in Ireland. We look for and find those people who have fallen through the cracks and fill those cracks spiritually, emotionally, and physically as best as we can. We strive to be the little white lines running through our friends’ lives. What a cool imagery. Now this rock is not getting put out back with the rest but is sitting in a place of prominence. A physical reminder for the next term. I know that you are the little white lines that run through the lives of so many of your friends and family, too.

Please join us in prayer…

For the new home. We are actively looking and praying that God will show us the right place and open the doors needed for this to happen.

For our relationships to flourish. We have begun reaching out and started to reconnect with many of our friends. Please pray that the time away will not have been a detriment.

For us as we resettle. Returning after a lengthy deputation brings with it its own challenges. Pray that we can resettle smoothly and do what needs to be done.

Thank you for being an integral part of the team!

Grace and peace, dear friends.

David and Tricia Howell

The post Howell Clan Connection: We Are Home! first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

“On behalf of all EFM, I express our gratitude for your support for the Howells. God, through you, has provided for David and Tricia in every way. We celebrate that they are fully funded, and can now return to Ireland with great expectation that their very best days of ministry lie ahead. Thank you!”

In late December of 2023, we arrived for our deputation. We were excited to visit with you and as many of your churches as we could. What an amazing journey it has been. We have calculated that we have put approximately 18,000 miles on the mission car and another 1,500 miles on the other cars that we have driven so far. We are utterly exhausted but exhilarated at the same time. We have been blessed to share our hearts with you. And you have truly blessed us by sharing yours with us. In our travels, Trish and I have constantly talked about you all. Things like your smiles, your hugs, your encouragement, your questions, your support, your love, your graciousness, and your heart for the Irish and for your own communities, to name a few things. We have come away with an even deeper love and appreciation for you, our partners and teammates.

This last term took a deep toll on us and our family. We came back wounded and in need of restoration. EFM set out an action plan to take the needed steps to help us recover spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. As we have worked through this plan, you have been an integral part of every step. We have felt the caverns in our soul being filled and strengthened. We have felt the heavy burdens lifted and replaced with hope. We have felt your love and support flow over us and run down our faces. We are restored.

Thank you!! For those of you who have partnered with us from the very beginning 20 years ago, thank you. For those of you who we have met along the way and partnered with us before we arrived in Ireland, thank you. For those of you who we have met on our first few deputations and partnered with us, thank you. For those of you who we have met on this deputation and partnered with us, thank you. We could not and cannot do this without each one of you. We love you all. Thank you for your love, support, and encouragement. What an awesome blessing to call you friends.

As we arrive home in the coming weeks, please pray. Please pray as we resettle and reconnect with our friends. Pray that God may break through in a new and powerful way. In ways that will amaze us and make clear that only God could do it. Please pray as we begin to look for a new house. One with a big kitchen and dining room for the thousand cups of coffee. We would prefer to be in the same area, but we want to be faithful to go where God would have us. Please pray that God’s love for each one of us, Moriah, Jonathan, Tricia, and David, will be overflowing and overwhelming as we enter this new term.

God is on the move. Thank you for your part in it. May God richly bless each one of you, give you grace and peace, and give you a voice to share the good news of Jesus Christ in your own communities. As you meet your friends for one of your 1,000 cups of coffee, may God breakthrough in your obedience.

We love you all. Please reach out and connect with us regularly. We want to be more present with each of you—our partners, our co-laborers, and our friends.

May the people of Ireland be changed with the power of God’s love.

Grace and Peace,

David, Tricia, Jonathan, and Moriah

The post Howell Deputation Update #7: We are Heading Home! first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

We need you now more than ever.

Over the last few weeks, our longing to return home has grown more intense. We have loved sharing with each one of you, but it is time. Recently, I (David) was going through many of my past photos of Ireland. The beautiful scenery, the streets of Wicklow Town, the beauty of everyday moments. Along with those were photos of our friends. Each face holds a story. Each face holds a journey. Each face holds a memory of a specific touch of God.

I was looking at one, in particular, who had a violent past. He had a history of sorrow and anger, of pain and vengeance. I am in tears thinking about the thousand cups of coffee I have had with him. To watch him walk the process of releasing that bondage and become a man of peace and gentleness. To see him come to the realization that he is loved and valued.

In my mind, this scene plays out time and time again with each face. With each story. With each journey. Irish lives were forever changed with the good news of Jesus Christ. Through our partnership, God is on the move.

Our return to Ireland is scheduled for July 9. In order to be on that flight, back to the people of Ireland, we need you. We’re in urgent need of additional dedicated partners to support our mission and ministry with a monthly commitment. Your immediate help is crucial to sustain the Lord’s work we are committed to continuing in Ireland so we can reach those who need Jesus.

As we have shared with you these last five months, many of you have been praying about your role in partnership. Now is the time to respond. We need you. Please prayerfully consider and act to join the financial partnership team, however the Lord leads.

We have been greatly encouraged and blessed by your support and engagement as we have shared our stories with you in person. You have said time and time again, what a powerful testimony you have heard. We long to share with you more stories in the future. Please prayerfully consider your role in helping us get back on the field in July.

We love you all.

Grace and Peace,

David and Tricia Howell

David and Tricia

The post Howell Deputation Update #5 first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Greetings from Wichita, Kansas.  We have begun our journey in EFC-MAYM. What an amazing opportunity to meet up with so many that we have known since our college days at Barclay. We have shared at Pratt, Rose Hill, and Glen Elder so far. We even had an opportunity to speak at Barclay Chapel, tour the campus, and celebrate all that God has and is continuing to do through a small bible college in rural Kansas.

Even the journey to Kansas was a lesson on being in tune to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The day we drove in, we were facing 50-60mph gusts that were blowing trucks over. The dry fields were being picked up by the wind and carried over the road to make near-impossible visibility. We came across multiple crashes as a result. On this journey, we were trying to make it to Pratt, KS for dinner with a dear family. But as we drove, I felt a prompting to stop and get a quick bite to eat. So, we did, and we split a meal. As we got back on the road, we came across a long traffic jam. As we got further up the road, it became evident that there was one of the patches with zero visibility. It was so bleak that I couldn’t see the lights from the emergency services vehicles. As a result of this, there was a 15-20 car pile-up. From what we can gather, there were no serious injuries.  After we made it through, we stopped at the next exit to fuel up and stretch. The sheriff was in the next bay over, and I started to talk to him. From what I can deduct from his information, if we hadn’t stopped when I felt prompted to, we would have been in the thick of it all. God is very good.

We have a busy time ahead of us as we leave this week for Colorado for a short time and then back to Kansas. We will be speaking at Colorado Springs, Denver, Willow Creek, Alva, and Northridge Women’s Missionary Fellowship coming up. As well as trying to meet up with as many of you as we can in the midweeks.

Please continue to pray for us as we endeavor to reach our fully funded goal. It is going slower than we would anticipate and we really need prayer in this. Pray for people to step up in ways that even they didn’t know was possible to achieve the goal. Also, please pray for our continued safety as we travel. As well as for strength and endurance for our tired old bones.

It is truly a blessing to be able to visit and share with each and every one of you about the ministry in Ireland. If we are not able to meet in person, we would love to set up a video conference with you in whatever format works best for you. Please, reach out and we will set it up.

Thank you again for partnering and walking this journey with us. We are truly blessed to have you as teammates.

Grace and Peace,

David and Tricia

The post Howell Deputation Update #4 first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.