by Kathi Perry serving in Ireland

Queridos amigos,

It’s difficult to believe, but I am 63 years old. After 24+ years I am now one of EFM’s senior missionaries on the field (maybe THE senior missionary on the field?). I love my work and I am so grateful to be in Ireland. Naturally, we (myself and EFM) have spent a good bit of time considering when and what retirement will look like for me.

 In October I was able to meet with a financial planner, and he suggested that I work until I am 70. This felt like a relief because I do love my work and any time before 70 sounds too soon!

In recent months I have begun a new outreach called Sólás Café (see the photo here). Already, I have seen people come in weighed down with grief, who leave saying, “I feel lighter.” In the Fall I hope to offer “Grief Share” (which some may be familiar with) through the local church. This ministry is something that speaks to my heart – both with my training as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a hospice social worker, and my own personal experiences with grief.

On May 18, I’ll be traveling to the U.S. for a season of deputation. With retirement on the horizon, this will likely be my final extended time reconnecting in person. I’m looking forward to sharing stories of what God has been doing in Ireland and spending time with many of you who have been such an important part of this journey. Would you pray that this time would be meaningful and fruitful – that God would guide each conversation and continue to provide what is needed for the work ahead? I’m deeply grateful for the faithful partnership that has made it possible to serve here for so many years.

Recently, while reading scripture, two phrases stood out to me. The first was from Mark 10:45 where Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” I may not have done this perfectly, but this has been my desire in Ireland.

The second phrase was from John 19. Jesus is on the cross and in v.28-30 it says, “… knowing that everything was already completed… he gave up his life.” What would it be like to know that “everything was already completed”?

What can I do in these final years to cultivate ministry that will last, and then, (figuratively speaking!) give up my life? These are my thoughts as I contemplate one more term. Pray that God would work through me, to love and serve the people in Ireland.

With so much gratitude for your faithfulness,

Kathi Perry

The post April 2026 | Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

I have been back in Ireland for nearly six months, and I am grateful for the work I get to do on behalf of our church and the wider Kingdom of God. As most of you know, I was in the U.S. for six months in 2025, where I got to spend lots of time with my family and friends, as well as travel to visit partnering churches. We also unexpectedly lost my dad while I was in California. He was a strong presence in our family’s life and a pillar of his church community. We continue to grieve the loss of our dad and grandpa. Thank you for your prayers for me and my family during that time of loss and grief.

I am writing to you from the warmth of my office in our church building at the Church of the Nazarene in Greystones, where I am blessed to serve as administrative pastor. As soon as I arrived back in Ireland, I was warmly welcomed by my church family here in Greystones. It has been such a blessing to have a strong support system here at “the Naz.” The holidays are typically a challenging time for me to be away from my family, especially considering how much time I was able to spend with them that year. We were blessed as a staff to have a Thanksgiving lunch made for us by a church member. We invited some other Americans you might recognize in the photo. I am honored to be on this pastoral staff and to serve alongside such gifted and talented leaders. Please pray with me and my colleagues as we lead our congregation in the New Year.

At the end of January, our congregation hosted an “All Island Gathering” of all the Nazarene churches on the island of Ireland. Currently, our congregation is the only Nazarene church in the Republic of Ireland, but there are twelve churches in Northern Ireland. Almost 150 people from those Northern churches traveled to Greystones at the end of January to join us as one unified body of believers in Ireland. It was an amazing time of fellowship, eating together and praising God for what He has done and will continue to do on the island of Ireland. Our church in Greystones was able to share our vision for a new building development that will further God’s mission in the Republic of Ireland alongside the churches in the North. We ended with a time of prayer over our Greystones church board and pastoral staff, led by the leadership of the churches from the North. It was a very sacred time. Please pray with all the churches on the island of Ireland as we continue to build His Kingdom here.

Just before Christmas, my family put my dad’s house in Corona, California, on the market. My brother, Mark, and sister-in-law, Nina, managed all the details, with a big assist from my sister, Amy. I am grateful for the strong bond my siblings and I share during this challenging time as we settle my dad’s affairs. We were able to secure a buyer for the house right before Christmas, and the keys were handed over by the middle of January 2026. It is a strange feeling to think that I will never go back to my dad’s house when I visit California. That house was a central physical touchstone for our family, and now we have moved on from it. Please pray with my family and me as we continue to navigate grief.

Por favor, oren...

• For myself as I continue to navigate grief thousands of miles away from my family that is also grieving. My dad’s death has awoken more grief about my mom’s death thirteen years ago. Pray that I can have grace with myself.
• For our church in Greystones as we are trying to raise the necessary funds to begin re-developing our building. Pray for the congregation to catch the vision and for God to provide.
• For favor with the Irish government as I endeavor to renew my visa.

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form aquí and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM”.

The post Thank You for Praying. An Update from Ireland first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Molly Morton | Preparing to Serve in Ireland

Suddenly, I looked at the calendar today and realized there are only a few weeks left in my furlough. It seems like time has flown by, while at the same time it feels like February and the beginning of my furlough were a million years ago. God has been gracious to me during the last five months as I have traveled, connected with partners, spent so much time with my family, visited different churches, rested well, met new people, reconnected with old friends, and grieved the unexpected loss of my father. I have so much gratitude for the EFM community of support while I have been in the U.S. I cannot imagine doing this without that support.

As I get ready to return to Ireland at the end of this month, I look back at a few exciting things that happened in July. My best friend, Becky, is also a cross-cultural worker. We had the blessing of being in California at the same time this month. We spent a few days together catching up, shopping, and eating. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with one of our childhood friends, Katherine. We got to meet her three boys and share a meal together. We have been in each other’s lives since preschool. It was a lovely time of reminiscing and learning about each other’s current lives.

Over the last couple of months, I have been visiting churches in my official capacity as a furloughed missionary. I am beyond thankful for the ways each of these churches partners with me prayerfully and financially. It is lovely to see each unique worshiping community and to share with them about my work in Ireland with the Nazarene church. One highlight of these church visits was visiting the Discover’s Class at Rose Drive Friends Church. Many of the men and women in that class taught Sunday school to me and my siblings as children at Rose Drive Friends Church (RDFC). It was so great to see these faithful co-laborers and to share with them.

As my furlough and deputation come to an end, I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support. The prayer and financial support I receive from each of you is vital and important to my work in Ireland. Thank you so much.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

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

As I get ready to return to Ireland at the end of this month, I look back at a few exciting things that happened in July. My best friend, Becky is also a cross-cultural worker. We had the blessing of being in California at the same time this month. We spent a few days together catching up, shopping and eating. We had the pleasure of meeting up with one of our childhood friends, Katherine. We got to meet her three boys and have a meal together. We have been in each other’s lives since we were in pre-school. It was a lovely time of reminiscing and learning about each other’s current lives.

Over the last couple of months I have been visiting churches in my official capacity as a furloughed missionary. I am beyond thankful for the ways each of these churches partner with me prayerfully and financially. It is lovely to see each unique worshipping community and share with them about my work in Ireland with the Nazarene church. One highlight of these church visits was visiting the Discover’s Class at Rose Drive Friends Church. Many of the men and women in that class taught  Sunday school to me and my siblings as children at RDFC. It was so great to see these faithful co-laborers and share with them.

Last week, my brother Mark and my sister-in-law, Nina went to Cozumel, Mexico to celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary.  I had the blessing and the privilege of staying with my niece, Julia, while they were away. We had a great time going to afternoon tea, getting our nails done, playing so much Uno, giggling at her big brother, mastering the art of the slip and slide and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. I am so fortunate to have family so nearby and do not know how I will handle not having them close by in only a few short weeks.

As my furlough and deputation come to an end, I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support. The prayer and financial support I receive from each of you is vital and important to my work in Ireland. Thank you so much.

A few ways that you can be praying are:

• Praise that my sister, Amy has found a place of her own in Temecula. Please pray for her move at the end of this month as well as our packing up of my father’s house.
• Continue praying for my financial support to be completely raised by the time I return to Ireland.
• Please pray for my transition back to Ireland after 6 months away.
• Please pray for church family at Church of the Nazarene in Greystones as we look to the future together and how God will use our congregation in Greystones and the wider Wicklow community.

Currently, I am at 93% of my recurring monthly need and have 816 prayer partners. If you know anyone who would like to sign up to be a prayer partner, you can send them this link. I have a goal to raise my prayer partners to 1,000 and will return to Ireland when I am 100% of my recurring monthly need. If you would like to schedule a time with me, please use this form. I am grateful for your continued support and prayers.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form aquí and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM”.

The post Molly Morton August Deputation Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

In March, I got the best birthday present, a visit from one of my dearest friends in Ireland, Salome. We went to Disneyland, to my family’s ranch in Hemet where my sister works, to my nephew’s baseball games, ate good Mexican food, and went to an Anaheim Ducks game. It was so lovely to have her with me in California. I said “See ya later” to her because I would see her in Orlando soon with the rest of the Peace Haven group.

In April, I was blessed to attend a Debrief & Renewal training at MTI in Colorado. I am grateful for the time I was given to begin looking back at my first term and the tools to look forward to my second term with renewed vision. Some of the best times at DAR were the conversations over meals and the laughs over games after dinner.

In May, I met the residents from Peace Haven in Orlando for their Disney vacation. We spent two and a half weeks together visiting Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and the Kennedy Space Center. We had loads of fun with each other at the parks and during our down time as well. I am so grateful for the way I have been allowed to connect with these residents and a significant number of staff as well. I am looking forward to how God might be opening doors in this space in my future ministry.

At the beginning of June, my nephew, Ethan, graduated from high school, and I was so excited to be in California for all the festivities. He is a very humble, kind, responsible, and faithful young man. He will attend Cal Baptist University in the fall to become an elementary school teacher. I am so blessed and proud to be his auntie.

June has also brought the beginning of my official deputation period here in the US. I am looking forward to connecting with current partners and building new partnerships. I will remain in Southern California for my entire deputation in order to be near my family as we continue to grieve my dad.

I am so blessed by the ways each of you has come alongside me in my work in Ireland as well as in my furlough here in the US. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A few ways that you can be praying for me in the next few months:

• Please continue to pray for my family as we grieve the loss of my dad.
• Please pray for my deputation process in the midst of grief.
• Please pray for my transition back to Ireland at the end of August, as it will be hard to readjust to not having family and friends right nearby anymore.

Currently, I am at 90% of my recurring monthly need and have 786 prayer partners. If you know anyone who would like to sign up to be a prayer partner, you can send them this link. I have a goal to raise my prayer partners to 1,000 and will return to Ireland when I am 100% of my recurring monthly need. If you would like to schedule a time with me, please use this form. I am grateful for your continued support and prayers.

All my love and gratitude,

Molly Morton

There are four ways to partner with me financially:

• Online. Visit https://catalog.friendsmission.com/morton. You’ll be given the opportunity to indicate whether you are making a recurring or one-time gift.
• Credit Card. This may be given online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office (303-421-8100) to give your information to a live person.
• Automatic Bank Transfer. Download the form aquí and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• Check. Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Make sure to mark your check “Morton Support” and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Pay to the order of “EFM.

The post Molly Morton July Deputation Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

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

Joel 2:25, “I will repay you for the years … the locust have eaten.”

A good friend has repeated this verse to me several times in the past eighteen months. Following several years of COVID-19, deputation, open-heart surgery and recovery, knee surgery and recovery, it felt like all the things I had worked for in Ireland had stopped, and I did not see how I could, or even if I should, try to start them again. Yet, one by one, these activities and connections have been restored. They do not look exactly the same, but I am so thankful today for God’s faithfulness and for the opportunity to serve the community here.

The past year (my groups run on the school year, so the year is coming to a close) has looked very like the years before COVID-19. I have had the opportunity to co-lead a weekly Bible Study for young mums, in partnership with the Nazarene Church. I have completed a full year running the Little Friends Parent and Baby Group and the Little Friends Baby Graduate Group. I am part of a home group through the Nazarene Church, that I sometimes lead. And I continue to be part of the preaching team at the Nazarene Church.

In July, I will again be at the Friends camp in N. Ireland. The Young Friends leaders are now a new group of adults who were young campers eight years ago. It is a pleasure and a privilege to support them however I can. The relationships formed in my 16 years of attending camp are precious to me, and it is a joy to be invited into their lives as the previous “Young Friends Leaders” marry and have children.

Three years ago, looking at how my years of work seemed to have died, I felt like Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones, where God asked him, (37:3-5), “Human one, can these bones live again?” My reply was the same as Ezekiel’s, “Lord God, only you know… He said to me… “I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again.”

And here we are. Thank you for your faithful prayers, your financial support, and your love that extends to the Irish people through the work I get to do every day. I am so thankful.

Kathi Perry

The post Perry June 2025 Update 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.

In September the plan was that I would return to the States for my deputation in June 2024. And now that plan has changed! There are many reasons for this, but the two most compelling reasons are 1) Molly Morton has had to delay her deputation, and if I were to go as planned, we would be in the U.S. at the same time, and 2) Ministry is going well and stability and continuity are important to the groups taking root and growing into something more. Stability and continuity have been difficult the past years, with COVID-19 (2020/21), my own deputation in 2021/22, discovering I needed open-heart surgery and recovery (2022/23), and so the groups faltered. However, 2024 has been a strong year, starting first with the Parent and Baby Group (January 2024), and in September, I added a toddler group. I also co-lead a Bible Study for young mums on Friday mornings. I feel confident that by delaying deputation to 2026 these groups will have the opportunity to grow deep roots that will weather a few months without me!

I continue to be part of the rotation for preaching at the Nazarene Church, and I am grateful for the opportunity. I am thankful for opportunities to interact with Irish Friends. And after the past weekend of study, I am halfway through Year 1 of “Training in the Ministry of Spiritual Companioning.”

Here are a few photos of the groups!  Thank you again.

Kathi Perry

The post Kathi Perry January 2025 Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.