Surprise Blessings

This past Sunday, I was blessed to share at a little Presbyterian church in Madison AL. Now, I've visited quite a few churches, many of them small. But this was the first one that I really felt the expression "welcomed me with open arms!" fits. I don't know, maybe it was because of the missionary thing and you're supposed to be nice to the missionary. Regardless, I left feeling like I was half a member already! Such a blessing to hear them tell me they'd be praying for me and to know that they would be.

Just a couple days after this beautiful experience, I was in need of a God moment again. (Because I have spiritual amnesia, and need God moments...)  I'd read in an email from my team leader, Tom, that his son was in Huntsville for spring break, and he wanted us to meet, (he's at school in Virginia, but his grandparents live here in Huntsville, random?). Seriously though, what college student would want to meet some random person that they have no connection too, on their break non-the-less?? Wednesday, (when I'd come to the end of myself again), I get a random text from this guy. So naturally I met up with him and his cousin (whom I had been told by several people I needed to meet, that also lives here in Huntsville). It's all so random... or is it?? It's in little moments like this I know that God does care and is a personal God. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." -Matt 10:29-31

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God." Psalm 84:1-2

Halfway out the Door

Halfway out the door!! Half way to Ireland!!! That's how I feel anyway. I'm not half way with my support, but if I just get 30 more people to pledge $100 monthly or 60 people to pledge $50 monthly I'll make it!!! As I only have 2 months left to have 100% pledged by, to make it to Ireland by June, I'm excited to see how God's going to work and bring the money in, or not.... Because the timing of my getting to Ireland is completely God's.

This past Sunday, I had to have a 15 year old remind me that money is no object to God. I knew that, but someone telling me that....(especially coming from one of the high school girls I mentor!) I needed that reminder. It was surprisingly very encouraging to hear. Something that we put such a high value on, has no effect on God. He knows that we "need" it... He also knows that we need Him more... so?? Which will it be? Trust Him and let Him do His thing in your life or let something else control your life?? Personally I'm all about tying the suspenders of my life to His car and letting Him take me where He will, whatever that may look like. Or taking the baton of this life that was handed me by the people that got me to this place and running the race set before me....

My thoughts are rambling because I have such a confidence in God!! I'm so excited. See? Halfway out the door. My thoughts and heart are big picture, let's go to Ireland!!! But wait... I'm still in Huntsville, AL. I'm still part of a church, part of a family.... How do I continue to be in community with people that I'm about to say good-bye to?? Is it really important that I be connected to them when I've been called to serve overseas and they've been called to serve their family's in Huntsville? YES!!! Especially for me, because this connected thing and being in community is new... so I'm not good at it. How in the world do I expect to be able to connect with people in Ireland, or just be in community anywhere else if I don't even know how, or what that looks like...?? If I'm not doing it right now.

The phrase "Already and not Yet" comes to mind. This is typically used in regards to Christ coming again, the age with which we live in. I so feel like that is where I am, just on a smaller scale. Knowing that God has redeemed me, called me by names, knows me.... and is calling me to serve Him in Ireland. But not yet. Still being here, and being here fully. So, putting myself aside, and listening with both ears as people talk about problems I can't relate to, (don't care about). I guess it's all part of loving The Church, the Bride of Christ, regardless of where it is.

Thanks for letting me ramble!! :)  

Why Ireland?

A country where 98% of the people in North Ireland are Protestant and 90% of the people in The Republic are 90% Catholic... It seems like they've got "religion" down! ....Yet less than 1% are evangelic Christians. Making Ireland the smallest percentage of evangelic Christians of any English speaking nation. Which actually means that they are an unreached people group.How can a country that has "religion" down so well have such a small percentage of Christians? The disconnect comes in with the difference between "religion" and "faith". Just going to church Sunday, checking the box, and actually having a personal relationship with Jesus.

For example, I live in the Bible Belt. I'm not sure of the percentage, but probably the vast majority of us are at church Sunday, but how many of us are just checking that box and how many of us actually know Jesus personally??

This is all just a product of years of religious and political wars. (And when I say "years", I mean centuries!) So, what does ministry look like in a country that already has all the answers? Relationships. Everything is relationship driven. Discipling and evangelism; all relational. This is a long and slow process of just living your life with them, meeting them where they are.