Update 3... or... Well, I am just too tired to come up with a clever title

It is hard to believe that I have been here almost three weeks. The time has flown by. I was marveling earlier how things that felt strange and unfamiliar this time 2 weeks ago feel normal and home-like now. God has been gracious in allowing me that adjustment. Don't get me wrong, I am far from completely adjusted or from being considered an expert, but I am doing well! And I am growing.

This week stretched me in a different manner than one might expect to be stretched on a missions trip. I was placed in the position of manager for a team of 11-14 yr old soccer players. Yikes. Coming into this I knew that the black and white spherical thing is called a ball and you kick it towards what I believed to be called goals and that is my soccer knowledge. Well I had the best team there and they scarcely needed managing. They were amazing. The afternoon before the semis and finals, we were 6 and 1. We didn't win, which is a story I'm not going to get into... suffice it to say, I think if I have kids and they play soccer, I will probably be a nightmarish soccer mom. But anyway, I had a great team and a great "assistant" manager. And by assistant I mean he basically was in charge due to his skill and possession of know-how. But I am happy to report that not only did I learn a great deal about the sport, but I also got quite into the matches. It was an interesting mix of kids though, most coming from non-Christian, unchurched backgrounds. It was such a good week and it was a blessing to me to see them bonding with the youth and the youth pouring out God's love on them. This blessed me specifically because I realized that, as much as I am trying not to think about it, we are leaving in a week. I probably won't see most of these kids again. BUT the youth might. The church here has this ministry established. It has been such an honor and a blessing to be working alongside them.

As we finish our last week and a half, please be praying that I can end the trip well. It's so hard to keep from disengaging because I know I have to leave and it's going to hurt. Last night we had to say goodbye to one of the guys we have all gotten close to and it was so difficult. Please pray that we can all say goodbye well.

Thank you for your continued love, prayer, and support.

Lions Aren't So Scary

I cannot believe I have been in Ireland almost 2 weeks! Honestly, at the moment, I cannot even begin to think about going home. I miss home, sure, but I absolutely love this place and these people. They're amazing. The week we did 2 VBS camps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. It was exhausting but Gwen, Tom, Heather, Paul, Kieran, James, Dan, Andy, Suzanne, Aisling, Ailish, and everyone else who ran them were just amazing. I loved being with the kids, loving on them, and sharing Jesus with them, but to be honest, it was serving alongside the youth and other church members that I loved the most. God really worked this week I think.

I did come to be painfully aware of something, though. Satan really doesn't want us here. He really doesn't want us loving on these kids and sharing the gospel with them. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Well, that's... terrifying. Or at least, it would be if it weren't for the promises of God that He will never leave or forsake us, that He fights for us. I really had to rely on those promises this week. I had a hard couple days. Satan was definitely prowling. He was trying to devour. I was tired, my inner introvert was screaming at me, and I was still in recovery from bronchitis. He started messing with my insecurities and weaknesses. But, y'all, we serve a faithful, sovereign God. He brought me back to these promises and He brought some great people into my life to love, encourage, and build me up. And the week went out with a bang! Friday evening we had youth club. We decided to grill hot dogs, make s'mores, and play baseball to celebrate the 4th of July. So fun. During out meeting time I shared my testimony and was very blessed by how it seemed to be received. After we were done everyone just hung out enjoying an impromptu jam session, laughter, and fellowship. All of this led up to the entire youth group in the church kitchen helping us clean up at 11pm and spontaneously busting out into Father Abraham. It was like a Christian, preschool rave, just with no crazy lights and such and older kids! :-)

You know, roaring lions sound pretty scary, but it turns out that this one at least is a lot of noise. He can bite and maul, sure but I have the Holy One of Israel, my Savior to protect me and the Great Physician to heal me. Lions just aren't that scary.