Hey Everyone!!
Just to let you all know, I am back in Cali for a bit. I am trying to get my visa sorted so that I can spend yet another year in Northern Ireland. I was unable to extend the Voluntary Worker's Visa because it no longer exists. I now must start the visa process all over and cannot do this process while in the UK. I will be applying for a Religious Worker's Visa which will allow me to stay for 2 more years. I can start this process once my sponsor (Causeway Coast Vineyard) has received their sponsor number and their application has been accepted. Please be praying that this process will be speedy and successful as I would love to get back home as soon as possible. There is a possibility that my visa will be denied...please pray that this will not be the case. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
'On a Mission' George, South Africa
I had the privilege of leading a team, with Ben, to South Africa. We were a team of five who decided to take the ‘On a Mission’ challenge and serve in a poverty stricken country for two weeks.
Some of the team had been on numerous missions before and for others it was their first time. We were a team varying in age and interests but unity seemed to be our team’s strength.
We partnered with Out of Africa Missions and invaded the city of George and its surrounding townships. Eyes were opened to the simple lifestyles that the African’s had and hearts were stirred to make a difference. Poverty was never intended for God’s kingdom and this team would not accept that families of five should live in a makeshift cardboard home no bigger than a small closet.
Our hearts were broken for the African’s as we served soup to hungry children and passed out loaves of bread to families. We picked up bins of litter and glass from playgrounds, constructed a fence, painted a home, and built relationships along the way. We visited a juvenile prison and the children’s ward in the hospital. Wayne and Suzi took us along to Sports Academy with the kids and we helped out with children’s centres and creche’s along the way.
I was amazed with the hearts of the members on the team and was so proud as they stepped out of their comfort zones and pushed themselves into trying things they had never experienced before. I believe that not only were lives changed of the people that we served but our own lives as well.
We prayed for a shy girl named Zelika who had some form of alopecia. She wore a wig on her head to cover up the loss of her hair. The Holy Spirit was heavily upon her and I spoke to that hair and told it to grow. I asked Zelika if she had felt anything and she said that she felt all tingly inside and that she could feel a heat coming from her head. I told her that she would have to send us all a picture of herself when she has a full head of hair. Zelika went inside to change into her sports gear and a few minutes later she came up to me with an enormous smile upon her face and I immediately knew something had happened. She explained that she had gone into the toilet after we prayed and she felt different. She had removed her wig and looked into the mirror. Where there had only been about an inch of hair on her head it had now doubled in length and thickness. Zelika was overjoyed and she walked away knowing that her Father loves her deeply.
Some of the team had been on numerous missions before and for others it was their first time. We were a team varying in age and interests but unity seemed to be our team’s strength.
We partnered with Out of Africa Missions and invaded the city of George and its surrounding townships. Eyes were opened to the simple lifestyles that the African’s had and hearts were stirred to make a difference. Poverty was never intended for God’s kingdom and this team would not accept that families of five should live in a makeshift cardboard home no bigger than a small closet.
Our hearts were broken for the African’s as we served soup to hungry children and passed out loaves of bread to families. We picked up bins of litter and glass from playgrounds, constructed a fence, painted a home, and built relationships along the way. We visited a juvenile prison and the children’s ward in the hospital. Wayne and Suzi took us along to Sports Academy with the kids and we helped out with children’s centres and creche’s along the way.
I was amazed with the hearts of the members on the team and was so proud as they stepped out of their comfort zones and pushed themselves into trying things they had never experienced before. I believe that not only were lives changed of the people that we served but our own lives as well.
We prayed for a shy girl named Zelika who had some form of alopecia. She wore a wig on her head to cover up the loss of her hair. The Holy Spirit was heavily upon her and I spoke to that hair and told it to grow. I asked Zelika if she had felt anything and she said that she felt all tingly inside and that she could feel a heat coming from her head. I told her that she would have to send us all a picture of herself when she has a full head of hair. Zelika went inside to change into her sports gear and a few minutes later she came up to me with an enormous smile upon her face and I immediately knew something had happened. She explained that she had gone into the toilet after we prayed and she felt different. She had removed her wig and looked into the mirror. Where there had only been about an inch of hair on her head it had now doubled in length and thickness. Zelika was overjoyed and she walked away knowing that her Father loves her deeply.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
'On a Misson' Speyer Germany
Hello all!!! I am excited to be able to share with you some more upcoming events. I will be leading another mission team with my friend Colleen in a little over a week. We will be taking 10 teenagers to Speyer, Germany. We will be encouraging the youth to unite and invade Speyer. Please be praying for this team...For most it will be their first time on a mission trip overseas. We will be leaving Tuesday 14th July and returning on the following Tuesday 21st. I will update ya'll as soon as I get back! so don't forget to check back in a wee bit!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fishing
Katja and I were invited to go fishing the other day on Derek's boat. He and his son built the boat with their own hands. It was so much fun. We went out in the evening and just fished on the sea for a few hours. I ended up catching 5 fish! There were quite a few of us...about 9 guys and 4 girls. We had a wee contest, guys vs. girls, on who would catch the most fish. We had a little girl on our team who was 10 years old and she ended up catching 10 fish all by herself. The girls were in the lead right up until the last 30 minutes we were out at sea. The guys sneakily caught up and the final score was 23-19. It was a close one! But we graciously came in 2nd place and let the men walk off the boat with their dignity! Here are some photos:
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Surprise Visitors
My mom and sister, Shayley came to visit me in April. They also brought with them my too crazy, mischievous best friends Kat & Whitney. We had so much fun. We flew to Paris and visited the city where we tackled the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Picasso Museum, Arc de Triumph, Norte Dame, and a few other places as well. We stayed in the beautiful city for a few days and then went back to Northern Ireland to do some exploring as well. I took them to Giant's Causeway, some local pubs, Bushmills Distillery, a graveyard (long story) and some more places as well. They got to see what life is like here and experience the cold...which if you ask me wasn't even that cold! It was Spring at the time they came and our Winter was over! It was so great to have my friends and family here and I was so proud of my mom and sister who have never left North America. Way to go FAM!!! A huge THANK YOU to Mom, Shayley, Kat and Whitney!
Our New Home
We moved!!!! Katja, Ben and I moved house 1st April...and its no joke! We now have a wonderful 5 bedroom home with a seaview, an amazing kitchen and huge living room which is now occupied every Thursday night by my housegroup. It is a 5 minute walk to the promenade and a 10 minute walk to the church office. Our home is right on the sea and next to an award winning golf course (which I would be more excied about if I was actually into the sport). We have a back garden that we have already had some barbeque's in and space to lay out in the grass as well. God has really blessed us with this home, and every morning when I wake up I have to remind myself that I live in Northern Ireland...on the sea. Thank you Jesus!!! Because Ben is going back home in a week we now have the need for another house mate. Please be praying that one comes along very soon!!!!
Here is my new address:
25 High Road
Co. Londonderry
Portstewart BT55 7BG
N. Ireland
Here is my new address:
25 High Road
Co. Londonderry
Portstewart BT55 7BG
N. Ireland
Friday, June 5, 2009
Blogs to come...
hey all... i have been so behind on updates and i truly apologize. There is a lot to tell as i have been to morocco and back, moved house, assisted in a conference, had family visit, went to paris, had a birthday, and have just returned from south africa. i will be updating you all shortly...so please hang in there! thanks for all your support and you will be hearing from me soon.
sydney
sydney
Thursday, March 5, 2009
illuminate-servant evangelism
Servant Evangelism connects people to people in a natural, easy, low-risk, high grace way.Who doesn't like to be given a hot cup of tea or coffee on a cold day? Especially by someone who is smiling, happy and having fun. Servant Evangelism wins the heart before it confronts the mind. A small act of kindness nudges a person closer to God, often in a profound way as it bypasses ones mental defenses. The average Christ-follower is willing to hand a stranger a cup of coffee or wrap a gift f or wash windows(low risk). The high grace is seen in the typical reaction. "Oh, thank you!" "This is so nice!" "I can't believe this is for free!" And, "Why are you doing this?" Kindness builds the bridge for the person to receive a touch of love from God. It's simple, practical, effective and fun!
I am leading a group called Illuminate, which is a servant evangelism team. We meet once a month and do practical ministries throughout the community. Our aim right now is the Heights are which is the residential area that is not so fortunate. We have a goal for 20 people of the Heights to come to Christ this year and so far we have 4 people who have started that journey!!
In december we offered free gift wrapping to shoppers in Coleraine Diamond Centre. People were just amazed that we were doing this for absolutely nothing in return.
We washed windows in the Heights area for free in February, and had a blast! We were able to chat with several people and tell them why it is we are out in the cold washing strangers windows for nothing in returm. We are here to show God's love in a real and practical way.
For Valentine's day we invaded the town with kindness in our annual Kindness week. We handed out goodie baskets full of muffins, cupcakes & sweets to local businesses in Coleraine. One an in his mid forties was so thankful...He said he has never recieved anything for Valentine's day before and was a bit overwhelmed. We handed out jelly hearts to the teens where they all gather on fridays after school. We hand delivered 1400 Father's Love Letters in the Heights area. These letters just tell of God's love for us and it is so beautiful and passionate. One man who has lead a very bitter life recieved the letter and just wept while listening as his daughter read it aloud to him. The words are so powerful and it touches you right at the core. We toped of Kindness week with teams to the Montague & Cromore Nursing Homes where we handed out beautifully wrapped flowers for the ladies and sweets for the gents. We sang old love songs and hymns and visited the old folk and had so much fun!
This month we are Going Green for St. Paddy's Day(to all you americans...apparantly Paddy is spelled with two"d's" instead of "t's"...I got told for spelling it the latter!!!)!! We will be handing out free energy saving light bulbs in the Heights along with a list of green ways to save money around the house.
I have also been working on building a relationship with the Diamond Centre. It is where all the shoppers are and a great place to reach the community. I have been in contact with them for the christmas wrapping and have offered to serve with anything else that they need help with. The assistant manager, Lynsey, and I have hit it off anh she is now calling me to ask if we could help them out with events! So we are offering free face painting for their events and continuing to bless them with a servant heart. Isn't God so great!!!???!!!!
It's amazing the response you get from people and it is a wonderful opportunity to tell the community of God's incredible love for us. Here are some pix...
I am leading a group called Illuminate, which is a servant evangelism team. We meet once a month and do practical ministries throughout the community. Our aim right now is the Heights are which is the residential area that is not so fortunate. We have a goal for 20 people of the Heights to come to Christ this year and so far we have 4 people who have started that journey!!
In december we offered free gift wrapping to shoppers in Coleraine Diamond Centre. People were just amazed that we were doing this for absolutely nothing in return.
We washed windows in the Heights area for free in February, and had a blast! We were able to chat with several people and tell them why it is we are out in the cold washing strangers windows for nothing in returm. We are here to show God's love in a real and practical way.
For Valentine's day we invaded the town with kindness in our annual Kindness week. We handed out goodie baskets full of muffins, cupcakes & sweets to local businesses in Coleraine. One an in his mid forties was so thankful...He said he has never recieved anything for Valentine's day before and was a bit overwhelmed. We handed out jelly hearts to the teens where they all gather on fridays after school. We hand delivered 1400 Father's Love Letters in the Heights area. These letters just tell of God's love for us and it is so beautiful and passionate. One man who has lead a very bitter life recieved the letter and just wept while listening as his daughter read it aloud to him. The words are so powerful and it touches you right at the core. We toped of Kindness week with teams to the Montague & Cromore Nursing Homes where we handed out beautifully wrapped flowers for the ladies and sweets for the gents. We sang old love songs and hymns and visited the old folk and had so much fun!
This month we are Going Green for St. Paddy's Day(to all you americans...apparantly Paddy is spelled with two"d's" instead of "t's"...I got told for spelling it the latter!!!)!! We will be handing out free energy saving light bulbs in the Heights along with a list of green ways to save money around the house.
I have also been working on building a relationship with the Diamond Centre. It is where all the shoppers are and a great place to reach the community. I have been in contact with them for the christmas wrapping and have offered to serve with anything else that they need help with. The assistant manager, Lynsey, and I have hit it off anh she is now calling me to ask if we could help them out with events! So we are offering free face painting for their events and continuing to bless them with a servant heart. Isn't God so great!!!???!!!!
It's amazing the response you get from people and it is a wonderful opportunity to tell the community of God's incredible love for us. Here are some pix...
Monday, January 26, 2009
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