Week Two: Countryside and Vision of the Mission

Wow.

There really are no words to describe

the Irish countryside, especially from this photo I took early in morning at the Old YWAM base in Closkelt, NI. We went there last weekend and began out first phase of lecture on the "Father Heart of God" The speaker's name was Mike Oman and he spent hours, not simply lecturing, but telling stories of how the Lord had worked in his life. Everything from providing everything he needed to the time when things got rough and the Lord gave him direction. The most meaningful verse he gave that week was in Psalm 139, the thesis of God's love for us. In it is says how much he care for us, how he knows our ways, he hems us in behind and before and was even involved in out making.

After leaving Closkelt we drove about an hour to Rostrevor... The leadership here at YWAM had decided to GIVE the Closkelt base away to another group earlier this year not know what the Lord may be doing. Within only a week of getting here, the Lord gave them a new campus, the Estate at Rostrevor. It's name was the "Christian Renewal Center" and served as a place for many different Christians to come and pray and interceed for this island. It is a 20 Room, 9+ bathroom sort of mansion with a dining hall, conference room, many studies and sitting rooms. It is both a place to rest and to fight (spiritually, of course :) While we were there we interceeded for this nation with many other leaders, both Catholic and Protestant alike for the building of this nation. It was blessed.

We returned here for many other lectures about the Father Heart of God, but I was particularly intrigued by what the Lord would lead me into...

I was walking one night with some of the student home when we were stopped by a young
boy(15) smoking a cigarette. He asked if we would rather walk through the park, it being a shorter route. My friends declined but I was curious, so I went along. We only fiddled in Idle chatter, he asked me If I met any movie stars and what kinds of animals just run about. We reached the end of our walk and he had to go. I didn't know if I would ever see him again. A few days later , I saw him on the street and I stopped him. We ended up walking all the way back to my house and we had quite a conversation. This is part of his story and a glimpse into the purpose of my mission here.

His name is Dillion and is 15. His folks divorced when he was 3 or 4 and at one point his mother had kidnapped him back, but now he lives with his dad again. Both of his folks are unemployed and live off benefits (welfare). He spends his weekends drinking and has also taken a position at a bar cleaning tables. His listens to screamer rock music constantly and sometime, to pass time, will go to the "Peace line" to pick a fight. He wanders the street mostly because there is nothing else to do. I had the opportunity to meet his folks who just turned their head to see me and then turn back to watch TV. This is the entirety of his life. He is part of my mission here, and a glimpse into the numerous problems that lie here in Belfast, as he is not a mionority.

Please pray for me and the people I meet here.

Week One: What is Belfast?

Asian Food.
Architecture.
Rain
And the Irish, wait no British wait, what?

Well one thing is for sure, they love Asian food. There is a Chinese food shop literally every block, sometimes two side by side. But food aside, I must say this is the most amazing place I have ever been.
The first week has most;y been overview, history and orientation. We have taken two tours, the first of downtown (City Centre as they say) where we saw the tow cranes used to build the Titanic. We saw the mall and the Capital building also (in the pictures on Facebook). This is a beautiful city...most of it at least.
We took a second tour of the many murals that were painted during the troubles depicting many different "martyrs" and paramilitary groups that carried on the war. With that we visited the "Peace Line" or Wall that separates the two communities.
We as a mission live in the "poor" part of town know as the Shankill Road- the British protestant side of the wall (the Irish Catholic side being Falls Road). It's a two or three mile stretch of pavement where many of the "Troubles" took place over the past 40 years. there is still evidence of the destruction by way of hollowed out buildings, "rubbish" covered foundations, and dirty sidewalks. They say say that people on either side of the wall can go the first 18 years of their life without ever meeting a person from the other side (only 3 block away)
That said, I have had a most excellent time meeting the people here. This Thursday was particularly awesome. Several of us went to the Belfast House of Prayer where a small group of committed Christians meet to pray for the city. I was great to meet some Christian Northern Ireland folks and worship and pray with them. After an amazing worship session a few of us YWAM'ers went to a local pub. When we were there a group of local musicians began to play traditional Irish music. I think they were a little skeptical about the group of Americans there but when they had played my favorite Reel i said "That the Tam Lin, that's my favorite tune!" the fiddle player handed me here fiddle and let me play a couple of songs with them. I'm not sure how any of you feel about periodically visiting a pub, but I'm excited to get to know these folks and intend to go back.
That's about all I have time for now. We'll begin to start our outreaches this week and visit a new facility in the Irish Country Side where we begin our first weekly lecture- "The Father Heart of God".
More to come. Please continue to pray.

Cheers
Mike

The Calm before the Storm

Well friends, here it goes. Earlier this year I made the decision to go to Ireland with the intentions of eventually staying there long term. I worked hard this year saving money and getting ready for this trip. The Lord has been very gracious to me and has provided ( and continues to provide) support for this trip. This only leads me to confirm that I'm headed the right direction.

My trip to Minnesota was fantastic, a series of meetings with good friends that I had made during my time there and having to opportunity to share with them my hopes and dreams of my mission to Ireland. I was easily reminded why I loved it there. Now I return to Branson to say good bye to my most recent Church family and finish raising support. I can't be sure, but it looks like I will end up with the exact amount I need only 2 days before I depart.

If you would like, you can pray for my drive tomorrow and saturday and then for my packing adventure monday. Tuesday I fly out of St. Louis. I'll land in Belfast, NI on Wednesday. Thanks to all who are praying.

Cheers
Maeder