Another Update!

Hello my dear friends and family!

I know I just sent out an update less than a week ago, but I have internet use today, so I thought I’d utilize this opportunity to update you all on the many things that have happened from then till now.

This past weekend I went to an OMS conference in Northern Ireland and it was so great! First of all, for those of you that don’t know, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland (which is actually called the Republic of Ireland) are two separate countries! They even have different currencies! I kept referring to where I’m living as Southern Ireland and then had to correct myself, and say The Republic of Ireland. Anyway, the conference was so uplifting! It was so amazing to hear from other missionaries who have a heart to spread the word of God and to know that we aren’t alone in this call. I got to meet a lot of youths my age, which was nice since there are practically no Christians my age here in Ballina, and hopefully we’ll all get to meet up again while Colleen and I are here. I also got to visit with my friends Gavin and Julie and their 100 day old little girl AnnaSophia, whom were at training with me in July! It was such a blessing to visit with them and to meet their baby girl whom was just a big belly on Julie the last time I saw her. Another cool thing was that I met a Pastor from South Africa! It was so great to talk to someone about my experiences there and whom knew what I was talking about! I hope I get to see all of you again soon!

That Sunday night we stayed the night at Stephen and Esther Williamsons house- Stephen was the one who picked Colleen and I up from the airport, and is kind of one of our leaders- and they were such a blessing! Everyone we meet is so caring and welcoming, and they may not know exactly how much, but it means so much to Colleen and I! Monday morning we drove five hours back to the Republic of Ireland with our other leader, Paudge Mulvilhill, and his wife (we also drove to the conference with them). I got to know them pretty well this weekend and it was so much fun! They’re such a laugh and they remind me of my grandparents a bit, so it was good to have that feeling of parent-like love and joking again.

After getting home on Monday, we had a few hours of rest before our day became very busy. First, we went to volunteer at a children’s center here in Ballina that’s called Millview. All the kids are traveler kids (literally gypsies) and even though we were only there for an hour, we could feel the need for love and attention there. They were all very loud, speaking loud for fear of not being heard, and they talked a lot about fighting. Please pray for these children (their safety and opportunities to talk to them about the Lord) and that Colleen and I could let God guide us as we seek to just love on these kids. We go back there tonight, so be praying!

Earlier that day, Colleen and I had spoken to the coach of the senior women’s soccer team here in Ballina about joining the team, so after volunteering at Millview, we headed over to the girls practice fields. We were supposed to be there just to check it out, but somehow got wrangled into practicing with them. I was wearing converse shoes and Colleen was wearing Ugg boots. They weren’t playing a soccer game or anything like that, thank goodness, but we got a good work out doing their exercise routine (suicides, lunges, things with a medicine ball, etc…). So, Colleen and I are now on the Ballina women’s soccer team and we practice Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday, and games start in April. I’M EXCITED! I haven’t played soccer since high school- and the Irish people have this assumption that all Americans are beasts at soccer- so hopefully I won’t make too much of a fool out of myself. Please be praying that God opens up the doors and the opportunities to be able to talk to these girls about the Lord, and that this would be a great evangelism opportunity.

After soccer, we went to the Methodist Church in town for a meeting with all the Church leaders in Ballina about a float we are going to have in the St Patrick’s Day parade. It went well I thought, though there are conflicting opinions about what exactly we should put on the float, but all in all, there will be an opportunity for evangelism and people will get to hear the Gospel. Pray that God guides us in this and that he would already begin to soften the hearts of those we will get to talk to on this day.

Some more cultural differences: They call bangs “fringes”, panini’s (the sandwich) are huge here, the crepes are amazing, they have tea time and also bring out tea and sweats every time they have a guest (it would be extremely rude to not do this), and stopping for pedestrians is a suggestion- not a must.

Well, I think that is all I have for now… sorry that was so long! Please keep all these things in your prayers and please be praying for Colleen and I as well as we begin to dive into the Ballina community! Thank you all for your support and also keep praying that the Lord would provide the rest of my funds here, for I am still not fully funded to stay the whole 10 months I am meant to.

Love you all and God Bless!

Carrie

Ireland update #2

Hello Everyone!

I would write some cool Irish greeting as the headline, but seeing as I haven’t actually started saying one yet, I’ll wait until that moment happens and when I start to get an accent as most of you commented to me that you think I will haha! Anyway, here is an update for you all:

I’ve been in Ireland for about a week and a half now, and so far it’s going good! For the first week, we were in a temporary house, but on Monday we got to move into our permanent residence and boy was that interesting!  Irish standards of clean are a lot different than American standards of clean- and especially a lot different than my own standards of clean from working at UCYC where the standards were very high. I don’t think the oven had ever been clean in all its years of existence (just imagine what that might look like and times it by three… it was gross to say the least). The tenant who lived in the house right before us decided to take all the light bulbs when he left- which I’ve never heard of in my life because who does that- so we only had about two working lights when we moved in. The previous tenant was also a smoker- enough said. Colleen (my roommate and fellow missionary from the states) and I spent hours cleaning the house (and have yet to finish cleaning it), and though it was grotesque, we looked at each other and laughed, saying, “This will be one of those things that we remember for the rest of our lives and look back on it and say ‘remember that one time…’” All this is just part of the adventure and we are lucky, and blessed just to have a roof over our heads. The house by itself- without all of the dirt- is quite nice and quant, and it is slowly becoming our own.

The weather has proved to be quite sporadic. On Saturday it was pouring rain in the morning, sunny in the afternoon, and foggy at night. People here say, “That’s Ireland for you.” That day we also got to go to a Gaelic football game, which is very fast past and cool to watch. To me it looked like soccer, football, basketball, and rugby all mixed together.

Sunday morning, Colleen and I went to the Presbyterian Church. It was only about twenty people, but they were all very welcoming and it was nice to know we aren’t the only Christians here in Ballina. That night we went to the Church our leaders have planted, in which we are a part of, and it was really cool because afterwards we all had dinner together and it just has that very communal-intimate feel. This coming Monday we start volunteering at a children’s center, which should be cool! We’ve been trying to find volunteer opportunities, but so far haven’t had any success. What we’ve found hard so far is finding time to fill our schedules and finding time to do things. This mission trip is different than other mission trips I’ve been on in that there are no immediate needs to be met (i.e. food, water, shelter, etc), all their needs are of the heart. The people here laugh at you when you say you’re a believer. They turn to more ritual and pagan types of healing and beliefs. The best way we can be disciples here is by building new relationships and by being an example to those people/loving them with God’s love. In this first week, we’ve basically just been settling in and getting the feel of the town, so once we start volunteering and getting better connected to the community, I feel things will be better.

On St. Patrick’s Day, our Church and the other small Churches in the community are going to have a float in the parade and we’re going to use that opportunity to evangelize, which I am really excited for! Though there are a little number of Christians here in Ballina, those that I have met have such a heart for their little town to know the Lord. It is so encouraging!

More things I’ve noticed: The currency exchange rate sucks! There aren’t nearly as many redheads here as American’s believe there are (there are definitely a greater population of them here, but not everyone has red hair). It’s cold and rainy- duh (thanks for the warm cloths grandma!)! Fashion here is similar to the U.S. They don’t really eat peanut butter! I’m determined to shove pb&j’s- which they don’t eat and have never even tried- down their throats and change their world. They also think it odd that we eat peanut butter on things like apples, bananas, and celery… though I think its weird that they don’t! Haha!

Every Tuesdays we have Bible studies, which are really nice and a good for our little group to bond. I’ve never been a part of a consistent Bible Study before, so I like it a lot! This weekend we are going to a conference for out mission group (One Mission Society) in Northern Ireland. I’m really excited about this because we’ll get to see more of the landscape of Ireland, we’ll get to meet other missionaries of Europe and who have a heart for the people here, and I’ll get to see my friend Julie and her family- whom were at training with me in Indiana in July.

Well, I think that is all I have for now. Please keep me in your prayers. Pray that God would open up opportunities to get connected here in Ballina and that He would guide us in where he wants us to get connected. Pray that He would continue to grow and strengthen Colleen and I the longer we are here. Pray that God would fully provide my needed funds to stay here the entire time I’m supposed to. Pray for the hearts of those we will meet and encounter- that their hearts would be open! Thank you all for your prayers and support!

With His love,

Carrie

Ireland Update! #1