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