Latest Update!

Friends and Family,

Wow, it’s been a while since an update, I apologize! Things have been busy here, yet at the same time steady. So, here it goes:

One thing I’ve found hard to adjust to- and also something I’ve found hard to explain- is “Irish time.” When I studied abroad in South Africa, we always joked, saying “Do you mean real time, as in on time, or do you mean South African time, which means you’ll be late?” Ireland is a lot like that. If you say meet at seven and show up at seven, you’ll be early. Along with that, everything here starts late. Many business don’t even open until 10am and everything here happens in the evening. So, when I say things have been busy, but at the same time steady (aka slow), I mean that during the day I’m pretty much always free, and then everything I’m doing happens at night. It’s the whole Irish time thing. As someone who is always on time and whom being on time is important to, this has definitely been an adjustment!

Last Monday, we went to Dublin, which was really awesome! We went there to learn about this new learning system called Porterbrook, which is a sort of do-it-yourself training tool to teach more about ministering and church planting. It was cool to learn about the system, though I don’t know if we’ll be using it, and it was also cool to get a chance to walk around Dublin. It is such a busy and culturally rich city!

We’ve been going to soccer every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and I love it! It’s so great playing again and I can’t wait for games to start next month! We’ve been getting to know some of the girls better, so that’s good as well! We ran a 10k in under and hour last weekend, so that was fun, and we are running another one in May! Yesterday we also joined a walking group, which walks different trails and country roads, and we walked 9.5k. It was pretty much an intense speed walk the whole time haha these people mean business! Saturday they’re going on an 18k… through mud and water! Not sure I’ll go on that one because I don’t have the proper footwear, but we’ll see. Overall, I had fun walking with them and it was good to find another way to meet new people whilst doing something I like. Please be praying about these two groups- that relationships could be built and doors could be opened.

We still go to the Millview children’s program on Monday’s and Wednesdays, but I’ve been finding that quite challenging. The kids just come from very troubled homes and it is apparent in their words and actions. Wednesday’s are for the older kids and almost no one ever shows up. Please be praying in this situation. Pray for these kids home lives and for patience on my part. Pray that God would be working in this ministry opportunity.

This week I’ve felt my first twinge of homesickness. Just in talking with my friends and family and hearing about the nice weather in Arizona- I’ve been missing it all. Pray for me in this as well.

Saturday, as I’m sure you know, was St. Patrick’s Day. A group called NRG (New Rising Generation) came and Colleen and I worked with them, and we did some street evangelism. We spent Friday night at a couple’s house (Val and Burt; they have a big house) getting to know one another and worshiping, and praying and learning street evangelism tactics. It was fun to get to meet some more people our age and I’ve grown really close to Val and Burt since I’ve been here (my sort of Christian mom and dad here). Saturday we went out and did some street evangelizing, and it was freezing cold outside! Nothing huge and major happened on the streets, but it was still a good experience. Later on the weather progressed so badly that we went to the Methodist Church and spent a few hours praying for the town instead of being out and evangelizing. The prayer was so incredible and I know that was God’s plan all along- us fighting in prayer. The next day was the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was fun and cool to see. My favorite parts were the bagpipe bands and the Irish dancers, but other than that it was basically a giant advertisement parade haha.

Something I feel I’m beginning to understand better is what exactly I’ve gotten myself into here. Religion is all people know here… they don’t know Relationship at all! It is all legalism. I wish I cold explain this better, but the thought process here is hard to put into words. All I can say is that it just feels very empty and hopeless. Following God is works based and “hopefully” you’re good enough to get into Heaven. There is no assurance. Following God is a routine- going through the motions. Nearly everyone is Catholic, but almost no one is a practicing Catholic.

When talking to people about why I am here, it is a bit like walking on eggshells. You have to be careful what you say or you could very easily scare people off, and they’ll think you are part of a cult. Though our street evangelism was enlightening, I’ve come to learn that- in this culture- the best type of evangelism comes through building a foundation of friendship with someone. It is a slow process, therefore, but obviously worth it. Please be praying that God would give me the right words and guide me in my footsteps in building these relationships.

I think that is all I have for now, though I am sure I’ve missed much since I haven’t sent out an update in quite some time. I hope you all are doing well and I can’t tell you how much your prayers mean to me. I will try to be better about writing updates and I will talk to you all very soon I am sure! Please keep me in your prayers and all of these ministry opportunities as well!

God Bless,

Carrie Jarnagin