The Emerald Isle
Trip Start
Aug 25, 2008
1
18
Trip End
Oct 27, 2008
Where I stayed
Galway Christian Fellowship
Galway, Western Ireland, Ireland
Saturday, October 25, 2008
We flew from Scotland to Ireland, and spent a wonderful four nights in this beautiful country. We were able to stay at a church on the Western side of Ireland, and had such a wonderful time. We drove around that part of the country one rainy day (we found out why it's so green there, it rains like nothing else), and were just overwhlemed at how beautiful a country it is. Scotland was mysterious and grand; Ireland was very welcoming, green, and lovable in a weird way. You felt that you could really begin to love the people of Ireland. As you drive through the countryside you come upon so many random ruins, of old abbeys and monastaries, where you still fill His presence. Old small villages, and grand castles. It's a very different type of country. I have been reading some of the history of the Celtic saints again, and it is so interesting to read about what was so normal for them, where God was an allpowerful loving intimate God, who healed, delivered, and was not in a box. I compare that with how we live today. And also it was so amazing to be in a place where you feel that history so alive and so real!
One of the highlights as we drove around the Irish countryside, was diving along the sea road. There were gorgeous cliffs and hilly, mountianous areas, and other places where the green plains stretched out before you. We went to this one famous area called the cliffs of Moher. It was gorgeous! The wind was so strong that it pulled the spray up from the oceans, thousands of feet up and over the top of the cliffs. Jason decided he wanted to go to the edge where it was flying up the mountain, and suceeded in getting soaked within seconds. It was an awesome display of raw power and beauty.
Another highlight of our time in Ireland was the day before we left. We had driven back to the east side of the Island near Dublin, and decided to visit the Hill of Slane. In Irish History, the Hill of Slane is noted for where St. Patrick lit the first Easter Fire. The following is one version of the tale. It was an evening where the high druid (sorceror) king of Ireland was supposed to light the first fire that night. Patrick climbed up to an opposite hill called the Hill of Slane and there lit the first fire, consecrating Ireland to the High King Jesus! The druid king was so angry he called Patrick in to challenge him. The challenge was one of the druids would enter his fire, and Patrick would enter the other. Whoever came out, His God was Lord. One young boy, follower of Patrick and the Lord, asked if he could have the honor of walking into the fire. His faith would be his own. As you can guess the druid volunteer did not survive the ordeal, but the boy walked out unscathed. As a result of this very Elijah like event, it started a revival in the servants and peoples of this druid king. Anyway, we walked up this hill, and looked out over the countryside surrounding us. It was a very spirtually thin area. On top of the hill is ruins from a monastary/abbey from the 1500s. It was rebuilt after the first monastery under Biship Erc which was built during Patricks time after the first lighting of the fire was ruined. To this day, they still light the fire up there every year. As we took pictures around the ruins of the abbey, we were suprised to find our pictures filled with prayer orbs, lights, and angel like figures. The place was an absolute amazing place, very very powerful.
The last day in Ireland, we ended up having to spend quite a while in the Dublin airport. Jason had the opportunity to minister to an old gentleman the love of Christ. It broke our hearts as he cried. He felt too dirty for Christ's love, or even for a hug. Sarah and I also go to prophesy over another guy, and that was fun. This trip was Sarah's first time where she really got to step out and reach out to strangers who don't know the Lord.
Well after that, we had a long two day trip back to the US. We are not back in Kansas City, Missouri, looking for jobs that will help us save money for school. Also we are in the process of finding an apartment, and Jason is right now trying to fix our car. The next season will be good, and we have just started on the next part of the adventure. Thank you for praying for our entire trip! It was such an eye-opening time for all of us. So many relationships and connections were established in different countries that will probably be used in future years. Besides that we had lots of opportunity to minister in other countries, and get to know bits of other cultures. We had so fun, and have so many memories that will last us all our lives. We have been invited back, especially to Scotland, for an actual focused ministry trip, to help equip and train the Believers there. We dont know if we will actually ever go back (probably will someday) but still to see so much hunger for the new things of the Spirit, was so fun to see. You find brothers and sisters all over the world that have the same heart cry. He is raising up His endtime generation all over the world. Don't forget to really pray for these elections coming up. He loves this land, and He is so faithful. Again thank you!!! Love you!
