2009 Ireland Missions Trip Day 8

Today was our last full day in Ireland.  We spent time with Paul Houghton, father of Rachael, who is seriously considering the Furnace Midwest internship.  We would love for her to join us as we run hard after God and learn to take others with us.  She’s a great young woman and her dad is a man of God.

After our visit with Paul, we checked out Mellifont Abbey, a 12th centuryAbbey in County Louth.  It was out last historical visit on the trip.  What a wonderful time we’ve had here!  It really is hard to say goodbye to our friends and such a beautiful country.  We’ve seen God move in great ways and have hopefully poured fuel on the fires of prayer here.  It’s been a massive honor just tp play a small part in what the Lord is doing in Ireland.

To my wife and wonderful sons, I miss you so much and I can’t wait to hold you again!  I love you.  Thanks for releasing me for this time!

Mellifont Abbey

Mellifont Abbey

The whole team for one last picture

The whole team for one last picture

2009 Ireland Missions Trip Day 7

Today was a great day of ministry!  We had church with Emmanuel Community Church of Dundalk.  What a special worshiping church!  I had the honor of giving the message this morning, and then the interns and I prayed for members of the congregation.  Afterward we had a good “craic” with Pastor Peter and his wife Philemena at McGeough’s.  Other members from the church were there and it was such rich fellowship!

Tomorrow, we’ll be meeting with the father of a girl who is strongly considering the Furnace Midwest internship.  He has some questions and, since we’re here, we’re going to meet with him personally!  So many here have shown great interest in the School of Worship and The Furnace.  I think God might be preparing us to be an international ministry!

Emmanuel Community Church Dundalk

Emmanuel Community Church Dundalk

Worshiping at Emmanuel

Worshiping at Emmanuel

Praying for our friends in Dundalk

Praying for our friends in Dundalk

Sunday lunch at McGeough's

Sunday lunch at McGeough's

2009 Ireland Missions Trip Day 6

What a terrific day!  This morning we had a powerful prayer meeting with the people of Emmanuel Community Church in Dundalk.  We prayed the Word of God, prayed for each other, and talked about praying with diligence and perseverance.  Lots of prayers, hugs, and tears.  It’s so amazing to see God moving in Ireland!

After prayer, the ladies from the church made s homemade soup and scones.  The fellowship and food was so refreshing!

This evening, we were on the radio, with Pastor Peter Lynch, discussing prayer.  It’s such a challenge to talk about prayer to an unsaved listening audience.  What an honor to go on the air and share with thousands of people in Ireland about drawing nearer to God!

On our way back to Slane we stopped to see Slane Abbey one more time.  Watching the sun set from such an incredible place is truly breathtaking!

Enjoy the video and pictures…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M8iO01vLfE]

Prayer meeting in Dundalk

Prayer meeting in Dundalk

Lunch with friends

Lunch with friends

On the air on Dundalk FM 100

On the air on Dundalk FM 100

Sunset at the Hill of Slane

Sunset at the Hill of Slane

Slane Abbey

Slane Abbey

2009 Ireland Missions Trip Day 5

Today the team hiked up the Hill of Slane to check out Slane Abbey, a great site where St. Patrick himself established a church.  From it you can see for miles around.  While the team was out hiking, I decided to get some laundry done.  It took me 20 minutes just to figure out how to open the dryer door!  I’d swear that, when I took my clothes out of the dryer, they were more wet than when I put them in.  They are all currently hanging on the oil heat registers throughout the cottage.

Tonight we had the privilidge of ministering at the Emmanuel Community Church youth group.  It was great!  I talked to them about prayer and we all called on God together for our friends and families.  The church is down the street from the famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a massive structure that has to be seen to fully appreciate the scope and breadth of it.

Slane Abbey from the trail

Slane Abbey from the trail

Slane Abbey

Slane Abbey

It was a muddy hike.  Bethany lost the sole of her shoe.

It was a muddy hike. Bethany lost the sole of her shoe.

St. Patrick's from across the street

St. Patrick's from across the street

St. Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick's Cathedral

2009 Ireland Missions Trip Day 4

Another great day!  Today, we drove up to Northern Ireland and spent time visiting and praying with local pastors.  It was great to hear their hearts and share their burden in prayer!  We were able to give one of them, a church planter, a new laptop computer.  What an honor to bless the work of God in Ireland!

While we were with them, we visited Nendrum Monastery, Bangor Abbey, and the First Presbyterian Church on High Street where the 1859 revival broke out.  What a privilidge to stand where God moved so powerfully!

Enjoy a couple of videos and some pictures…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_vCVsarQrc]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WrFvzek1Sc]

Pastors Calvin, Lee, Scott, and David

Pastors Calvin, Lee, Scott, and David

Remains of Nendrum Monastary

Remains of Nendrum Monastary

First Presbyterian Church on High Street

First Presbyterian Church on High Street

Ruins of Bangor Abbey

Ruins of Bangor Abbey

Chinese Food Irish Style

Chinese Food Irish Style

Old factory Travis found

Old factory Travis found

2009 Ireland Missions Trip Day 3

Today was great!  We visited Monasterboice to see some of the most amazing Celtic crosses anywhere.  That wasn’t the highlight of the day though.  The best part was going to Drogheda to lead a Furnace prayer meeting.  It was so amazing!  The people here are hungry for a move of God.  They long to see the fires of prayer burn bright!  What a blessing to get to play a small part of that!  We even met in a coffee shop just like back home.  Another cool part of our day was meeting with Rachael, a young lady who’s very interested in joining the Furnace Midwest internship in the fall.  It’s a long way to come, but totally worth it!

Enjoy the video and pictures!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9gHAL3KYds]

Vanessa made a new friend

Vanessa made a new friend

Monasterboice.  Ruins of 6th century monastary.

Monasterboice. Ruins of 6th century monastary.

Estate near Monasterboice

Estate near Monasterboice

The crew in front of a beautiful cross

The crew in front of a beautiful cross

Kirsty and Shannon, our praise team for the night

Kirsty and Shannon, our praise team for the night

Lots of prayers and hugs at the Furnace prayer meeting

Lots of prayers and hugs at the Furnace prayer meeting