Ministry...Community...Relationship

It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon. As I sit here in my room at Murlough House and try to reflect on the past few weeks here, three words come to mind – ministry, community, and relationship. Ministry because of the continued work we do with the kids and teens; community because the Lord has brought incredible people into my life, providing a sense of community here; and relationship because much of the time spent here is in relationship with those around me, or with the Lord.

One event that took place in the past few weeks was the Canadian Thanksgiving dinner that Jen and Richie hosted for almost 35 family members and friends. This event was also a welcome home surprise for Cynthia. We had all sorts of lovely foods – turkey, lamb, chicken, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted potatoes, corn, salads, bread…you name it, we had it! On top of that there were about five or six delicious desserts. Needless to say, we had our fill of wonderful food and a great time with new friends and old.

The ministry over the past few weeks has been good. We’ve held three kids clubs now and the children seem to be enjoying their time with us and time learning about God’s word. We’ve covered creation and Adam and Eve over the past few weeks. This week we’ll look into the story of Noah and the flood. The high school girls’ ministry is going well. We’ve had a few more bible studies over the past few weeks; this week we discussed being a light in darkness to those around us. We also did a bit of baking this week for the girls’ night activity. They enjoyed making chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies.

Another exciting event this week was last night at the Oasis – the Oasis is a ministry for mostly 25+. There is usually a group that does some music and worship as well as a speaker. In my first week here at Murlough House, Ross Holmes – the man who organizes the nights at the Oasis – asked me and Bryan (the other Murlough intern) if we liked to sing. So we said yes, not really thinking anything of it. The next thing we knew he had called up his friend Chloe who plays the piano and we were now in a band called “Across the Water!”  So we’ve practiced over the past few weeks and had our debut worship service last night at the Oasis. To be honest, there was a bit of nerves about singing here and the different culture and all, but the night turned out lovely and it was a great time of worship, hearing God’s word, and fellowship with new friends. We sang a few songs you may know: Amazing Grace (My chains are gone version), “The Power of the Cross” (Keith and Kristen Getty), “Here’s My Life (Barlow Girl), “All the way my Savior Leads me,” and “It is well.” It was a blessing to worship with everyone last night. Very great night!

If you’ve been partnering with me in prayer, I’ve listed a few praises and prayer requests below:

Praise: John Moxen is home from the hospital. He had a diffibulator put in and is now at home resting. He is doing well. Thank you to all who prayed for John.

 - Please pray for the health of all at Murlough House.

 - Please pray for strength and guidance for the work and ministry here

 - Please pray for the kids and teens that are ministered to here and for their families

 - Please pray for comfort when missing family and friends in the states

Please let me know how I can be praying for you, send a message to jessgrove85@yahoo.com

God bless!

Kids club, girls' ministry, and bears...oh my!

I've been in Northern Ireland for nearly a month today. It's been a great time of planning for youth programs, establishing relationships and community, and spiritual growth. It's interesting to feel yourself slowly integrate into another culture while striving to stay connected to everything and everyone you know and love back home. 

As far as ministry work, we started a 'Kid's Club' childrens' bible school this week that will take place every Monday after school. We have games, crafts, activity packets and bible stories. We are teaching them about the 12 disciples over the 12 weeks of this portion of kid's club, along with a bible story that ties into the theme of the day (various themes include creation, faith, love, holiness, etc). The kids are in Primary school, like our elementary; they are in grades P4-P7 (they are 7 years old up to 10 or 11 years old). The kids are, needless to say, full of energy; the first week with them was enjoyable and I've made friendships with the young girls. They are just precious!

Over the past two weeks, I've led the high school girls bible study that meets on Thursday nights (soon to move to Wednesdays). We're going through a study that was created by a few former interns at Murlough House. The study is called 'Purely for Him' and centers around 'Our place' as Gods creation, daughters, temple, etc. Great study, has sparked many interesting conversations/questions already! The relationships with the girls are growing which is also exciting to see. Even had a conversation with one girl this week on questions around creation, spirits, evil in a god-created world, etc. Pray for these conversations to continue and expand.

Also, Heather Ferguson helped me coordinate pen pals from the youth group at Northview for the girls here in Dundrum. The girls here have been excited to receive e-mails from the girls in the states; they are also working on letters to send them! If the girls in the states come to Murlough House with Northview's team trip in the summer of 2011, they will get to meet their pen pals! Can't wait!

If you are partnering with me in prayer, I've listed a few prayer requests below:

 - That relationships would continue to grow in depth, trust, and love
 - New ways to minister to the girls would reveal themselves
 - The health of all who work at Murlough
 - The health of John Moxen who is still waiting to get to the hospital in Belfast to have a diffibulator put in. Has been in the hospital since August 31st. Also for his wife Jo through this time.
 - The girls here would start to ask the questions of why I'm really here and questions about faith, God, etc.
 - For the families of the children we minister to; that through that work, they may somehow also be reached if they are not already.

I appreciate all of your love and prayer support thus far and look foward to continuing to pray for you. Please e-mail me jessgrove85@yahoo.com if there's anything I can pray for for you!

Take care and God bless!
Jess Grove