A lot can happen in two and a half months if you really think back on the time you’ve spent. I’ve been able to spend ninety-six hours with the girls counting the different drop-ins and bible study nights. Ninety-six hours of relationship in two and a half months. In this time, I’ve learned a bit about their backgrounds and families. I’ve learned who is and is not interested in hearing the gospel. I’ve challenged the girls to think for themselves instead of agreeing with everything they are taught in their schools, by the media, and in their homes and churches. It’s been challenging for me as well to remember that the heart of a servant does not worry about having an audience other than the Lord. Also, no matter how much I serve, if my heart isn’t right, it’s all for nothing in the eyes of the Lord. Big conviction as of late.
The ministries are still going well. The kids club this past Monday was on my birthday (November 15th). It was also Alix’s (one of the little girls in kids club) birthday so we celebrated with special treats. We’re going through the story of Moses with the kids right now, and for the first lesson we went over the story of Moses being found in the Nile by Pharaoh’s daughter. Since Moses’s mother had made a basket to float him in, we decided to play a game with the kids called “will it sink or will it float?” We had a clear tub of water at the front of the room and different items (i.e. a rubber band, a pencil, a one-pound coin, etc) and had the kids come up one at a time and guess if their item would sink or float. If they got it right they got a sweetie (candy). In the end we had enough items for every kid to try again until they got it right and got a sweetie, they really enjoyed that game!
For girls’ night last week, we went to the Downpatrick Cinema to see “Despicable Me.” It was a wonderful night out with the girls, and it was a great movie to take them to. This week we hung out at the Crosspoint Centre, made bracelets, and watched Harry Potter in celebration of going to see the new one next Saturday. I ask that if you’ve been partnering with me in prayer that you continue to pray for these girls; that they would continue to ask questions and open up with me about their lives and to be curious about mine as well.
I’ve been able to visit Belfast for the past few weeks, both on Thursday nights for outreach in the streets and on Saturdays just as a day out from Murlough. In fact, I’m typing this blog from the Linen Hall Library in downtown Belfast; it’s a very neat old library in the heart of the city. I believe it’s the oldest library in Ireland…I could be wrong; I’ve never been good at knowing bits of historical information like that (as my family and close friends well know!). About the outreach work though, the time I’ve spent in Belfast over the past few weeks has been very encouraging. I come downtown on Thursday nights with a team of people from all around the city and other towns in Northern Ireland. We set up on the street to do outreach and preaching from white boards. It’s not so much the preaching that is the emphasis, but meeting new people and sharing a bit of the gospel with them. The past few weeks have really been a blessing to come up here for that. Last week, it was too stormy to go out on the streets, so we just sat inside the McDonalds and talked with people there. I met two girls, Stephanie and Nicole (17 and 12 years old) who didn’t know much about the gospel and at first seemed very uninterested. I think they only listened to me because of the American accent. I shared a bit of my testimony with them and answered some of their questions about God and the bible. They started to become more interested! We talked for about an hour or so, by the end of the conversation they had to leave to catch a bus but they didn’t want to leave the table! It was so encouraging to see them open up to what God wanted to tell them! I got their names and we are now Facebook friends. Please pray for these two girls, Stephanie and Nicole, that they would continue to ask questions over Facebook.
This past Thursday we were able to be out in the streets for outreach and I met a guy named Stephen. He shared a bit of his story with me and I with him. We had things in common as far as searching for hope and meaning and ‘life to the full.’ He was interested in ‘what I have’ and God was able to use that to speak to him. I took his email to follow up with him and I believe he may come to ‘The Oasis’ tonight (it’s a 25-and-up night run by Murlough for fellowship, worship, and teaching). We’ve encouraged him to come as he seems to be interested in having more Christian community and fellowship. Please pray for Stephen as well.
I know this is getting lengthy but before I end, thanks to all for the grand birthday wishes I received this week. It’s amazing how much a Facebook message or a card can impact you when the familiar comforts of home aren’t so familiar and commonplace. It was very nice to feel that much love on my birthday!
Also, if you’ve partnered with me in prayer, please lift up the following this week:
Monday : Pray for Alisdair Ewing who works at Murlough. He was in a car accident this morning and has been taken to the Downpatrick hospital. I’m not sure of his status at this time.
Tuesday: Pray for the continuing health and strength of John Moxen. He’s feeling a bit tired and gets worn out very easily. Pray for his continued healing.
Wednesday: Pray for Stephanie and Nicole, the two girls I met in the Belfast McDonalds.
Thursday: Pray for Stephen, who I met in the streets of Belfast.
Friday: Pray for the children and teens we work with and the relationships we’ve established in Dundrum.
Saturday: Pray for Bryan, my fellow intern, and God’s guidance, strength, and wisdom in his life.
Sunday: Pray for the health of all who work at Murlough as the cold season may be upon us here.
I hope all is well, and again if there is anything I can be praying for for you, please e-mail me at jessgrove85@yahoo.com.
Take care, and God bless!
