Glory be to God for the month of March in Northern Ireland! It’s been quite a busy time around the house this month as we’ve housed over 60 people from four mission teams over the past few weeks. I am feeling very refreshed, encouraged, blessed, inspired, rejuvenated, the list goes on and on… To be honest, I looked at the month of March with some anxiety because of all of the people coming and all of the work that would have to take place. But God has used the teams and the staff at Murlough House to glorify His name in many places here.
I led the team from Philadelphia Biblical University that came from March 12th to the 19th. The team was led by two very special new friends of mine Matt and Michele McAlack. They are a lovely couple who exude Christ’s love in all they do. It was such an encouragement to have the team here. Their main ministry was in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. Matt and Michele have come for four years now and have been able to continue their relationships with the children they’ve worked with in Downpatrick, something very encouraging to see here. I’ve listed some of the highlights of the team’s week below:
- Downpatrick Presbyterian church: Sunday night youth service, Sacred Space
o Team set up eight stations for the teens to go through (“love letter from God,” “you are the potter, we’re the clay,” “praying hands,” etc.)
- VBS in Parish Hall in Downpatrick: Monday – Wednesday afternoons
o Team did games, songs, story and craft with the children. Great relationships made and wonderful response from the children (also wonderful to see continuity of relationships with Matt, Michele and a few of the repeat team members).
- Assembly at Blackwater College (high school): Tuesday morning from 9:30 – 1:15
o Team led icebreaker games, a drama, three breakout sessions ( 20 minutes each; main themes were “better together,” “the power of your words,” and “you are valuable.”) The students were ages 12 – 14.
o The team also led in a worship song to close the workshop. VERY neat to see all of this done in a school!
- Down High Scripture Union (kind of like FCA): Tuesday afternoon
o Three of the team members spoke at the SU meeting. Shared things most meaningful in their lives (i.e. being open to God using them and their gifts wherever He calls them to)
- Drop in at Downpatrick Baptist Hall: Monday – Wednesday nights
o Played games with teens/children, developed relationships with the teen volunteers from Presbyterian church.
o The last night (Wednesday) had some worship/prayer with the teens who were there.
- St. Patrick’s Day Events
o Pilgrimage walk from Saul church to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
o 9 team members and I participated in the St. Paddy’s parade!! Great memories, even started up some games with the children who were in the parade J
- North Coast trip: Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dun Luce Castle
o Had mostly good weather for the trip, many special moments including a double rainbow at the Causeway!
o FISH AND CHIPS at the Galley (award winning)!!
I said goodbye to the Philly team last Saturday. I miss having them in the house and doing ministry with them. They probably had no idea how much they would minister to me while they were in Northern Ireland. They brought so much love, friendship, encouragement, worship and joy during their time here and I will miss them all greatly! I’m hoping to make a trip to Philly in the fall to visit them!!
Another encouragement in the past few weeks was the CSI (Christian Services International) team who made a repeat visit to Murlough House. It was wonderful to minister with them as well. They participated in some of the continuous youth work we do at the Crosspoint Centre as well as other work projects. They also conducted the morning service at a local Methodist church and lead the worship at a night service at a local Baptist church. They were a huge blessing to all of us at the house!
I think God has been teaching me this month that His work must continue here, no matter how many people He has to do it. Teams will continue to come and spread the gospel, and the work will go on. He will not be stopped or stalled, His message is too powerful. It has been so encouraging to see how the staff at the house and the teams pulled together to make His name great this month! Please pray that His Spirit continues to sew seeds in Northern Ireland for years to come!!
Also, if you’ve partnered with me in prayer, please lift up the following this week:
Monday : Pray for rest for the staff at Murlough House, especially Jo Moxen. Pray that we will be rejuvenated for the teams who come in April.
Tuesday: Pray for the continuing health and strength of John Moxen.
Wednesday: Pray for the children and teens we work with and the relationships we’ve established in Dundrum at the Crosspoint Centre.
Thursday: Pray for the high school girls I minister to as we begin a study on the book “Lies Young Women Believe…and the Truth that sets them Free.”
Friday: Pray for the teams getting ready to come in April, that their hearts may be open to what God wants to teach them here and how He wants to use them.
Saturday: Pray for financial support to continue to come in for the remainder of my time here.
Sunday: Pray for the health and strength of all who live/work at Murlough House.
Blessings to you all!!
Jess Grove
