Up North

Im just back from a great few days up the north coast... Good fellowship with good friends. We stayed at my uncles house over looking the bay in Portrush. 4 of us were up for the full time and others came up and down as they pleased one night there was 13 trying to find room to sleep... ah the craic was mighty. The idea was to go up to New Horizon but that didnt really happen! It was nice to get away for a while have nothing to think about or organise and just relax and laugh. Here's to the freak out, chocolate crepes [Ross!], long walks at night, "Your a damn fool", pitch and putt [Dave Steeles mighty shot that hit the fence, the road, a car (we think) and a house door] poker, "spoken like a true asshole!", sitting out watching the waves rolling in, laughter, swing ball, the mighty plastic cricket set, the go karts, "You will not make this putt... you jackass!", the play house cinema [for those of you that don't know- their screen is painted on the wall!] lying in, discovering the dish washer worked and to good times.

Ukraine | All 46

Our feedback service is on Sunday 31st July at 6.30. Come along and hear the inside news and views!

Ukraine | What can I say?

We got back from Ukraine late on Saturday night [Sad times, heart ache, depression, weeping, deep sorrow- need I go on?] I have to say it truly was an amazing time although it was tougher ill admit leadership and organisational wise than last year but all well worth it. The team got on really well (my smaller team above minus Ryan as he was late!) These kind of things are always hard to put into words and to explain all I can say is that my heart for the place is still beating and in the words of arnie "ill be back!" Some team quotes/jokes you may hear floating about-

"Hey shooter... is this your ball?"
"Proper bo!"
"Hit them with Crucified!"
"Coo Coo"
"Have you the key?!"
"neh neh neh neh SUPERSTAR!" (to the tune of home alone)
"The sweat is lashing"
"Ziggy ziggy"

Ah good times! Here's to a 15 seat mini bus packed with 39 people me having to sit on the dash board and the door flying open, being served 4/5 meals a day, the craic being 45 (when our team spilt the second week) having no running water for 4 days, forgetting the words of songs while on stage, laughing at each other, Happy Gilmore asking for sports wear!, The lashing of sweat, getting shouted at, The rides at the death defying Ukrainian amusement park, the sore head, bruises and lose of voice caused by the rides at the death defying Ukrainian amusement park!, getting everyone home in one piece, getting happy gilmore to skip!, weeping, The attack of the soft and gentle, and best of all the team and many Ukrainians seeing how great our God is... May all the glory be his forever and ever.

Slava Bogu

Lost in Ukraine...

I feel lost here in the sense that its like a second home... Was walking about last night and today and kept bumping into teenagers that had been at camp down through the years was amazing- One girl especially who became a chrsitian in my group in 2002 is now married to a pastor's son (we worked out we were actually at her wedding last year) and she's giving it dixie for God. Its stories like this that make all the hassle worth while, God has really used our teams to make a difference. Moving on to Volochisk at 3pm today. Here's to riding a horse down the main street of Xhmelnitsky for the amusement of my team!

1 down and 1 to go...

We've now been in Ukraine for a week- good times had by all. Travel was fine apart from being delayed in Dublin airport because the captains seatbelt was broken! The teams spilt up pretty much staright away so my responsility of 46 was soon 14! We had the privledge of seeing 80 teenagers come to know Jesus last night- Slava Bogu. Currently in Xhmelnitsky for the weekend before going to Volochisk on Sunday for a week of kids camps looking forward to seeing friends in Volochisk again. Have to say its great being back in the land of russian speaking always forget how much I love the place until im here. The Lord has been good to us lots of answered prayer, good fellowship and team unity. Here's to getting stuck in a small lift with 7 people with no elec or air con, singing a duet in Russian, ross dressed up as a tribesman and lots and lots of pizza! NOT looking forward to coming home... although at least this year im not coming home to Bavarian!

The time has come

In the early hours of tomorrow morning we leave for Ukraine. I really can’t believe this day has come. I’m very excited to see and experience what God is going to do… it must be big (whether we see it or not) as there has been that much opposition to everything I’ve tried to organise. I feel a mixture of nerves, excitement and for some reason pure fear! I was invited along to the Youth For Christ Eastern Europe monthly board meeting this morning was a great time of fellowship and to put faces to names etc it was also a good encouragement as we prayed for the trip. One of the people there felt strongly during the prayer time that she had to give me the following verses:

But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD – Jeremiah 1 v 7

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1 v 9

and someone else told me the best was yet to come – That’s encouraging!

Here we go again…may ALL the glory be given to God and that ALL will see how great, how great our God is!

May we head boldly out into this international field