My apologies for not updating for a million years. Keeping a blog is definitely NOT my strong point, but I know I need to keep y'all updated with the process and on goings of life on the field. Thus, a brand spankin' new post. Just for you! See how much I love you? :)
Okay, so UPDATE. A HUGE one.
UPDATE #1:
I went on a vision trip back in October to Ireland for ten days. The purpose of said vision trip: see what life is going to look like in Ireland. And let me tell you, I am SO looking forward to it.
I traipsed around the country with a wonderful person, Julieanne, who will be one of my teammates on the field. It was a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to go back in SEVENTEEN DAYS. WHAT. Yeah, life is going by WAY too quickly. But not, at the same time.
If you would like to see pictures from the vision trip, please click here.
During our travels, we saw the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher, parts of the Burren, explored random towns we were stuck in, and explored Kilkenny City. We also went on what the Irish call a "day trip", which is the equivalent of driving a half hour somewhere, to New Ross in County Wexford. We also stopped for a cuppa in a really fancy pants castle, all the while wearing jeans and boots and plaid shirts. Yeah, we definitely fit in real well with the suits and sweater vests and bowties.
We got to see the youth drop in centre in Kilkenny. And let me tell you, Jesus really messed me up. Like, holy shit, let me just find a corner and curl up and bawl my eyes out, messed me up. He REALLY did a number on my heart after hearing some of the stories of a few kids that hang out at the centre. It hit me all at once a few days after I got home. See, there's this girl at the centre. She's seventeen. And she's an alcoholic. Let that sink in for a second.
She did not leave my brain for a good solid couple of weeks. She still hasn't. She has left a real big impression on my heart. She just got to me. Her situation broke me. I have personally been wounded by alcoholism. I haven't been able to be around it for a good solid two years. I hated what it did to people, what it turned them into, how it wrecks families.
But after bawling my eyes out at house church (I legit have the best church family there.), after being prayed over, I felt better. There was such healing that came through the tears. Point proven: A few weeks after, I was at a work Christmas party. Everyone at my table had alcoholic beverages, even one of my co workers was drunk, and I was completely fine. I wasn't uncomfortable in the slightest. Awesome, yeah?
Such an answer to prayer. Because Ireland has such a big drinking culture, it was one thing I was seeking healing for. And it came. Yes. Praise Jesus. (update #2)
UPDATE #3:
I actually get to go to Ireland through an organization! For the first six months at least. Allow me to back up. While on the vision trip, my wonderful contacts explained to me that AIM has a six month trip that I can apply for, because it isn't a long term trip, so as a Canadian I am allowed to apply. So I will be doing the same thing, but for six months instead of one or two years. This takes a bit of pressure off of me, because they arrange housing for me. AND AND AND, you guys, I get to be in constant community again. I haven't had this since I was in Cambodia. I am SO excited for this. Being in constant community was one of the hardest but most wonderful things I did. Because it's been a while since living with that, I know it's going to be a challenge, and it will be with different people, but I know it's going to be worth it. I'm pretty stoked to be able to be under AIM's covering. They're such a legit organization.
I will still be going on a working holiday visa, so I will still be in Ireland for two years, but for the first six months, I will be with AIM. After that, I'm just leaving it up to Jesus. Maybe an internship with an organization that works with sex trafficking victims? I'm going to need some sort of credibility in the country. I can't exactly show up, as a foreigner with no degree or experience, and get the permit to build a safehouse. I need some sort of experience and proof that I have worked with an Irish organization. So be praying for doors to open, y'all.
UPDATE #4:
I will not be working with the youth drop in centre in Kilkenny City, as was planned. Frank and Rebekah have been working on getting a full time youth centre set up in New Ross, and it looks like the town is pretty behind it, so that's where I will be helping out at. I'm pretty stoked to set up shop in a brand new town. New explorations, new favourite places that I have yet to set eyes upon. Yes.
That's it for now, I promise that the next update won't be so far apart from this one. My apologies.
Also, be praying for people to support me monthly. That's going to be a huge thing I'm going to need while out in the field. If that sounds like something you would like to do, let me know! I would love to get in contact with you! And because I'm going on a working holiday visa, I need to find me a part time job. That's where your prayers come in. I'm looking into getting a stall set up where I can sell all my homemade goodies (lip balm, hair balm, vapour rub, lotion bars, etc) at the local farmers market. I would find this to be much more enjoyable than a retail job or working in a coffee shop, because I would be doing something I love, not just working towards a paycheque.
Thanks all!
Much love!
Tuesday 17 December 2013
Saturday 19 October 2013
First.
This was originally written back in April on my old blog. This is just me moving my posts to this new one.
First.
First.
Greetings! Welcome to my space on the interwebs. Here is where I will be chronicling my up and coming two+ year adventure in Ireland. How did this come about, you ask? Why Ireland? Who, what, when, where, why. And all that jazz.
Well, it all started many years ago…
I’ve always had a heart for Ireland. I first fell in love with the music. Then it was the culture. And the landscape. And then it was everything.
And then, in September 2010, God put sex trafficking on my heart. Fast forward a year later, I found myself in Cambodia. It was my very first missions trip. I spent three and a half months there. We fought sex trafficking, spent time with orphans, and somwhere along the way, our group found some homeless families and while we spent time with them, we found Jesus. You can read all about it here.. While I was there, God told me to go to Ireland and start up a safehouse for children who’ve been rescued from sex trafficking. He also specifically told me that I am to incorporate animal therapy into this safehouse. Pretty neat, eh?
At first, I was excited, and my teammates kept prophesying over me words of affirmation that I am to go do this. And then fear and doubt started to creep in. My thoughts were along the lines of, ‘I’m just one person. I don’t even have a degree. I’m a college dropout. How can I start something so big?’ And then God reminded me of Moses. He had a speech impediment and yet he led the Israelites out of captivity and slavery.
He reminded me of Jeremiah. He was my age when God called him to be His right hand man.
He reminded me of Peter. He had faith the size of a mustard seed. He kept messing up. Over and over again. But he was Jesus’s closest friend.
God reminded me of Jesus. My Saviour was a CARPENTER for crying out loud. And look at all the wondrous things He did and is STILL doing.
God LOVES to make something out of nothing. And then He calls it beautiful. He calls it perfect.
And even though I’m a messy person, God loves to be in my mess. I just need to relax in His arms and remember that He’s done this before. He is with me through it all.
And now I’m going! But it’s been a long and tough road. Last summer, the Lord provided me two choices:
1) Go to Atlanta, Georgia and work with an organization that provides shelter for girls who’ve been rescued/have left prostitution.
2) Go to Ireland and serve an American couple named Frank and Rebekah Burder (whom are partnered with Adventures in Missions - the organization, stationed in the States, I went though to go to Cambodia). Serve their dream of establishing drop in centres within every county of Ireland for 2 years.
I was at a stand still. Each one had a piece of my heart. Sex trafficking and Ireland. After thinking long and hard about it, I chose Atlanta. The Lord reminded me that He will bless me wherever I go, and that Ireland will always be there. His promises never expire. And that was good. But I didn’t feel peace about choosing Atlanta. So after some heart searching, I came to a final decision: Ireland. When I did, I felt this weight lift off my shoulders. I felt peace. And excitement. And a yearning like no other. And even though I was a little disappointed I wasn’t working with fighting sex trafficking head on, the Lord reminded me that sometimes one has to serve another’s Kingdom Dream before starting on their own. And that was good enough for me.
I emailed the Burders, told them my dream for Ireland, and how I was feeling led to serve them before starting my own dream. They were all for it, I applied though Adventures in Missions, talked with one of their coaching staff, and got the process rolling. But there was one problem. This is a long term missions trip, which means I would be on Adventures’ ‘payroll’, so to speak. But I can’t do that, because I’m not an American citizen. So I had some options. See if my church could handle my finances for me, or see if a Canadian organization could ‘second’ me over to AIM. I tried the first option, that failed. I tried the second option. Last weekend, I learned that this option was a fail as well.
I was told I had a third and fourth option.
Find another Canadian organization to second me over to AIM. Or go on my own through a working holiday visa. I would not be partnered with Adventures in Missions in any way.
Let me just take a pause here. This entire process has happened over the course of nine months. I have spent nine months waiting for someone else’s approval. But the thing is, I don’t need someone to say ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ to what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has put on my heart. I don’t need to go through an organization. Sure, it would make things easier. But Jesus never said this would be easy (Matthew 7:14). He did say it would be worth it though (Hebrews 12:28-29).
So I’m not waiting around for someone’s approval anymore. I’m going on my own. I emailed the Burders a few days ago to let them know my decision. They will be sending me the application to fill out.
I’m so excited for this. It’s finally happening. FINALLY. When (I was about to type ‘if’ there. HA!) everything is completed, I am aiming for my departure date to be January 7th, 2014.
I will be honest with you. The past few days, I’ve been under some spiritual attack. I see it as a good thing, because if I weren’t on the right path, the enemy wouldn’t be attempting to thwart me. Sucker. Poor bastard doesn’t know he won’t win. Oh well. A darn good thing the battle’s already won for me, eh? Anyways, if y’all could be praying for me that would be awesome.
Also, I have to fundraise some big numbers. But my God is bigger. I KNOW that He will provide a way. And this time around, as far as fundraising goes, I’m learning to be thankful for every single penny. I need to stop looking at the negative, and look at the positive. That’s what the Lord has taught me these past few months. So not only pray for financial provision, but for peace for me that I will continue to trust in Him.
God is good.
And He’s big.
He’s got this.
Well, it all started many years ago…
I’ve always had a heart for Ireland. I first fell in love with the music. Then it was the culture. And the landscape. And then it was everything.
And then, in September 2010, God put sex trafficking on my heart. Fast forward a year later, I found myself in Cambodia. It was my very first missions trip. I spent three and a half months there. We fought sex trafficking, spent time with orphans, and somwhere along the way, our group found some homeless families and while we spent time with them, we found Jesus. You can read all about it here.. While I was there, God told me to go to Ireland and start up a safehouse for children who’ve been rescued from sex trafficking. He also specifically told me that I am to incorporate animal therapy into this safehouse. Pretty neat, eh?
At first, I was excited, and my teammates kept prophesying over me words of affirmation that I am to go do this. And then fear and doubt started to creep in. My thoughts were along the lines of, ‘I’m just one person. I don’t even have a degree. I’m a college dropout. How can I start something so big?’ And then God reminded me of Moses. He had a speech impediment and yet he led the Israelites out of captivity and slavery.
He reminded me of Jeremiah. He was my age when God called him to be His right hand man.
He reminded me of Peter. He had faith the size of a mustard seed. He kept messing up. Over and over again. But he was Jesus’s closest friend.
God reminded me of Jesus. My Saviour was a CARPENTER for crying out loud. And look at all the wondrous things He did and is STILL doing.
God LOVES to make something out of nothing. And then He calls it beautiful. He calls it perfect.
And even though I’m a messy person, God loves to be in my mess. I just need to relax in His arms and remember that He’s done this before. He is with me through it all.
And now I’m going! But it’s been a long and tough road. Last summer, the Lord provided me two choices:
1) Go to Atlanta, Georgia and work with an organization that provides shelter for girls who’ve been rescued/have left prostitution.
2) Go to Ireland and serve an American couple named Frank and Rebekah Burder (whom are partnered with Adventures in Missions - the organization, stationed in the States, I went though to go to Cambodia). Serve their dream of establishing drop in centres within every county of Ireland for 2 years.
I was at a stand still. Each one had a piece of my heart. Sex trafficking and Ireland. After thinking long and hard about it, I chose Atlanta. The Lord reminded me that He will bless me wherever I go, and that Ireland will always be there. His promises never expire. And that was good. But I didn’t feel peace about choosing Atlanta. So after some heart searching, I came to a final decision: Ireland. When I did, I felt this weight lift off my shoulders. I felt peace. And excitement. And a yearning like no other. And even though I was a little disappointed I wasn’t working with fighting sex trafficking head on, the Lord reminded me that sometimes one has to serve another’s Kingdom Dream before starting on their own. And that was good enough for me.
I emailed the Burders, told them my dream for Ireland, and how I was feeling led to serve them before starting my own dream. They were all for it, I applied though Adventures in Missions, talked with one of their coaching staff, and got the process rolling. But there was one problem. This is a long term missions trip, which means I would be on Adventures’ ‘payroll’, so to speak. But I can’t do that, because I’m not an American citizen. So I had some options. See if my church could handle my finances for me, or see if a Canadian organization could ‘second’ me over to AIM. I tried the first option, that failed. I tried the second option. Last weekend, I learned that this option was a fail as well.
I was told I had a third and fourth option.
Find another Canadian organization to second me over to AIM. Or go on my own through a working holiday visa. I would not be partnered with Adventures in Missions in any way.
Let me just take a pause here. This entire process has happened over the course of nine months. I have spent nine months waiting for someone else’s approval. But the thing is, I don’t need someone to say ‘yay’ or ‘nay’ to what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has put on my heart. I don’t need to go through an organization. Sure, it would make things easier. But Jesus never said this would be easy (Matthew 7:14). He did say it would be worth it though (Hebrews 12:28-29).
So I’m not waiting around for someone’s approval anymore. I’m going on my own. I emailed the Burders a few days ago to let them know my decision. They will be sending me the application to fill out.
I’m so excited for this. It’s finally happening. FINALLY. When (I was about to type ‘if’ there. HA!) everything is completed, I am aiming for my departure date to be January 7th, 2014.
I will be honest with you. The past few days, I’ve been under some spiritual attack. I see it as a good thing, because if I weren’t on the right path, the enemy wouldn’t be attempting to thwart me. Sucker. Poor bastard doesn’t know he won’t win. Oh well. A darn good thing the battle’s already won for me, eh? Anyways, if y’all could be praying for me that would be awesome.
Also, I have to fundraise some big numbers. But my God is bigger. I KNOW that He will provide a way. And this time around, as far as fundraising goes, I’m learning to be thankful for every single penny. I need to stop looking at the negative, and look at the positive. That’s what the Lord has taught me these past few months. So not only pray for financial provision, but for peace for me that I will continue to trust in Him.
God is good.
And He’s big.
He’s got this.
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