Ireland, Y'all.

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!