Meet our New Friends!

Our new friends, Kyle and Karen. We are no strangers to making new friends along the way, so when we meet Kyle and Karen, we hit it off first thing. In the photo shown here we are having some american food, (Pizza Hut) at U.K. prices (35 Quid) or 70 dollars. We won't be going to Pizza Hut again, until we are in the states. I would rather have fuel in the car at that price. You live and learn, eat american in america. 

We have a grand time with our new friends. We have taken quit a shine to them. 

Kyle works in the Royal hospital in Belfast and Karen works for the Royal in the accounting department in the city center. 

They enjoy a good spot of tea with biscuits whilst visiting in the lounge. 

I think I am picking up the lingo. I love hearing everyone talk here, I just think when I say it, it sounds odd. They tell me I am getting an ulster accent and Stephen still has his souther u.s. voice. So you all we have to be the judge when we get home. 

Making a difference, Part III

I believe that God wants us to use the tragedy's in our life to make a difference in someone else's.

So that is what I tried to do last night. I had the oppurtunity to speak to some teenagers that come to our teen outreach on Friday nights. I had been praying about what to talk about when God started speaking to me about Wesley. It is really hard for me to think about Wes, much less share his story. 

I didn't know what I would say or how I would say it. I just started talking, it was like God filled my mind, heart and mouth with every word. I gave examples of how I wanted to be the cool sister, and I tried to buy the things of the world to impress my brother and his friends with. I told them how when I felt bad about something I was doing, to feel better I got others to do it with me. 

I told them the story of how God had Wesley call me three times before he died. How I had blown him off, how I had thought I had tomorrow.  I reminded them that Wesley could be one of them. That it could be their best friend getting married with out his best mate standing beside him. 

I told them about the little girl left without a dad. Wesley, had signed a picture for his baby, before he died, and said "I hope I always make your proud, Love Dad". So I asked how proud will that girl be when she is 2, 10, 16, how bout when she walks down the isle to get married. They responded not very. 

They took it in. All of it. I know it was the Holy Spirit they were listening to and not me. These kids, talk out every chance they get, and they said nothing the entire time. Their faces in deep thought, thinking of their mates, or themselves I am sure.  

I had given them a blank piece of paper at the start of the talk and when we were almost down. I asked them to look at it. They replied there was nothing on it. Exactly, I said, that is how God sees us when we get saved. He doesn't see us for what we were he sees us like a blank sheet of paper, clean and white, forgiven of the lies, drugs, drink, stealing, all the things we are guilty of. They were thinking. 

I assured them that they didn't have to make a discussion in front of their friends. I asked them before they went to sleep that night. To think about what was said, and to remember that they could be Wesley, with no tomorrows to make a discussion. 

I thank the Lord for giving me the chance to share Wesley with these kids. For the first time I am not ashamed that Wesley was proud of me.

May I never forget to share Jesus with the ones I love and the people I meet.

Making a difference, Part II

Even though I didn't want it to, the sun did come up the next morning. I went to the church and worked for a couple hours before I went to see my brother. I wasn't much good to anyone, I was so upset. I was replaying in my head over and over the last three phone calls with Wesley. What I would have said if I had known that he wouldn't have long. I just couldn't stop hearing his voice. 

I talked things over with my Pastor and felt a little relief from the hurt and the guilt. I just prayed for God to help me. I should have done this or that, the what if's filled my head. I had to pull it together because I was on my way to be with my brother. 

I couldn't not fully describe the pain in my heart as I headed up the stairs to find my baby brother curled in a ball crying over the lose of someone he loved so much. I hugged him and he simply hugged me back. He whispered, how they had promised each other they would grow old together and how they were going to be best men for each other, he promised, he promised my brother repeated. That night was hard to handle, as he watched home movies of Wes. In one of them, Wes had stopped acting and looked into the camera and began to tell people what he thought of them. He told my brother Billy, how he loved hanging out and what good friend he was, he called out a couple of people, then he said April, I love you, your cool. I just had to walk away. 

I wasn't cool. I had done so much to encourage the life style he was into. Then when God saved me I walked away. I didn't do much to undo what I had started.  Three weeks ago, I found out he was proud of me for getting out, and now he was dead. 

I was there when my brother said goodbye to his best friend, when he carried his coffin to the grave yard, when he watched him lowered into the earth. I was there as all of Wesley's friends wept tears of pain and hurt over the lose of their friend. I was there on the drive home watching as my baby brother laid in my mothers lap, weeping because he would never again see his friend, hear his voice, or hug his neck. 

What would we do if we could make a difference? If our loose could change a life. If our pain could help someone else. What would we do? 

Making a difference, Part I

Have you ever had something happen and later thought about how it could have been different?

Just over two years now, that happened to me. I had just gotten back to the states from Peru, South America. I was so pumped about being part of a new work here in the states, as well as excited about returning to Peru for another 6 months to continue a work there. I was in the zone you know what I mean, working hard so what were doing would make a difference. 

Then I got a phone call from my brothers best friend. I had let my brother use my cell phone while I was out of the country, so I didn't think much about it when I got calls for him. Wesley, was really a part of our family, he and Billy were closer then brothers. So when he called we talked for a few minutes, getting caught up on what I had missed the last couple of years. 

He told me about his new baby girl, just a month old. He mentioned how Erin, his soon to be wife was doing. He explained where he was working and living now. I listened to the sweet way he was describing everything going on in his life. He had a sheepish way about him. Then he said, "April, I want you to know I am proud of you." I just had to laugh it off and said "Wes, why are you proud of me." He replied, "Becuase you are not doing the same things you use to." I was caught off guard and just responded with, "You know Wes, you don't have to do the things you are doing". Then with a laugh he shrugged it off "Yeah, I know." 

The conversation was over and I was thrilled I had the chance to talk to him. I went back to the office in high spirits. I told a few people what happened, I was thinking it was great maybe my brother and Wes would start going to church or at least visit. I remember feeling so good about my self that day. Then back to the grind stone. 

I was helping start a new church, I had tons going on. Meetings, classes, calling, setting up for this or that. So when Wes called again, I laughed it off, because I had told him that I was using my phone while I was in the country and that I would tell Billy to give him a call. I still don't remember if I made time to do that. 

I was in the kitchen at the church when he called the third time. I was busy, too busy to talk to him much at all. I reminded him, I had the phone, he was always a little forgetful, although the drugs didn't help. He seemed embarrassed, and I felt a little sorry for him. I told him I would have Billy call. I didn't make the time to call my brother. 

I was in my own little world at the church, putting together something. When I got a call from my mom. I could hear her crying as told me that Wes was dead. I just couldn't believe it. No, I talked to him, I just talked to him. It wasn't true, I know it's not true. She said, it was drugs they found him in the dealers (his friends) house. I told her I had to go, I couldn't hear anymore. I hung up the phone and freaked out. Lets just say I couldn't see straight, I felt like someone had just punched me in the chest. I was hurting not only for myself but for my brother who had lost his best friend. I was trying to make a difference in the world and I couldn't make a difference in Wesley's life. 

What was I doing? Why couldn't I see God giving me the chance to talk to him. He was gone,  no more accidental phone calls & no tomorrow's to ask him about salvation or invite him to church. I had failed him. God gave me three chances and I let all of them slip through unnoticed. 

Drive up the coast

So what do you do when the power is turned off at home for 8 hours?

You go for a drive!

Stephen & I left monday morning for a drive up the antrim coast. I have to say that it was brilliant. I was just so taken back by the beauty of it all. 

It was almost like being on the bridge overlooking splash mountian at six flags. As we made our way along side the ocean, large waves would hit the rocks below and splash the road and anything on it. It was a little tense at times, we would see signs that would warn us about flooding, rock and mud slides. Not to mention the fact the road was narrow and very curvy in places. It was good fun and we really enjoyed the trip. 

Who knew?

One of the great things about being a missionary, is how God allows you to see and do so many different things in life. I am just so delighted to be in N. Ireland, serving the Lord along side the husband that God blessed me with. I could have never imagined being able to do the things God has allowed me to do over the years. 

When I first started reading and learning about missionaries, a good friend gave me a book called "A chance to die" about Amy Charmicael. It was a wonderful book and opened my eyes to so many things, it let me see how one person can change the life of someone else that would one day change the life of so many.  

I now am living on the very island where Amy was born, where she heard Hudson Taylor speak about missions, where she decided to become a missionary. We live just an hour away from Millisle, the place Amy use to call home. 

Amy's life touched the heart of man like Jim Elliot, who inspired men across america to give their lives for the cause of missions. I wanted to share this Quote I found. I think it is a very touching and true statement.

While serving in India, Amy received a letter from a young lady who was considering life as a missionary, She asked Amy, "What is missionary life like?" Amy wrote back saying simply,

"Missionary life is simply a chance to die."

Teen outreach

Can it be that we are hitting home with some of these teen? 

Last Friday, we had a brilliant testimony from Andy, he goes to Bally Baptist. Andy, was involved in all kinds of things when he was a teenager through his early twenties. He really got the teens attention through his artistic abilities, he drew some images that are very real for most of these kids, then he drew the nail scared hands of Jesus for them. 

I believe they were getting a lot out of what he had to say. They even stayed over to listen to him. It was good to see some of them listening to what God had brought Andy out of. 

Thank the Lord for young men and women willing to tell their story to see others reached with the Gospel. These teens are moving into the world faster then you can imagine.

 Please pray for all the work that we are doing with these kids. 

Tuesday night youth club.

I am happy to report we had a high last week with 11 kids out to our tuesday night club. It was so much fun hanging out with the all of them playing games and having a good time. The lesson time had a lot of participating which was great to see. 

We are hoping that we will have a lot more kids tonight. The school where we have the club is starting a class for adults at the same time, so we are hoping they will need someone to watch their children while they are in class. 

Please pray for these young souls as we are starting to see God move in their hearts. 

Sunday night

We had a very nice service sunday night at Faith as we honored women for mothering sunday. 

I just think it is great they call it mothering sunday because even if you do not have children you can be mothering. We honored all women present with a small gift, I think they were touched that no one was left out. I gave a brief testimony about mothers and how God honors the prays of mothers for their children.

We had tea afterwards and talked a little about upcoming events and things we would like to do. The ladies are excited about having Mrs. Stacey with us the end of March. 

The Sweet ending

Stephen and I spent the am service on sunday with Breahill Baptist Church in northern Belfast, there are about 79,000 people in the area surrounding the church. 

Stephen preached a great message on the holy spirit. The church people seemed to really enjoy it, they also mentioned how the sunday before the message was on the same subject. I don't know if they thought that was bad or good, I just think God is trying to get a point across.

I got the opportunity to share a short lesson with the children at the start of the service. It went well, until the end when culture strakes again, it is customary here for the children to get a sweetie at the end of the lesson. So I finished the lesson (which is done in the front of all the church) and there was an odd silence and the children did not budge, I repeated that the lesson was over very sweetly, they did not move a muscle. I was to say the least shocked and confused. I just was racking my brain, what do I do now I thought. Then I said very kindly did I do something wrong. Then a very kind women got up and said they are waiting on their sweetie, as she went to the back to get them a treat. I know I looked like one of those cartoons when the light bulb goes off on the top of their head. Sweetie of course, why didn't I think of that.  

The whole church got a little chuckle out of it. Murmuring about how they kids were frozen where they sat until they got their sweet. I was so embarrassed about not having something for them.

The moral of the story for me, is to never leave home without a purse full of sweeties.