Full week gone; Full week to go!

Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been going from daybreak to midnight every day this week. It has been a rewarding and exhausting week. I've gotten to live into my strengths of one on one conversation and prayer a number of times, both in planned and unplanned ways. I've met with pastors, church leaders, volunteers, and a group of elderly disabled individuals. Leading worship for a group of 4-7 year-olds was a highlight on Thursday. Friday was a five hour conversation with a great friend and worship leader while we walked up a mountain.

I have enjoyed the time I've gotten to spend with Adrian and his family. He is at the center of some pretty significant ministry in this area: Alpha for searching pre-believers, Night Light for people struggling to get home after a night of pubbing, and Cheers for those seeking to leave life controlling addictions behind... among other things. God has gifted this man significantly with relational capital that others just don't have. And He is using Adrian's gift to impact the entire community. I love walking down the main street with Adrian and seeing how many people know and love him. He is Christ in his culture and people see the love of Jesus through him. It's an honor to serve alongside him.

I miss my family big time. I'm super proud of MC going on her mission trip to Cincinnati with Southland's Middle School and High School Ministries. EG and Sara have had a fun week together. Funny story - I got a text from Sara saying she didn't think our cat would be alive when I returned home. I sent a prayer request out to a bunch of people and they called Sara to check on her. Only to find that Sara was saying she was going to kill our cat if he woke her up at six o'clock in the morning one more time... :) Ooops.

Thanks for checking in. Please continue to pray for us all! Thanks friends!

What's the plural of "Faux Pas"?

What's the plural of Faux Pas? Because I'll need to know... I committed two of them in the past two days.

The first was among friends. At a cookout the other day, one of the local Northern Irish folks was having trouble conceiving of the fact my name is Will. I said, "I'm William the Second," thinking nothing of it as their eyes grew wide. I'm thinking, What?! My name is William Glen Briggs II. I'm WIlliam II. Apparently this was good old King Billy to the Norn Irish and a person of quite hostile contention between the protestants and catholics in the 17th century. Fine. Right. Good. Sorry folks! My name is Will.

The other one was a bit more obscure and yet potentially serious. I had decided to walk down to one of the local churches where one of the teams were putting on a kids club. Having been here plenty of times to know all about the colors, religions, flags, political affiliations, and conflict there-betwixt, I have NO idea why I did what I did today in choosing my wardrobe. But I didn't notice it until I walked onto a street which was emblazoned with red, white, and blue flags, banners, and other paraphernalia. I naturally knew I had walked into a protestant-claimed area loyal to Great Britain.

It was only then I noticed the colors I was wearing. It was a green Hurley shirt with gold writing under which I had a long-sleeved white shirt. I was wearing the complete colors of the Republic of Ireland's green, white, and gold flag. The colors of the Catholics who tend to stand for union with the Republic further south. I was also to learn later that Hurley is the name of an exclusively-Catholic sport much like hockey. The distinction between the political affiliation of these games here is that a catholic would see picking up a hockey stick as sacrilege and vice-versa. Oops.

I picked up my step and prepared my best, clearest American accent but thankfully did not encounter anyone on that particular street. My slip up did, however, explain some of the odd looks I had received from people on the street today. I'll be a bit more thoughtful in planning my attire over the next few weeks...

Touched.

*My bride may tell you at any given time that I'm "touched"... as in touched in the head or perhaps more clearly stated: not quite right. As a point of clarification, that's not what I'm talking about in this post. :)

Yesterday I came across an unexpected, refreshing experience of God's Spirit. I remember hearing someone say when asked why they didn't come back to church Sunday evening for the later worship service and replying, "Because I did it right the first time." At Southland, of course, it's essentially the same service, but here in Northern Ireland an evening service of a simple message, prayer, or worship is offered. Last night it was hosted by the Methodist Church, which, in the six years of being over here, I've never even stepped foot in...

Of all the ways to run across an open door for the Spirit of God to touch my heart, I found an American couple in a European church... The gal was simply-spoken and refreshingly honest. Her husband played guitar as she sat at the piano. The lyrics grabbed my heart. The rough harmony at the beginning slowly transitioned into a beautiful lilting interplay of vocals as the got warmed up. I was touched by the sense of the Holy Spirit moving in the hearts present. Tears dimmed my eyes as they sang. They sang for us, or to us. We didn't sing along. It was as though God was simply singing over us.

This experience set the tone for an evening that seemed to overflow with God's Spirit. A couple of things happened: My concern for God to reveal the people I am supposed to connect with over the coming weeks met with an answer as my calendar began to fill up for the week. Then, when I traveled across town to pop in on the end-of-day processing at Ardaluin House, I was humbled - absolutely humbled - to get to lead worship for the Fused Team again last night at the last minute. God was simply moving. The team sang out and, even as I lost my voice as the tears came, the song was carried effortlessly by the gathering of about 50 young leaders.

I am excited and hopeful for the week. I'm missing my family but excited for MC as she heads off for her first mission trip today. She's in Cincinnati all week helping fix up a daycare center. I'm praying for my family and friends back home. Thank you all for continuing to lift me up to the Father.

Reconnecting.

It's been a good few days. Have had some great opportunities to serve so far as well as have conversations with some of the people I'll be connecting with over the next two weeks. One "God appointment" so far... A man named Seymour who we met at a carpark for the crosses at Monasterboice. He has been a Christian for about 12 years and he's been praying for his family to come to Christ. He was so excited that they had joined him the previous day for a tent-revival going on in the town to which we were headed. He asked for prayer for God to draw his family to Jesus. It was an honor to join this brother in Christ in lifting up his loved ones.

The blended Irish-American team has been forming up for the outreach event going on over the next two weeks. It's been fantastic to be along as a support for them during this journey as well. Last night was an opportunity to lead worship and spend time together in prayer for the outreach.

It's been a real blessing catching up with old friends and making new acquaintances at the church service this morning at Newcastle Presbyterian. Please be in prayer for the conversations to come. I sense God's call to listen, learn, pray, and serve as I interact with each of them.

Otherwise, this opportunity has felt very much like being integrated and accepted into the local culture in average, everyday life. My hosts are making me feel completely welcome and I pray the Lord blesses them in every way for their generosity and hospitality.

Goodbyes, Security, and Wisdom.

Guess I'll take advantage of the free WiFi at Bluegrass Airport! The morning was great, but tough to say farewell to Esther and Sara. I love my girls so much! I've taken the sock-footed stroll through security and I''m redeeming the time by making sure my iPhone settings are not going to cost me an arm and a leg for accidental roaming fees!

This morning I started a walk through Proverbs. Who doesn't need wisdom? I know I do. Proverbs 1:25 grabbed my eye... It's a bit of a rebuke, but reminded me that God is constantly holding out wisdom to us. The two forms of wisdom in this verse are "advice" and "correction"... I was thinking I'd rather get advice on the front end than the rebuke on the back end. But, even so, since we belong to a Father who loves us immensely, we can glean good from either one. His advice is solid. And His correction is anything but mean spirited - it's for our good!

Speaking of seeking God's direction and advice... I look forward to Him revealing the unfolding agenda of the weeks ahead. I know so far that I've got a number of one on one connections lined up and two evening messages to preach. I may get to help lead worship a few times as well. So, even with the little bit that's been revealed, there's plenty of exciting opportunities for God to move.

Please be in prayer for myself and my family as I'm away. Thanks friends!

Almost time...

Testing mobile blogging capability... Here goes, friends! Let's do this!

Only took an hour and a half to get packed up today. I'll be getting ready to board the flight from Charlotte to Dublin at this time tomorrow. A huge thanks to all who have been and will continue praying for this trip! I will try to update the blog every day or so... Would love to hear from you in the comments!!