Ireland Spring Break Trip!!!

The Church: The church moved into their new building a few months ago right around the corner from their old building. This was so exciting because for the past two years that our team has been there they were in a very old building, dark and crowded since they were growing as a church. The new building has been underway for a while being put together by the work of the staff and interns they have done a labor of love in the church building, and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! It has such a warm and welcoming feel, it was once a theatre and so the sanctuary is a theatre stage, the rooms are so bright and they finally have the space to grow. That was one of our purposes, invite those on the streets and bring them to find community in Cork Church. Sunday morning worship was a blessing, they sing hymns there and Bri Hurlburt and I kept saying throughout the worship the joy we could feel in the room. The true love of Jesus and grateful hearts raising their voices. I grew up listening to old hymns and every year that I've been blessed to go to Ireland worshiping in the church there is one of my favorite parts, it reminds me that all over the world people are praising the name of Jesus, and one day we will all be praising Him together!

   The Street: A typical day for us looked like this, Get up at Shilah's (the hostile where we were staying), have quiet time and breakfast served by some of the wonderful Middle house intern staff Hannah and Evie.  (The "Middle house" is an old bed and breakfast that has been re-done, and where the ministry school students and interns live.) We would walk down to the church about 8:30 or 9 where we would have a group devotion time either led by one of our adult leaders Jey Willis, or someone from Cork Church, Patrick Dobbin, Glenn McManus, etc. We would take a time to pray over the day and the people we would meet, our team, and that we would be open vessels.Then we would hit the street and from 11-4:30ish.  What is different about going to Ireland is we go to the same spot on the street each day by the bus stop.  We have some music and dramas going that open a gateway when by passers stop to watch, we can invite them to Cork Church and hopefully share the gospel with them.  The weather was extremely cold some days and it rains spuratically. One day it may pour on and off, or sprinkle all day.   But our students didn't care they were engaging people rain or no rain.  The church interns, youth and Bible students were out there with us everyday and it was such a beautiful partnership.  I loved looking over to see one someone from Cork church sharing the gospel partnered with one of our students.  Seriously, I was probably smiling randomly on the outside, I know I was on the inside!

Students preforming the Everything Skit: Katie and Austin brought this to life!

After preforming the drama Austin and Wayne shared the gospel with a group of students on the street

Its' a small world! Excited to meet this sweet gal Andrea Swartzell works at OM Ireland with Ludie Creech and happens to know my cousin Jamie from Bible study in the states. Andrea came with others on the street to partner with us for the day!

Katie, Rachel, and Heather were ALWAYS in conversations
on the street with teens! They have an obvious love for
the lost their own age and they came alive on the street!

Cian braved the wind and rain
to lead worship for us!
He is the next Irish Chris Tomlin!
Amazing worship leader!

   The Gospel:  It never fails that God brings life into perspective for me on trips away or even at home when there is an opportunity to share the gospel. I want to highlight two leaders who blow me away every time with the ease that they talk to strangers and share Christ so clearly.  Ludie and Pastor Steven!  Disarming, because there is a genuineness in their eyes and voice. I could never stop learning from these two how to engage people on the street.  Pastor Steven has the heart of a shepherd, he leads Cork church students with a humility and grace I can't fathom.  He encouraged me constantly on the street, and gave me a confidence to lead especially on days when I was tired that he didn't know I needed that encouragement. I believe God used him to grow me this year to have a gentler heart for even my own group.  Ludie asks questions, when he meets  anyone on the street he engages them by asking them about themselves.  Their own beliefs..... 

Ludie:"Do you believe that there is a God?                     

Teen: No

Ludie: Why is that?

Teen: I don't know.

Ludie:  Well let's look at this for a moment.  See that building there, does it have an architect, someone who designed and build it.

Teen:Im sure it does but I don't know who he is.

This is an example of a conversation Ludie and I had with two secondary school Irish girls.  Ludie went right into the gospel by saying the fact that we are here proves there is a creator, and if there is an architect to a building he is probably knows his building better than anyone. God is our creator and know us, better than anyone. This conversation went for over an hour, and the girls did not give their lives to Christ, but he sowed the seed, and I learned. After observing Ludie, I felt like I could talk to anyone and everyone, and I did! The gospel brought in analogies that we can understand, that make us think.  Ones I have used already coming home sharing the gospel, why?  Because it isn't complicated, and he gave me a deeper passion to share Christ.  Not with big words, speeches or empowering talks, but the simple way he humbly tells everyone that there is someone who loved them so much he died for them and that he desires eternal life for them, not separation. The point is not to go to Heaven but the point is to be restored back to our relationship with God, only through Jesus. 

Pastor Steven

Ludie Creech

  Things that last: Favorite Moments

One of the greatest highlights each year is meeting the new ministry students and interns. Hearing how they came to faith in Christ and exchanging stories of what God has done in our lives since we trusted Him. Wednesday night was one of these times when I talked to a new face for me, Luke at the Riddaskiddy Middlehouse. I shared my testimony of how I was saved at a young age but still struggled with self harm as a teenager. Its something I made a habit of hiding until I realized that God uses the junk in our past for His glory. The next day Wednesday, he came and found me on the street to tell me he just met a girl named Shannon who struggled with self harm as I did, and wanted to talk to me. My heart practically leaped! It's always nerve racking and wonderful in a way when you meet someone who shared in your struggles, especially when God has healed that in you. The minute I met Shannon I knew she needed someone to talk to. I introduced myself and said, "I hear you and I have something in common." In response she simply rolled up her sleeve and my heart broke instantly for her. I know what the feels like. I asked her about herself and the pain she was feeling. For anyone who has not been through this type of struggle, when our self worth comes into question, when one feels they are hurting other people, Satan is crafty and tells us, told me, told Shannon...that you should punish yourself because you are the reason of the pain for those around you. For Shannon, she blamed herself for the death of her step-dad. He had brain cancer, and in the stress of the situation her mother had told Shannon he would get better if she would stop giving him "cheek" (meaning being disrespectful or talking back). God let me see into His heart for a moment and share with her that his death was not her fault, and how when we feel out of control of others pain, we sometimes find comfort in being in control of our own pain. Jesus led me to tell her how He died for her so that she could know peace, that He already bled for her, by "His stripes we are healed" and that He longed for her to give Him that pain so that He could completely heal her heart. She cried and I cried with her. Shannon didn't give her heart to Jesus on the street, but she let me pray over her and told me she felt hope she hadn't felt in a long time. I encouraged her to come to Cork church the next night, and gave her a track with the address. She didn't come while I was there, but I honestly think of her often, the look on her face when she showed me her arm and I know that God is not done fighting for her. Im praying that she will still go to Cork Church one day, maybe find Luke or one of the other students there and that one day she will find true freedom in Christ! Satan tells us so many lies, but we have truth and He can't take that away!!

The Return:
Every year we write a prayer to God about six months before we leave for the trip, it's sometimes hard to know what to write, what you expect from a trip or how to pray.  I had honestly forgot what I had written one this year, but when Jey handed us back our letters I was excited because this year had been the best year yet spiritually for me and for us as a team!  In the past I've selfishly asked God for answers and to give me large revelations of His will for my life, for peace in my divided heart, but not this year.  This year I just simply asked Him for the strength to give Him total surrender.  For the week in Ireland I asked that He would take every ounce of me, to give to the students, serving our team, and engaging those in the streets who didn't know Jesus.  I read the letter and smiled, because I can honestly say He answered my prayers and drew me closer to Himself as He is always faithful to do.  Nowhere in the world feels like a second home to me as Cork, Ireland, and I can't wait to see how God continues to use the wonderful partnership there with OM and Cork Church.  

Last Meeting

Last meeting before the trip!!!!

Ireland T-1 DAY!!!

Here are a few pictures leading up to the trip of our drama practices and prayer time with our student team! My heart is full and excited to serve with these wonderful students!!!

Ps 78:4

We will not hide from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.

Wonderful Snack provided by Ms Allison!

One of the most thoughtful leaders ever!!

Lion and the Lamb-Jesus (Austin) portrays the sermon on the mountain, with the disciples. 

Awesome time of prayer as a team!
Lead by Jey and the students.

Quiet hearts. <3 td="">

Jesus waiting as we fill our hearts with everything
but Himself.

Empty Heart
Relationships and Friendships

More from Empty Heart 

Ireland Update 37 Days!!!

 37 Days to go!!! CORK I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!! 

Luke 9:23 

"And he said to all. "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

    God is so good! I can hardly believe that we are this close once again, it has nearly been a year since I was walking the streets of Ireland!! We had a team meeting this Sunday and I'm so blessed by our team leadership as well as our students! Many have an obvious heart for Christ and a passion for the gospel! 

Chip Riggs gave a challenge that as we share the gospel, we do not merely approach someone and give them our testimony, but be inquisitive, find out who THEY ARE and about them.  We come from an over confident culture, lets take the humility of Jesus and learn the stories of others, THEN share with them the greatest story!

"Its better to be interested, than interesting" :)

"Go with as little self as possible, so Christ can fill us....."

"Be a Student...Be a Leaner..."

    We are going as brothers and sisters from GA to partner with our Christian family in Cork, and I cannot explain the Love in my heart for the church there.  If you could walk with me in Ireland, and feel the spiritual needs of the people, you would see in their eyes that they desperately NEED the hope of Jesus.  To know they are unconditionally loved and no matter the weather, the hardships finically, no matter how much you partied last weekend, Jesus loves you, He died for you, He desires to Redeem you! Isaiah 43  God is doing great things through the faithfulness of the church in Cork, planting seeds, and I cannot wait to get in the field of souls with them once more!!

    Our drama team is working hard and I'm so blessed by their joy and attitude to serve. We work hard and laugh...A LOT!!!  I'm grateful for the connection drama brings, its a story that someone can choose to stop, watch, and a tool to relate to others. We all have a story and drama brings a common denominator for many of our stories. Our hope is to point out the GREATEST similarity in all of us, our need for a Savior! 

Here is one of the dramas they will be sharing on the street: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_NDp_Ycly8

Please continue to pray for us:

•  Preparation"the will to go is important but the will to prepare is vital!"Our desire is to prepare well!
• Hearts' of those we will meet, that God would soften and grow questions about Himself in their heart
• Donnybrook- the wonderful church there we work with
• Team support-some students are still short and we are praying God's provision for them

Getting excited!!! God has great things in store! Jer 29:11

Feet

As I kid I always hated feet, my Dad would joke and ask me to rub his feet when we were watching TV, so I'd humor him by getting the bathroom cleaning gloves.  Then we just laughed.  Years later I still don't love feet, but they have become beautiful in a way.  Link is just starting to pull up on things and he has the sweetest little feet..they are so soft and they don't stink yet, why? Because we carry him everywhere, there is nothing to dirty them, nothing to make them rough or calloused.  As an adult you hear people say "well walk where they have walked," "walk a day in their shoes," or others say,"Don't Take Your Shoes Off!"  There is innocence when we are born and our feet our precious and soft, we are carried everywhere, and we begin to stand on our own, but somewhere along the way we start to walk ourselves. We even run, our innocent feet get sweaty, calloused, and dirty; depending on the state of our feet we become offensive to others, and others become offensive to us.  We say "don't take your shoes off" as if to say, I don't want to experience/smell all that you have walked through.  But Jesus did the opposite he kelt down took off the shoes of his disciples, he washed the dirt from their feet, the marks of the imperfection of their walk, our walk.  Once again their feet were clean, just like a child.  Walking has made me think lately putting away a pair of shoes I had worn in Jordan, in Ireland, in Uruguay...thinking of the "Would you Walk?" event coming up for Hope to Africa....letting my mind wander to "Race to Restore" this fall for Sex Trafficking Awareness.  All of us walk different places, but we are all walking daily.....but the question raises what do we walk for? Are we walking to things that are destructive...exciting...empowering.... Its different for all of us!  Are we willing to pause and wash each others feet as if to say, your dirt feet are worth washing because you are worth knowing.  Are we, am I willing to walk where someone else walked, to take a moment away from my own pursuits to walk where someone else has?  Jesus is the ultimate example, He walked everywhere with those He discipled, He walked in love, He walked in submission to His Father, then He stopped washed our feet, and sacrificially walked to Calvary.  Makes feet beautiful, what a story a pair of shoes, feet can tell. 
Romans 10:15....reason to walk

HEY Im here in Jordan writing my second ever blog, I need to work on my efficiency on this thing. It has been such an awesome trip so far everyone here is so sweet and it's a beautiful place! We have been getting into the groove of hanging out with the kids and after a few crazy days today was awesome!! The kids were so laid back and fun......and then du du DUUU we saw Roman ruins! Brittany and I were running through old Roman streets where wheel marks have been left! This is going to be really short because everyone is sleepy and I don't want to be the only one in here :) I'll write something more interesting tomorrow. For tonight I must say "Thank you Father for the incredible sunset over the mountains tonight and the precious people I have met here! YOUR love is extravagant!"

One I won't forget

Dear Friends and Family,

  I hope you are all doing well. I know lately there are so many trials that are being faced and that God is working in a very individual ways in everyone's lives.  You are all in my prayers and I thank God for each of you.  As everyone knows in July a few things were shaken in my family. As life came back into a normal swing I really began searching my own heart to see where my priorities were.  I began asking God how He could use me rather than just to see how I could fix things I saw as problems.  I surrendered my heart and said would go wherever He wanted me.  The funny thing about God is that He calls when you least expect it!  I received a call about an opportunity in 3 weeks!  I told God if He provided a way to work with my teachers to be absent I would go, to be honest I wasn't worried because I thought they would say "no".  They all said "yes"!  So, God willing I will be traveling to Amman, Jordan Sept. 19 staying 9 days until the 28th.   There will be four of us girls providing childcare for 15 missionary children so their parents can attend the missionary conference as a couple for the first time.  Most of the missionaries are from South Africa and serve all over the middle east starting clinics for the people who don't have access to health care, and allow the door of physical needs as a pathway to reach their spiritual needs.  Many of the areas the missionary families live in are hostile, very basic village lifestyle areas (outside showers, mud huts, etc) so the opportunity to get away for a week with other Christians is a great encouragement to them. My hope and prayer is that they will leave refreshed and spiritually renewed from the fellowship, of the missions conference planning.

 I'm asking greatly for your prayers with this trip, that me and the other girls will be able to bless and serve those who have given their lives to serve Christ.  Please pray for organization as this trip falls into place, because it is happening very fast!  Financial needs are always present in any mission project, so please contact me (there is information below) if you feel called to be apart in that way;  but I would love to have you on my prayer team more than anything else.

If we have any internet access while we are there I will try to update this site.  Again I hope you all are doing well.  Please let me know of any prayer need in your own life, our God is a faithful God!

In Him,

Tori