Thursday, July 30, 2009

Ireland: Day 5

Castles. Countryside. Cuisine. Kids.

Ireland: Day 4

On day four of our trip, we went into New Castle to visit the post office to exchange money. We stopped by the market as well. Afterwards I took a walk and enjoyed the great scenery. Then we went to Downpatrick and saw where Saint Patrick may or may not be buried, and visited the Downpatrick Cathedral and a museum. We ended the day with a visit to another youth ministry called Cross Point, then ate fish and chips.

Ireland: Day 3

On day 3, we visited Annesley Garden and Arboretum. It was absolutely beautiful. There were flowers, fountains, stone walls with iron gates, exotic trees and bushes. Then we went past Castlewellan and stopped to take pictures. It's a relatively new castle, only a couple hundred years old. After snapping a few shots of the castle, we went to a maze in Castlewellan Park. I had never been to a maze like this before, so it was a lot of fun. In the center of the maze there is a staircase that leads up to a bridge high above the maze, and the view is incredible. There is also an old bell on the bridge with historical value to the Castlewellan Park grounds. After dinner, we were able to visit some ministries in Ireland. First we visited the Oasis, a great coffee bar out in the countryside, used as an outreach. Then we spent some time with the youth in Newcastle that is currently participating in a two-week program called Fused, where all the local churches and groups unite their youth for fellowship. I really enjoyed the beauty of Annesley Garden and Castlewellan Park, but its most awesome to see some of the ministries that God is planting in Northern Ireland.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ireland: Day 2

Day 2 was a wonderful day of exploration. Kimberly and I ventured through a forest fitting the description of a well written fairytale, finding ourselves on a pristine beach of the Irish Sea. The presence of God feels so strong when in awe of His creation! After some peaceful moments listening to the waves crash on the beach and a game of fetch played with a friendly dog that seemed to appear out of nowhere, we found a path that led through the beautiful countryside. We casually strolled about for around an hour before making our way back to the Murlough House.
Later that evening, we visited Newcastle. Kimberly and I, along with another couple, were left there for about an hour and a half to freely wander. And wander, we did! The small city was an amazing sight, nestled snuggly between the sea and mountains. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us for day 3!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Ireland: We Have Arrived!

Kimberly and I arrived in Belfast, Ireland this morning. For the most part, the journey was pleasant. We are staying here, at the Murlough House in Newcastle. Although we are absolutely exhausted, the accommodations are great and the scenery is breathtaking. We spent most of the day getting settled in and rested up. Despite my three wonderful naps, I am still sleepy and am turning in for the night! Here are a few pictures of where we're staying. More to come, I'm sure!

Friday, July 24, 2009

I was amazed and blessed this week by the number of people willing to give their time to our ministry. We are very appreciative. Thank you!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Help Needed. And Appreciated. Thanks!

You might be thinking to yourself, "Hmm, what am I going to do this week?" Well, I have an idea! How about e-mailing me at nharris@csiministries.org or give me a call at 765-286-0711 and set up an appointment to volunteer some of your time! CSI Ministries will be sending out 12,000 letters this week. By offering some of your time to help with the printing, folding, stuffing, sealing, and stamping of these letters, you will be playing an important role in our ministry to support the men and women who have answered God's call to long-term mission work and sharing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ with the world! We will begin this process tomorrow and the letters must be completed Friday. I am accepting volunteers any day, any time, for however long you'd like to help. What? Printing, folding, stuffing, sealing, and stamping letters doesn't sound completely awesome? You're right. Its not. But supporting the mission of God's call to share the gospel with the world by offering just a couple hours of your time? Totally awesome!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

For When I am Weak

I've been thinking about reliance the past few days. Reliance is a wonderful thing. Trust and confidence are sure to follow. And faith grows in dependence. The more effort I put forth to be consciously aware of my reliance on God for everything, the more joyful and at peace I feel. By worldly terms it's senseless, but with God it doesn't have to make sense. It just is.
The Lord said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 7, 9-10

Friday, July 3, 2009

A Few Quotes from Mother Teresa

-Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
-I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.
-Intense love does not measure, it just gives.
-I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.