Northern Ireland Day 8

So I’m starting with writing this at 11:30 at Oasis after setting up the sound and trying to get the lights working. But last night went real well, each day just was better then the day before, and even the staff said it every night and that this was the best group and best time they’ve had ever being here. The kids said we were the first Americans they would miss. But for the second time we were able to quiet them to let us talk, and for more than one person and 5 minutes. It was amazing that they asked to hear more from us, truly God. Saying goodbye was also tough but I left them with some words of hope and encouragement as each one of us in the team said something they felt needed to be shared. Truly an amazing work and miracle! All I can say is Gos is amazing and changed me in every way.

Nightlight was also very fun. We walked in Newcastle town centre praying and talking with such nice people here, even though some were drunk. But we headed back to central park at 2am to chat with the people coming out of the pubs and clubs drunk, and offering tea and coffee and hot chocolate. Just showing love and such. Some pretty funny stories, and just another great form of ministry here, very different then the youth earlier on. It was a great night, and we all were cold.

So today was also great having our day to ourselves. We took a coach to Belfast and shopped around for about 2 hours. It was great! Nice seeing a city here, kind of like back home except way older buildings, double decker buses, and British looking taxis. Got mom a lot of things though and Ashley. Bought one of her Christmas presents, not including the one I bought in front of her that she’s now wearing, her new purity ring. Which I got one too. We got those though up at the north tip of Ireland, Giant Causeway. Very cold lunch up at the top of the mountain, but walking down below was awesome! Real beautiful, got many pictures even though it was raining, not hard though. The rocks were so cool, and the columns. Would like to find out more about the history of it, and maybe see the castle next time (if there is one, or add it to the bucket list). But a very interesting day after finishing a great week, and looking forward to one last great day tomorrow, but very sad to leave even though I am missing home, but I’m in love here!

Counting down the hours left now, I’ll miss it here, and am changed by God truly. Pray for Project Evangelism here and the ministry done here. Most of the people are great here, and the organisation knows how to speak to these people, but many struggles are ahead, as well as looking back on the amazing success, because we’re here to live by faith, and not successes, only God can succeed using us. Truly amazed and changed this week.

Northern Ireland Day 7

Well it’s the last day to work with the kids before the weekend begins and those activities. We had a great teaching this morning and awesome session planning and praying for tonights time with the teens here.

Before finishing this day I need to back track to Thursday night during our reflection on the day from different teams and prayer and singing. It was amazing that three hours went by so fast as we got caught up in the amazement of God with each team, and spending at least an hour singing praises and praying to God in so much thanks.

We went into Dundrum earlier this afternoon to hand out flyers for Sunday evening and it went real well. So we’re just waiting to go out tonight to crosspoint and nightlight. Asking God for blessings and an amazing last night of ministry here before heading home. So far it has been an amazing week on every way possible and thanking God for this amazing team.

Oh, and the crisps (or chips in american) are crazy! Cheese & Onion, BBQ Rib, Baked Chicken, Steak and Smoked Bacon flavours that are made by a Lays looking logo called Walkers. I wonder who thought up the look of the logo first?!

Cheers!

Northern Ireland Day 6

So it’s Thursday now and we’ve been here since Saturday, experiencing a lot of change in my life and here. Going on this trip everyone in the teams had their doubts, but now we’ve become closer than ever imagined or thought we could. Working over here has not just brought us together though, but with these kids and teens over here dealing with struggles of Christianity and relationships. Many people back home wondered why we weren’t going to a third world country or why Ireland. Now we know the reason and I’ve even thought of interning 3-6 months, just to work over here with these kids and what opportunity there is for God’s work. In the US there’s many many youth dealing with almost similar issues, but as the lead singer of Casting Crowns said, 90% of youth leaders are in the US, and 90% of the youth not knowing God are outside the US. That is so true in this country, and area alone. I feel God can move so much here as He has with our team, it’s sad we just have tonight and tomorrow with these kids, but we will definitely pray for them and keep a relationship. And keep in prayer God’s work and where He calls me.

Writer’s Block

First week of courses, and I’m having problems with coming up with ideas for short films.  I’ve had this for the past couple months now also.  I’ll be praying for this help, and if anyone has any ideas, shoot them to me!

Other then that I’m enjoying school so far, not as much with the courses I have to take, that will only add on extra workloads.  But, the film courses will be fun!  I’m ready to make some films!!

Camp

Hey, it’s been a real long time since writing on here, but I kind of was busy and at the same time lazy to write up here.  But I’m back, kind of relieves stress.

Well I’m up here at camp for the summer, and I believe we’re halfway through, or almost, and I will definitely miss it here.  I really love it up here, and will be looking forward to coming back (if possible).  They’re keeping me real busy with videos and running sound and lights, and anything else that involves media!  I really feel I need to start growing a closer relationship to God, and this is the perfect environment to do it, just practicing positive ethics and Christian values doesn’t mean anything without the devotion.  

On the other hand, Ed and I discussed our future living arrangements in California, New York, Nashville, and who knows where from there.  But first, a year and a half here in Lakeland and Tampa for some schooling.

Well, I’m going to get to bed now, it’s late and I need all the rest I can get, tomorrow starts the stampede of “goodbye” videos the staff does for the campers!  Peace out! Later later!!

Another long day!

Well, today’s over and looking forward to tomorrow… I still need to edit a lot of videos (Youth Councils, the wedding, Jesus Walk, and the Gospel Arts Dance), but still need to learn the programs so I have to wait for the books to come in from “Adobe Classroom in a Book.”  I’m excited to learn the programs and create these great DVDs, except for one because one, it isn’t that interesting; two, it was cheap pay; and three, because it’s too time consuming (I mean hours and hours)!  So, I’ll be putting it off for other priorities that actually need to get done!

Also, today I was offered another gig for April ‘09, but unsure if that date works out due to a new lifestyle I’ll have next year!  Hopefully it all works out, and maybe I can get my cousin to help since she’s also a photographer.  Besides that, I still need to contact the another corps about a video for their event in October… so, I’ve been pretty busy and actually blessed with all these jobs coming up, I never thought they would just come, so all I can do is thank the Lord for His fate of me being in the right places… I always want to serve for Him and always will be!  God bless and Good night!!

Graduation & CleanUp Day

Well, I’m tired after a long day of working.  We had a “Beautification Day” at our church and cleaned out storage rooms and any other rooms that needed cleaning.  The problem is that we all ran out of time to finish each room, which means the work isn’t over yet.  I know starting back Monday, I’ll have a lot of work to do this week, and the next coming weeks.

Luckily school’s finished for this semester… now looking ahead for Fall.  I graduated last night with my AA degree (woohoo!!) and will spend the entire summer up north, then off to Southeastern to get my BS in Film Studies and Youth Ministry.  I look forward to some fun, enjoying life now!  Oh man, I need to get to sleep, but first need to finish preparing for tomorrow’s Sunday School lesson I’m teaching… not to mention running the Video for Church and also the Audio & Visual for the evening service… I’ll be off now!! Later!

TWYC

The week is almost over after enjoying this youth workers conference in Nashville, TN.  I’m really loving it here, getting some time to actually tour downtown the past couple days.  Maybe sometime in the future I might live here, or it would be California!

On the other hand, the main reason I’m here, the conference is going well… some sessions a little long, but a couple pretty cool things we’ve been doing and learning.  I really feel a strong interest in youth ministry, and working with the youth… and I’m learning a lot being here.  I also had the opportunity to network and meet some territorial people and get to operate THQ’s camera jib (which is awesome!).  Well, I’ll get going now, get to another session and hopefully learn some more interesting things and get some more resources… which I found some pretty cool stuff to bring back!  God Bless!!

I’m Back!

Wow! It’s been a while since I last posted a blog… but just to touch up what I’ve been up to, here’s a brief overview:

The beginning of April through last week I had all my projects due, one in each of 7 classes… talk about a load, and very time consuming!

After that, I went up to Orlando, FL on Wednesday to get ready for Youth Councils that weekend, and ended up helping take down too, getting home Sunday night.  I had a blast though, meeting so many new friends from Tampa and Lakeland, as well as from around the division.  I hope to build these relationships with all these great people!  So much can be said about this weekend (all positive, nothing negative)… but that would probably take all day! So I’ll just say that I worked my tail off (till 4 & 5 am), but enjoyed every minute of it… because it’s something that is of interest to me, and also because of the great people there!

Now, being back in real life, back home, final exams are this week!  I have to take them early because of next weeks conference in Nashville, TN!  I still have 2 more exams, one I’m about to take in 20 minutes, and the other one I’m praying hard about tomorrow morning.  After that I will take a day off, then it’s back to work… all day Sunday, then Mon-Thur in Nashville, and then Friday!!

Hopefully I’ll also find out soon if I get the chance to go on the Missions Trip to Oklahoma May 10-17!  Then a vacation to Connecticut, congress in Atlanta, camp all summer and finally Southeastern in Lakeland!!  Busy and exciting future ahead of me for the next couple months, but I’d like to also plan a visit to my new friends in Lakeland and Tampa!!

Well, I’ve got to get going, still a little early for the exam, but now I have 15 minutes left… pray for me!

I’ll be back! God Bless!!

Work, Fun, More Work!

Man, I have too much to do…

A 3,000 word research paper, 2 projects and 3 workshops to attend, a marketing plan, a community service project, a video, and prepping for DJing… all within 3 weeks… then comes exams a week later!

But, on another note, I did finish the project that was due in Sociology today… and found out some bad news, but don’t believe it’s true!

P.S. – And yes, there is a girl I like, but no, I’m not doing this just to impress her, but because I’m finally pulling myself back to who I was before my senior year!