Maine from the Plane

I've been back in the states for less than 24 hours and I am on-the-edge-of-my-seat excited to explore some of what this vast landscape has to offer. It took me 23.5 hours of traveling to return from Northern Ireland so I am quite tired and have become even less of a fan of JFK airport. Avoid it at all costs.

Our time in Saintfield was filled with so much good and blessing; I still have so much to process. Our first week there was honestly a lot of simply meeting with old friends and making new ones. It was an opportunity to r

eally spend time with the families of 1st Pres. Saintfield over steak pie, fifteens and of course gallons of tea. We took time to prepare for the kids' Bible week by shooting and editing videos, decorating the church hall and practicing our skits and games.

The action kicked off with "Messy Fun Night" on Friday. Imagine big tarps, sticky yukky goop, raw eggs, custard, water balloons, shaving cream and about 40 kids! It was the most fun I've had in a long time :) Saturday night was "DEEP"; youth group with a little extra. One of the local students had the guts enough to get up and play 5 songs, 2 of which were his own. We did a few songs ourselves, a skit and I was given the opportunity to speak on our belovedness in God's kingdom. We lead worship for the two Sundays we were there and that was such an honor. The church is over 350 years old! The kids' camp was a blast and there was a soccer camp each day which was so much fun. Over 50 kids camp to play soccer and hear the good word for 5 days straight.

We were able to explore some of the beauty of Ireland in the little spare time we had. One morning we went to this old falling-apart abby. It was used as a place for worship and a home for monks since 800 AD. While we w

ere there, something magical happened. We all spontaneously gathered in what used to the sanctuary, now with minimal walls and no roof and Carlos

lead us in a time of worship to our Lord. The same Lord that monks had been worshiping in that same place for hundreds and hundreds of years. That moment will never be forgotten.

So, now I sit here in Peet's on 17th where I learned so much over the last year, dreaming about what the near future holds. I would say that

I know what the frame of the picture looks like, but even that would be a stretch! Last night from my window seat of a crammed 757 I watched Maine pan across through my window. It was a blessing and even an encouragement from God to see such wilderness and opportunity. It was mile after mile of pure forest and beauty. I actually saw Portland from the plane and it is so small!!! I am so stoked!

I leave for Nor Cal tomorrow and hopefully hit the road Thursday or Friday. It's been long awaited, but the time is soon here and I could not be more ready!