A Flurried Faithful Fortnight

Well, a bit more than a fortnight - the past two and a half weeks have flown by, and at the same time it seems at least a month since we arrived in Ireland.

Just a month ago we received word that our visas cleared and we could come to Ireland. Three weeks ago we left the beach in South Carolina and two and a half weeks ago we boarded a plane (along with our 15 checked bags) to Dublin.

While it still feels we have a lot to do to settle in, looking back we have done a fair few things.

* We give thanks for the church community here that built beds and kitchen furniture so that we could eat at a table (with meals they prepared for us) and sleep in beds with mattresses, sheets, and pillows from day one. Wow. Alleluia.

* We bought all the uniforms (regular day clothes, PE clothes, jackets, shoes, etc.) and all three kids completed their first week of school in Ireland - in the schools where, hopefully, they’ll be for the next 6 years. Alleluia.

* We have set up new phone numbers - and we canceled our US numbers (message us if you need our new phone numbers and address)

* We have set up our bank accounts, received our public service numbers, and registered with immigration (we hear it usually takes months, and we’ve been able to do it in weeks). We thank God for opening doors and making ways. Alleluia.

* We went from renting vehicles to acquiring a car and car insurance yesterday - yay. We thank God for the provision of agencies and companies and banks willing to work with foreigners. Alleluia.

* We’ve made about 72 trips to various shops finding bookshelves and chairs and other furnishings to help us make a new home. Alleluia.

* This past week, I worshipped with 4 of the 6 congregations on the circuit - 3 of them had John Wesley preach in their societies during some of his trips to Ireland. Wow. And the fourth society was founded by families who heard Wesley preach on one of his last trips to Ireland.

* Tonight our older two kids are at a youth event up at the church. Alleluia.

We’ve also been finding our way to parks and grocery stores and trying to learn our way around town.

Thank you for your prayer and encouragement. We look forward to how the Holy Spirit will guide us in this place to join God’s holy work of healing the world.