Remembering Sunday in Belfast

Wow - well, here we are - we're home! It's Tuesday morning, and our trip home feels like a blur - as do most of the events since we last talked to you on this blog. The ministry stuff on Sunday, both morning and evening was...well...rich. Newtownbreda's welcome of, and responsiveness to us, continues to amaze and humble us. Wonderful people - long term and deep relationships - hungry, receptive hearts - significant ministry that we sense will leave a lasting mark - it was just...really good.

But I gotta tell you - that one of the best parts of this trip this time (do you remember that this is our 5th time to this church over 10 years?), was bringing you (Open Door) with us through this blog!! It just felt like we were in it together! We loved hearing from you (those of you who could figure out the blog), and had this constant sense of your presence and support through your prayers - it just felt REAL!

So - thanks for coming with us this journey - your partnering with us in it, made it all the richer!

I think we told you earlier about this amazing evening service they have (Sunday nt.) that is literally filled with young people. It's hard to really capture the energy of it with words, and I'm not sure pictures fully capture it either, but Bonnie is posting some to help you get a sense of it. There's also a picture of me in the pulpit (from Sunday morning) - I wanted that one in there as proof that I was actually there!

Thanks again for coming with us!

Grace and Peace - Dave and Bonnie

Message from Ireland

Dear Open Door:

Well, we have released (reluctantly) Dave and Bonnie back to Open Door. One of our members suggested that we confiscate their return ticket ! We can say that we have had an amazing time with them - to have the privilege of sitting under their ministry with the added bonus of sharing 'free time' with them has for Helen and myself been a wonderful blessing. I know our church elders are delighted and challenged with the ministry and this morning there was a real 'buzz' in our Staff meeting. The connection Dave and Bonnie have with our church can only be described as a ' God thing' for which we are so grateful. Open Door - look after them, you have a very special couple in your midst! Thanks for allowing us to benefit from their ministry and for praying us through the last ten days. Lives have been changed.

Blessings Raymond and Helen

An Update & A Celtic Blessing to You

It's Sunday morning here - 'Dave's Back' - after laying low yesterday, he is feeling 'normal' again (but who's to say what 'normal' is for Dave?) We are thinking of you today as you meet and particularly of Steve Wiens and the worship Team as you worship together. It's been a great trip, but our hearts are beginning to hunger for home. Hopefully, we will be able to update you about today's ministry before leaving Ireland tomorrow.

God be with thee in every pass

Jesus be with thee on every hill,

Spirit be with thee on every stream,

Headland and ridge and lawn;

Each sea and land, each moor and meadow,

Each lying down, each rising up,

In the trough of the waves, on the crest of the billows,

Each step of the journey thou goest.

by Alexander Carmichael

Faces to Put Your Prayers To....

As I write this today (Sat AM) David is in bed, having been sick all nite and now into this morning. Not sure if its a flu bug or something he ate? Please pray for him, he is due to meet with some men today (which can be easily cancelled) but obviously has a full day tomorrow preaching in both services morning and evening. Then we have a long travel day Monday heading home.

We spent last evening with the leadership and spouses from Newtonbreda Church casually discussing with them what they see and what we see - as some of their opportunities in ministry and what they/we see as some of their challenges for ministry. It was a rich time of sharing our stories together.

These are some of the people you have been praying for - though you have never met - thanks for your prayers on their behalf.

A Small Group here in Belfast, that uses O.D.'s Message Tool each week as they meet

Glen, David, Raymond, Dave, Roger, Andrea

Alicia & David (see posting on Nov 2nd)

Lester & Viv

David & Bert

Helen, Pam, & Raymond

David, David, & Glen

Sam & Raymond

Oops! Not sure how this one got in there! :)

(we just miss them loads!)

"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing,

just as it has been doing among you..."

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you,

we have not stopped praying for you..." Colossians 1

Back to Belfast

I love the way Bonnie "sees" things - she helps me "see" them too! I'm usually standing there (in the midst of all that beauty) thinking about lunch - or how on earth Jay Cutler could throw 5 interceptions - are you kidding me? 5 interceptions? Unbelievable! Oh, wait...look at that ocean view - isn't God good? Yea! Thanks Bon!

We're back to Belfast today, and later this afternoon the meeting stuff begins again. Not so much speaking, as it is meeting with various people - some from the Newtownbreda church (tonight it will be all the elders and staff), and others from the local church community (a group of elders from a neighboring church who are going through a difficult time).

Not sure what's up, but a high percentage of churches here are going thru very turbulent things - just hard stuff - not unlike our own at times. Just pray for me to have some kind of wisdom - words that might actually provide some hope, if not guidance. Sometimes the "help" is just to assure people that they're not crazy or defective for having these difficulties - it kind of "goes with the territory". I know I can't "fix" them, but I'd like to bring some encouragement - maybe some perspective - whatever.

I talked to Steve Wiens today thru e-mail, and he told me where he's going this week in his sermon - continuing with Paul's prayer for the Colossians - it sounds incredible - I just love how he thinks, and the things he sees!! We really are blessed!

This weekend will be very busy, and I'm sure quite exhausting - thanks again for coming with us, and praying for us.

Love and kisses - Dave and Bonnie (See Bonnie's next post for more photos)

The Things I See....

Yesterday, we drove along the coast of Northern Ireland with Raymond & Helen and took a Ferry over to the Republic of Ireland - these are some of our sights along our journey. I often think of this verse when I look on something new - or if I have new eyes to see...

For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities

his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made.....

Romans 1:20

The above photo is one from this morning as I sat at the window and watched the sun rise over the hills and ocean - the photo doesn't do it justice....

Smallest Church is All of Ireland

We do not have time to post a big update this morning, but wanted to send along this photo of a place we stopped to see. David thot maybe his retirement years could be spent here ministering to the few that would fit in...NOT! Great views though.