We all had a grand time at the Maghera Inn for dinner on Wednesday
It is taking almost 4 minutes for each picture to load. Internet is very slow at the Castle tonight. Perhaps it will go faster tomorrow.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Because Jamie posted on Monday, I postponed my first post. Then I had it all ready to go and my Dell went "down". Too many people at the castle were online, I guess. So here we are....nearly midnight on Thursday....I hope it all goes this time!!
Greetings from the Castle!!
Have you been wondering where we’ve been? We (Traca, Emy and
I) arrived on Saturday and quickly fell in step with the men’s weekend
activities. We were met at the bus terminal in Newry….yes, we managed to get
our baggage from the airport to the bus stop and travel alone for a bit! We had lunch and then a quick “rest” and then
helped the Love team with evening preparations. Sunday was still The Way for
the men. After that was completed, we had a “debrief” session and then heard
plans for Monday. (Jamie continued to
blog through Monday). Some of us went to Belfast for shopping and sightseeing. Others went to
the North Coast which included Dunluce Castle, The Carrick a Rede Swing Bridge and
Giant’s Causeway. Jamie posted pics from all of that on Monday!
Shopping included
going to the dome at Victoria Square. It’s a great observation deck and you can
see many historic places of note from
there. There was a guide who remembered Jean from 2013. He told us that since
talking with us before, he had returned to church and was now a Christian. That
was good news! And we were happy he wanted to share it with us!! Other places
in Belfast included touring the City Building and Nick took a bus ride ‘round
the city. Shopping was at specialty shops and souvenir shops as well as stopping
for a cuppa’ with a biscuit!
Dinner at
McGinn’s…see previous blog for pictures.
Tuesday was
departure day for the one weekers who came for the men’s weekend only and
arrival day for the one weekers coming for the women’s weekend. Those of us who
were either here for 2 weeks or 1 ½ found things to do….slipping into
Castlewellan (town) or Newcastle or just sorting out things. Rich is taking lots of pictures (lots…as in
hundreds) so I’m using his card to find things to use on the blog.)
Wednesday had
options. Go to Newcastle or Castlewellan. Go to Dundrum Castle and Tolleymore
Forest. People were in and out with the van and mini-bus on the road at 9, 10,
12:30, etc. Wednesday evening the whole group went to Maghera Inn for dinner.
After dinner was a team meeting including all the members from Northern Ireland
and the Love Team (both US and NI). After that….more tea in my apartment for
several.
And now we are at
Thursday. We have run into Newcastle again for supplies and a cuppa’ as well as
a walk along the sea. Tables and chairs have been moved and set up. Sound
systems have been moved to other rooms. Guest lists will soon appear. The Way
#4 is about to begin!! Pray for us, for the guests and for the Body of
Believers that will be attending various parts of the weekend. We are expecting
great things from God again.
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| At the airport....part of the team |
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| Welcome to the Castle |
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| Castlewellan Castle |
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| Dundrum Castle ruins....dates to 1177, built by John De Courcy |
Monday, February 16, 2015
Our final day in Northern Ireland
Today was the final day for most of the team. We head home early in the morning as the team for this weekend arrives. I'd like to thank Pat for letting me share on her blog this week, I enjoyed keeping this online journal of our trip and all the wonderful things that we've experienced! This is a week I know we will all remember forever, a week where lives were changed forever! God is so faithful!
We had the opportunity to explore a little more of Northern Ireland today and it was amazing! I thought I'd just share our day in pictures. The bus arrived this morning to take us out exploring. One group went to Belfast to explore the city and do some shopping and the other group went to the coast to visit Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Carrick-a-Rede.
A few from Belfast, Nick shared some awesome pictures with us of the tour he took today but I had trouble getting the pictures via email. Pat was in Belfast with the group today though and will share a few more pictures with you soon. :)
'
Dunluce Castle
Giants Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede
After our day of adventure we went back to Castlewellan for a nice dinner.
We also celebrated Dale's birthday :)
After dinner we made our way back to the castle and one of the men who had attended the weekend had come back to lead us in worship and to pray with us. It was such a blessing!
The ladies for the women's weekend are on their way here now and should arrive in the morning.
Please say a prayer for safety during our travels, for the men that attended the weekend, and for the women's weekend. We know that when we are obedient God honors it, I can't wait to see what He has in store!
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always on your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And rain fall soft upon your fields
Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
~Irish Blessing
Sunday, February 15, 2015
In Christ Alone
"In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song."
Today was the final day for The Way. It's been such a blessing to be just a small part of what God is doing here in Northern Ireland. He worked in the hearts of the men who attended The Way and in the hearts of those who came to serve this weekend.
I just have a few pictures to share today..
View of the castle roof. It's such a beautiful place!
Our worship team.. they did a wonderful job of leading us this weekend!
We enjoyed a lovely breakfast this morning.
(Lets just pretend this photo is not sideways, I tried everything to fix it! It was too cute to leave out!)
Kitchen/Love team working on breakfast.
"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night and day difference He made for you-from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."
1 Peter 2:9 MSG
Saturday, February 14, 2015
With God...All things are Possible
Hello, this is Jamie. Pat arrived here today along with Emy and Traca. :) She's asked me to continue blogging until Tuesday when we return home. She will begin blogging again for the women's weekend.
I feel like I start every post the same way but.... it was another wonderful day here!!!
Here's the picture proof...
A few pictures of Pat, Emmy, and Traca after they arrived.
If you've tasted Deirdre's cooking then you understand why this is nessesary! ;)
All of the ladies on the love team have such servants hearts! I've enjoyed meeting and getting to know each of them!
(I'm posting this picture especially for Shirley's son ;))
Here's a photo of a few of the guys. They were very busy today but Jean was able to get this picture for us during one of their breaks.
We've made many new friends here! I know that although I'll be happy to get back to my family at home, I will be sad to leave my new friends here in Northern Ireland.
Sharon, Anna, and Elsie. Elsie has been working very hard in the kitchen all weekend and she's been sweet enough to teach us a wee bit of the lingo they use here in Northern Ireland too.
Jean working away, she works so hard and does a wonderful job of making sure things run smoothly.
The beautiful views here never get old.
Tomorrow is the final day for the men's weekend. The weekend has been so blessed and God is doing amazing things! Thank you for your prayers, please continue to lift us up as we come to mind!
"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26
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