Irish Traffic Lights

Idols

I was told to burn my Bible the other day when I was doing door-to-door work. I have never had anyone tell me to burn my Bible. This woman wouldn’t hear what we were saying when we started to talk about Mary. She said that Mary was always a virgin, and that she never bore children after Jesus. Which is false! So we told here that even in her Catholic Bible, it says that Mary had sons and daughters (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). We explained that Mary was a woman who honored Christ and was faithful, but should not be put higher than Christ. This has just been a little insight into how the Catholic Church has a stronghold on so many people here. My eyes are continuing to be opened daily to idolatry and the deceitfulness that these people are under. But then it has also brought me to think about idolatry all around, and not just with physical statues (such as Mary, Buddha, etc…) but that other things can disguise themselves as idols. I find that even the internet, money, relationships, media, celebrities, and so many other things, can be idols that we put above the Lord. This is not a new thought, but I feel that by me being here I now understand how serious it is. The Lord wants us to put Him first as our number one priority. I fear that when we fill other areas of our life that do not glorify God then we will loose sight of His plan and will fall into being deceived as well, even by our own self. The Lord is Mighty and has a perfect plan for our lives, why wouldn’t I put Him first, why wouldn’t He always be on the forefront of my mind. He loves me and is faithful!

That is a picture of the Shrine at this place called Knock, the same town where the woman told me to burn my Bible.

Hi Ya!

Hi ya, is how the Irish say hello. I am finally here in Ireland! I still can’t believe that I am here sometimes. There are so many emotions that come with moving away and starting a new adventure. Saying goodbye to all of my loving friends and my family was a very difficult thing for me. But I was blessed with an amazing send off at my goodbye party and an amazing book full of encouraging letters. I felt so much joy and love when I was being prayed over. I love the family of God! Now that I am here and away from home, I have been missing my normal and comfortable life in California. While I was journaling one night, I realized that God wants us to be out of our comfort zones. He wants us to take leaps and go for it, with Him leading the whole thing. So that is what I am doing. Surrendering everything to Him and finding my strength, home, love, and wisdom all from Him.

 

Calvary Mission in Westport is where I will be serving at for these next 2 years. Yesterday was my first Sunday there and after the service was over, they surprised me with a cake that said, “Welcome to Ireland Nikki.” It was so sweet and thoughtful! They are making me feel so welcomed and loved! I am truly excited to see what God has planned for these next 2 years. I know there will be hard times, but Christ will use all things!! 

 

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

Bittersweet

I have some very exciting news! This past week I finally got my plane ticket that's headed for Ireland! I will be leaving March 23rd. Once I heard the date, my stomach immediately dropped. I have a whirlwind of emotions. And of course the day after I found out the date that I am leaving, Melissa Brosch spoke in the High School group on how we need to express our emotions better to God, so I was really able to get in touch with those emotions, and let them all out! I feel so excited and anxious to get there and start this new journey, but I also feel nervous for what's to come and pretty sad for the amazing relationships that are in my life that are about to change. I have received so much encouragement from everyone and I am very grateful. The Lord's timing is perfect and I need to continue to trust fully in Him. This is very hard for me to do right now, so please, please, please pray for me in this. 

Thanks for reading this snip-it :)

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I am not much of a writer, or blogger at that, but I have decided to start this blog so that I can keep in touch with everyone while I am preparing for ministry in Ireland and to update all of my loved ones while I am away.

This March I am planning on leaving for two years to Ireland! I will be partnering in ministry with Larry and Kathy Dunne, a missionary family on Ireland's west coast in a town called County Mayo. I will be joining the Dunnes in their various roles of ministry at a local church called Calvary Mission. My main focus will be to assist them with their door-to-door ministry, bible study, bookstore, children's ministry and youth ministry! I was able to work with the youth group at Calvary Church of Santa Ana for the past 5 years and have loved every second of it! Now I have the amazing opportunity to work with youth over in Ireland.

In 2006 I went to Ireland on a mission trip through my home church and fell in love with the country. Through my interaction with the people in Ireland I saw firsthand the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church and its idolatry of the Virgin Mary. The mission of the Dunnes through Calvary Mission is to share the gospel and the truth of Jesus Christ.

As the body of Christ we have the privilege to uplift, encourage and speak truth to our brothers and sisters. Because I am a very relational person, I know that I am going to need all the support I can get! First and foremost, I would like to ask you to join me in this ministry by praying for what God is going to do in Ireland. I want His name to be proclaimed! Second, I need support financially while I am on the mission field. I need to raise $1000 up front and $2175 per month for 24 months. If you are able and would like to support me financially, please go to this website that is linked straight to my Missions Agency, Global Outreach Missions, and make sure to type my name in the box provided on the website.

Lastly, there are a few specific things that I hope you could pray for me:
-That I would adjust easily and quickly during this huge transition in my life.
-The people that I meet - that I would have connections and develop relationships that share the good news of Christ!
-Loneliness-pray against this distraction and ask that God would provide me with a deep peace knowing He is with me, also pray that He would provide me with fun, great people to have as friends.
-A teachable heart for the Irish culture - that God will give me insight and understanding to their values and way of life.
-Trust in God- that He will provide for me in all my needs, particularly for the needed finances.
-Daily reminders of my need and dependence on Christ.

I will continue to keep you all posted, I don't think all of them will be this long, but I promise to write! Thank you so much!

Link to GOM online giving  http://www.missiongo.org/Giving.html