Dia daoibh! Hello!
Morgan and I arrived home from Ireland, Monday around 4 o'clock. We are very grateful for the opportunity to go. We thank you for praying with us, we felt them everyday!
Many people have asked us "Why Ireland? It's a Christian country. Full of religion. There isn't poverty like Africa or South East Asia." So I am here to answer this question.
Yes it is true that Ireland (The Republic of Ireland, not Northern Ireland, they are part of the UK) is a "religious" country, but what is not true is that it is a Christian country. Statistics say that 84.16% of the Irish people claim to be Roman Catholic, 7.63% claim to have no religion (I will talk about this later) and 1% claim to be Evangelical Christians also known as Protestant. Presbyterian and Methodist are both under 1% and Islam is at 1.2%. In the States we have a separation of Church and State, but not in Ireland. The Catholic church is still over schools, and many other things.
I want to start with The Catholic Church and it's relation to the people. To be Irish is to be Catholic and to be Catholic is to be Irish. It is their heritage and identity. Many who become Christians are disowned from their families. As a baby they are baptized into the church. At age 7 they receive their First Holy Communion. There are many other traditions in Catholic church and I could I write a 20 page research paper on them, but I just wanted you to know that the traditions start when they are babes.
When we were in Sligo, we helped a couple by the name of Kirk and Sandlin Poth. They are rebuilding the Sligo Baptist Church. They had us go out and do surveys in the city center of Sligo. We were asking people about their opinion of the Catholic Church. The three most consistent things people said were church is 'boring', 'not applicable to my life' and 'I don't want the Priest telling me what to do'. But when we asked them what they wanted in a church, most said they wanted 'Community', people who cared about them and people who genuinely wanted to be there and learn. This came from those who did not attend Mass on a regular basis. One girl, who was 18 even said that her parents would rather her be Atheist or Agnostic than Protestant.
Those who claim to have no faith is 7%! Why is it so high? 6% of this number is students age 15-25. Most of the people that Morgan, Lexi and I talked to were in this age range. They all said that they had been doing "church and "mass" since they were born and get nothing out of it, so why go? Some also said that the services were creepy or scary and then there were those who just didn't have time to go.
Because of all these things, I want to go to Ireland and show these students and adults what the church is meant to look like. A relationship with Christ in stead of rules and regulations. A community, people who care about each other. Other than doing surveys in Sligo, we held a golf tourney to raise money for the local Alzheimer center and did a lot (i'm talking two hours a day at least) of praying over Sligo and Sligo Baptist Church.
Please be praying that God would send families to Sligo Baptist Church, and that God would also send Irish leaders to one day take over that church. There are 2 families right now raising support to move to Sligo and help the Poths. Be praying for them as they are SO close to being fully supported.
That is what went on in Sligo. Now for Galway, the place I call home and can never get enough of.
In Galway ran all the children and adult programming for the 5th annual Galway City Church Retreat and hosted the first Galway City Ladies Conference.
At the retreat we taught the children ages 2-13 about just how big God is. We focused on the heavens and galaxy, creation, dinosaurs and how they co-existed with humans, and the global flood. Nate, our honorary Texan (he is actually from Kansas City) did the teaching for our older youth and adults. This was on discipleship.
One of my favorite things is watching this church worship together. They are all from different cultures. Ireland, Romania, Poland, Finland, Uganda, Nigeria, Togo, Kenya, South Africa, India, England, the States and couple other countries represent and make this church an amazing community. They are one and worship as one.
At the Ladies Conference our theme was Say Yes to God's Will. Four of us taught break out sessions. Kristi- Say Yes to liking your kids, Meaghan- Say Yes to helping those who are grieving, Mandy Post- Say Yes to stepping out of your comfort zone, and I taught on Saying Yes to Gods timing and singleness. We had a grand time spending the day with these wonderful ladies!
While we are in Galway, our goal is more encouragement and leadership building oriented, as well as building relationships with the community of Galway and the area of Knocknacarra where the church is held. The missionaries goal for this church is that it would be a sending church. That one day their church would send people out to plant more churches in Ireland and also that it would be led by Irish people and not American missionaries, even though they LOVE what they do.
Please be praying that this church would be provided leadership, and a building. Galway City Church is using the Knocknacarra National School and they are out growing it.
If you are interested in supporting one of these churches or missionary couples send me an email and I will get the details for that.
beautifulsoul.photos@gmail.com
Morgan and I still have funds to raise that we didn't get raised before the trip. If you would like to support us financially click on the "GIVE ONLINE" tab and you can donate that way.
Thank yall again for all your prayer and support!
Sarah
Our favorite thing from Ireland is " In Ireland Bacon is Ham and Goat Cheese is Goat Cheese"
Morgan and I arrived home from Ireland, Monday around 4 o'clock. We are very grateful for the opportunity to go. We thank you for praying with us, we felt them everyday!
Many people have asked us "Why Ireland? It's a Christian country. Full of religion. There isn't poverty like Africa or South East Asia." So I am here to answer this question.
Yes it is true that Ireland (The Republic of Ireland, not Northern Ireland, they are part of the UK) is a "religious" country, but what is not true is that it is a Christian country. Statistics say that 84.16% of the Irish people claim to be Roman Catholic, 7.63% claim to have no religion (I will talk about this later) and 1% claim to be Evangelical Christians also known as Protestant. Presbyterian and Methodist are both under 1% and Islam is at 1.2%. In the States we have a separation of Church and State, but not in Ireland. The Catholic church is still over schools, and many other things.
I want to start with The Catholic Church and it's relation to the people. To be Irish is to be Catholic and to be Catholic is to be Irish. It is their heritage and identity. Many who become Christians are disowned from their families. As a baby they are baptized into the church. At age 7 they receive their First Holy Communion. There are many other traditions in Catholic church and I could I write a 20 page research paper on them, but I just wanted you to know that the traditions start when they are babes.
When we were in Sligo, we helped a couple by the name of Kirk and Sandlin Poth. They are rebuilding the Sligo Baptist Church. They had us go out and do surveys in the city center of Sligo. We were asking people about their opinion of the Catholic Church. The three most consistent things people said were church is 'boring', 'not applicable to my life' and 'I don't want the Priest telling me what to do'. But when we asked them what they wanted in a church, most said they wanted 'Community', people who cared about them and people who genuinely wanted to be there and learn. This came from those who did not attend Mass on a regular basis. One girl, who was 18 even said that her parents would rather her be Atheist or Agnostic than Protestant.
Those who claim to have no faith is 7%! Why is it so high? 6% of this number is students age 15-25. Most of the people that Morgan, Lexi and I talked to were in this age range. They all said that they had been doing "church and "mass" since they were born and get nothing out of it, so why go? Some also said that the services were creepy or scary and then there were those who just didn't have time to go.
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| Kirk (in the plaid shirt) giving some instructions before we go out and do surveys |
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| The Team with Kirk (on the far left in blue) and Sandlin (in the green hat) |
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| Morgan and Lexi checked everyone in for tourney |
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| One of the views from Rosses Point where we stayed |
Because of all these things, I want to go to Ireland and show these students and adults what the church is meant to look like. A relationship with Christ in stead of rules and regulations. A community, people who care about each other. Other than doing surveys in Sligo, we held a golf tourney to raise money for the local Alzheimer center and did a lot (i'm talking two hours a day at least) of praying over Sligo and Sligo Baptist Church.
Please be praying that God would send families to Sligo Baptist Church, and that God would also send Irish leaders to one day take over that church. There are 2 families right now raising support to move to Sligo and help the Poths. Be praying for them as they are SO close to being fully supported.
That is what went on in Sligo. Now for Galway, the place I call home and can never get enough of.
In Galway ran all the children and adult programming for the 5th annual Galway City Church Retreat and hosted the first Galway City Ladies Conference.
At the retreat we taught the children ages 2-13 about just how big God is. We focused on the heavens and galaxy, creation, dinosaurs and how they co-existed with humans, and the global flood. Nate, our honorary Texan (he is actually from Kansas City) did the teaching for our older youth and adults. This was on discipleship.
One of my favorite things is watching this church worship together. They are all from different cultures. Ireland, Romania, Poland, Finland, Uganda, Nigeria, Togo, Kenya, South Africa, India, England, the States and couple other countries represent and make this church an amazing community. They are one and worship as one.
 |
| These guys are not boys anymore. I have watched them grow in their faith and become leaders for the past 5 years. Noah in grey and Emecka in green. I can't believe they are the same size as me now. |
At the Ladies Conference our theme was Say Yes to God's Will. Four of us taught break out sessions. Kristi- Say Yes to liking your kids, Meaghan- Say Yes to helping those who are grieving, Mandy Post- Say Yes to stepping out of your comfort zone, and I taught on Saying Yes to Gods timing and singleness. We had a grand time spending the day with these wonderful ladies!
Please be praying that this church would be provided leadership, and a building. Galway City Church is using the Knocknacarra National School and they are out growing it.
If you are interested in supporting one of these churches or missionary couples send me an email and I will get the details for that.
beautifulsoul.photos@gmail.com
Morgan and I still have funds to raise that we didn't get raised before the trip. If you would like to support us financially click on the "GIVE ONLINE" tab and you can donate that way.
Thank yall again for all your prayer and support!
Sarah
Our favorite thing from Ireland is " In Ireland Bacon is Ham and Goat Cheese is Goat Cheese"
