Last Few Months.

It seems counter cultural to say, but things have been very busy here in Ireland. About mid-Oct things should start to slow down but for now its full speed. Of course I thought things would be calm after the summer months with all the teams. Since then I have said good-bye to many missionaries who have returned to their passport countries after completing their work. Then off to GO Conference I went. Two weeks of learning about how to do Personnel with OM and picking up a bunch load of new recruits for the field. Many of them joining our Immersion Team, which is the gap year programme geared towards teaching the participants about being missionaries followed by placement in local churches in Ireland. So after the two weeks of refreshing fellowship and learning much about OM at the conference, I return back to Lacken House which is now housing 12 people, most of which are young adults. Good-bye silence and hello motherhood. ;) The first week with all the new kids, I spent teaching and orienting everyone to the field; what we like to call Orientation Week. The Immersion Team has now begun their classes on theology, missions, evangelism, etc. I get the honor of teaching three of those classes over the next few weeks. Last weekend we had our staff retreat which was a time of fellowship, food and worship. Oh and of coming down with a nasty virus, it seems that many of us came down with a head cold mixed with fever following the retreat. I am still trying to recover from said illness. I am also currently working on a staff workshop that will be held in Oct on Team Building with all of the staff in Ireland. So please pray as I work on the content and for the presentation, since I don’t really like talking in front of people. That is the short recap of the last month or two and a little look into the following month for me here in Ireland.

Impact Ireland Part 2

It’s been a few days since the participants of Impact Ireland have boarded their planes to head home. From what I hear the last one has finally made it home (after a few stops along the way.)



Impact Ireland was amazing! People came from all over and worked together with local churches doing kids camps, street evangelism, community service, and tent programs. I was able to spend time with the participants during their time here and found their energy and love for missions and Ireland to be overwhelming. Although they were here for only two weeks, our faith has connected us and I know we will see one another again.


(Photos to be posted soon)


For now life has returned to normal, well as normal as missionary life can be. Sadly during the week our Immersion Team, who has been here for the past year also went home. The house feels quite empty and the days are strange. I almost don’t know what to do with myself now that all the hustle and bustle is over and all that is left is my actual job to do. But there is much work to be done, in a few days I will be ready to tackle the big issues of personnel and member care, but for now I’m taking it slow- mending my heart, mind and body.

Impact Ireland

We are halfway through Impact Ireland 2010! For those of you who don't know what Impact Ireland 2010 is:

What is Impact Ireland?

Organised by international mission OM Ireland, “Impact Ireland” is a two week programme in partnership with local churches to share and demonstrate the good news of Jesus Christ. International volunteers serve together with local Christians to make a lasting impact in the lives of individuals, churches and Irish communities.


Impact 2010
The theme of Impact Ireland 2010 is "Love in action, Faith in action". Fifty-five participants from the USA, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Canada and the UK will be divided into six teams located in Avoca, Athlone, Navan, Mo-hill, Tullamore, Cork and Mountmellick. Teams will be running children‟s holiday clubs, servant projects in the community, youth programmes, gospel events, sports programmes and much more. Through their words, their ac-tions and their lives, they hope to share the Gospel of Jesus in Ireland.

The first 4 days all the particpants stay at the Lacken House and learn about evangelism, Irish culture, and enjoy team building activities. During those days, I was in the kitchen with a work team of anywhere from 4-6 people depending on the day preparing meals for approximately 70 people. I was able to sneak into a few of the workshops and see some of the great teachers. Then we had a commissioning and sent 6 teams on their way.

We have been receiving updates throughout the week through email and have been visiting the teams also. I was able to take a road trip out to visit the Avoca team. It was great to see how excited everyone was, and just how much the camp and the kids were thankful to have the team there. Tomorrow I will be traveling to see the Cork team and again I will be traveling on Saturday (still not sure of which team since we've had some last minute changes.)

Please continue to pray for thsoe participating in Impact Ireland and for the churches and kids camps they are working alongside.

2 WEEKS.

Today makes it officially 2 weeks living in Ireland. And today I almost died in a cow stampede.

Our next door neighbor was moving the cows to the field up the street as me and the fitness team were completing our 3.5 mile walk. Lets just say we were afraid and the farmer just looked at us and laughed.

Arrived!

Hello All,

I’ve made it safely to Ireland, with only a few complications due to weather. I’ve been here for just over a day now and again struck by the beauty of the land and the warmth of the people. My first day here I spent a few hours sitting outside in the town of Athlone just soaking in the sun and clean air. It was a good time to just sit and relax shaking off the old to allow room for the new. Then that night I enjoyed dinner and prayer with a mission team that was leaving the next morning. We sat around and discussed what God was doing in their lives and in Ireland. I was left speechless and in tears quit a bit as I heard about the amazing things God is doing through these people in OM.

I still haven’t received the most recent update on where I am at in raising support for this mission trip but I believe I am about $2,000 short of the financial goal. In looking at that number it would only take 20 families/individuals committing to giving $20 a month for the next 5 months to complete that goal. Please pray and see if you might be able to be one of the families or individuals that would be able to commit to helping this mission by giving $20 a month. Or if you are interested in giving a one time sum that would be 20 families/individuals willing to give $100. Also be prayerful about who else might be interested in be coming a part of supporting this ministry in Ireland. I would love to be able to chat with them if they have any questions. As always I can be reached through email ckominar@hotmail.com and my blog is at www.irelandmissionary.blogspot.com

If you feel called to give there are two ways you can send in your contributions. By check through the mail and by card over the internet. My missionary code is 2271902, it is important for both the checks and the internet contributions to have this number on them so the funds are directed to the correct mission. The website to give is: https://usa.om.org/GiveOnline
Please send the checks to:

Operation Mobilization

ATTN: Hilary Thomas

PO Box 444
Tyrone GA, 30290

Thank you for all your prayers as I was traveling to Ireland, as we can see they were a blessing as I have arrived safely even with ash clouds and rain storms! Please continue to pray for the work here in Ireland. As there is much work to be done! I am quickly brought to think of Matt 9:37: Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Farewell!

Today is the BIG day, flying out at 5:15, Ms. Gwen will be driving me to the airport around 2:00 so I will not be late for my flight :) This is going to be the first time in probably 10 years that I will be checking a bag. Funny thing is I thought I would be able to fit my life for the next 6 months into 1 suitcase. Im just about done packing and I have two suitcases to check, one gym  bag (incase they lose my luggage), and my bookbag (for my computer.)
The flight should land around 9:30, their time- which should be 4:30 our time. Followed by an hour and a half ride to the Lacken House. Not sure how long it will take to get settled in but as soon as I can I will send out an update on how the trip went.

Last Days.

Time is coming very near! Only 3 days till I fly, 4 days till I land :)

House is filled with tenets, bills are all on auto pay, have handymen lined up if something goes wrong, cats have their vet tech on call, and veterinary office understands that someone else will be making 'medical decisions', parents have been told, Skype account has been set up, I just don't have a plan for lawn service...Oh and I haven't packed.

Somehow the other week I let anxiety sneak in, I think it was the reality that I only had a week left that came crashing down on me. I sat and wondered how could I have been so calm and then like a sucker punch be hit with unexplainable anxiety. My view of God hasn't changed, my belief that He called me to this adventure didn't change. Oh I get it, it was my human-ness. I began to realize the things I would miss; the comfort of being in my own home and around people and places that are known to me. The fear of the unknown and what it might bring or how it might change me. Glad to say the anxiety is at bay, but I have a sneaking suspicion it will creep itself back in on Sunday. Maybe this time with thoughts of did I forget anything and what's going to happen at immigration when I get to Ireland.

I am excited to see what is in store and glad to have everyone of you involved as I follow the path God has laid out before me.

Bon Voyage!

Location: Cherry Park

1466 North Cherry Road
When: Saturday, May 15, 2:00PM to 5:00PM

Phone: 704-965-5202

Everything is underway! Not only have I booked my flight to Ireland May 16-Nov 17, Ive also reserved the open pavillion at Cherry Park for May 15th!

This will be the day before I fly out for Ireland on my mission trip. I would LOVE to see everyone one last time before heading out. If you have not been to Cherry Park or just a little unfamiliar with it. The open pavillion is right next to the kids playground (So yes bring your kids and dress them in play attire) and has some grills (kinda yucky ones- so Im bringing my portable one if necessary.)

Please do not bring any farewell gifts- I wont be able to add anything to my bags, and everyone knows how crazy the airlines are about luggage. All I ask is you bring a covered dish to share with everyone.

Update 4/10/10

Its been a little bit of time since Ive updated anyone -or this blog- on how things are progressing towards Ireland. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I am trying to finish off well at my current job (which I officially have 4 days left) before really focusing on the next step. A few things have been happening in the mean time though which are exciting.

I finally got my tax return in the mail this week, after waiting over 2 months on pins a needles, knowing that was how I planned to buy my ticket to Ireland. I chatted with a few missionary travel agents but found Orbitz to be much cheaper than the options the airlines where offering to missionaries. So I went ahead and grabbed up a perfect flight, one in which I will be sitting accross the aisle from the othe American missionary who will be traveling to Ireland.We will meet up at the Newark airport and travel the second leg together. The over night 12 hour flight, that is. Fortunately I know myself well enough to know that I can not sleep on planes even on overnight flights to Ireland, I will plan accordingly and pray that the other missionary also has an aversion to sleeping on planes. Flight plan follows.

Leave Sunday, May 16, 2010

Depart: 5:15pm Charlotte, NC Charlotte Douglas (CLT)
Arrive: 7:19pm Newark, NJ Newark Liberty Int'l (EWR)
Change planes. Time between flights: 2hr 36min
Depart: 9:55pm Newark, NJ Newark Liberty Int'l (EWR)
Arrive: 9:25am Dublin, Ireland Dublin (DUB)
Total duration: 11hr 10min
Total miles: 3714 miles


Return Thursday, November 18, 2010
Depart: 9:00am Dublin, Ireland Dublin (DUB)
Arrive: 11:45am Newark, NJ Newark Liberty Int'l (EWR)
Change planes. Time between flights: 3hr 0min
Depart: 2:45pm Newark, NJ Newark Liberty Int'l (EWR)
Arrive: 4:50pm Charlotte, NC Charlotte Douglas (CLT)
Total duration: 12hr 50min
Total miles: 3714 miles

I've also just got another financial update from Hilary, and I am still sitting at about 30% funds raised for the mission trip. I know there are a few cheques in the mail and North Rock Hill Church has another deposit to make from the gifts given by the congregation. Once I finish those last 4 days at work I will have more time to invest into making phone calls and visits to complete the fund raising. So please continue to pray for me during that time.
 
 

Support Letter

Hey, I wanted to let you know about what God has been doing in my life recently, including an upcoming trip. I am planning on going with Operation Mobilization (OM) for a 6 month mission trip to Ireland beginning in May 2010.

I have felt called for a number of years to go on a mission trip but knew that it was not the right timing. Most recently I have been hearing a strong message that it is time to go and that I am to return to place that my family came from (at least part of my family.) It really hit me hard when my pastor Chris spoke on Nehemiah and his desire to return to Israel to restore the city where his fathers are buried. Since that sermon series, I have not been able to let it go; I researched and found a wonderful organization, OM, whom I am planning on going to Ireland with.

Operation Mobilization organizes mission trips to various parts of the world, working alongside full-time missionaries and local churches to present the message of Jesus. OM seeks to demonstrate and proclaim the love of God through evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and literature distribution and also by providing relief and development in many areas of the world.

After a brief cross-cultural orientation and evangelism training, I’ll work with an international team doing outreach in Ireland. My role has two parts beginning with being the first person/first face new missionaries in Ireland will see in the position of recieving and second to continue supporting them throughout their time as missionaries as member care. I expect this trip will help me understand missions better and also will be a challenging and stretching experience as I work with others to share the Gospel. I’ll need people who pray for me while I’m away, asking for safety, good health, and courage to share my faith.

I also need at team of people who will commit to financially help with the costs of the trip (travel, accommodations, food, and ministry expenses.) The cost to participate in this OM outreach is $9,000. I hope to raise over half the funds before flying over to Ireland. Would you pray about helping to support me as I take part in this outreach? If you would like to help, please send your tax-deductible gift, made payable to OM. Please include my account number 2271902 on the subject/for line of the check. You may also give online at https://usa.om.org/GiveOnline.
Due to the nature of my trip OM has changed my status from short term to individual mission which means those who wish to support this mission can do so either as a one time gift or make a monthly pledge to spread throughout the 6 months I will be working in Ireland.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support. I look forward to sharing with you what God does through this outreach.

St Patrick's Day.

It's St. Patrick's Day, and yes that is important to a girl who loves Ireland but more importantly is what it really stands for. We get all decked out in green and shamrocks and some try a little Irish beer, but really what is St Patrick's Day about? Historically it was a celebration to grow deeper in our spiritual walks and a day to pray for missionaries around the world. So I charge you today to remember those who are in the field following after God!

On the Move

Days are counting down! Not long before I will be over seas working in the field with many other God followers.

Here is the video my church developed to present my upcoming mission to Ireland
http://blog.northrockhill.com/2010/o3/nrhc-on-mission/

Stay connected through this blog site on what is happening in Ireland.