Next week it will have been a month that I have lived in Waterford Ireland. It seems like I have been here so much longer! When I disembarked I hit the ground running. I attended bible study that night (nearly fell out of my chair!) but succeeded in staying upright for the most part. By Monday I had found an apartment and by the end of the following week I was “feeding myself” by playing music on the street.
Originally, my purpose was to come to Ireland to lead worship but God had other plans. The Calvary Chapel Waterford has been looking to meet in a new building for some time now and when I got here I joined the search to find a building that would suit a growing church. Every building we passed became a new possibility a new conversation. We looked at many different buildings but they all seemed to be in the wrong part of town or much too expensive. However, there was one that kept coming back to mind. It was the perfect location and size. The problem was that it was just a shell--no interior walls, only concrete walls and pillars. While at that location I had a picture put into my mind of people worshiping in that building. So a dream and idea began to form. Just for the fun of it Pastor Clay and I drew up plans for how we envisioned finishing this impossible building. The more and more we fantasized about this building the more we could not get it out of our heads so we began to draft up a proposal--a proposal for a building that was way over our budget and not even usable in its current condition. Naturally we set up a meeting with the owner to offer him thousands less a year, and ask him if he would let an American builder and Pastor finish it themselves. The morning of our meeting we were praying-- asking God to give us favor knowing that if we got this building it would be a complete miracle. During the meeting the Landlord agreed to let us finish it and added that he would pay for the supplies to do it. We were floored but then the deposit of 5000 euros was discussed and our once hopeful dream was crushed. We told him that we had nowhere near that amount. He paused for a second, looked at us and said in a thick Irish accent,
“Oh it’s alright I just need your word, you don’t need a deposit I guess.”
At that moment we all felt like bursting out and running around saying, “Thank you!!” but we did our best to appear mature and responsible, held our composure and thanked him profusely in a very business like manner, all the while praising God in our minds.
Ever since that day every door has been opened to us. People we have never met have been giving us thousands of dollars in supplies and tools to do the work. Whatever we have asked for, God has provided. We asked for scaffolding, and not an hour later we had a company that would supply it all for free. We started with one drill and the next day had about 70 different tools. God has been so faithful with everything here it is impossible to say how amazed I am at how God has moved every day.
This city needs God so much it pains my heart. I see people stumbling around drunk at 12 noon and I pass a Bookie or pub on literally every street. The city is also plagued by serious drug abuse and severe depression. It’s not uncommon to hear the helicopter that searches the river for people jumping off the bridges into the freezing water. Sitting in the People’s Park one day I was overcome by the heaviness of this place. Even through its beauty you can feel the sadness. Even with children playing in the park you can still feel an oppression that is like a dark heavy blanket.
In this city with a population of 50,000 there are probably only 2,000 that would say they are Christian. Most are nominal Catholics. The Catholic priests here do not teach the Bible. One of the girls attending Calvary church grew up in the Catholic Church and she did not understand salvation until she was an adult and became a Christian. Even the idea of a Christian worship service confuses people here. During the signing of the lease for the building we were asked if we charged people at the door to come in.
It is quite a contrast to be in a culture of people who don’t know God, surrounded by monuments to Him! Waterford is so ready for harvest and I believe that God is going to continue to move in a huge way as we teach His word and lead his people in true worship.
God has blessed me so much being able to serve and be a part of what He is doing here. I want to thank all of you who so graciously gave to help me get to Ireland. I hope this gives you a good idea what you are supporting---how God has MULTIPLIED your gifts and how much we need your continued support. Thank you, I love you all so much and hope that you are all well.
Day trip out to Hook head lucky enough to have a good Irish friend drive us around Sunday afternoon
around 70 mile an hour winds and blowing rain
on the left is the Children minstry room and the right is the office and Kitchen
If you would still like to support it is easy just go to my website Sebastian Roland Photo and click on the donate button. Or send support to 1755 Darling Ave Frazier Park CA 93225
Things you can pray for:
That the building continues to go well, we started this week.
That we would not run into any “red tape”
That we would have enough to be able to finish everything
Protection on all who are working.
That people would continue to come and be healed
That we would not burn out but be able to keep giving of ourselves
That my worship would continue to grow, and I would be better able to lead.
Patience to be able to work with a very “closed” people
That we would just be able to spread God’s word.
