God is sufficient. As I reflect on this past year I can say with out any doubt that this is what I’ve learned. So in light of this year’s revelation I have decided to make a list of how he has been sufficient in my life during the past year. At the end of this very short update you can read if you like (to the glory of God) how he is sufficient.
My last update was a video update that I made before I found out that I was going to be able to come home for Christmas. If you watched that, you would not know that I am back in the States till January 16th. I was so blessed that my family (mainly my mother) decided that they wanted to see me. It meant a lot to be able to come home and have a bit of a rest before heading back to Waterford. I was very exhausted and really feeling the strain of the ministry and did not think I would make it back. But God always knows our breaking point and is gracious enough to not let us get there. I now have a huge respect for people that are called to the ministry. It might be a “walk in the park” but that park is Central park... at midnight. I really did not know what I was getting into this year but by the grace of God and through a lot of humbling experiences God brought me though...closer to Him and I would not trade that for anything.
Now a little update on the current state of the our church in Waterford. As you will see in my list at the end of this letter it has been an extraordinary year for us all. Outreaches have come and gone, people have come and gone but God in all of this has been working. We started 2011 off with about 6 people in the congregation and now, at the end of 2011 God has brought together about 40 to 50 people. Might not seem like much but as I said before a mega church in Ireland is about 400 people so its a huge deal to us. The amazing thing about all of this is that the people are not only growing in numbers they are growing spiritually.
So now that is my short little monthly update I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and I pray that this New Year will be blessed. Much love from me and every body in Waterford.
God bless
Now for my list of Gods beautiful provision
He gave me the money to be able to get to Ireland and the exact amount I needed.
I was in the worst financial situation I have ever been in.
But He said he would take care of the money and he did.
He provided me with a place to live that was literally a 10 second walk from church
He provided a good buddy to come and help build and keep Me and Clay from killing each other.
He provided the Church building and gave us the means to finish the building
Interior wall, electrical, plumbing, carpet, tools, man power, drywall, wood, nails, paint, glue, tile, countertops, doors, windows, chairs, scaffolding, there is a story behind pretty much every item on this list.
We were able to do 30,000 euros of work on a budget of about 2000.
And for some odd reason God gave me the confidence to think I could actually oversee and complete this building.
Gave it to us for a much cheaper price.
Provided people who volunteered their work and service out of the blue--even non Christians.
I ran out of money in June because I was only supposed to stay 6 months. He provided food and a place for me to stay the summer thanks to the Tucson and Denver mission teams. I had loads of fun hanging out with you guys.
He then provided a car very inexpensively--300 euros for my 1996 Nissan Micra with a one-liter engine. :)
I then was able to move into a house just outside of town that was half the price of my last place and 3 times the size. Thanks to the great people at the United Beach Mission and the Kennedy family.
At that time I was also praying that I could live outside of town so as not to be stuck in the city all day---every day. I am a “mountain boy” after all.
He then provided my cousin and a friend who wanted a bodyguard while they traveled so I was able to do a little traveling over here--thanks to them.
He provided a way for me to stay in the country longer legally by letting me get a missionary visa.
He provided me throughout the year with jackets, shoes and clothing from my Irish friends. He only knows how cold it is over here.
He provided an amazing “care package” at a time when everything looked very dreary.
He provided a family in the church who lived just down the street to bring over food every day.
I have not gone hungry since.
He provided another great friend to come over when I was burned out to encourage me and lift me up.
He has provided time after time just enough money when I needed it. When I had no idea how I was going to pay my bills He always provided.
He provided when I prayed for friends--a great and amazing group of Irish friends.
He provided small odd jobs that I could do to earn a bit here and there.
He provided an amazing friend to give me some work, and then gave me the strength to survive when he took him away to heaven.
He provided a brand new and very, VERY nice guitar when I needed one.
above and beyond my expectations.
He has provided me with the will and the strength to go back and serve in Ireland for another year.
There are countless other ways He has provided for me, grown me and shown me His strength but the list is a bit long now. (I’m sure you have found this true in your life as well!) If you want more just ask!
