Christmas in Waterford

Christmas in Waterford, is very festive.

    Happy December everybody!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Because this country doesn’t celebrate that holiday, it began to look a lot like Christmas right after Halloween, it threw us for a loop since there wasn’t any fall decorating or whatnot. Christmas is a pretty big deal around here — with what they call “Winterval” coming to town which is Waterford's big event that goes on every weekend for a little over a month —with lights lighting up the town, ferris wheels, carousels, horse drawn carriages, carolers, yummy food venders, different market stalls, and the ice crisp air that bites — I have definitely perfected the art of layering my clothes. 

Seb adding a storage area outside

On the weekends we have a crepe stand outside

    It truly does feel like Christmas most of the time in town - Portico is all decorated, music to go with this wonderful season, people joyfully coming in for a coffee and a crepe, all cozy in their winter clothes, and sitting inside or outside next to the new installation of a heater on the wall!
    Speaking of Portico, Sebastian headed up a recent construction project with the help of a couple guys, who pulled two all nighters to move back the entire coffee bar about four feet.  Making room for two small tables and chairs so people can sit inside, so far all the customers love it! There of course are pros and cons for us who work behind, for it’s a tiny space — but it’s not too bad and it’s a bit warmer since were farther back from the door.  Very thankful for these guys!!  Pray that through Portico, the gospel will continue to be preached and that the people of Waterford will see the hope that we have through this season.
    School of Ministry this semester has come and gone - there was four students - four amazing people from different parts of the states, that we got the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.  They were an absolute delight to have here, sad to see them go but knowing we will see them again puts joy in our hearts!
    Currently as I write — I have a sick husband who is cozied up on the couch next to the lit fire, with a cup of tea, listening to the Sarah McLachlan Christmas album — That’s how “Christmasy” feeling we get since we have no decorations.  Don’t take that as a complaint, for we are real content with these moments (except for the sickness part). 
    Please pray for health!! Seems were playing a ping pong match with it and would like to hit a home run with the ball.

Sebastian and I walking through Town after work

    Also I have officially taken over Kids Ministry for the next three months, until Lora who is the head of it, returns from vacation back home in the states.  She has been an amazing tool to prepare me before she left for what it entails.  This last week was the first Sunday, and it went pretty smoothly — thankfully!  Prayer for me in that area would be super appreciated.
    In other news, because of the current weather, frosty and icy roads, we decided it would be smart to get a four-wheel drive.  And those of you who know Sebastian he’s all about Subaru's — so yes, we got one. With lots of prayer for the right one with the little money have to spend on one, we got hooked up with a great deal, almost a steal.  Thankful!!  So our plan is to sell our Honda which I will miss — I really like that car!!
    I apologize for the late update due to busyness — again.  We appreciate each and every one of you, for the prayers, the financial support, the encouragement, etc. We love you and wish you all a Merry Christmas!!!  

It's Fall In Waterford - Second month

Portico Coffee

    It is now October and the sun has started to disappear, the chilly morning each new day hails the start of winter in Waterford, Ireland. Chelsea and I are so blessed to have a nice and warm apartment just out of town. Every morning when we wake up we are reminded of Gods provision and how our constant looking to Him enables us to enjoy life while serving Him. If I could pick one word to describe to you the last two months it would be busy. I apologize that we have been ever so busy and rarely find time to sit down and communicate with everyone back home. But being busy means that God is using us and that there is much to be done in Waterford so it is a great thing.

Passage East

View from our place

Sunday morning kids lining up for kids church

    Let me give you an idea of what life over here looks like for Chelsea and myself, we are very blessed to have a great little car that takes us into town every day. I call it the space ship but really its a Honda HRV that kinda just looks like a space ship. Its about 7 miles into the office from our house, we live in the tiny fishing village called Passage East and could not be more blessed with our little apartment. Most days I will be in the office either doing Worship related stuff or out and about working on the building or developing Portico Coffee, the churches coffee shop. Currently we are building outside seating and planters to make the over all experience more comfortable. The coffee shop has been a hub for the church in the city and since we have been here, three people have gotten saved through it. Most weeks I usually work a couple of shifts as a Barista serving coffee and loving the people in the city. Chelsea has been put in basically full time at the shop and you can find her nearly every day happily chatting to people while she makes them a latte or espresso. I really never thought I would see the day when my wife who hates coffee would make better coffee than I do, we really do serve a mysterious God.

Chelsea making coffee Photo in the local Paper

    Friday nights I am helping run Roots — our youth group, I really enjoy the chance to get to speak into these kids lives and people are getting saved even through our little group of about twelve. Its a pleasure to teach the word to teens I really see God working in there lives every time.  

    We want to thank all who have given financially to us this past month — it has truly blessed us and has blown our socks off.  We are so very grateful to have so many generous friends and family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
    A quick financial update is on our blog under finances please check it out if you are curious to where our money is spent. Also on that note we are about half way to getting all the monthly support that is needed for us to survive over here. So if you had promised to support us monthly please let us know so we can budget a bit better.
    As always we love you guys very much. All we can ask for is your continued prayer for us we really need it. God is so good but many times we just get tired. Here are a few things you can pray for.

Health for Chelsea as she has been sick for the past few days and for me so I don't get sick
That worship and everyone involved in it would run smoothly over the next transition
That we would be able to be a continual light in the city.
That God would continue to bring our heats closer to His.
That we would be fully supported in the next few months or so.

Much love Sebastian and Chelsea.

Week 2

Another week, another small story.

I'll try to keep up on updates once a month - I haven't been feeling well last couple of days...pray this sickness passes quickly!

After being married for three months, we finally have a place to call home - our own house - about a 15minute drive outside of town through beautiful country side.  We are in awe of this place and are loving it - Thanking God every day for His provision and the view we look at every morning.

Sebastian has began leading worship and also started on Portico projects.

I've been working in Portico learning this new foreign skill of coffee making.  Will be starting shifts this next week - never thought I'd see the day I'd be a barista - God is full of surprises ;)


Please pray against spiritual warfare - It's taking place close to "home" in many different ways -
Thank you so much, you all are very much appreciated!

Blessings

Were here!

It has been a week since we have arrived here in Ireland.  Though we are still on the hunt for a house, our friends here have been more than hospitable for letting us stay with them until then.  Two days ago we bought a car - getting used to driving it is an adventure in itself.
Sebastian will be leading worship this Sunday - he's excited to start this again, as he did once before.  He is also prepping to do building jobs for the church coffee shop - Portico - and others as well.
I will start training in Portico tomorrow - one who has never made coffee in her life and doesn't even drink it - that will be quite the job!
Were excited to be here - new friends, new place, new life - not to mention the weather- it's not easy but His burden is light..

Also, since we have been here we have witnessed two people in the church get saved and three people have gotten baptized - Amen!

Thank you for your continual prayers - we appreciate every single one of them..

    

 


Dear friends and family,

    It's been a year and a half since I left the shores of Ireland to move back to California. God had called me back to get to know and marry Chelsea Hales who is now, Chelsea Muller :). (Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father!)
     About 8 months ago, Chelsea and I began to pray and seek the Lord about returning to Ireland. We were married in May of this year and leaving for Waterford August 19th to serve with Calvary Chapel Waterford. As we prepare to leave, we ask for your prayers most of all, and anticipate what God is going to do through this venture.
    I am currently in the process of confirming my Swiss citizenship (dual) in order to be able to legally work in Ireland (as a part of the E.U.) if the opportunity (or need) arises. This process however, could take a couple of years so we are not going forward depending on this, but that God will provide. 
    We often think of Ireland as an idyllic vacation destination, but any one who spends more than two months in the country will soon find a deep darkness that is shrouded by empty cultural religion.  Irish Catholicism is unique in that it culturally divides the people. It has become more of a “political” question than a religion or belief. In short, the Irish people have a religion, a set of rules, a cultural identity in that religion, but are missing the most important part; the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ. We can't in good conscience, ignore the fact that millions of Irish people are dying believing they are saved, because they were baptized and confirmed into the church when they were twelve.  For "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Things to Pray for -

Applying for a visa to work there part time and Swiss Citizenship would go smoothly.

As we wrap things up in California, the move etc. will all go well and easy.

God would provide for us our entire monthly support so that, as we serve we won't be a burden to the people.

That Chelsea and My marriage would be blessed and God would give us strength to love each other while we do ministry.

Provision for a good place for us to live and a good car for us to drive.

That Chelsea and I would have an easy time re-assimilating back into the culture.

That the Church and the School of Ministry would thrive; that more and more Irish believers would be discipled so they, in turn, go out and preach the gospel.

That we would continue to stay close to the Holy Spirit and always seek His guidance.