'Tis the season to be jolly

I woke up yesterday morning (something I try to do everyday!) and as I wandered aimlessly in the first ambiguous moments of the morning I found myself before the living room curtains and just then, without a purpose or a thought, I opened them. The dark cave of the living room exploded with a brilliant light and I almost lost my footing as I was forced to step back to protect my eyes from blindness. I stood there more confused than before, but as my eyes adjusted to the light my mind quickly came round to full clarity - for before my eyes, on the other side of that glass window pane, was the ground painted white with snow. Now... before I continue on with this story (which I shan't) I must confess to you that this glorious snow was merely a bit of frost. But "mere" is dangerous word to use (to quote C.S. Lewis) and one would never go about in Northern Ireland using the word "mere" and "frost" in the same sentence for that would surely be blasphemy. They are very proud of their frost, even being bold enough to call it snow, though we all know that is far from it - especially in comparison to what you are currently trudging through. I must confess though that it did put a smile on my face to walk on the ground and leave the slightest footprints - it was all I needed to know that it is the Christmas season - which I was having a very difficult time grasping.
This week as a whole has been severely busy - with working in the coffee shop and the Church office - preparing stuff for the coming year. I found it rather difficult to find time between for rest. It is all over now and I am officially "off" and very much enjoying my rest. It has been giving me a very different opinion on Christmas being away from home and I'm beginning to look at it in very different light than I had. I see now what a glorious thing it is, absolutely worthy of celebration though technically hindered by commercialization it's glory is none the less - and though I am away from friends and family, away from those whom I love and cherish these times to share - I will be celebrating the birth of our Saviour none the less. For there is a direct connection between His birth and my being here in Northern Ireland, and so I will be glad and fight off all sadness.
I have been very blessed these times as well. My laptop has arrived and my new job pays well, these things are from God, like all things, and are definitely reasons to be thankful and give praise. The locals are also very generous around these times and there is no shortage of invitations and food to those of us who are staying. I also am traveling a little bit over new year - from Dec 27th 'till Jan 3rd to London (England!) and then to Southampton (perhaps a little Liverpool and Manchester action though unlikely) to visit friends from Muskoka Woods in the summer. Which should really be a lot of craic and a good time to unwind. Please pray for safety. And please pray for my Mum and Dad and my three sisters over these next couple of days, hopefully the Dog will do a good job replacing me. Anyways, I must be off. Have a wonderful Christmas and a jolly new year. 'Till next year! Adios

Gutentag!

Time is flying by. Not only does it seem that Christmas is right on our doorstep, everyone is acting that way for sure, but I've just recently gotten to the point where it's the longest I've ever been away from home. "Do you miss home?" is a common question I hear over here, and the answer is definitely yes, though not at the 'homesick' level I am missing good ol' London (the real one as I often have to explain) as much as ever... not, of course, for the city in and of itself but because of the people. Yes, I'm trying to say I miss you all back home - my family and friends. I hear very often about the things happening around the church and I am excited and wishing I could experience it along with you all. God has me here for a reason though and the mission is the same - the distance and solitude sure has taught me a lot already - and we're only about 1/3 through. So please do keep praying, I don't want things to settle in so much that I forget I'm following a calling, and forget to pray for it. Ignorance and comfort can be powerful weapons of the enemy.
These days have been interesting. Definitely different from the first two months where ministry and planning was my huge focus, now the only ministry I am actually playing a leadership role in is Street Evangelism on Friday afternoons. This is due to the church's Sabbatical on small groups and youth work for the month of December, which seems to be quite a normal thing. It really has left me playing minor roles in a lot of little things around the office... such as cutting paper, moving boxes or making tea. Which by all means is important and also very relieving and relaxing for me - giving me time to breathe and soak in a little bit (and perfect my tea making skills). I am busy doing other things as well. The Coffee shop where I work will be opening the section in which I will work on Wednesday and I go in on Tuesday to learn the machines. So that is definitely an item for praise, and something to keep me busy... and financed. Also I've been spending a lot of time with people in the community, both Christian and non-Christian, just building relationships and often getting asked tough faith questions. Hopefully I'm giving the right answers and having an impact on this community to the glory of God. That is my biggest hope and prayer. There are people who come from all over Europe and Africa to check out this Vineyard's ministry and how it works and I had the pleasure to do Street Evangelism on Friday with a very funny and loud German man who I called Erik (because his name sounded something like that but not quite). He was quite surprised at how effective and simple the ministry is and encouraged me by shouting in a heavy accent "JP you know'sen everysbody in s'is town!" We had Eleven boys become Christians just last week on Street Evangelism and they are already getting involved in Sunday morning stuff and small group leaders. God works very powerfully on these streets, and I am overjoyed to experience it.
I must draw this to a close now, it is running on 1a.m. here now. This is the only time I can get access to a computer - though by the time I'm due for another entry that will hopefully be different though because I have just recently purchased a new laptop. It has been stuck in Great Britain customs though for 3 days now (the internet tracker tells me so at least) which is rather frustrating. Please pray that it all goes through well. I will post again when it arrives. Thanks for stopping by! God bless