More Hanging out with Friends

Nolan, Ian, Nicola, and I-Sunday afternoon drive on the coast

Brid and I at Hillside Community Church

Paul and John at the Saturday night party

Hayley and Becky

Paul's mom and Nicola

Naomi and Shannon

The Bonar family: Fiona, Hazel, and Sam (Sam is one of the elders and leaders at Hillside Community Church)

The Fam: Nicola, Ian, Me, and Brid

The Hunter Family: Stephen, Anne, Jordan, and Amy

From Saturday until Monday, we just spent more time with friends. Saturday night, Ian and Nicola had a party for us, so everyone could come by to say hi...especially friends we had not seen yet. It was nice to visit with friends, and Nicola and Ian made the party so special. After the party, Brid and I helped clean up and we stayed up late talking and sharing....and laughing a lot! Brid stayed the night with all of us.

Sunday morning, we headed to church. Nolan and I were asked to read scripture, and then Nolan was asked to play his guitar and say a little word to the congregation. Nolan spoke of how God brings believers together to serve Him...and that is what God has done with Nolan and me and the Hillside Community Church friends. Such an encouraging word!

After church, we had dinner and Nicola and Ian drove us to the coast for one more last look before leaving. We stopped and had scones and tea by a fireplace in a quaint cafe. Another nice afternoon.

Sunday evening was devoted to spending time with the 4 interns from the US serving in the Dunlug community, where they also live. {Dunclug is considered a project housing area that is predominately Catholic and is infested with drug use and alcoholism. This is the same neighborhood we have been going to for the past 5 years on our Northern Ireland mission trips}. We had such a nice time hanging out with the interns and learning about their ministry.

While at their apartment, a few of the neighborhood kids came by, and one particular girl who came by, I worked with 2 summers ago. Many of us have a burdened heart for her because her brother was killed 2 summers ago due to "the Troubles" between the Catholics and Protestants. So much has been done to create peace, but situations still take place because of the problems between the two groups of people.

We can only pray that God intervenes in the kids hearts, and they realize that God is perfect peace. It is incredible when we see one child, teenager, or parent come to know the Lord as their Savior, then their Love for God overflows to others. Pray for Ballymena and its people. Pray for the workers who are committed in helping their community.

We are thankful for our Ballymena friends and are blessed God brought them into our lives. Thank you friends for a wonderful and meaningful trip! A special thank you to Nicola and Ian for opening their home to us and for all the wonderful meals and conversation. May God bless you and your ministry with the youth at Hillside Community.