Aslan Is On The Move

Definitely getting settled in here now, going to teaching times every day, getting acquainted with people more and building community. Christy taught everyone the game "Boo Yay", which went over marvelously and everyone enjoyed almost too much.

A lady donated some furniture to us (none of us had dressers in the flat),...we went to meet her and pick them up and had a good time of prayer with her. She was super blessed to just have a hug, smile and prayer after losing both of her parents in the last few months. 

We went to an Evensong Choral service at St. Anne's Cathedral and this hymn really stood out...seeking to know Him as our all in all.

Anthem by Ruller

As the bridegroom to his chosen, as the king unto his realm,

As the keeper to the castle, as the pilot to the helm.

as the captain to his soldiers, as the shepherd to his lambs,

So, Lord, art thou to me.

As the fountain in the garden, as the candle in the dark,

As the treasure in the coffer, as the manna in the ark,

As the firelight in the winter, As the sunlight in the spring

So Lord art thou to me.

As the music at the banquet, as the stamp unto the seal,

As refreshment to the fainting, as the winecup at the meal,

As the singing on the feast day, as the amen to the prayer,

So Lord art thou to me.

As the ruby in the setting, as the honey in the comb

As the light within the lantern, as the father in the home,

As the eagle in the mountains, as the sparrow in the nest,

So Lord art thou to me.

As the sunshine in the heavens, as the image in the glass,

As the fruit unto the fig tree, as the dew unto the grass,

As the rainbow on the hilltop, as the river in the plain,

So Lord art thou to me.

Here are some photos of our neighborhood, views from our windows. Three of our flatmates, Msizi, Naomi and Davie - quite lovely.

Lots of dynamics with community life - another great chance for growing in love and grace. Really a joy to see others coming alive, and to experience the life giving Spirit of Christ moving in us and through us...

Prayers going up for Haiti - for hope to flow through the brokenness. 

Prayers for our family whom we miss immensely

Prayers for healing in us and through us, and openness to the ways Holy Spirit wants to move. 

Love love love,
Joey and Christy

New Flat - New Housemates

Ah, this week we moved down the Shankill to a flat - closer to town and to the classes we start on Thursday. We will have 6 housemates - 3 have already arrived - Mitchell from N. Carolina, Davie from Washington and Msizi from S.Africa. They are all really neat people. We have two girls arriving in the next couple days as well.
We were all trying to learn how to say "Praise God" in Zulu last night, which took at least a half hour and we still need some work on it.

Meeting lots of people just by walking up and down the road. The manager of the cafe we've been working at, Kevin, offered us his place to house-sit for 5 days while he's in Morocco. Sweet! So, we'll have a little get-away place to walk to for a few days.

Things are well, we are learning lots already and having fun with hospitality. It's a blessing to be able to help with the little things for people who are venturing from home for maybe the first time. Holy Spirit is helping us and connecting us with others and building relationship as we go.

LOVE, Joseph and Christy

North Coast

We had such a lovely time at the retreat in Bushmills over the weekend. We got to cozy up by the fire with a bunch of folks and have times of worship and games. We had an absolutely gorgeous walk along the North Coast, and ended up at the Giant's Causeway, the incredible formation of rocks pictured. We also explored a sea cave under Dunluce Castle, where boats must have moored long ago. It was so gorgeous and refreshing. We feel more ready to jump into the work in Belfast now.

Today we moved to a new location, about a mile from where we were. It is a smaller flat that we will be sharing with seven other people starting this coming week. (Four from the states, One from England, and  two from South Africa).

 We both know we're in the right place at the right time. We, along with another fella Drew,  spent a couple days last week getting a little 'cafe' set up for the students in a ywam house.  We tore out some of the kitchen and painted, it should be a nice place to get to know people.

This week, the dts starts. We will be going to teachings every day and doing local volunteer work, and meeting lots of new people this week.

Thinking of our family and friends worldwide...Thanksgiving given for you.

love,

Joseph and Christy

Learning as we go!

 We arrived about a week ago and Christy was sick in bed for a few days, but is feeling better now. We've been busy meeting with people and getting to know the area here. The YWAM staff has been amazing at welcoming us by taking us out to coffee, setting up a nice place for us etc.

For the first couple days, we went through some training to work with children.

This week we started working at a cafe on the street where we live. It is called The Feed and is run mostly by volunteers - YWAM helps to run the cafe. Joseph and I started yesterday and today we were given the keys to open the cafe. The cook didn't show up so Joseph cooked while Christy took care of the customers. It was a lot of fun and we learned fast. The main item on the menu is the Ulster Fry (pictured), which consists of greasy sausage, ham, soda bread, potato bread and egg. Usually the frys come with tomatoes and mushrooms but most of the folks on the Shankill aren't keen on the veggies! :) Almost always served with a cuppa tay(tea).

 It's lovely to be able to meet people in this setting - and have a chance to begin to get to know people - we met one lady in the Cafe who remembered us from when we were here a couple years ago. She and her husband have been to Ketchikan.

 Tomorrow, we are going to Bushmills, a town a bit north of here for a few days retreat with a Catholic group called Sword of the Spirit. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of, people deciding to work together in this area.

We took a cab the other day and he just immediately started telling us about all of his family and friends that had died in conflict here. The people here are so lovely and many of them want to just talk. They wonder why we would want to be here, staying in this area of Belfast. (We are living on the Shankill Road which is the protestant side of West Belfast). On the other side of the 'peace' wall is the Falls Rd. (primarily Catholic). YWAM works in both communities.

 The history here is so intricate and we are seeing that there is still an incredible amount of division and pain here. May the healing love of Christ shine in all of us. We need Him so!

We also did a walking tour of the murals in West Belfast which helped a lot in understanding more about the area. There are 44 'peace' walls (26 miles of them) in and around Belfast.

Kids have been coming around the house and throwing stuff or putting boards through the mail slot...there isn't a lot for them to do around here and they can get a bit rowdy, so they test people to see how they will deal with it. Love, grace and healing Jesus!

Some challenges have been: understanding what people are saying :) , beginning to live in community again, the radiator in our room being broken, and the incredibly icy sidewalks with no salt on them.

We are glad to be here and are getting settled in with lots of learning.

LOVE,

Joey and Christy

Belfast!

We are here and all is well. Getting set to start volunteering on Monday.
Yay!

New Year's Day

We had a good New Year's Eve (minus Christy getting a fever and having to go to bed at 9:30), but it broke in the night so praise be to God!

I love sitting in the Presence of Jesus after songs of adoration, and it being so quiet that you can hear everyone's tummies growling, and there is such real peace. We got to experience that yesterday singing to Jesus with our friends Richard and Rachel.

A scripture Holy Spirit spoke for the new year:

Isaiah 55: 10-13

"The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause
the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread
for the hungry. It is the same with My word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper
everywhere I send it. You will leave in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees
of the field will clap their hands!
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up.
This miracle will bring great honor to the Lord's name;
It will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."

We fly to Northern Ireland later this afternoon!
A new adventure!
A marvelously lovely new year to all!
-J and C