On the plane ride I met a nice engineer from the UK who helped me to get on the right plane to make a transfer. Both plane rides went smoothly (if not a little turbulently) and I felt God was watching over me and protecting me the entire way.
It was very strange to literally ride into the sunset, as I made a 6-hour time jump into the future (hence the turbulence). It was also breathtakingly beautiful.
After a full 20 minutes of sleep on the second plane, I was ready to wrestle my two 50lb suitcases, backpack and purse on and off of Irish buses. The bus drivers were very helpful, polite, and patient. Everywhere I went I felt God showing me favor through those I encountered.
Dublin is nothing like Boston, but has a nice flavor of it's own. Before I got on the bus, I decided to have a coffee break at a small, local, eatery. I was completely dumbfounded when I was asked whether I wanted the regular, "white coffee" or not. I decided I did, and it turned out to be coffee with milk.
All the coffee I have found here is instant, as they do not have coffee makers, and it is rather expensive. I have become an Irish Tea Drinker as a result. When in Ireland...
God has given me many new friends, most of them German, Austrian, and Polish. They are very polite and try to speak English when I am present, though I have offered to learn German...I am sure I pronounce it terribly.
The Irish students do not arrive until next week. Until then, it is mostly international students here. There are many Americans here, and I must admit I am a bit embarrassed by the lot. There are a few nice Americans here, but many of them, shall we say, act the stereotype.
My apartment was very cold and dirty at first, but by cleaning ferociously and purchasing a comforter, those things have been quickly solved. I feel very blessed on the whole that I have a place to live, food to eat, and a shower that is hot at least a couple of hours in the day (it is freezing cold at night!).
God has been putting on my heart the last few chapters of the book of Matthew, and on the plane ride I was reading about the various groups being persecuted for their faith across the world. He is widening my perspective and showing me that He is God over the whole world.
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
Jesus is with me here, and I am certainly among the nations now. I am excited to attend a nearby church this Sunday and meet the Christian Union members on-campus.
Please pray:
1) That God would use myself and Christians in the area for His purposes in Maynooth
2) That we could catch a glimpse of what He wants to do and respond in faith
3) That we would be encouraged
4) That God would open hearts and doors that both myself and other believers would have good conversations with others about Jesus
5) That I wouldn't be such a snob to other Americans, but learn to love them (even if they act spoiled!)
6) For my new friends, that they would be saved.
7) Protection
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| This is the first bus I took from the airport. There were 2 other passengers! |
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| this is a sign I saw on the way between buses |
8) Finances (providence and wisdom how to steward $ wisely in another country)
