Friends

This is my friend Inge.

Yes, she is as sweet as she looks! Last summer we were having breakfast the morning after the Bible conference in Holland and we were trying to figure out when she would come to Ireland to visit me. We talked about a few different ideas but weren't sure what would work. She said that she'd work on and be in touch. The next thing I knew, she had a few other friends interested in coming too! I thought it was a great idea, but kind of doubted that it would come together. We're all Pastor's wives and have busy schedules, but I was touched that they'd thought of it.

Well, once Inge gets busy with something it really happens! Back in Cork I got an e-mail that 7 of them would come to visit! What an awesome treat!

                           
                              Inge, Margreet, Leyla, Marlies, Zwantje, Me, Gerda and Hanneke

We had such a great time. It was the first time any of us had done a "girls getaway" like this, but I don't think it will be the last. It was great therapy! We talked, shopped, ate, and laughed until we cried. I am so privileged to call these lovely ladies my friends, and so blessed that they would all come to visit me!

We went to Blarney Castle - No, none of us kissed the stone, but we did make it to the top.  

 

      

 

And so it begins...

We're open! Yay!!! Saturday we had 19 Dubliners invade our city. These awesome people gave up their Saturday and made the 3 hour drive to come and help us. What a blessing!

                                         Pastor Chris Sealey and the Blanchardstown crew.

                                                                 We fed them lunch.



And then it was time to pray!

 

 

and then hit the streets!

 

 

 

                                That night we showed a movie and had our first visitor.

            We're so thankful for all these wonderful friends who came and helped us in Cork!

Getting ready

We're so excited - only 2 more days until we open! Keith has been busy with all the details; searching for and buying equipment, designing and ordering advertising and a banner. Today our banner arrived in the mail.

We were planning on using an A-frame sidewalk sign, but the day we went to order it we heard on the radio that the Cork city council had decided to ban them. We were so glad that we hadn't wasted any money on one!

This can hang on the fence in front of the community center and will probably be more noticeable anyways.
                                       

                               
We have a pile of equipment that seems to grow with each day. You never really think about how much stuff you use - until you have to move it.

                                                             
The flyers arrived today, so we were able to go downtown and outreach! We're so looking forward to Saturday. Both of the churches in Dublin are sending teams down to help us. Please pray for good weather!