First Day

Bray, Ireland
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, If any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of on accord, of one mind”. This passage is taken from the beginning of Phillipians 2, a passage we have already seen put in practice today. A beautiful Ireland morning sun greeted us through the jet lag, along with the promise of a full day of ministry. We were all able to attend and minister in Pastor Pero’s church, Calvary Baptist of Bray. Many singing and preaching opportunities arose in both the morning and evening services. Our team nearly filled the auditorium, a small room above a pizza shop. The front windows were flung open, so the exuberant singing could be heard ringing through the streets. While many customs in Ireland are far different than in America, the joy and fellowship of Sunday morning church remains the same. After morning service, we all visited the people’s park, an open market on the coast. Here, our first glimpse of the spiritual condition of the Irish people came. The churches are nearly empty on Sunday. As Pastor Pero phrased it, “Many layers of darkness hang over these people”. The market showed us a people that had never experienced revival, but had been immersed in a dead religion their entire lives. Pray for us these next few weeks as we attempt to bring them the light that has changed our lives so drastically.
The other light that has shone true this week is the light of Christian fellowship. While our goal was to aid the Pero family in whatever way possible, they have blessed us beyond words. The Pero family has shown great hospitality by making amazing food, and even more amazing tea! Their joy in serving the Lord is evident in everything they say and do. Pray that this joy is contagious, and we are able to transfer it to the people we will be ministering to this week.

-Abby Call