erin in ireland
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Newsletter update Autumn 2013TRANSCRIPT
Contact Info:Donation Info:44 Shore RoadRostrevor, NewryCo. Down BT34.3ETNorthern Ireland
+44 78 5608 2383
skype ID: eamills
facebook.com/eamiller07
www.ywamireland.orgUK Donations: Search for my name at http://www.stewardship.org.uk
A Year of AwakeningWhen the clock spilled over into 2013, this was the theme God gave me for the new year. Here are a few ways I’ve seen this unfold in the last months.
Click here for information on how to donate by cheque, pre-authorised payments, or online. Tax receipts available for Canadian residents.
FAITH AND CONFLICT CONFERENCE
People from several different countries joined us to chew on the challenges we face in promoting reconciliation in post-/conflict nations. We had challenging messages and conversations with speakers from South Africa, England, S. Korea and our own N. Ireland. With a growing number interested and working in the area, we’re excited for how God is weaving together a much larger picture.
SPORTS DAY IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
A youth branch of our local community association has begun to take off! Through these relationships God is opening opportunities and revealing more of His favour. The Assocation put on a great event in our neighbourhood (where Steph, Caroline and I live) for the village youth with special guests from the Northern Ireland Police, and a group from Youth for Christ to host cage football. Click here to see more photos.
FIDDLER’S GREEN MUSICFESTIVAL
Since An Cuan first started in the summer of 2010, we have been a main venue and cafe for this annual village festival, drawing folks from around the world. This year we even welcomed Bill Whelan who created Riverdance (click for a wee clip). The long days are worth it to develop closer relationships with our neighbours as well as providing a peaceful environment for the many guests. We were extra delighted a friend came to know Jesus this year!
CELTIC CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT
We were honoured to host a lovely group for a contemplative retreat this summer, facilitated by folks from the Axiom community. I was thrilled to be able to participate in it as well. Our small, international group quickly bonded in our sole desire to know more intimacy with Jesus. A double bonus...a friend from that retreat has since joined us and is now doing the DTS!
BORDER WALK 2013Over the last three years, God has been impressing upon us the importance of border areas in bringing healing to the island. We are in a decade of 100 year anniversaries (e.g. Easter Sunday, signing of the Ulster Covenant, Irish civil war, etc). The idea of walking along the border has been around for a long time. But we sensed God’s invitation that now was the time as we marked these anniversaries not by glorifying war but by glorifying God.
Click on the Border Walk banner above for a video with more pictures and stories from the 16 day pilgrimage.
Below: In two places at once...finger marks in the bridge at Belcoo noting the border between the two countries, the Republic of Ireland and North of Ireland.
WALKING IN UNITY“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14
Catholic and Protestant walked arm in arm, carrying the cross.As we covered 200 miles from Rostrevor to Derry, we had the privilege of worshipping and praying with strangers and new friends. We’re planning to do it again next year!
September is an important month for us YWAM Irelanders. As our family has grown - exponentially - in the last three years, we have made a point of gathering quarterly as intentional acts of unity across the island to worship, pray, learn and seek God together. September is the big retreat when we get away for a few days. This year we met on the West Coast in Sligo (pic below). The following week, Jonny (National Director) and I lead the An Cuan team in our annual review when we celebrated what God is doing and listen for His priorities for us in this new ministry year.
CAMBODIAThis country has been on our radar for a little while. So when God opened up an unexpected opportunity to travel to Cambodia to learn more about trafficking prevention initiatives, I was thrilled to explore the possiblity in person for where we could get involved. There are tonnes of possibilities! So we’re waiting on God for His timing for us to plug in there. Click on the image above to see a video for more information.
DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SCHOOLSWe have three schools running right now! The very first school in Sligo, a new group with us here in Rostrevor (pictured right), and one on outreach in Nepal, South Africa and Greece. Wish I had room to tell you all the stories...Our trainees living in greater freedom and revelation of God’s love...how they’re blessing others bringing God’s good news...people are being healed and saved!
BACK TO SCHOOLWhen I was in Vancouver last April, the shifts I had sensed God preparing me for started to become clearer. I just wasn’t sure how it was going to come together. God has paved the way!
We’ve welcomed another person to our leadership team on the base who is now overseeing operations freeing me up to focus more attention on staff development, national leadership and pastoral care. I’m also carrying a student ID again. In September I started a program in Spiritual Direction, a welcomed opportunity to study that I can immediately put into practice formally and informally.
PRAYERThank you so much for praying for our family. Many of you know Dad and my Auntie Rose are currently undergoing cancer treatment. We’re thankful for God’s peace and hope, for the wonderful team providing medical care and the many family and friends providing support.
We need a new roof! We’re starting to raise funds for the project. If you’re interested in contributing, click on the image on the next page for information.
Please continue to pray for unity, discernment and wisdom for us here in Ireland. We’ve been increasingly aware of the attempts the enemy is making to bring division and discouragement, but God is bringing breakthrough in our village and on this island. We’re honoured to be His co-labourers and thank you for your partnership!
