Busy Spring

Hey everyone. Here's a quick snapshot of the next two months coming up so you can be aware of our schedule and pray for us.  (These are singular events in addition to our weekly schedule.)

• 5 March - AGI's DREAM Conference video shoot
• 5 March - St. Mark's Church Worship & Creative Team's VISION NIGHT
• 9 March - SFC Dublin's God on Tap
• 9 March - Trinity College Dublin Chaplaincy Review Board interview (discussing events from the past year.  
• 9 March - AGI's East Network gathering.  
• 14 March - Expect Conference at St. Mark's Church
• 14 March - AGI North Network gathering
• 19 March - AGI Dublin Network gathering
• 20-22 March - St. Mark's Church Chapel Group Retreat (university student ministry) 
• 24 March - AGI SW Network gathering
• 30 March - 3 April -- Blake takes graduate course at CTS
• 6-8 April - AGI's DREAM Conference (Blake will be leading worship)
• 24 April - 4 May -- Blake will be in Oklahoma for meetings, services, and to attend OKAG's Century Leadership Conference and District Council. If you would like Blake to stop by your church, please let us know. There are still a couple of spaces available and we would love to connect with you!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. Together we are making a difference in the lives of Irish students. 

Anger vs. Love

We should always be ready to see past a person's anger to the hurt that hides behind it.

I (Katy) visit a small college near Dublin to help a student group there every week. They happen to have a few Muslim students who come every week out of curiosity. This past week, the Christians in the group got into a heated debate with the Muslim students. One of the girls arguing for Islam came over to me (after I told them that I hate debates) and started asking me questions about Mary and telling me I should think it was silly that God could magically impregnate her.

I immediately felt the need to deflect the situation. I said, "Yeah, it does seem really crazy, right? All I can tell you is that I believe it." The tension definitely lowered after that! Then, I started asking her about herself. It turns out that she's a lovely person and is curious about what we talk about at these Christian meetings. I told her that she was the only person who could choose what she believes - no one can do it for her or force her to change her mind.

She is planning on coming back to next week's meeting. I cannot reveal her name, but would you guys please join me in praying for her? She needs Jesus to speak to her and to give her courage to explore His truth. She doesn't need another debate or more angry dialogue. She needs the love of Christ, as we all do. Please also pray for our female student leader there on the campus as she meets with this girl on the day-to-day level.

Time to Pray

Ok, we do periodic prayer lists on here, but this week (and for a few weeks actually) we need you to pray about one thing. Our visa.  

In Ireland, the "stamp 3" religious visa is renewed every year and you may only be issued three total. This year we will be applying for number four. Now, this is not a crisis situation, and we are praying that it doesn't become one. There is a process by which to attain further religious visas.

The first step is to send off a large packet of documents containing many this, but particularly information stating we are funded from the U.S., we are fully insured for health from the U.S., we are not a burden on the Irish system (welfare), and a letter from AG Ireland confirming the info mentioned as well as stating that they require our volunteer services. Last week we sent this large packet off to the Department of Justice and await a letter stating that we are approved to apply for a fourth visa. Everything after that should be fairly simple...assuming they approve. 

Please pray with us. Most of our friends in this situation have been approved, but we heard recently of one being denied and sent home. We need favor with the Department of Justice, we need continued favour in the years for this annual process, and please pray we would be comforted no confident that God will provide. We know he will hear our prayers and His provision is on the way. 

Thank you for all you prayers no support. We are in this together!