Wanna Cuppa Tea?

Another busy week visiting many churches, pastors, and people. It was great but exhausting. Here's a fun little anecdote from our week.

We like to inject a little cultural knowledge into our talks to churches. It’s fun to talk about how, in Ireland, it’s a known fact that you shouldn’t accept a cup of tea straight away when someone offers.

Polite society dictates that you should wait until it’s offered again…usually not finally accepting until they offer a few times (or mention that they’re already putting the kettle on for themselves). As Americans, we just tend to say exactly when we do and do not want things. It seems so crazy now!

We’ve really had to work on the “I don’t want it” face when we are in situations where our sanity depends on a cup of tea or coffee but we must politely refuse. We know it will inevitably be offered again…but still. Our American nature does not have confidence in this yet and there is the element of risk. 

We mentioned this very bit of information in two separate churches this week and (no exaggeration) both pastors said this at the end of the service: “Should we do an offering?” They asked this question three times, expecting on the third go for everyone to shout “yes.” Of course, this happened, and everyone got a good laugh out of it. 

The mix of cultures is mad. We are having a lot of fun at each church we attend. 

Crazy Week

This past week was CRAZY but awesome. Here's a list of a few things we did in the past seven days.

• Blake attended a Light for the Lost (LFTL) dinner in Elk City, OK.
• We both spoke at LATENITE, OU Chi Alpha's (OUXA) weekly student gathering.
• We had the OUXA staff over for lunch and some quality time.
• Blake (and Eden) attended a LFTL dinner in Chickasha, OK. Blake actually was the guest speaker for the evening, which is a great honor.
• Katy was on a missionary panel doing Q&A at OSU Chi Alpha's weekly student gathering.
• We had a couple of college students over to discuss opportunities and life in Ireland.
• I took Katy on a date for her birthday, thanks to the amazing child-minding skills of Pastors Brian and Lori Wade.
• I got to attend an OU football game with a lifelong friend.
• And to finish it all off, we had two amazing services at LifeSpring Church in Norman and Generations Church in Guthrie. Both have amazing pastors and people who have been faithful and generous to us.

It was an incredibly busy week, but super productive. We are truly blessed to have such a large and consistent team. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Stroud and Ponca City

This past weekend we were with supporting Oklahoma churches in Stroud and Ponca City. Our time on the road had been challenging but fun. I have to say that Eden has been a trooper. He is full of energy and curiosity, but he's been very patient.

Stroud First Assembly of God was such an encouraging group of people. Huge thanks to Pastors Jeromye and Angi Jackson. They were so hospitable. Clearly they are modeling the way in building a welcoming culture in their church family.

The people of Ponca City First Assembly of God (PCA) have been long time supporters. Pastor Micah (a brand new grandfather) is a down-to-earth man of integrity. PCA is such a great community of believers. We always feel so welcome when we visit.

It is such an honor to have these two wonderful churches on our team. Thanks to all of you who pray and support financially. While it is a lot of work to travel like this, it is such a privilege to connect with as many of you as possible. We love to share what God is doing in Ireland and what he is about to do.