Early on the morning of May 25th, 2017, I boarded a plane and left America for the very first time. I was bound for Dublin, Ireland, filled with excitement for what God had in store for me over the next seventy days. This opportunity had not been something I expected but, through God’s provision, it became something I will treasure forever.

Around this time last year, I reached out to you, my church family, to ask for your financial and prayerful support towards my mission trip to Ireland. Through your willingness and God’s provision, I was able to go! I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your part in this incredible journey, and to share some of what you have had a hand in this past summer.

I went to Ireland through Bryan College in Dayton TN, in partnership with Operation Mobilization as part of something called the ACTS Project. I found the Irish to be a vastly welcoming and hospitable people. They value a laid-back look on life and a deep sense of relationship. Being on time for an appointment is hardly ever as important as a genuine conversation over “a cuppa” of tea. Needless to say, they made me feel quite at home. Ireland is a largely Catholic country so a majority of the Irish are Catholic by default. However, I found that most Irish Catholics lacked the knowledge of a personal relationship with Christ. The missionaries of OM Ireland were incredible people, from all over the world, who helped prepare me to minister to the Irish through the summer.

I was involved with two distinct ministries during my time in Ireland. For the first half, I served aboard the Big Red Bus. A red, double-decker vintage bus became a VBS-on-wheels that toured Irish Catholic schools for two weeks. Children cycled through games, crafts, and finally a puppet show. I served as one of the puppeteers and performed a 20-minute show on the story of Jonah to over 700 children throughout the tour.

The second ministry was called Impact Ireland. This ministry brought volunteers from all over Ireland, and the world, together for two weeks to serve. The first week was geared towards training to evangelize within the Irish culture. In the second week, we were sent out in teams to evangelical churches across Ireland. My team of five young women were sent to Tullamore, to assist in the running of a Holiday Club (VBS) Program. We became the teachers, skit actors, and anything else that needed doing!

Even with all the children I was able to work with, one is particularly special. I call her “Boo,” and I met her in Tullamore. She was a quiet, sweet four-year-old. She was also Muslim. Never, in all of my preparation for coming to Ireland, had I thought I would be given this chance to minister to a Muslim child. I began praying for God to give me the opportunity to just speak love into this little girl’s life. On the very last day of Holiday Club, Boo leaned over to me and asked me if Jesus was real and if God had really sent him. The biggest smile broke over my face as I told her, “Yes!” I told her God sent Jesus to be her friend and be with her always. I decided then that if God only provided for me to come so that I could assure Boo that He loved her, it was worth it.  

I definitely left some of my heart behind in Ireland, but it has also been good to be home. Since coming back I have been able to plug back into my church family through serving in AWANA’s. I have been able to put into practice what I learned about working with children. Every week I am continually surprised by how much I enjoy sharing Christ with the kids.

Without your prayers and support, none of these things would have been possible. Thank you again for being willing to be a part of this journey with me. If you want to read more about my time abroad, you can catch up on my blog: www.forgottenfeatherpen.blogspot.com. If you would like more information about OM Ireland and the ministries there, you can visit their website here: www.om.org/ie/en. They are also on Facebook as OM Ireland and on Instagram as om_ireland.

— Bethany Youngblood