American Football and ....the Colosseum!!?

We've been having brilliant weather lately, which has provided with many opportunities to enjoy God's beautiful creation. In fact, I had the opportunity to do a very first this past week - teach a group of high schoolers (and their PE teacher) how to play American Football. It was great craic. I explained the very basics of the game and started playing two-hand touch with them. They seemed to really enjoy it. To be honest, it ended up being a mix between American football and rugby...but it was brilliant nonetheless. It was funny to watch because most of them were clueless and even after played for half an hour were still lost as to what the sport was all about. But ah well, its a step in the right direction ;-)!

Another highlight has been going out to Kittys Road for Friday coffee mornings. It's a great time to relax, have a cuppa tea and scone and talk and laugh with some of the wonderful people down in Kittys Road :-).

A really exciting thing coming up is this Wednesday, I will be going on a 5 day trip to Rome with a group of 30 high schoolers for an RE (Religious Education) Expedition to learn about the church history in Rome and see all the sites. It will be a VERY packed 5 days.....and we hit the ground running by leaving at 3am on Weds!! Everyone is really looking forward to it and seeing all the different places in Rome...and to spending 5 days together. It should be really good - and the Italin Gelato (ice cream) should be really good as well :-). You can be sure to look forward to seeing some pictures up after the trip too!

Well thanks for continuing to follow all that God is doing over here! May we continue to keep our eyes on Christ!

Yearning for Him,
Jason

Encouraged!

I had the great opportunity to preach for the evening service this past Sunday at Mourne Presbyterian Church. It was a youth service, so we had the praise band and other youth involved in the service....it was a great evening. We have been going through a Family Life series, and in doing so, looking at the different roles and responsibilities of each of the members within a family. So my talk was geared towards children, and the responsibility of honoring and obeying parents. In doing so, I looked at Phil 4:8-9 and how Paul encourages us to live a lifestyle that is all about Jesus. So if we live this lifestyle, in return, we then best honor and obey our parents.

Overall it was very encouraging and many people came up afterwards saying that they were encouraged.....so praise God!!! If you would like to listen to the service, feel free to click HERE.

Along with that, other things have been going well too. Samuel and I continue to work on E.T.C. (the curriculum to encourage and equip our young poeple to live pure lives and embrace Biblical Manhood and Womanhood). We have given an overview to the local churches who will be discussing it and giving feedback about it over the next couple of weeks, so I do ask for you to be praying for this. Pray that God will direct and guide us as we seek the best way to present and communicate these sensitive, yet very important issues with our young people.

Onto other things...I got a haircut today :-)....AND decided to shave off the gotee :-o....which is the first time in about a year and a half (the first time ever in Northern Ireland without it), so many people have been looking twice, which has been funny. So we'll see how it goes, maybe I will miss it and start growing it agian, but I figured why not give it a go without it for awhile (especially since there was a growing interest of people wondering what I looked like without one lol).

Apart from that, it is starting to feel like October as well. We have been having a nice stretch of beautiful weather with some lovely sunshine, but today the rain came back a wee bit and I must admit, the coolness has come with it as well. So we look forward to the autumn season and the many exciting things that will be coming up in YF, SU, Kittys Road, and everywhere else. So I will keep you posted on all the craic that's happening ;-).

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.....and for all of you who take the time to read these updates....it is very encouraging!! May we continue to keep our eyes on Christ.

Yearning for Him,
Jason

Birthday thoughts...

Well two days ago was my birthday....thanks for all of the birthday wishes!! To answer the main question - birthdays are celebrated in much the same way over here as they are in the states - so unfortunately for many, no Irish Jigs :-). It was a good day...nothing too out of the ordinary. The Chestnutts made a lovely meal and desert for me and another great family, the Dodd's made a Birthday cake for me as well....so I was well looked after. I am grateful for all the family and friends that God has blessed me with!!

Another thought that I had on my birthday, was that it was the morning of my birthday 1 year ago that I received a phone call from Samuel giving me the official invitation to come over and partner with him in investing in the lives of the young people here in Kilkeel.....wow to see what all God has done since then!!!

In terms of what's been happening, Youth Fellowship had its official start this past Sunday, it was brilliant. We had pizza, played a game, and just had great craic and carry on....and many showed up as well, so it was very encouraging.

The big thing coming up that I am looking forward to is this coming Sunday evening I will be preaching at Mourne Presbyterian Church :-). I am really looking forward to it. We have been going through a Family Life series and talking about the different roles and responsibilities that each person has within a family. So my talk will be geared towards the young adults and encouraging them to not only obey and honor their parents, but to live their lives in such a way that they are proclaiming who Jesus is. I will be teaching from Philippians 4:8-9....so if you remember, be praying for me as I prep and preach on Sunday evening :-).

Thanks again for all of you who wished me a happy birthday...it was great to hear from everyone! May we continue to yearn after Christ and keep our eyes fixed on Him :-).

Jason

48 Hours of Prayer

We began our 48 hours of prayer for Scripture Union today. Many of the students have signed up and are very excited to seek the Lord as we prepare and plan for the year in SU. The 48 hours will end on Thursday as we kick off our first official Scripture Union meeting after school.

I want to encourage you, if you have the chance, to pray along with us over the next two days. Pray that God would work in the lives of the students at the high school, that through SU they would be encouraged to live their faith out Loud, and that God would awaken a passion for His glory among the upcoming generation. We are looking forward, with eager expectation, to see what He has in store for the upcoming year.

Thanks for praying!!

Yearning for Christ,
Jason

Scripture Union

Its been really great getting back into the school and helping out with PE in the afternoons. As typical, now that everyone is back to school, we have BEAUTIFUL weather!! It's almost like we are finally having the summer that we didn't get (since it rained sooo much!!). Anyway, it has been nice to have the sun shining and the opportunity to go outside and enjoy God's creation.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go up to Belfast with 6 fellow youth Fellowship leaders that will be helping out this year. We attended a conference called Training Trevor, which had some great workshops to help and encourage the local youth workers. It was not only a great day to be encouraged, but it was also a great time to get to know some of the other adults that we will be working alongside of this year.....it was a great day!!

Now that school is underway, we are eagerly looking forward to Scripture Union to start up again. SU is a place where students can come along with their friends to be encouraged in the Word and to share in a time of praise and fellowship as well. Within SU, we also have mentor groups and a weekly prayer meeting. It is a great ministry within the high school. We are hoping to officially start next Thursday. As part of that, we are have a 48 Hour prayer time starting on Tuesday, September 15 at 3pm and will last until 3pm on Thursday at which point we will hold our first SU meeting immediately following.

I want to encourage each of you, as you are praying and supporting me....to take a half hour, or hour during that time period and pray for our SU. Pray that God would give us direction and guidance on what to discuss and cover for the year. Pray that students would be encouraged and equipped to live their faith out loud within school and look for opportunities to share about the Truth of Jesus. We are eagerly looking forward to what God will do this year through SU. So please join with us in praying that God will show up and show off in a great and glorious way!!

Thanks again for your continued encouragement and support :-). I love hearing from you, so don't be afraid to leave a comment and say hi :-). Until next time, may we all continue to keep our gaze on Christ, yearning for more of Him in our lives!!

Yearning for Christ,
Jason

End of Summer...

Well this week officially marks the end of summer in the minds of many of the young adults. Why, you may ask......back to school. By this Thursday, everyone will be back to school and back into the routine of life. It actually is exciting for many, not that summer is over, but that a new year lies ahead with many things to anticipate in school, Youth fellowship, Scripture Union, mentor groups, and everything else in between.

The last two weeks have been really good. I have been working with Samuel as we pray, plan, and cast vision for the upcoming year in Youth Fellowship and Scripture Union. We are very excited about where the Lord is leading us and are eagerly anticipating the great things that He will do in and through us and the young adults. It's also been great to have a little time to just kick back, relax and hang out with some young people before everyone gets ready to go back to school.

Another highlight over the past couple of weeks has been our weekly get togethers down and Kittys Road. Every Friday for the past couple of weeks, we've continued to go down to Kittys Road to hang out and have a bit a craic with everyone, as well has having Bible discussions. It has been a really great time being able to open the Bible and see the Truths that Jesus teaches us and share that with our friends :-)

I've also been able to break in my new ride :-). I've been driving this for about a month now. It has been quite handy to get me around places and even give me more freedom to go and connect with young people. So I thank God for providing me with the means to have transportation!

As I look ahead to the next week, I ask that you would continue to pray for Samuel and myself as we finalize the plans for YF this year. We are very excited and are hoping and praying that God will do immensely more than we can ask or imagine. I continue to thank you for all your prayers and support...it doesn't go unnoticed...I am very grateful!! May we continue to keep our eyes on Christ.

Yearning for Christ,
Jason

Back from France :-)

Well my trip to France was brilliant!! I had a great time teaching through the book of Philippians and everyone on the trip seemed to be encouraged and challenged by it, so praise God for using me to make much of Him!! We did quite a bit of cycling in and around the town of Avignon and the surrounding area. All together, we cycled about 185 miles!! If you want to see some of the pictures from my trip feel free to check them out at Provence Pictures.... I hope you enjoy them :-)

So now I am back into Kilkeel. The summer holidays are nearing an end. Yet it is still quite busy! Samuel and I are fast at work preparing, planning, and praying for the upcoming year in Youth Fellowship, Scripture Union, and Kitty's Road. So please be in prayer for us as we spend time planning and preparing over these next couple of days. We are eagerly anticipating and excited about what God will do this year. Our hope is that He will do even far greater things than we can plan or imagine!!

Thanks for your continued prayers and support :-)!! May we continue to keep our eyes on Christ.

Yearning for Christ,
Jason