November News

Greetings-

We’ve been asking ourselves more and more these days ‘what makes a missionary?’ Meager lifestyle? Living in a foreign country? A triple degree in theology? Faith that literally moves mountains in whatever circumstance? Or is it simply being willing, and not even necessarily able, to do God’s will? Broken in spirit because of our imperfection, but seeing that as a strength to relate to the people around us? Missions work is as local as it is global. Missionaries are made of all and none of the above; living paradoxes. Everyday we are learning that it is what God has put into a man, not what a man has made himself to be that determines whether or not he will prosper in his circumstances.

We want to go to Ireland as missionaries not because we believe it is our job to save the world from its heathen ways, but because God has put a love in our heart specifically for the young people living in that area of the world. We could just as easily continue to be involved in missions work here in Duluth, Minnesota. There is a need for befriending, mentoring, and loving on the teens here too. However, God has given us a vision to do that same work in Galway, Ireland. Did you know that over 50% of the Irish Republic’s population is 28 and younger with 20% of that being age 14 and under? Or that teen binge drinking and suicide rates are the highest of any other country in Europe? The statistics are compelling, but hardly equal to the ache of desire God has put in us to love on these young people.

Please pray for:
-the teens in Ireland, especially Galway.
-Suzie Evans, currently the only full time Youth For Christ staff person in Ireland
-people to continue to see Ireland as a missions field, and to be willing to partner with us and other Christian workers prayerfully, financially, and physically

Irish churches are not in a position to pay a youth worker/office adviser and a youth worker/youth consultant--the job roles we will be doing in Ireland. They will be getting these full time positions for free, which is why we need to raise our own salary before moving. We have found that there are two main amounts that people support us at: $80-$100 and $40-$50 per month. With 110 financial partners giving at those amounts, we will move to Ireland in January 2008. We have people who can’t give monthly who are giving one time gifts of anywhere between $100-$1,000. Please consider an end of year donation, as all gifts are tax deductible. God has been providing, but again, we can’t do it without dedicated sponsors. Thank you for your generosity and investment in our lives as well as those in Ireland. We look forward to when we can send you our newsletter from Ireland, sharing the stories of what God is doing with the churches and youth in Galway thanks to your help.

In Him,
Kevin & Maureen