The team that went to Ireland met for a reunion last night. Michael McNamee, missionary to Europe and our Irish host, joined our reunion. Michael oversees Convoy of Hope Europe, church planting, Masters Commission Europe and a prayer team. His passion for the church of Europe is continually forefront on his mind, but he always takes time to salt in good humor.
A group of us paid tribute to Jean Carley, a dear woman who hosted several of our team at her house in Ireland. She died from an aneurism a few weeks after we returned home. The tribute included a simple country western line dance.
With all the unique dancing in Ireland, Jean desired to learn one country western dance. One night without music, a group of us taught her some simple steps. After the lesson, she told us that she would come to America ready to dance at our reunion, but we had to provide the music. It was befitting for us to add music last night to the same steps and dance in honor of Jean.
It was fun getting reacquainted with the team and reminiscing about those terrible (long hours of hard work) wonderful (joyful love filled) days. Smiles filled every face and all had a great time. There were even talks about heading to the Philippines in January to finish building a partially built church or care center.
It didn’t take too long before several of us were talking about returning to Ireland. Michael invited me to join him in Brussels for a time, as he past on greetings from my friends in Belgium. We have definitely become a close-knit family sharing a great ministry of touching other people’s lives.
The best part about helping others and sharing love with them is the vast amounts of love and joy we receive in return. There is no comparison. And, some how we always receive more than we can give out. So to my dear friends in Ireland, blessings to you:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
CJ's Corner 