OUR FUTURE LIFE IN ENGLAND

Since I did not take a lot of photos...most of these have been borrowed from friends. Thanks!

J man greeted me with flowers as he always does! :)

They were so beautiful and smelled lovely.

Me and Jacco all dressed up for a surprise date. He took me to Glasgow Scotland (we are very close to the border of Scotland) to see the Royal Scottish Symphony.

MAC Junkies!

City Center of Carlisle...old cobble stone streets are very common.

Most of the houses are Terrace Houses...similar to what you would see in parts of New York. Most are red brick as well.

Many Estates adorn the city of Carlisle...makes you feel that you are in the movie Pride and Prejudice doesn't it? :)

There is a castle in the town

My Man looking fine amidst some of God's beautiful creation!

Beautiful Lake District. It reminds me of Colorado.

The changing of leaves in the fall is quite spectacular!

The OMNIvision Team

Shooting a video in the Lake District in Winter

The Office..notice the sawed in half car in the backdrop!

The other engaged couple on the team...getting married in January...Henrik (Germany) and Janet (States).

One of the married couples on the team, Claire (England) and Pedro (South Africa). I have a feeling we will become sweet friends! They just announced they are expecting their first baby!

Pedro during a sound check

The Team in a meeting and prayer time before an event.

J-man doing his thing at one of the events.

Crazy guys...guess they have to have some sort of fun...they are constantly loading and unloading these huge trucks for events!

Pedro and David acting all smart.

Simon editing

Monitoring Equipment from the Truck

So I have asked for an OMNIvision shirt to be made special for me since I am one of two girls on the team. I would like it to be a black shirt with hot pink logo and writing...do you think they will go for it?

Hello precious friends and family. I wanted to give you a little insight and pictures of my future life in England. I had the opportunity for a short first time visit to my new home town this past week. During that time J took me around to see all the local sights...office...and of course ASDA...their version of Wal-Mart...love it! I have included many pictures of the local town and area as well as pictures of my new team...OMNIvision...the media division of OM International.

Many of you already know...but here is the timeline of events over the next few months. Please be in prayer for each one!

· Early December: 


o Move to England


o Pray for storage for belongings


· End of December: 


o Fly to Holland to spend Christmas with Jacco's Family
3.

· December 31st: 


o Fly to the States and see my family for the first time in a year-this will be J's first time meeting them as well as his first time in the States!


o Pray for a sweet time of reconnecting and that it will not be too overwhelming to J. :)

· December 31-March 28th:


o Home on Furlough


· Jan 6-7th: 


o Re entry debrief at OM USA


o Pray for a sweet time and wisdom as we must make decisions as to which field we officially will be under (OM USA or OM Holland)...has to do with medical insurance coverage basically. 


· End of January:


o We will be having a social for all of my prayer and support team to share about my year in Ireland and to officially introduce Jacco and our future ministry together in England.

· February 7-10:

o OM USA Outbound


o We will have the privilege to be speaking with the new potential recruits about the two fields...Ireland and England

o 
Pray that God would use us to minister and encourage others who might be seeking either field.

· February 20th:

o OUR WEDDING!!!!!


· Feb 21-March 5th:

o Honeymoon in Hilton Head 1st week and time spent with family I have not seen in a while.

o Also showing J where I grew up...went to school etc. 


o Pray for sweet time and also provisions...we don't officially have a place yet for our honeymoon...but a house in HH was offered to us as a possibility.

· March 8-20th:

· Team Building TOUR!!! :)

o We will, Lord willing be traveling to several states as well as host many get togethers to share our vision and God's leading to work in England. 


o Please pray for people's hearts to be challenged and encouraged to step out and get on board...not only in our ministry but in what God might be calling them to! 


o If you would like to host a get together...please let me know.

· March 22-28th:

· FBCW Missions Conference

o Please pray for a sweet time of refreshment and anointment on all those who attend. 


o Also please pray for emotions to be Christ centered, as this will be our last week in the States. It is sinking in for me and my family that this leave will be a more permanent one. But I always take comfort in what my Mama says to me "I can get through this because I know you are there "doing the Father's business".

· March 29th:

· We fly to our new home in England

o Please pray for provisions of the following:

o Finances to ship my furniture to England-looking to ship over on a crate.

o Also finances for start up costs (car, house supplies, couch, etc).


o House to move into-we will be working with the International office to look for a house in England over the Internet. They will be checking it out for us...but we have to leave it in God's hands, as we won't be able to see it in person until we arrive.

o Also we would like to have one to move straight into when we get back as we will only have about 2 weeks or so before we officially start back working in the office...and traveling.

§ When we come home to England we will be kicking off our busy travel season with OMNIvision...and we would like to have our home settled before we leave on the road. 


· End of April-Beginning of May:


o I will officially start working with my new team and hubby!!!

As you can see...we will be very busy during these next few months...but are so excited to see what God has in store. He is so FAITHFUL and AMAZING! Did we mention that we love that we "get to do what we do for Him"?! Until next time...know that I love you and am counting the days until I see you and have you meet Jacco!

MOJO (mary and jacco oldenkamp) :)

Never too young...a story about J-man

Me and J-man at Loughkey in Ireland...beautiful remains of a church behind us.

Check out this video...it is a promo of a ministry of OM which I will be transferring to...working in the area of conference services. See if you can find J-man in this video! :)

Well hello again faithful family and friends! I am delighted to have heard so many well wishes and blessings from yall over mine and Jacco's engagement. The date is set for February 20, 2010 and we are counting the days...literally (4 months...2 days...21 hours...3 minutes...and 22 seconds)...we both have countdown timers on our Macs...call us geeks...we know!

So I have decided that I will keep you up to date as much as possible from here on out as lots will be taking place. Between now and our wedding...I would have finished up working in Ireland and hopefully trained people for the take over...J and I will have moved my stuff to England...finished our pre marital counseling...visited J's parents for Christmas (Lord willing)...J would have met my family and friends...attended showers and parties (Yeah)...planned a wedding...had a wedding...support raised...switched fields and nailed down my job role (me from Ireland to England)...and hopefully have picked out a rental home for us to move back to! So just a little bit going on...but all worth it.

So in today's blog I would like to introduce you a little more to the man God has sent to me. Jacco knew at a very young age that he would be using his practical skills to serve the Lord. He would spend hours a day up in the attic of his parent's home building things...repairing things like the family's t.v. that went on the brinks...and experimenting with electrical kits...SCARY! :) He definitely loves to tinker as we would say in the States.

At age 12 he told his parents that he was going to be a missionary one day...and at age 16 a very eager young man (J) walked into the local OM field in Holland and inquired about what he needed to do to get on the field. He was about to graduate (they graduate younger in NL)...and he knew that God was calling him to serve somewhere that he could his practical skills.

After much discussion with his home church and OM NL...and I mean much discussion...they thought he was too young to go on the field...they finally agreed on a field that needed a "handy man" to assist on projects in Belgium. So here goes my honey...all at the ripe age of 17 off to work in a foreign country...it was a great learning experience for him...one that has helped shaped him into who he is today. A verse that was and is very near and dear to his heart is 1 Timothy 4:12

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

To this day he has a passion to speak with and encourage youth who are seeking God's leading in a career in missions...to follow after what God is telling you and "set an example for those around you"...in your school and community. So that is just a snap shot of my J-man for today...more stories to come. I can't wait for you all to meet him!

Please pray for us this coming week as I will be traveling to England to visit our future home and my new work place for the first time. There are some very exciting possibilities on the horizon of various conferences that we (my new team) might be involved in...logistically speaking...so more to come about that hopefully as well. Please pray that God will continue to direct our paths and that His perfect plan for my job role within OMNIvision will be clear and evident to us all. Also pray for J and I as we will be discussing future support raising efforts (finding out how much we need to raise as a couple).

Oh...and on a side note...some of you have asked what happens when I move to England...asking if you send the money directly there. Please note that NOTHING changes....please continue to send your funds through the OM USA office...and it will be transferred to England. This includes the time I am on furlough in the States. Again...I want to thank you all who have so faithfully supported me not only financially but also on your knees! I have learned the importance of prayer living overseas...sometimes being so far away from a situation back home...that is all I can do...but it is effective and powerful! So thank you again! :)

Till next time...keep following after Jesus with everything you have! So amazed that we "get to do" what we do for Him!!!!-MOJO (Mary and Jacco)

PS...check out my new field's website...it will give you a little more idea of where I will be working. :) www.http://www.omnivision.om.org/

There's Something About MARRIED!!!!

A cake for my celebration at work!

Me and J at his home church...I am listening to a translator...but am learning Dutch..pray for me...my roomie says I sound like an alien when I read from my Jip and Janneke book...a children's book in Dutch!!

The Happy Couple!

Meeting his family... Jacco is the youngest of 3 boys and has a younger sister.

Jacco and his parents...so sweet!

Love this picture of our hands over God's Word! It is our foundation for Life!

So we have a thing for benches...this is where he asked me to marry him...at sunset..my favorite time of the day I might add!

Looking at our rings together for the first time

Bliss!

Purchasing the rings...we prayed that we could get the ones we wanted in our budget. We got them under budget!!! Thank you Lord!

The rings...in most of Europe, the guy wears his wedding band during the engagement and then switches it to the ring finger after they are married.

Us aboard the Logos Hope

Our first date at sunset!

My first flowers from J-man!

Handsome...doing his thing...I love it!

"Honey...why are you driving so slow? Don't you know that we are going to be late for dinner with your parents?" These are the questions I asked as my soon to be fiance was feverishly searching for the perfect spot before the sun set...the spot he had picked out days before...where he would ask me to spend the rest of my life with him. That was the day our world changed as we knew it...August 22, 2009.

Yes...I AM ENGAGED to be married! And to the most wonderful man in the world if I do say so myself...and I am! His name is Jacco Oldenkamp. Jacco is pronounced "YACCO"...the J sounds like a Y...but you can call him J for short. He is originally from Holland but lives and works in our international office in England. Many of you have asked...wow...we didn't even know you were dating someone. So I wanted to fill everyone in on the highlights of our story. To start we need to go back to over a year ago...when we first met....

"Um excuse me, I have some pictures I would like to put up on the screen for the OM Ireland presentation...do you think you could help me? I would love to...but we are about to start so you'll just have to go around to the truck and see if they can help you." Wow...I thought to myself...what a jerk...he couldn't help me with something so simple. He was thinking "Oh my goodness...what a beautiful girl...but I've got to follow orders from my boss...we are about to start". Yep...this was our first encounter at our GO conference in Holland last August. He was working with our media division from our International office in England, (OMNIvision) on the cameras...and I was there as a new recruit. Love was not EVEN on my radar...and for him...knowing I was a new recruit...it wasn't on his either. But none the less...he did think I was a cutie...and I thought...hmmm...he's cute...but could have been more helpful. Not the ideal start...right?

Fast forward to February of this past year...where OM Ireland was hosting a conference in which we asked OMNIvision to come and do the media. I was in charge of logistics...one of which was to feed the OMNIvision team as they set up for the event. The bus pulls up and who steps off...you got it...Mr. unhelpful himself. I'm thinking...great...now I have to feed this guy...and he couldn't help me with such a tiny request. Yes...I must admit I was a little bit of a brat in this situation! He was thinking... "YES! This is the girl from the conference...she's so pretty!" So I went about my business as professional as possible...making sure they were all fed and watered! :)

Then one night during in the middle of the event, we had a power outage. It was such a cool evening despite the power loss...everyone was in this big room...just singing praise and worship songs in the pitch black dark. Then someone started to hand out glow sticks and the darkness became broken up by neon red, blues, and greens. As they passed around I took one...that wouldn't glow. Jacco, who couldn't work the camera without electricity had come down off his stand..the same one in which I was leaning against and came to stand next to me. After seeing my glow stick wasn't working...I turned to him in all seriousness and said "This is so not reflective of my personality"...invision lip quivering here. He said something that made my heart skip a beat...the words that would forever be engraved in my memory. He said "You know...you don't need a glow stick...because you are already glowing!" He then got me a new glow stick, which I still have in my memory box...call me a sap for romance! :)

Needless to say that led to us exchanging contact details...which manifested itself to facebook friends...and then skype buddies...and then to phone calls. It was a magical time of building a friendship...finding out about each other...and our passion and love for the Lord. After a few weeks, we realized that this was much more than just friends...we were now romantically interested in each other.

After approaching our leadership, we were asked to cool things down a bit, as I technically had not been on the field for my full year. We were encouraged to write each other everyday in a prayer journal...which we would later exchange. The next time we would be able to speak to each other would not be until June...and it was only the end of March. We were heartbroken to say the least...but the old saying...absence makes the heart grow founder is very true. So we wrote our final goodbye letters and began seeking the Lord for His will for our lives when we met again in June. Boy did the Lord speak!

June 1st rolls around and I get a delivery at my home...a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a note with a simple smiley face on it! I knew exactly who they were from and my heart did overtime. We began back slowly...talking over the phone and exchanging our prayer letters for one another. It was so amazing to see how God would have us both looking at the same scriptures many times...as well as have us praying about the same things without even knowing it. It is so cool to see the process of how God makes two become one.

We met up again face to face at a conference in June in Ireland. It was a great time for us to really get to know each other on another level...and we went on our very first official "date". It was so amazing...and we both knew then and there that we had something very special...a gift from God.

Enter July and the busy summer season...you see during the summer in a missions organization...this is your busiest time..when most programs will be running full force. It is an exciting time, but also a very exhausting. We worked several other events together and were blessed to spend 2 weeks on board our ship the Logos Hope while it was here in Ireland. It was here that we had some good times and some not so good times. Did I ever tell you that I tend to be a brat? Well...I must admit that I gave into my tiredness and almost ended everything...just to be "free" again...but quickly learned from my mistakes and realized...with a little chastising from the Father...that I was making a mistake to end the relationship.

You see I was not willing to give it a chance and was trying to nit pick at anything I could because I was really just scared to death to make another bad decision when it came to a relationship. Can anyone relate? I've had some duzzies in my past...but the Lord gently showed me the past is the past...and what He had planned for me...I couldn't even imagine. Mean while...poor Jacco was patiently waiting. He knew that I would come back around...and I did. After that small hic up...we went full steam ahead and there was no turning back. I realized the errors of my ways (my fear)...and let go and let God take over. Needless to say it has been bliss ever since!

We had several other times of getting to know each other throughout the summer at various conferences...which the highlight came in Germany at our annual TeenStreet conference. It was such a special time that God gave us there...and a time of revealing to both of us that even though it is quick...we both KNEW that we are meant to be together. We both realized that we were to get married! Yeah!

After a busy summer, we were given time off for holidays in August. We went to Holland, where J is from originally to meet his family and home church. It was another great time...and I felt like I had been part of his family for years. It was so good to spend time with the solid sold out for Jesus parents that raised Jacco. And to hear all the stories of when he was a kid. Cool story...his mother told me that at age 12 he told his parents he would be serving God as a missionary one day. About that same time in my own life...I was telling my mom that I would marry a foreign man! How cool is that? So it was on a bench at sunset in Holland that our lives changed as we knew it...when he proposed...and we couldn't be happier.

So what is next? We hope to come Stateside, Lord willing in December for J to meet my family, friends, and home church. Our leadership have been very gracious and have offered for us to take a sort of furlough time while we are there...since I will be coming on the field for a more permanent timeline. Jacco is already a long termer...but we would need to raise more supporters for me to make that transition. After much prayerful consideration and talking things through with leadership from both fields, our home churches, family, and of course the LORD...Jacco and I feel that it would be best for me to transition from OM Ireland to OMNIvision. Again, this is our international office where Jacco works. I will basically be doing my same role in conference services...but on a bigger scale while J will continue to develop his ministry with the media team there. I am sad to be leaving Ireland and they have expressed they are sad to be losing me, but I know that God has used me here...even if for "a time such as this"...and pray that He will continue to let me "get to do what I do for Him" over in England...and even better... with a helpmate by my side...how cool is that??

So we hope to be in the States December-end of March...then traveling for a couple of weeks to Holland to meet with Jacco's home church and supporters...then finally to our new home in England...Lord willing...to round out the month of April. During that time we will be meeting with everyone to share about our future ministry together as well get married of course!!! Our wedding date will be February 20, 2010 at FBCW. Cool thing is...it will be one year to the date that we both realized that we were interested in one another...remember the night the lights went out at that conference...that was the date! It will be a busy time...but an exciting one. I am so thankful for this opportunity to come "home"...especially to spend that time with my family before moving more permanently over seas!

PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!

We sure could use your prayers. One...we need to have a special visa for J to come to the states to get married and stay more than the regular 90 days. We pray that we will be able to decipher how to exactly apply for it and that it will be approved and come very soon! Anyone who could help with that...please let me know!

Second, please pray that we will really be able to soak up what God wants to show us as we are going through our pre marital counseling together and with my home church. Our prayer is that we will truly see God's glory in how two become one!

Third, we pray that God will provide financially. We are in need of purchasing round trip tickets to come to the States as well as costs for visas...moving me from Ireland to England...and not to mention wedding expenses and a honeymoon. Anybody got any good ideas for a cheap but relaxing honeymoon in February? But we are not worried...we know that our Heavenly Father knows our needs!!!

As always...PLEASE pray for the Father's hand to be on us and that we will truly be able to hear His voice over all areas of our lives as we walk through this busy but exciting time. The verse we have both been given and cling to is from Isa 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Thank you all so much for your prayers and continued support and I can't wait for you to meet the man God has given to me!!!! See you soon...Lord willing!!!

PS...we have been given a nickname: MOJO...stands for Mary Oldenkamp and Jacco Oldenkamp! Kind of catchy huh???

August Rush-One year down...more to come!!!!!

Pictures are courtesy of official TS page.

Mass eating location

Net groups where teens shared each day about how struggles and also to encourage each other how to walk by faith

Outreach day...where teens collected recycled glass and shared the Good News!

Main Stage

Josh Walker sharing from Main Stage

Cool Lighting

How do you feed 3500 people at one time...with long lines!

Backstage area where I slept in one of these cubicles for 16 days!

Main stage pre event

Well I can't believe that the month of August is half way over! WOW...my how time has flown. There is so much to tell you all about what has happened in recent weeks so lets begin. First of all as of today I have been here officially for 1 year! Praise God that He directs and guides us through life. Two years ago I would have never guessed I would be working and living in Ireland! I am reminded that we are to recklessly abandon ourselves and obey His call when it comes...because for me if I would have thought about it more in my feeble mind, I would have most likely not taken this giant leap of faith and missed out on SO much blessing!

So what has happened this month...First I was blessed to be part of OM's annual event TeenStreet in Offenburg Germany. Over 3500 teens from all over the world gathered for a fun and challenging week to walk out their faith and what that looks like. I was the only non German on the logistics team and learned very quickly that Germans are very task oriented. That is not a bad thing...but I also made sure we had a little fun time as well. I kept them smiling with my "Americanisms and sayings"...so it was all good.

What a refreshing time it was as well for me. The weeks leading up to the conference I was stricken with shingles as well as feeling very low. It was a very dark moment in my life where unfortunately I had to strain very hard to hear the soft spoken voice of the Lord saying follow me over the loud and obnoxious voice of the enemy and his lies. Thank you so much for those who prayed for me...and things are looking better...God truly stepped in and your prayers were answered.

Check out an article on the TS blogsite where I was interviewed about my role there. Did I ever tell you that it is awesome that I "GET to do" what I do for the Lord?!?!?

http://germany.teenstreet.om.org/en/home/119-more-than-just-an-event-.html

Breakaway Conference...Ireland Style!

Leadership Team and IMPACT Ladies...they were all such fabulous support!

Leena and Andrea led worship...it was great!

Tea Time...it just wouldn't be Ireland if we didn't have our tea!

Rahel..helping us out over the summer...I will miss her terribly when she leaves!!!!

Many of you have been praying over the first annual Breakaway conference here in Ireland.  I wanted to update you on what all happened and show you some pictures.  First of all...about a year ago the first of such events was launched at FBCW (my home church) and was a chance for single women to come and sit at the feet of women who were a little further along in their walk and learn from their wisdom on general topics....everything from missions to being a wife and mother!  It was amazing and both the single women and the speakers learned a lot from each other

A few months ago a local pastor's wife asked me to speak at their annual women's outreach in their church. Of course I accepted and was so honored that she would ask me.  But there was part of me that felt this could be something bigger than just a one time thing.  So I told her all about the Breakaway conference we had at my home church and how much it encouraged the ladies.  She agreed to pray about it and came back saying she was in...but let's start small and then grow bigger as time goes on.  Keep in mind the average church here only has about 10 ladies in it!  

The evening was beautiful...the decoration...done by some of the OM staff wives looked fabulous!  The Lord used the night to speak into the hearts of the women and one young single mother ended a long struggle with fighting against the Lord and prayed to receive Jesus into her life!  Praise God!  

The greatest moment for me personally was seeing my neighbors come walking through the doors.  These are sweet women who have become dear friends.  I know that God has a plan for their lives and pray that we will continue to be a witness to them!  It was so encouraging to see them show up and even ask questions the next day.  God is working in their hearts...please keep praying!

So enjoy the pictures and know that I am so grateful for those of you who are faithfully standing in the gap as my prayer warriors! Please continue to pray that the Lord would use this conference as a catalyst to many more opportunities to share with the precious women in this local area and all over Ireland.  Please let me know if there is anything I can pray about for you as well!.  

July Update: A Ship, An Opportunity, & God's LOVE!

God's Love is SO Amazing...Oh...and so is a cappuccino!

Our team sat on the quay side awaiting the arrival of the Logos Hope.

Me and some Sisters in Christ!  Love how OM is so International...a little taste of what Heaven will be like I think!

Sorry for the tiny picture:  But this is a picture of the ship at the Cork port. Check out the website for better pics (www.logoshope.org)

Well it just seems like yesterday I was packing to come to Ireland...and now I have been living over here  for almost a year...and can actually say that this feels like home for now!  I am so thankful and in awe of what God has done for me.  His love just amazes me!  

A little update...I just got back from an amazing 2 weeks of being on board of OM's ship the Logos Hope (www.logoshope.org), where I was able to share about what God has done in my life.  We were primarily stationed on deck 4 (The Visitor's Experience).  People were able to come on board and get a picture of what the ship does "Bringing Knowledge Help and Hope" as well as learn about how to get involved at a local level...that would be us...team Ireland!!! Ultimately our goal was to share with as many as we could the love of Christ and how He changed our lives.  Our motto for the week was "Everyone has a story...so let's share it!"  

We were in the city of Cork which is known as the rebellious city here in Ireland...and you saw the evidence of that through the people.  The minute the ship opened it's doors to the public...people came in looking to express their anger for God and their flat out wanting to pick a fight because I believed what I know to be truth.  But God can use everything...and the very candid conversations led many people to be softened and even receive Him as their personal Lord and savior!

God reminded me of Ezekiel 2:  4-7 "The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, "This is what eh Sovereign Lord says," And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words.  Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house.  You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious."  

One cool God story...as they say on the ship...did not happen on the ship but out on the streets.  Me and my friend Andrea were wanting to get off board for some fresh air and dinner in the city.  We could not find anything that suited our tastebuds or that would allow us to get back to the ship for our shift on deck four in time...so we eventually settled on a sandwich shop....which turned out to be a divine appointment.  As we were ordering I noticed a man stumble in through the door. As he fumbled through the shop my heart sank.  I was reminded of how just much alchoholism effects this country.  We took our seats outdoors and sure enough...here comes this man and sits right next to us.  I could smell the alcholol off this man and as he began to speak to us in mumbled words I could not even understand...I felt the need to lean over and just tell him "Sir, God loves you"!  He responded with "I doubt that".  I said it again...just those simple words.  I would like to say that he looked up and said "Well praise Jesus...this is what I have been wanting to hear...tell me more"! But instead he choose to make fun of what I said and even went so far to tell us to leave.  Eventually we did after praying over him...and as we were walking back to the ship a song came to mind that I couldn't get all the words to right away. It was Here I go Again by Casting Crowns.  There is a chorus that goes "Here I go again...talking about the rain...mulling over things that won't get past today. And as I dance around the truth, time is not his friend...this might be my last chance to tell him that you love him!"  That last part..."this might be my last chance to tell him that you love him...it just was like a light bulb coming on...and I really felt God had me there at that shop at that time if nothing else...just to tell him that simple truth.  Me and Andrea walked back with a little extra pep in our step after that encounter and were praising God for just how GREAT He is!

So needless to say...it was an AMAZING 2 weeks. Now I am back home and preparing for an event in which I have been given the opportunity to speak at a lady's outreach at a local church on the 15th of July. I am speaking on "A Poured out Love"...studying the story of the sinful woman who washes the feet of Jesus with her tears.  Please pray that the hearts of these women will be open to hear God's love for them and their need for a savior.  I plan, Lord willing to have a response time and just ask God to speak ONLY His words through me.  I am excited to say the least and in such amazed that He would allow me to speak into the lives of others...did I mention that I love that I "Get to do" what I do for HIM?!?!?!?

So what is next?  I will be heading out to Germany in 2 weeks to help coordinate our TeenStreet event...where about 3000 teens from all over Europe come for a week of challenge from God's word and opportunities to share their faith with others.  I will be primarily in charge of the set up where we take a site about the size of the Georgia State Fairgrounds and turn it into a little town...equipped with huge tents for sleeping, meals, and worship.  Also places like prayer street...kids street...etc.  This is my first year and I am so excited and honored to be asked to be on this international coordinating team!  Please pray that the Lord would use me to be a blessing and encouragement to those around me and that I would be a help and not a hindrance...as I am unsure exactly what all I am to be doing...but thank God He does!!! :)

I am also learning a thing or two about Love...and more to come about that subject in my August update...I promise!  Please continue to pray for the Lord's guidance in every area of my life!  Please feel free to write me a quick note as I would love to hear how you are doing (mary.wallace08@yahoo.com).  

Loving that I "Get to do what I do for Him"!!!!! -Mary 

Summer Time In Ireland

Team OM IE enjoy a cook out in the beautiful weather!

Grassy area makes for a quick game of "football" as well as water gun fights!!!

Our Big Red Bus has been going out on these summer evenings (where it may not get dark until 11:30pm!)  

The poor sheep are so not used to this warm weather...they look for shade where possible!

Early morning picture of Lacken House

OM Ireland Team Members sailing on the Logos Hope

Steve and Al come for a visit!

Crazy OM Ireland People...in Dublin  with our ship.

My favorite place..."The Point"...love reading a good book and watching the sun set!

The "Girls" of OM Ireland...for some reason our ministry is full of single gals...hey guys...where are you??? :)  Two of our newest members are from Germany and Switzerland.  

Okay...I am so guilty of neglecting my poor little blog!  But Summertime is here in Ireland...and when the sun is out...you want to be out in it and not stuck on a computer...so can someone please give me some sympathy points here!?!!?  

Well just a quick update...the weather is GORGEOUS here...it has been mostly sunny with little rain and about the average of 65-70 degrees each day which is unheard of for here!  I have enjoyed my times outdoors and have taking a liking to a particular area called "the point"...which is a quaint place just by a local river.  Very peaceful and a great place to watch the sunset.  

We also celebrated our newest ship's arrival to Ireland... The Logos Hope...where we were able to sail from Belfast to Dublin.  Let's just say that Mary found out that she has NO sea legs what so ever!  But it was all worth it.  We spent 2 weeks in Dublin and are about to go head back to the ship which will be sailing into Cork Ireland.  So many great opportunities to share the Gospel presented themselves and even though it was a draining time physically (there were about 10,000 visitors to the ship)...I would have not traded it for anything!  There have been many great things happening for the Lord here...times are tough here economically and many have lost jobs and homes...so many hearts are open to hear about God's love!  

I also had the honor of being visited by the world's best SMP leader (Steve) and my missions pastor, Al.  They were here on a vision trip to see how our home church might better partner with OM Ireland.  It was such an encouraging time and also a blessing to see just how much God has graced me with such God Honoring people in my life.  

So what is next for Mary...well I am heading into a busy summer season full of many programs...but am so looking forward to them.  First I will be heading to Cork to help with a evangelistic event called Summer Fire...a week long event of speakers, musicians.  Then I will leave from there and go to the Ship where I will be representing OM Ireland as the field representative.  From there I will head back to Lacken House where we will be hosting around 50 participants from all of the world for our biggest summer outreach IMPACT Ireland.  

Then in August will leave and fly to Germany for 2 weeks to be part of a coordinating team for OM's largest event...TeenStreet...where about 3000 teens from all over the world come for a week of learning and challenging!  I am so honored to be part of this international coordinating team and ask for prayer that I will be able to learn my role quickly and actually be a help and blessing to those around me. I will be primarily over the set up week where they take a large grounds area (kind of the size of Georgia State Fairgrounds) and turn it into a little village.  I will also be over the kidStreet ministry...just making sure that those in charge have everything they need logistically speaking.  So WHEEEEWWW...I have a lot on my plate...but I am so excited!  

One more thing...that I will wait to announce officially in August (Lord Willing)...but there is something that the Lord has brought into my life...that I am just AMAZED at!  I am really looking forward to August in many ways...but in particular...especially for one particular reason. I can't tell you more than that right now...but please pray for God's continued guidance over me!  

I am so grateful that I "get" to do what I do for the Lord...and want to take the time to THANK YOU personally...all of you who have prayerfully and financially got me here.  I can't wait to tell you all that has happened through these programs and truly believe "The Best is Yet to Come!"