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