Hey friends!
I hope you are keeping well. For this month’s update, I couldn’t quite find the words. So instead, I wrote a poem-ish thing that captures some of what I have learned from those around me from these past 1.7 years. Now, I do not necessarily do all or even most these things.Though, I would like Jesus to help me do these things more. However, I have come across many people that do these things, people I respect and look up to. They have impacted me to share with you what I have learned from being in ministry over here. Though someone may find that some of these things are easier to do when someone is in ministry. Know that no matter what your job is, you can still do these things and look for small ways to be there for others. I have been impacted by those that are in ministry/church work full or part-time and by those that are not but just simply share Jesus in tangible ways to those around them. I hope that this can impact you today in a positive way as the people that I have come across during my time here have impacted me.
Christ didn’t call us to only let people in our churches into our lives on Sunday mornings
He didn’t call us to clock in and out on the
time we give to others on a 9 to 5 basis
He calls us to more
He calls us to open our homes when others need
a space to get away
He calls us to look out for those who may be
lonely
He calls us to stop and listen even when it may
not be convenient
He didn’t call us to love when it suited us
best or when it was easy
But to love at all times and to love even when
it’s the last thing we want to do
Life is easier, uninterrupted
It’s easier to invite people in your homes when
you’re ready for them
It’s easier to walk around with headphones in
and turn a blind eye to the man with the coffee cup sitting on the side
It’s easier to say “no” when a student needs
advice and you’re burned out, just wanting a Saturday afternoon to yourself
It’s easier to head to bed rather than stop and
ask your friend how they’re really doing
Knowing well that a conversation could go late
into the night
Though these things are all easier, this is not
what we are called to
We are called to more
We are called to let people interrupt our lives
We are called to disciple outside of meeting for an
hour in the coffee shop
We are called to walk alongside others when their
life turns upside down
We are called to not walk around with blinded
eyes
We are called to take notice and do what we can
to make a difference
Even if it’s just a small “hi” to the man in
the sleeping bag off to the side
Christ didn’t call us to be comfortable and let
people into our lives when it’s convenient
He called us to let others interrupt our lives
Here are some things that you can be praying
for this week:
11.) RISE-Please continue to pray for
Anto, Ash, Anne and myself as we close out our RISE programme in the coming weeks, in James St. Pray
for the students’ projects. The two projects that the students have planned are a trip to a Garda station so the garda can get to know them better so the opinions of one another can be changed and a TY common room.
Pray that through these projects they would see that they can make a difference
in their community together. Please pray for our mentoring programme as Anne, Ash, and I continue mentoring the girls at Mt.Carmel. Pray that we would be able to be encouraging to them as we continue to help them achieve their end of term goals and begin chatting about self-worth and self-confidence.
2 2.) Strength, energy and wisdom for each
day. Pray that I would daily rely on Jesus to be my strength each day, and that
he would give me wisdom and advice when others come to me for advice and that he would show me how
I can reflect him to those around me.
3 3.) WIRED teenagers. Pray for our
teenagers at WIRED as we continue to our study through John. Pray for that all
would draw closer to God (us leaders included) and for a deeper understanding
of His word.
As always, I am thankful for you all and your continual prayers and
support!
Much love,
Amy Bergvall
Amy Bergvall
