N. Ireland Update #3: Aug. 16th - 19th

Email to Friends of G.Hope:

Sun. 16th

I preached at both morning and evening services at First Pres Portadown. I was very encouraged to see a great response from the people to the challenge of urban mission. Just like so many other places around the world, Portadown, even though a small town, is becoming ever more ethnically diverse, thanks to globalization. Many of the folks here have a great heart to reach their changing town for the sake of the kingdom--many are already actively doing that--and it is a privilege to dream together about the changes the Lord might be leading them into. Dr. Manny Ortiz will be here in October for an urban mission conference for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; I pray that it will be a fruitful time for the church.


Mon. 17th - Wed. 19th

Xpression week got underway. Teams have come in from all over UK to do community service works around Portadown. Here is Kurt's take on Xpression:

"The days have been quite full as as our group has joined Expressions. The day begins at 10am when we gather with about 400 teens from 40 churches for a time of worship and receiving our work assignments for the day. The teams then go out into the streets and parks of Portadown, focused on 5 neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are identitified as catholic others as protestant, and those of Irish descent are now joined by new Portuguese and African immigrant communites. Our group from Philadelphia is working in the Garvaghy area this week. We are divided among the 6 teams (of about 10 - 15 teens) working together in this neighborhood. Our team's tasks range from pulling weeds, and picking up litter to painting murals, or organizing events for neighbors young and old alike. The week's events in Garvaghy include a ladies salon night where women will come to get their nails done, ballroom dancing where older residents can teach the younger, football matches (soccer for all you Americans). At the end of the week all of the areas will gather in the town center for a big celebration."


I've uploaded some photos of the trip so far for you to enjoy. They are found here.

Please continue to pray for us. It is wonderful to see our team participate in energetic and passionate worship, and in works of service with their peers from very different backgrounds. Continue to pray for a deepening discipleship for our team, and that team members would see God in a new way.

Shalom,

--
Kyuboem Lee