Kid's Week

From Monday-Friday there were teams at 4 different locations holding programs for children 12yrs and under.  It was a wonderful opportunity to sow seeds of love and kindness into the lives of young people in the community.

My dad was on on street prayer and had been telling me amazing stories of praying with people who were considering suicide and were opening their hearts to Christ as a result of problems in their lives.  I was reminded that when working with children we might not see a huge revival in a day. We might feel like we aren't doing much because they don't often have huge problems or addictions in their lives at this early age.  We might not even see the results of our labor this year at all, but we are making a difference in lives that will blossom in the future.  It is our prayer that these children will remember our kindness and love and someday realize that we did it as a result of Christ's love.  That these will be the ones who grow up and don't have addictions and suicidal thoughts because of what Christ did in their lives when they were young. That they will be the ones going out in their community making a difference in others lives who don't know Christ. 

Derry has a population of approximately 107,877 according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.  Each day 1.7 of those people commit suicide each day. There is so much hurt in our world, people want more in life. As Christians it is our job to tell them the reason for our hope and give them hope in life through Christ our Savior.

Travels-

 About to leave for the first leg of our trip!! 

 Lunch in Toronto while waiting for our flight. 

 Toronto airport waiting at our gate.

 

 

When we arrived in Derry they had lunch waiting for us and gave us time to settle into our rooms.  The evening was spent relaxing and walking some around the city.

We're Back!

Wow! I can't believe how fast it all went! Praise the Lord for all He has done in Derry as well as in our lives!  I'm sorry I didn't get around to posting while I was gone. We were kept very busy and I don't have a phone or anything of my own to use. 

We arrived home at 1:40am on the 15th.  I will be posting pictures and stories soon!

Lydia

The Vision:

What is our goal for this trip? To change and to be changed. We will go out as lasers on our mission and spread the light Christ has given us there. We will be filled with His light and be changed as God works and speaks through us!

Let’s be sensitive to what God wants us to say and do. Maybe it is just to smile at someone, having patience with a child we are working with that isn’t cooperating, praying for the others on our team when they are feeling down or discouraged. 

What does the Lord have for us to accomplish? How are we going to accomplish it? What are your goals for this trip? Let’s come back to America as 12 changed people, but not stop there. The same pain and hopelessness we will see in Ireland is right here in our own towns. As we go back to normal, everyday life, we can keep sharing what we have learned, and how we have changed with others. I want to see God work in mighty ways, to see miracles! God has power and He wants change, all He is lacking is laborers.

My dad and I have been praying for each of the team members and pouring our hearts out in prayer for the locals in Ireland. Please join us in prayer. God has amazing things for you to accomplish! Let’s make Him the center of our trip!

Whether you are going on the trip yourself, or know someone who is, you have the ability to make a change in our world through prayer! God is powerful!

July 12th

This video explains the strife in Northern Ireland. It was recorded in 2013. Though it shows many different areas of Northern Ireland, including Derry, the march it covers happens in Belfast.




In 2014 there was much more peace on July 12th, just a year after the previous video was recorded. The Lord has already worked on so many hearts! This is very obvious from the peaceful reports of last year's parade. You can read about the 2014 marching season HERE. Let's be praying that God opens hearts and heals hurts this year!

I Heart Derry Local Kickoff

On Sunday the 10th Cornerstone Church had their official I Heart Derry Launch where they present this year's schedule to the members of Cornerstone and invite them to sign up and serve at I Heart Derry.

The local response has been absolutely incredible with around 175 volunteers signed up to participate throughout the week. Many of whom have signed up for the whole week.  Praise the Lord! 

Let's be praying for the locals who will participate as well as the teams from around the US who will be gathering in Derry July 3rd-15th.  The Lord is going to do amazing things! 

You can keep posted by visiting:

Instagram - i_heart_derry

Instagram - cornerstonecity

Twitter - cornerstonecity

Facebook - iHeartDerry

Facebook - Cornerstone City Church

or-iheartderry.com

There are photos and information on all the different projects that will be happening throughout the week.

What does a typical iHeart week look like?

iHeart Derry outreach is an annual event hosted by Cornerstone City Church.  It will take place from July 4th-13th in 2015. 

The week opens up with a high energy training day which sets the stage for the week to come.  Volunteers are broken up into teams and sent to different locations throughout the community. There will be 5 Kid's week locations including Donemana Primary School, Lisnagelvin Primary School, and Currynierin community center. Playgrounds will be built throughout the community as well.

Each morning teams go to their locations to host high energy events for children.  These events consist of dancing, songs, sports, stories, crafts, and games of all kinds.

After the kid's programme for the day winds up, teams prepare for the next day's lesson and head to their street cleanup project.  There is a mobile-medic station where people can get their blood pressure and sugar levels checked as well as receive minor first aid.  Coffee stations will be set up around the city as well. On Thursday evening there is football tournament between local teams.  

It is amazing to be a part of this event and see the impact Christ's love has on a community!