Finding Faith 2022 Day Five
Friday 20 May
For VOX magazine’s 10th annual Finding Faith Tour editor Ruth Garvey-Williams travels across Ireland hunting down stories of faith, life and reality. You can follow the journey each day here on the blog and through our social media pages with stories, videos and photos.
I had an unintentionally early start to the day when a car alarm went off and continued without let up from soon after 5am until I left Kildare at 8am! After several cups of coffee, I was (almost) functional and ready for the long drive to Athenry. Driving through the Midlands (Kildare, Laois and Offaly) I was treated to nature’s flower show - every tree and shrub seemed resplendent. From the pointy, candle-like blooms on the horse chestnut to the stunning laburnums like golden waterfalls and the occasional lilac. Here I drive between vibrant emerald fields as smooth as snooker tables or rippling silver green grasslands like inland lakes. As someone said recently, “this is growing weather.”
By the time I reach the motorway, crushing tiredness has set in along with torrential rain. I’m grateful for a wide, straight empty road and a new playlist to sing along to!
Let your Light Shine
Thankful to have arrived at Athenry in one piece, I find the Old Barracks Coffee Shop and settle down to wait for Sean and Julia O’Mahoney. We’ve met (briefly) before at a leaders’ retreat and on Monday night’s Zoom but this is the our first time to talk properly. Tucking into coffee (tea for Sean) and some delicious scones, I discover that the couple moved to Athenry ten years ago from Greystones, Co Wicklow. Retired teachers, Sean and Julia now lead Athenry Gospel Centre - a multi-national church that meets in the local community centre.
Sean stops to chat to our waitress. When he discovers her name is Grace, he begins to tell her the story of John Newton and Amazing Grace (without realising my connection to the story as someone who lives in Amazing Grace Country!) Sean takes a moment to pray for Grace right there in the coffee shop.
“Wherever we go we bring the light of Christ. For me Ireland is not dark; it is full light because Jesus shines through me,” Sean smiles.
“In the last three or four years, I lost my fear of sharing the Lord with people. I believe God will do miracles if we are bold enough to step out and share with people and pray for them.” Sean’s love for people and his passion for the Gospel is infectious. I ask them what Jesus means to them both and feel like we’ve stepped onto holy ground.
“He is with me every day. I get up early and go for a walk with Him,” Julia shares. “He is so much bigger than we think. Everything is being shaken right now but He is my rock.”
There are tears in Sean’s eyes as he struggles to find the words, “Jesus walks beside me every day and in his presence love flows, joy flows, peace flows, miracles happen and lives are transformed.” All three of us are wiping away sudden tears as he finishes speaking.
Sean and Julia head to the 800 year old cross in the centre of town where every Friday they spend time chatting and praying with people in the town. Almost immediately, Sean meets three young adults who are from Hungary and starts chatting. I say my goodbyes and head back to the car re-energised.
My next appointment was with Rev Helen Freeburn at the United Methodist and Presbyterian Church in the centre of Galway but had to be cancelled because Helen was called away to conduct a funeral in Sligo. With time on my hands and a more relaxed schedule for the afternoon, I decide to drive into Galway anyway and visit Helen’s church. I hope to be able to connect with her by phone at a later date to hear about her multi-cultural congregation and all that God is doing in the city centre.
I’m struck by a boat I see in the nearby port which is named “Devotion.” After the brief visit, I travel south into County Clare ready for my final appointment of the day… as I travel the odometer ticks over to the 1,000km mark!
What’s the Story?
It is lovely to meet up with John McCarthy from Cliffs of Hope and Lahinch Surf School who is keen to tell me about this nationwide initiative. What’s the Story? will provide a platform to help churches reach out with the good news of Jesus to people who are asking deep questions about life. From 22 September to 30 October a media campaign will connect people with churches that can help them to find how they fit in God’s story.
The What’s The Story Website provides opportunities for churches to sign up and get involved. John tells me about the great resources being developed including videos of Irish people telling their stories, materials to address some of the tough questions of life (e.g. death, suffering, guilt & shame), a special edition of John’s gospel and a pack of high quality resources for Sunday Schools produced by CEF.
Next week, What’s the Story? is launching 6 Days of Prayer from 23 - 27 May. Download the Prayer Guide to find out more.
John is excited to see what God will do through What’s the Story? in Lahinch and Ennistymon where his own church - North Clare Community Church - is based. It is encouraging to hear of Ukrainian refugees joining the church and others finding faith in Jesus even during lockdown here.
I’m grateful I have no more appointments as I head to my B&B at 6pm - here’s my view! Finishing the blog still takes time but I might even manage an early night tonight
Oiche Mhaith!
