Day 1: 2026 Belfast
A joyful reunion
Our Northern Ireland adventure is officially underway! Eight of our nine team members boarded our first flight Saturday evening bound for London and eventually Belfast, while our ninth teammate traveled from Scotland to meet us after we arrived. Before we ever left Nashville, the Lord gave us an unexpected gift as we spotted two West End students (and their families) in line for the very same flight. They were heading to Oxford for a two-week study abroad program, and those few moments together were filled with laughter, stories from past mission trips, and prayers for the journeys ahead. The Lord also graciously provided smooth and uneventful travel. Every flight was on time, every bag arrived, and after months of planning, it was a joy to simply travel together. There is something special about long airport layovers, shared airline meals, and rushing through terminals that quickly turns a group of travelers into a team.
When we landed in Belfast, Pastor Peter Burke and Pastor Dave Clawson, along with their wives Kelly and Naomi, welcomed us warmly before leading us to Union Theological College, our home for the week. It was a joy to reconnect with Mr. Alan, our gracious host from last year, and to once again experience the kindness and hospitality of our friends here. After a wonderful dinner prepared by Kelly Burke, we gathered at West Kirk Presbyterian Church where familiar faces quickly became one of the greatest blessings of the day. From seven-year-old Micah to eighty-nine-year-old Norman, it was a gift to hear our names called out, exchange hugs and handshakes, and introduce our new teammates to people who already feel like family. We ended the evening praying together, asking the Lord to go before us this week to prepare the hearts of every child, student, volunteer, and leader we will meet, and to prepare our own hearts as we join our brothers and sisters here in proclaiming the hope of the gospel. We are deeply grateful for the relationships the Lord has been building over the past several years, and we're excited to see what he has in store in the days ahead.
HOw we saw god at work today:
In his faithful protection and provision through smooth, uneventful travel from Nashville to Belfast
In the unexpected encouragement of seeing two West End students before our journey even began
In the deep relationships the Lord has already established with our friends at West Kirk Presbyterian Church and Grace & Hope Church, making Belfast feel less like a destination and more like coming home
In the warm hospitality shown by our hosts as they welcomed, fed, and prayed over our team
prayer requests:
That the Lord would prepare the hearts of every child, student, and family we'll meet this week, and prepare our hearts to love and serve them well
For unity between our West End team and our ministry partners at West Kirk and Grace & Hope as we serve together
For energy, good health, and restful sleep as we begin a full week of ministry
That every conversation, relationship, and opportunity this week would point people to the hope and grace of Jesus Christ