I cannot believe that our original plan to spend 18 days in the US turned into 25 days! Well actually I can, because it did happen thanks to the Icelandic volcanic eruption. However, while we went through the normal frustrations of flight cancellations etc, many of our friends across the US responded to an email SOS with many offers of help. I want to thank all of you. We were soon being picked up at the airport by someone who looked like Carl the Viking; more about this later, but check the pic below:
Friday 2 - Thursday 8 April: MARYLAND; VIRGINIA; NORTH CAROLINA. Having arrived at Newark Airport we picked up a car and drove for almost 5 hours to our home in the US, John and Tracey's, in Maryland. The following day we had another 3 hour drive to Surry, Virginia, where on Easter Sunday 4th we were at the New Harvest Church. We had a fabulous time staying with good friends Pastor Gerry & Sylvia Shannon; speaking at their church on Easter Sunday morning and being involved in a discussion group that evening at The Centre, which is a Coffee Shop close by the church. We met many "old" and new friends and had a great time around the dinner table with Gerry & Sylvia and their family. Only sorry that Kerry was not there as she has been in Australia, it seems like forever now, involved with YWAM.
The following day we drove to Camden, North Carolina, where we met, for the first time, Pastor Karl and Kathy Bowden of the Vineyard Christian Church. They made us feel so welcome in their home, which was a short stay, but we loved our time with them. We got to meet "old" friends Tony & Janice Suchy and ministered at the church on Monday evening after feasting at a banquet.
On Tuesday 6th we drove back to John & Tracey's and then ministered at The Upper Room Fellowship in Clinton, Maryland. Thanks again to Pastor Phil Harris and the people for making us feel so welcome and for the awesome opportunity to return to TURF for the "umpteenth" time! Pastor Phil was somewhat concerned about the possible poor turn out for a mid week service, but thank God for a really good turn out and for a great sense of the presence of God. This was an awesome end to a fabulous week of ministry where many were blessed, inspired and challenged at all of the above churches.
Friday 9 - Thursday 15 April: COLORADO. Our first speaking engagement in Colorado was Vanguard Church in Colorado Springs. Once again we met with some "old" friends like Pastor Kelly and Tosha Williams, and even older ones like Mike Clinton. I spoke at three services; one on Saturday night and two on Sunday morning, ministering to some 1,200 people. Once again people responded to the challenge of God's Word and we believe that our time at Vanguard has left many to contemplate their walk with Christ and their commitment to the Kingdom of God. After dinner at Kelly and Tosha's we drove to Manitou Springs to stay Tim & Meg Britton for a few days and where we met with Roger & Laureen Traver of Mountain Top Marriage, before heading to Estes Park for some R&R.
On Wednesday 14th we drove back to Colorado Springs to stay with Pastors Keith & Eava Currence and to minister at their church "The City of Jesus". As like others they went out of their way to make us feel at home with them. They were amazing hosts who just could not do enough for us, although they did! We had a wonderful time at their church where God not only spoke to them, but also spoke to me in such a clear way. I look forward to sharing this at a later stage. After another good night sleep it was off to the airport for an early flight to Seattle.
Thursday 15 - Monday 19 April: WASHINGTON STATE. We spent some time with our very good friend Jenny Pillo who always goes more than the extra mile to look after us. On Saturday morning I met with Dr. Jonathan Hansen, World Ministries International in Stanwood. At a Saturday morning service I spoke to his staff and family members and then, after a feast at a local Malaysian restaurant, I did a televised interview with Dr. Hansen for 30 minutes, which is aired on over 300 stations across the US and Australia. I spent some quality time with Dr. Hansen, regardless of him not being too well, and hope to build on this relationship in the coming months.
The following morning we were back at Village Chapel in Renton, just outside Seattle, to meet with good friends Russell & Bonnie Snyder. Here we had another wonderful time of ministry with a great response to the message. Afterwards we joined in a church Bar B Q before leaving to spend the night in a hotel close to the airport for a quick get a way the next morning, but were we in for a shock!
NEW JERSEY: Gets a mention all of its own! Due to the Icelandic Volcano our flight was cancelled. We were trapped for an additional week before we finally got a flight home. I sent an SOS email to all our friends in the US and got many responses with suggestions and offers of help. We finally accepted the offer from Craig Simonian and his wife Joyce in Randolph, New Jersey. Joyce was absolutely an angel who hosted us, but Craig was another story. I felt like a captive who was being tortured with food almost every moment of every day. Everytime I saw Craig he had more food for me. Kathleen did okay, but my plate was always full and was constantly being refilled. At times I felt like I was being fattened for some kind of sadistic Randolph, New Jersey sacrifice!
But hey, all joking aside, Craig and Joyce were amazing, as were their two daughters Becca and Sarah. This was a totally unplanned week, but was amazing. We have met new friends who, like many others, will be friends for life and eternity. I look forward to hosting them in Belfast some time in the future. Craig is going to get the biggest Ulster Fry with all the trimmings every morning for breakfast! This morning I spoke at his church, Vineyard in Morris Plains. We had an awesome time. There were many very positive responses. One woman came up to me with her husband and said that she and her husband had been going through some things, but that the word I brought was so timely and so spot on for them, especially for her. She felt the Lord had us stay the extra week just for her. That in itself would have been enough, but others shared something similar. I know that God has spoken right into the heart of this church, and for this I would have gladly stayed another week; although perhaps with someone else!
We are now in the airport waiting to get our flight to Belfast. By the time our people back home read this we should be home.
Thanks for all the love and prayers and support.
Jack & Kathleen.
