Northern Ireland Mission Possible 2011
FFC Mission Possible Northern Ireland
UPDATE #4
Lt to rt: Tom Ellison (Kern County FD) and Rick Goulet (San Diego City FD) are having a great time with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
By Brian Price
Day 4
Today marked the second day of shift work for the fellas and the beginning of everyone feeling the tug of exhaustion, as we met up for our devotional this morning. The Lord saw fit to peak our interest with the presentation of a Red Fox outside our window in hot pursuit of a squirrel (the squirrel just got away!) Jeremy Bowers from Ventura County Fire Department led our devotion this morning pulling much of his inspiration for the heartfelt testimony out of the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan (Jeremy’s Pastor).
Here’s what Jeremy had to say: “Last night I finally had a good sleep and I needed it. Thank you Lord! Today was my turn for the morning devotional. I spoke on Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love. I shared on the importance in my life of having Godly role models and how my life has changed by watching them. “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corth. 11:1) I read on are you ready to meet our God? I read about Stan Gerlach and how he was professing Christ one minute and the next Jesus was professing Stan to His Father. I spoke on the profile of the luke-warm. How following Jesus should change how we live our lives because of what He has done for us. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matt 13:44. Has your relationship with God actually changed the way you live? Do you see evidence of God's kingdom in your life? We need to live out in our daily life the love and obedience that God has asked of us.”
Today saw Pat and Rab delivered to the Belfast City Airport to travel to the UK to give and receive an encouraging word with Ken and Morwen Dyer.
Robert Blair and Ken Dyer have been close brothers in the Lord for many years. It was through Ken that Robert learned of Firefighters For Christ, Intl. Ken is a strong supporter of NI FFC's ministry and would be with the fellas if he wasn't in the middle of cancer treatments. We're keeping Ken and Morwen in our prayers.
Back to Northern Ireland: Joe headed down to the Firefighter Recruit Training School and Rick was back at the station in Whitla. Tom was over in Westland. Jeremy was out at Knock and Jay was down in Lisburn. Randy was way up in Ballymenia (Hye) and Steve was way out in Omagh. Meanwhile Frank, Tim, Brian and Phil traveled the county side having breakfast in Portadown and “tea” in Omagh.
The boys over at Wesland and Whitla had a derelict fire today where Rick was assigned ventilation group.
Rick had an opportunity to speak with some of the youth on the streets of Belfast near the derelict fire. He spoke boldly, directly and respectfully with them until they did the same in return. Tom has been welcomed into the crew over at Westland experiencing the bonds of brotherhood that come from “facing the dragon” together. The groundwork has been laid at both these stations. Pray for increase!! Joe was able to work in the confined space prop at Westland with the training school. He had an excellent day full of learning new and different tactics and approaches to familiar problems. Brian spoke at the Portadown Firefighters For Christ breakfast at Esters on the fact that we have a purpose. He spoke out of Hebrews 11, sighting the people in the faith “Hall of Fame” and how they had faith of that which was to come without ever seeing it. They trusted in a plan they didn’t understand. They believed in the fact that God had a purpose for their lives just as we need to believe that God has a purpose for our lives. We were called by name for a purpose. It’s up to us to take hold of that for which Christ has taken hold of us.
We capped the night off with another round of the best fish and chips in Belfast at Richie’s, and enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Mark and Sally Foster once more. The night ended with the sharing of Phil Scott’s testimony at Keith Mitchel’s (Mitch) beautiful home hosted by him, his wife Amanda and their two incredibly well behaved children. Phil’s testimony was both encouraging and inspiring. The humility and desire of his heart to serve the Lord is evident in all he does – thank you Phil!! The testimony ended with a challenge to start each day for the next six months with at least a half an hour in prayer and reading of the Word and just wait and see where the Lord takes your walk!
Here's a picture of Phil working. Thought we better get that moment as well documented as possible!!
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