Mission Blog #32

 A Ride In the Irish Countryside

Northwest of Dundalk about 10km's, is a great site that reflects some intriguing history. We've been to Castle Roche once before, back as the dreary winter was coming on. With a pair of new young Elders here, we ventured out again, this time on a beautiful spring day. 

This looks north to hills that lie over the border in Northern Ireland. From Castle Roche, it is about 5km's to the border.

This Anglo-Norman castle was built in 1236 by Lady Rohesia de Verdun after her husband died. The story goes that she promised her hand in marriage (and thereby a share of her wealth) to the architect who would build her a castle at Roche. One story says that when he went to claim her hand, she had him thrown out one of the windows, which is now known as the 'murder window'. 

Without cars for most of the young missionaries, or even bicycles, they are limited to where they can go and what they can see. Getting them out of the urban core and letting them explore (that was hard on this former Risk Manager), was exciting for them. It helped them feel the history and appreciate their mission assignment more. And hopefully, it will give them a lasting memory of Ireland that they'll appreciate even more as the years go by.

Stop #2, Monasterboice Cemetary

Monasterboice is the site of a 6th century monastic settlement. The ruins are a national monument of Ireland.

The site has remains of two churches built in the 14th century, and the 110 ft tall round tower built in the 10th century. The cemetery is known for its high crosses. The three highest crosses date from the 10th century.

The tallest of the high crosses, West High Cross, 7.5 metres. 

Considered the finest high cross in all of Ireland, the 5.5 metre tall Muiredach's High Cross is named after an abbott who died in 923. It features biblical carvings of both the Old and New Testament. A copy of the cross is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Elder Truman was especially impressed by these man-made structures, from over 1,000 years ago. Touching ancient stones that still survive today in 2023 was impactful. 

A Drive To Armagh, Northern Ireland to Minister to Aemon

We've mentioned in previous blog posts, that we minister to a Branch member who lives in Armagh, Northern Ireland. He has several health issues - knees, lungs, obesity, hernia. He lives alone a bit in the country near Moy, which is just north of Armagh. This ancient city is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland - the seat of the Archbishops of Armagh, the Primates of All Ireland for both the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church of Ireland. (My source is Wikepedia so it must be true....). Armagh is home to two cathedrals, both named for Saint Patrick, who founded his main church there in 445. Vikings raided the town in 832 and several other times.

We were driving to see Aemon and thought we'd stop by the R.C. St. Patrick's Cathedral built in the 19th century. 

From the front of this St Patrick's cathedral, one can see the city below, and the other St. Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland) opposite.

Elders Schneider and Truman, in Drogheda. About one day/week we get to Drogheda to make some visits.

While we were there visiting Jonas, Yuri, and Steve - the Elders received a phone call from a church member who just arrived in Drogheda from Scotland, and who wanted to meet the missionaries. And because we were in Drogheda at that time, we were able to almost immediately go meet him and visit in his apartment.

Ross is a talented man - was a school teacher in Dundee and in London but has come home to where he's originally from. 

He plays guitar and sings, 'traditional Irish songs'. He gave us a mini-concert which was enjoyable, and made sandwiches for the Elders.

Tina lets me out alone with the two young Elders for our Drogheda trips. It is always one of the best days of the week to support them in what they have going on in Drogheda - and makes me feel young.

We were just saying goodbye to Ross, and a very nice lady holding hands with her two daughters in school uniforms, stopped in front of us on the sidewalk.  She told us that years ago she taught English in Hokaido, Japan with another teacher, who was a member of our Church. Her friend had told her that if she ever saw the missionaries, to please stop and say hello to them. So, she did, and it made our day. What a wonderful gesture.

Exchanges With the Zone Leaders

Once in awhile the Zone Leaders (based in Terenure Dublin), will do 'exchanges' where they work with another pair of missionaries to provide training, and/or encouragement. 

It was cinco dimayo in Mexico, and we invited all 4 Elders to come over for some tacos. Tina did a great job. None of these missionaries are from Mexico. In fact, the 6 of us, are originally from 6 different countries; Truman, U.S.; Guillen, Spain; me, Canada; Schneider, Germany; Mulcair, France; Tina, England.

They ate alot of food, and we had great conversation. We love the young missionaries and providing support to them. They're a long way from home and have sacrificed alot to be here for 2 years during a prime period of their lives - all because of the love they have of their Savior Jesus Christ.

Elder Truman told us that he was making dessert - banana bread; to eat back at their flat, at 9pm. Tina and I picked up some ice cream and headed over and we had Elder Truman's amazing banana bread. Sooooo good!

The 2 newest, nicest cars in the mission on our driveway. I'm so glad that Elder Guillen did not bump into our car when he came up the driveway- that would have been a very awkward call to have to make to the Mission President.

Feeling 'at home' in our flat, we talked about their experiences in talking to people that day; but also, more about their backgrounds and where they're from, and why they chose to go on a mission.

Elder Guillen (right), knew almost no English upon starting his mission 18 months ago. It has taken alot of work and faith for him to be able to communicate as well as he does now in a second language. As a Zone Leader for the Dublin Zone, he is very well-respected by everyone, and trusted by the Mission President. 

These are amazing young men, who we love! Their families should be very proud of them and not just because they can make great banana bread. They have testimonies of their Savior, Jesus Christ; they understand His life, His teachings, His atoning sacrifice, they testify of Him, they strive to emulate Him, follow His commandments, and try to develop His attributes. They work hard every day to bring souls unto Him. We are grateful for them. We love them! It has been an enriching experience to be here and to work with them. We'll never be the same for it.

Each month on the first Sunday in our churches, we all have an opportunity to 'bear testimony' - take a moment to express our feelings about our Savior and the restored gospel to the congregation. Many went forward today; but the testimony that stood out to me was from my eternal companion, Tina. She said that our testimonies are based on moments of feeling the holy spirit (Holy Ghost) as it witnesses to us of eternal truths. But she said as human beings we sometimes forget those wonderful moments, but we need to always remember them. By remembering, our testimony remains strong, and though challenges and trials of life come, we can stay filled with faith and hope - because we remember.

Perhaps we can take a moment today, to remember a time when we felt the witness of the Spirit as it gave us peace, comfort, or direction in our lives.

Every week we experience wonderful moments - small miracles, tender mercies - that affirm to us that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father; that our Savior lives; and that through the atonement of our Savior, we through sincere repentance can be clean and worthy to return home to our Father in Heaven and our Savior. 

Thank you all for your prayers for us and the other 65,000+ full-time missionaries serving around the world. 

God bless each of you.

    Elder Eric and Sister Tina McMurray