The Fruit of the Vineyard.

I got on the 9:45 bus feeling pretty optimistic. I was excited to be taking the bus alone for the first time. I paid the driver the right amount, got up the stairs of the double decker as we turned around round-abouts. I felt accomplished and confident. The Dublin Vineyard service wasn't until 11. I thought I'd probably have time to spare once I got into the city. The bus stopped for every single stop on the way to city centre. A ride that seemed to only take 20 minutes was now creeping up to 45. Naturally, I panic that I'm clearly on the wrong route. Familiar landmarks pass and I realize I'm right, just late. I hate nothing more than being late. I get off at 10:25 in an area I'm now somewhat familiar with. It's NOT summer in Dublin, just to be clear. I'm underdressed in a tank-top blouse and a thin cardigan. It's spitting some pretty cold crap from the clouds. I think the night before when my cousin Maddie told me where the church would've been, I did as I normally do at home - half listen, get a faint idea, and decide to just trust my instinct tomorrow. Why would I ever think that would ever help me in any way? My instinct failed me. So did the Formula One race track built throughout the entire city. And a very friendly, funny tour guide who "jokingly" asked why I'm going to a "break-away" (AKA non-Catholic) church, and pointed me toward a Catholic cathedral that he thought I'd enjoy. My eyes misted and a little froggy grew in my throat. I was so set on going to the Vineyard. So set on tasting that tiny little bit of home. So determined to not have to post on Facebook, "Oh yeah guys, that thing I was REALLY looking forward to in Dublin didn't happen because I got frustrated and lost." I wasn't taking no for an answer. He did happen to tell me which way of the city was south-side, so I headed in that direction. One incredibly helpful Tourist Info man, a sprint in the rain through St. Steven's park, a shop clerk, and a full circle around the correct building later - I made it at 11:01. Honestly only by the grace of God. I cannot give any credit to my own grace, which was out the window by this point. The Dublin Vineyard didn't blow my mind. You know why? As the nice girl who walked me back into the city (in the right direction this time) said, "The Body of Christ is different yet pretty much the same everywhere you go. It's Home." The message was wonderful. It was slightly evangelical, which usually turns me off, but the pastor was so enthusiastic that I was actually very encouraged. Dublin seems a lot like Worcester. Perhaps slightly spiritually dead? (Someone correct me if you feel differently, I've barely been here three days.) Lots of Catholics following lots of rules, but the pastor said that out of a few hundred people, probably only .5% have ever had a connection with Jesus. A woman named Mary then was asked to come speak, and she said that she tries not to talk to people "about Jesus" because she knows that really turns people off, but instead she asks God what He is doing in their lives, and she tries to follow that. She answers their questions about church, she listens to their needs, she loves them. Then she throws in that Jesus loves them, too. And usually she gets a good response, she says. The pastor taught about something called the Locard Principle. It says that "every contact leaves a trace." This is a principle from forensic science, but can be applied to Christianity. We don't have to be Bible Thumpers to leave an impression. We don't have to freak people out to love them. Just love them! That, in itself, is God showing up - and He will take care of the bigger picture of ther life. We don't have to drag them into the river and baptize them right then and there. Every contact will leave a trace. Relax. God's got it. I wrote in my journal the following prayer: God, let me bear fruit in Dublin and everywhere I go the next six weeks. Lead me. Let me bear fruit. Let me leave a trace of You everywhere I go. Thank you for this day and for bringing me here. I love you. I won't go on any longer, but I did want to mention that I did make a new friend at the church who is moving to Massachusetts really soon! I told her all about the Woo and she wants to check it out! Yay new friends all aound the world! Love you all. xoxo