Hey friends and family,

The trip is fast approaching and I've been slowly collecting the items I'll need. The following is a list of items on my "To Buy" list, but I'm hoping to borrow as many as possible. Please let me know if you can help me out?

Travel Alarm Clock

TSA approved locks

European Adapter

Converter

Inflatable neck pillow

Fast Drying Travel Towel

Raincoat (S or M)
Travel Sleeping Bag

Also, it turns out I'm not going to be in the southern part of Ireland (Co. Kilkenny), but central Ireland (Co. Roscommon). Elle, from OM, emailed the Impact Ireland Preparation Pack the other day. It's full of great tidbits, some recommendations, and history. In the next six weeks (!!!), I'd like to share what I'm learning about this country.

The following is from the Preparation Pack in regards to "understanding something of the complex history of Ireland in order to present the Gospel in a meaningful way and avoid the pitfalls.

1. Ireland has a long and noble history
The point for us is that Christianity is not of recent origin for the Irish. Ireland was evangelized relatively early and since then has been active in spreading the Christan faith. It is known as "the land of saints and scholars" and produced such wonderful masterpieces as the Book of Kells. For the Irish to have people coming to share the gospel with them can be viewed as an insult, especially when those young people come from the USA, the home of all the new "funny religions." The Irish may feel insecure in many areas, but in religion they believe they have the one true Church and have had it for a long time, in fact a lot longer than most nations have been around.