I hear music in the streets of Dublin...

Yesterday was a most amazing day here in Dublin City! It started off with a great morning or Devo and prayer before the others awakened. We enjoyed a beautiful breakfast, thanks to Laura, filled Crepes, sausage, toast, and fruit (I filled mine with Banana's and Nutella). We then walked to St. Catherine's Cathedral, which is now the site of CORE Church where the Pettit's attend here in dublin. A beautiful old building (AD 1769) but modernized a bit too. I love it. We met with a member of the staff, Paddy, who has been involved in ministry in Dublin (where he has lived all his life). He told us all about the church and what all they are doing in the church as well as outreach to Dublin as a whole. We talked about Rubicon and what we are about as well. It was a very encouraging conversation as we encouraged each other for Christ. After we left there some big things took place. It was a beautiful day of partly cloudy/partly blue skies with the sun shining through (nearly 180 from day before, filled with rain). As we walked from the Church, heading towards a huge park where loads of people are, I decided instead of carrying the guitar that I would just play as we walked. We had a blast, as did others around us. I was making up songs about our environment or people that we were around. I know what you are thinking "Oh, Lord Kyle" which you know could be dangerous for me but it was received unbelievably. One guy was sitting on some stairs drinking coffee and eating a Snickers so I made up a song about him and how I was jealous of his Snickers bar. He and his friend loved it. While standing at a stop light a guy stood next to me with headphones in. I told him that if he would play his music then he wouldn't have to worry about batteries. We laughed and talked for a while. God kept opening doors thru this random act, more than I could've ever thought or have done just walking up to them. People were engaging with us as a result too. As we got close to the Park there was 2 young guys playing traditional Irish music: 1 with a guitar and 1 with a Ullian Pipes (Elbow small version of bag pipes) but sitting on a Cajon (a box drum which I use at home). As they saw me with the guitar they called me over and asked me to Jam with them. I told them I couldnt hold my own on guitar but would love to play the Cajon. 30 minutes or more later we had played some Irish & some American music building quite a quick friendship/bond. We exchanged email addresses and encouraging words (though his had some words I won't repeat) and we moved on. We later saw them 2 more times and they made me come play drums with them. Such a God thing, as these places were so far removed from each other and random that we even passed. We finally made it to the park, after seeing such wonderful acts throughout this Creative Arts city: Accordians, Banjo, Violin, Australian Juggler on a 9 foot tall unicycle, and amazing guitarists. There was a large fountain in the center of the park where we made our home. I began to just play simple chords, no singing, and some people came and sat near to listen. One woman and what was probably a 1 year old boy walked by but the boy stopped, stared, and then began to dance. It was probably the cutest thing ever...we have video! They are from Dublin, she later said it was the first time they have been in the park that the boy had sat still (technically he was standing and dancing) but she thanked us and we had a good talk. Several others began to come around until a pretty decent crowd gathered...which of course brought the police to break it up and ask us to leave. They were very nice about it though, I'll give them that. More of the same on the way back to the Apt and even later in the evening. It was such a beautiful day but seeing God use us made it the most beautiful day yet on this trip. Thanks for your prayers! We are taking a train to the coast this morning to see what God will do in us and to see some amazing sights. Sorry for the long note but as you might be able to tell, I'm on cloud nine! In Christ, Rubicon!!

Day 1 and 2 Dublin!

Can't believe we are already finishing day 2 of Dublin. Yesterday was a gorgeous day here. Very warm and sunny. We toured a huge part of the city, just walking everywhere of course. The missionaries have not driven here since they moved over a year ago. No need everything is within walking distance or they have good public transportation. So we walked around getting familiar with the city and seeing where the places of ministry could take place. After hours of walking around the girls headed back with Laura, the missionaries wife, to the Apt via public transporation while Jim and I slowly made our way back on foot seeing more places and event he church they are attending/helping at: CORE Church. The CORE Church was St. Catherine's Church said to have been built in 1769. Very beautiful old building. After we got home the Pettit's had a previous engagement so as the girls rested I practiced up on the guitar. We later strolled around close to Apt, ate dinner, and went to the Market (like GreenLife) for some groceries. The Pettit's have a beautiful Apt and have been so accommodating to let us stay here. The girls have their own room with a nice large bed and bath. I am staying in the living room on a palet of cushions I made from the couches but am more than satisfied considering the arrangements I've had on other trips like this. Ha. Today we got up and after devo, practice on guitar, and breakfast we took off with Guitar in hand and ready to see what God had in store and did we... It was a thick mist almost to the point of rain but really wet regardless. We looked and it was 80% chance of the same all day, so I brought back the guitar and decided to just chance it on foot. Well other than maybe an hour, 12 hours later, it is still raining steady. So we braved it on foot and tried to seek out opportunites for conversations along the way. Got to see some wonderful sights and meet some cool people along the way. Went to St. Patrick's Cathedral (AD 1192), Christ Church Cathedral (AD 1030), Dublin Castle (AD 1204), Jonathan Swift's place (Author of Gulliver Travels and Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral at one time), and finished in Temple Bar (which is a Bar but they call a 4-square block of the city Temple Bar for some reason). We only saw one street musician the whole time, the one hour it didn't rain. We had dinner at a place that had authentic Irish music played live. They noticed "we weren't from around here" and we had fun with that. They ended with "Country Road Take Me Home", not sure if that was for our benefit or not. Haha. I had a good conversation with them after their set, offered to help them carry out their stuff. They thanked me 3 different times for the kindness and talk. I pray God shines on them in the days to come. They are playing again Thursday so I'm going to try and stop by, if just for a second to follow up with the talk. Pray for us. The weather tomorrow seems promising comparitively, 20% chance of rain. So the plan is to get up and do some ministry around town until we meet with someone from the CORE church to discuss ministry in general and how we could help each other this week and in the future. Don't know what God has after that. Will let you know. In Christ, KYLE

Belgium Waffles...in Newark?

As our original plans, to have Belgium Waffles for breakfast in Brussels Belgium, changed we were still able to have waffles here in Newark, NJ. Not quite the same but we are leaning on God for every step of this trip and will make the best of any situation He allows us to be in. Like having to wear the same clothes the next day and have to get toothbrush and stuff from the Hotel because our bags are in holding at the airport waiting for tonights flight to Brussels. Ok, I'm sure by now you are wondering what happened. Let me just give you the quick version: Some unforeseen issues at the ATL airport got us to Newark late so we missed our flight. i will write more later. heading into NYC now! Making the best of it. In Christ

Bumpy Road to Ireland...

It has definitely been a bumpy road since I first confirmed the Ireland trip and put together the Team that I felt was from God.  From Team Changes to Last minute Itinerary Changes we have had to definitely lean on God for this trip to come together.  With some details still not completely ironed out 2 days from leaving we have trusted this trip in God’s hands and know that He will allow what He wants to happen!

Team Rubicon Changes:  First, Woody Viveros was not able to go due to several issues.  Second, Brandolyn found out that she had to be here in Chattanooga those weeks as she is a teacher changing schools.  Third, Chris found out that he would not be able to go for issues with school.  So what was 6 has now turned into 3 but originally I was going by myself so I look at it as 3 times the manpower.  I use the term “manpower” loosely as it turns out to be my two closest sisters in Christ and I now going.  Meet Paige and Stacy!

Paige Daniels:  I have known this 21 year old literally since she was born.  I used to carry her around when she was in diapers.  I was working with the youth when she first came into the you group and was only 48 pounds and almost didn’t get to go WhiteWater Rafting because of it (her first trip).  I have had the privilege of seeing her grow up as I’m very close to her family.  In fact I spent Thanksgiving with her family after my parents moved to Chicago.  We refer to each other as brother and sister, even when we introduce the other to friends.  Paige was in the Sign Worship Drama Team “RUSH: Rising Up Serving Him!” that we had during my Youth Pastor Years.  She led the team of between 4 and 8 people, at different points, to learn or even direct original choreographed movements to songs.  This brings life to songs and led to them performing for other churches and even some larger Youth Events.  After I resigned as Youth Pastor they stayed together and we traveled for 8 months until God moved one member and another got married.  Ever since then Paige has had a desire to start over and this will be the fire that will ignite great things, I believe.  She has been practicing and will be performing (2) different Sign Worship Dramas at various points on this trip along with skits that we will do different places.  She is very excited for this opportunity but is already excited about coming back to Chattanooga and starting RUSH back up with new people from around Chattanooga.  Please pray that God uses Paige Daniels and her heart for Drama across Europe.

Stacy Rosenbaum:  I have known this 23 year old for over a decade.  She grew up around the church where I was Youth Pastor.  One of my earliest memories of Stacy was when she was barely old enough to be in the Youth and she went to a Lock-In that I put on at the downtown YMCA.  Though I didn’t know her well we totally hit it off and she quickly became like a little sister even that night.  She was so outgoing and participated in everything without question.  She actually won the MVP award which was a Cross Necklace, that she still has today 10 years later.  My most fond memory though of Stacy was in 2007 when 28 of us from the Youth went to Myrtle Beach, SC for a Student Life Camp featuring Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio.  One of the nights Louie Giglio was preaching about sin and the penalty of it, which is death.  Louie did not leave it there though, he offered Hope!  Hope that Stacy had heard of before but had never considered before that point.  That night she gave her heart to Jesus and was from that day to this, Radically changed.  Stacy wanted to be involved in any and every aspect but found her place in ministry with Drama.  Quickly she became my go-to Drama star and even helped come up with Dramas over the years.  For the last year plus she has had the opportunity to get out of her comfort zone and live in Hawaii but this week moved back to Chattanooga just in time to fulfill her dream for years now of serving God as a missionary but even moreso as she will be using her gifts to do so.

I am very proud to know both of these women and their hearts for God and His work.  Their gifts and talents but more their willingness to use them for Christ is what makes me most proud.  It has been my pleasure to have been a part of their lives as Big Brother, Mentor, Pastor, and Friend. 

Together the three of us make up Team Rubicon and together we have submitted to God our time, talents, and treasures as we embark on this glorious journey across Europe in an effort to use Creative Arts to share Christ with whomever He brings into our path.  Please pray that God will protect us and provide for us in the 2 weeks to come!  We look forward to sharing with you all the wonderful stories and pictures upon our arrival back in the US on August 5^th.   Pray4us!

In Christ,

Kyle Hawkins

Team Rubicon

Ireland 2012