The Funky Fish

As I stood there in front of all these teenagers, I began to share my story about how Jesus is real and how I have a personal relationship with Him. I had no time to prepare, so my words seemed like they were fumbling out of my mouth. But in the end, to my surprise, I watched as each teenager, aged between 13-18 years old, started to bombard me with questions about how Jesus is real. They began to ask me to ask the Lord what He thinks of each of them. These kids were proclaimed atheists, believing in that moment that I could possibly hear from God. So as they asked me, I asked Jesus. I was nervous, yes, but more so excited. The words that came to me from the Lord for these kids seemed so simple and almost too grand for it to have any impact, but I was wrong. The words I received began to impact these kids.

One kid was named Johnny. He was a loud-mouthed, goofy 15 year old who stood on his belief of atheism. He asked me what Jesus thought of Him. I got a picture of fire...that was it. I told him and watched as his eyes grew and he started to grab his head, saying, "I love fire! How did you know?" The rest of the night continued, and Johnny, who always seems to be the center of attention, walked outside by himself to think about what had happened. I went out to talk with him. The only word he could use to describe what had happened was "Weird". He was speechless, realizing that there could potentially be a God reaching out to him that very moment. I encouraged him to ask the Lord to prove He is real. I said that it will take a leap of faith no matter what you choose to believe. 

The night came to a close and everyone was leaving. It was a crisp night in Bandon, and at around 11pm, we began to say our goodbyes. Johnny walked out of The Funky Fish cafe (yes, that was the name of it) we were at, looked back with a surprised look on his face, and then asked if his friends had called his name. All the teenagers denied they said anything. He then ran to the owner of the cafe and said, "It sounded like a friend called my name. I realize it was Jesus! He is real...He is real! I know it now!"

This testimony of our time in Ireland was just one of many amazing things that our team saw. From hearings and miracles, to seeing an atheist get encountered by the Lord, and we just got to play a small part in the bigger picture for this nation. 

If any of you want to hear more stories, please email me and ask me, I would love to share more of what the Lord has been doing. 

I am now back in Kona, Hawaii. We graduated all the Awaken DTS students yesterday and officially said farewell to this past season.

I am finishing up my time here in Kona with staff debriefing as well as joining the prayer and worship crew for another month. I am heading to Colorado to spend the rest of the year with my family and to greet my new niece who was born while I was gone! I am more than excited for this next season to rest in the Lord and truly seek Him with what could be next for me.

So first off, thank you ALL who supported me financially and through prayer. Sorry for the lack of updates, but thank you for sowing into my season of amazing growth with Jesus and my absolutely incredible time in Ireland. I would not have been able to do it without you guys! And you guys get to reap the rewards as well!

If you could continue to pray for me as I transition out of Kona into a season of seeking Jesus with community and family, that would be an amazing blessing! I need your prayers!

Thank you all again!

--Daniel

---York