What have I been up to?

It's been a good amount of time since I've written a post about what is happening over here in Northern Ireland with me. Well there is a reason for that. I have been so busy with my university work and have had such a drive to get things done that it's left me at point where I felt I needed to make some time management choices. I have not wanted to leave the blog without posts, but it takes me so much time to write, that I just did not get a post up. But also, as I said in another small blog, I needed to share some things with my family before I posted it here and catching each other on Skype seems sometimes difficult for us to do.

So back to my university work ... it's what's kept me very busy. Right now, I am finishing the second semester out of three for my master's degree. This course has had it's ups and downs but I've found that it is pushing me further than I ever thought it would have.

Before coming to Northern Ireland I had very little information in regards to the program I would be undertaking. Looking back it's probably good that I hadn't know much about it, had I any clue what that course would really be, there is high probability that I wouldn't have applied. It's called the Master's of Design Communication. I had many questions from people when I began what the communication part meant. I now know—it means business. This is a design and business course. In this semester, I am finishing a few classes about being an entrepreneur. I have and am searching for funding options. I am writing a market analysis. I have written sales pitches. I have used the terms 'customer' and 'user' far more than I thought I ever would. There is the design part of it all and that has been fun and challenging, but it's the easier part of it all. Business is not my thing. These types of things do not align to how my brain easily functions. But this challenge—it's an opportunity. It is a door being opened to me. It is an invitation from our creator to be take a spark, an idea, a hope He's placed in me to and make it more than just course work. SOOOOOOOOO MUCH MORE!

I am part of a church here in Northern Ireland called Causeway Coast Vineyard, and it's a wonderful community that really embraces this idea that we are God's Trusted Rulers. We are people chosen to carry the message of God into all areas of life- our jobs, our homes, our schooling— any place we go. In the evenings, once a month they've began a gathering called Sacred Space for 20s/30s and it has the on-going theme of How Can I Change The World? Back in February when then first one occurred, I sat listening to the speaker talk about politics and affecting the outcome of our cities with the decisions we make at the polls and through initiatives we follow or ignore. I was really intrigued and my brain was working overtime. How can I change my world? How? My course work was on the forefront of my mind. I began praying about it during that service, and then I overwhelmingly sensed God as he began speaking to me. What He spoke was that the work I was completing, yeah, it wasn't going to be just course work, but a project His hand is on. It's something He has put in me. He showed me, it is among the reasons I'm in Northern Ireland in this program I didn't know much about and in this community of Coleraine. And, it's only beginning. I left Sacred Space that night, excited and scared. I knew I needed to begin talking and sharing about the work I was doing.

The project I am working on is called The Community Hope Project, and it is an interactive website that holds the premise that a city can be changed and transformed through Hope. It works on the idea that when people participate in simple actions of storytelling, service, and appreciation, the face of city will begin to reflect a hopefulness that can then change economies, schools, neighborhoods, friendships and more. The support of the project is that when we place value on the hope we carry as a community, the hope will begin to reflect back to us, and the whole dynamic of a community can change. The project begins as a website that bridges the people of the community—the organizations and the individuals. It is a gathering place where stories of hope and inspiration can be shared in written or photographic form. It hosts a database of community organizations throughout Coleraine, listing their contact information and descriptions. The site will offer a listing of volunteer opportunities. These opportunities will satisfy the needs of the organizations but also allow the volunteers to be involved where they have more interest and feel they can make a stronger contribution. Finally, the site includes a place were you can simply say thank you to a community organization or another person, just because they’ve done something good for you.

I have gotten many questions on why I am doing this project. Why complete an entire masters course on Hope? At first I it was hard to answer that. It was just something I was so drawn to. I could not think of another topic that was going to keep my interest for an entire year, but the words 'Community' and 'Hope' rang in my thoughts all the time. These words were the only thing I could begin to think about. At the time the course was beginning, Hope was what I was clinging to myself, and I needed help to find it.

When I moved into Coleraine, as I often do in a new place, I went out and explored. I saw that Coleraine is an incredible community, and one that has a lot to give. But in my experience coming to Coleraine, there were and are people who don't see that value.

I feel that in that night at Sacred Space, God was telling me that the value of this town, the outlying areas, and all of Northern Ireland need to be shown and told what that value can be, but it needs to be from the voices of all who are here.

My project, until that night in February, was a case study– something I did not think would go further than September of this year. But as a believer, as one who sees and know the Hope of God— how could I talk about Hope, how could I study it, and research its affects, and purpose ways to spread hope in a community, but then drop it? I can't.

With my teachers at the uni, I began talking about it the project as something I was going to make a real go at instead of a case study. I was basically told that they'd been waiting for me to say that. It had potential that could not just be left at the end of the program. I shared the project with a few of the Pastors at the church, and as encouragers of trusted rulers, they have given so much support. They have prayed for me and they have motivated me. They have also introduced me to key figures of who could help me make this go further. I have shared this with my family. They needed to hear about these thoughts and plans before I announced it to the world, but they too are supportive.

I am excited to say that I'm trying to make The Community Hope Project a live program. I'm not sure how it's going to happen– be it an initiative through the Coleraine Borough Council or a non-profit organization. However, to make it a live thing, it changes my plans for after school is complete. I have felt that school was the beginning of my time here and that there would be more, and maybe this is it. My actions are moving towards staying in Northern Ireland to see what God is going to do with this project. It will take skill, it will take money, and it will take many other people.

It’s been a struggle to wrap my head around it all. My human nature says I am not qualified, but My Saviour says I am. The course has taught me skills I would not have had before and it's equipping me. If I had known about the business aspect of this course I wouldn't have been in this program. Nevertheless, the path God has sets us on is only fully seen when we look back isn't it? He brought me thus far.

Since this shift in February, I have had a strong purpose and drive in this project, and I'm seeing so much favor on it. It makes me want to go higher, push further, and walk blindly, because it's under control.

So what's next:
I finish the semester this week, but I'll continue with the programming and the research of the site. I will continue to look for funding. I will begin a process for my next visa. I look for other people to get involved, which seems to happen. I will complete semester three.

In the last few weeks, I have searched for funding, and been pointed in a couple of strong directions. And I'm trying to follow through with them. One I sent an inquiry to, they wanted to hear more, and wanted to know how much money I would need. Their award limit was £5,000 and I have asked for that. It will not be enough for it all, but it's a start. That was a nerve-racking moment pressing send on that email as £5,000 is a lot. A LOT.

Another direction is the Coleraine Borough Council- the governing body of the town. This coming Tuesday, I've been invited to a meeting with them, to present my project. This is a huge step.

I need your prayers for this project. On Tuesday, I need prayers for wisdom, eloquence of words, and ease of nerves.

This has been a really long post, so thank you for your attention if you've made it this far. I so appreciate the thoughts and kind words I've received as there's been a quiet period from me. Things are slowing down for a short bit before another crazy period. I hope in that time of the next few weeks to post more about the travels I've done, and will be doing and just about some other things that are happening with me. Please as always, send me updates on you. I love to hear how things are in your lives, and how I can be praying for you. Selah.

If you want to see the background work on my project, smaller glimpses of the thoughts and processes I’ve been going through, have a look at the uni blog I’ve been keeping.
http://kmilburn-mdes.blogspot.com