Dublin Just Because: Blessings in Balbriggan, June 22 Evening

On Thursday evening we were invited to the home of Figueiredo (Fika) and Maria Dula and their four children: Madeline (13), Jeb (9), Dubela (7), and Mathilde (4).

They live in the sweet town of Balbriggan, right on the Irish Sea. It's not far from Laytown, where I stayed my first day in Ireland.

We took the train from the Tara Street Station and Figueiredo and a new friend, Cesar, picked us up.

Their home was warm and inviting. There was another fellowship in the Branch who had come to join us, the Nkangas: Remy, the dad, Benedict, his college-age son, Happiness, another son, and Grace, 13.

We had a full living room. These believers are from Angola and DRC and have all known each other for years. They all have lived in Ireland for over a decade. All of the Dulas' children are Ireland-born.

Jeb led fellowship in a very dignified manner. We sang hymns in English, French, and Portugese. Madeline taught fellowship based on The Way Magazine article, "The Love of God Rejoiceth Not in Iniquity." She did very well. To close fellowship, we each introduced ourselves and shared something about ourselves.

Pictures of the living room where we had fellowship

Showing the poster

Showing the ministry books

Then we were invited to the kitchen for a FEAST of food--- plantain and chicken and Irish lamb, and salad and curry potatoes and cabbage and more.

This was followed by delicious almond cake made by Madeline, which I think we neglected to photograph, but it was delicious!!

We talked for hours around the table. We talked of the ministry in DRC and mutual acquaintances from that time. We found we all had a common person we loved, Andre Zakampani. We talked about Ireland and its history, which the young people were engaged in. They learn this in school. We talked about them coming to the U.S. for the Advanced Class and a visit. And we sang and we would have stayed all night, but it was getting late. It was after 11 before the Nkangas packed up to go and we needed to go also. Figueiredo drove us home with Madeline and Mathilde along to keep him company on the way home.