Inspire 2018

Celebrating 150 Years of Scripture Union
In October 2010 I was sitting in the office
in Dun Laoghaire and received a call from
the Chairperson of SU Council who said
we had received a significant gift from a
totally anonymous donor. Like all General
Directors of Charities my head started to race
with anticipation and sums like €50,000 or
even €100,000 came into my mind. No, this
incredibly generous donor wanted to give
€1,000,000 yes one million euro to undertake
this project. I sat there and simply wept with
joy!’
It is simply amazing that the funds would be
supplied during a recession. God works in
amazing ways and through all sorts of people.
The upgrade, not only of the manor house but
also the addition of high rope activities, has
been a major highlight for Jim but the real
amazement has been the incredible up take of
mid-week school retreats at Ovoca Manor. Jim
explains that the development of this ministry
is due in part to the kindness of one individual.
Jim loves telling this story…‘Around the same
time of the extension project we were reflecting
on the passage in Luke 10: 5-9 where Jesus
sends his disciples out to evangelise and gives
them what seems like rather odd instructions.
He tells them “When you enter a house, first
say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace
is there, your peace will rest on him. ... Stay in
that house, eating and drinking whatever they
give you. ... Do not move around from house
to house. ... Heal the sick who are there and
tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you,’”
___
“God works in
amazing ways
and through all
sorts of people”
___
Over the years I have been amazed at how the
Lord has advanced the mission of SU through
us finding this ‘Person of Peace’. One such
person was a very random encounter with the
then Head of RE in Gonzaga College Dublin
Mr Daniel Mc Neilis.
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