Blog

Leaving Ireland

Thu, 8 May 2008 21:58:03 +0100

Here we are coming to an end of a great Irish journey. Things have gone so well over the course of the last month and what a wonderful life that God so graciously gives. From the beauty of the land to the goodness of the people, Ireland is such a wonderful place. Lanny and I have really experienced a wonderful memory and we are thankful for it.  Yesterday we wrapped up around 9 days and 160 miles of riding. We experienced all different kinds of weather and met even more kinds of people. We left Galway with a wonderful send-off from the Abundant Life Fellowship here and started on our way. We were welcomed into homes and into lives all across Ireland. There was only one night when we had to get out the bedrolls and pitch a tent. The rest of the nights were spent in different peoples homes. I averaged between 15 and 20 miles a day and the pony I was riding held up grand. Halfway through the trip he was named by a young schoolgirl. When the kids asked if he had a name I replied that he didn't, so one of the young girls happily suggested "Brownie". Well the name stuck and though it isn't much of a cowboy name the kids liked it all the same.  We finished off by riding right into the heart of Dublin. We took the Christian flag and lifted up the name of Jesus Christ right in the heart of the city. God gave us so much grace from the horse to the authorities it all went so well. I finished off the trip on 2fm radio on Tuesday. Rick O'Shea had me on his program and it was sure a lot of fun.  It is really amazing at times how much exposure this ministry has received. It is so amazing how God can use something as simple as a guy riding a horse carrying a flag to cause such a stir. I had people all across Ireland coming up to me and knowing everything about what I was doing. From where I was from in the States to my horse’s name. People knew all the details. It was pretty touching at times when different people would share their heart and tell me they were really encouraged by what I was doing. Praise God!!  What makes me stop to think at times when I'm experiencing the blessing of being here is that it never would have happened if I'd of listened to my flesh. It took me a long time to build the faith to buy the ticket on the airplane that brought me over here. There were days when I would fill the form out on the computer to buy the ticket - from the dates of the flight to the credit card info. I'd have everything filled out with only one thing left to do. Hit the submit button. I knew that if I hit that submit button that I was committed. I knew this is what God wanted me to do but how hard it was to take the step of faith and come all the way over here to Europe to pursue something as crazy as riding a horse across Europe. There is great commitment in that single word. Submit. This is what God desires each of us to do. Even if it sounds crazy and completely insane. If God calls you into something don't question His calling and don't listen to the devil tell you a slew of lies about why you shouldn't submit. In order for a person to be "born again" you must hit that submit button. You must surrender. "Not my will Lord, but Thine will be done". Total Surrender. This is God's desire and this is where life begins.  It has also been amusing as well that most of the people that were moved the most were not necessarily the religious people. I had different folks come up to me and tell me they weren't religious at all but that they were moved by what I was doing. The only "religious" person I had come up to me on the whole trip across Ireland was a priest outside of Kinnegad. As he pulled up he was interested in what I was doing. He told me that he heard about the ministry and just wanted to know a little more. He then quickly informed me about how the Israeli government wouldn't allow some priests inside the western wall in Jerusalem. After filling me in on all the gossip through a half cracked window of his car trying to avoid the pouring rain he kindly said goodbye and drove away. As he was pulling away I was in prayer for a place to lay up and get out of the rain. Sure would've been nice if he could have helped out.  What a blessing it was to Lanny and I just after visiting with this priest that we met the Beglin family just outside of Kinnegad. They so graciously invited us into their home and put our horse up and gave us warm beds to sleep in. When Mrs. Beglin saw us coming down the road she prayed and asked God in prayer how she could help us. She found herself going to the Word and reading in scripture the parable of the good Samaritan.(Luke 10:29-37) Through prayer and through God's Word Mrs. Beglin graciously invited us into her home. She is a wife and mother of a very devout and religious Irish Catholic family. They are very proud of their heritage and they live out their faith by their lives and by their works. May God bless them for the blessing they were to us.  As I was making my way across Ireland the d.j. from the 2fm radio station told his listeners that if they saw the cowboy on the horse to honk their horns and flash their lights. This was sure amusing all across Ireland I had people flashing their lights and honking their horns. It was an encouragement to me whenever I'd see guys driving by giving me the thumbs up and smiling and waving. Good Stuff.  We got back in here to Galway late last night. Brownie got dropped off out at Mr. Leahy's place pretty late and I know he was happy to get out of the trailer. We have kinda been lounging for most of the day today and I'm thinking we'll be heading out late tonight back to Dublin. The ferry leaves at 8:45 a.m. from Dublin to Holyhead, North Whales. I reckon we'll drive in tonight to beat the traffic, camp out there and catch the ferry in the morning.   I'm not sure what is going to happen with our horse situation. The horse we used was on a lease agreement so depending on how the meeting goes this afternoon we may be horseless once again. Lanny has been on the computer most of the day and it looks like horses in England are at least a little cheaper than they are here in Ireland. It sure would be nice to find some type of sponsorship with our horses on this trip.   I don't know if it will be at all possible but I'd sure like to make Paris by the end of the month. There is a revival going on in Paris at this time and Lord knows I'd sure like to be there. Things are sure going to have to come together quick though and I'm gonna need to have some good horses under me pronto.  Well I'll write again when there is new news and until then may God Bless you and keep you close.  Love in Christ, Couy James 4:7-10

2fm Radio Interview

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:02:47 +0100

The following radio interview was broadcast Monday 28th May, on Ireland’s leading radio station, 2fm. Click below to play audio recording.

The Journey Begins Again

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:33:07 +0100

Hello All,
 After another long, good day I feel truly blessed. Today was such a testimony to answered prayer. From the grace to ride all over Galway to the nice sunny weather I could see God's favor in so many places. I'll give a quick re-cap of the day.  We got up early this morning, got around, and headed out to pick up the horse. Alan Duigan from here in Galway helped us out in getting the horse to town. We began the morning right around 10:00 a.m. We left out from the Spanish Arches here in Galway. This is as far west in Ireland as you can possibly get. Right on the coast of the Atlantic. We met Pastor Kevin Sanford there and a large group from the Abundant Life Fellowship here in Galway. We spent the next 2 hours riding around Galway and handing out Gospel tracts and speaking to folks about Jesus. We handed out over 2,000 pieces of literature. From tracts to New Testaments the Word went out.   I got started on the ride at about 12:00 noon. Heading out of Galway horseback I spoke to lots of folks and really had a good days ride. I wound up riding around 16 miles and really had a trouble free day. My horse had a quirk or two but overall did well. He still gets a little irritated every once in a while but for the most part he does well.   Tomorrow we are planning on going to church in the morning and then riding through the afternoon. I'm gonna try and get about 11 more miles behind us and tomorrow evening we'll be staying out at Mr. Willie Leahy's place. Tonight will be the last night here at Alan and Darren's place. I'm not sure when we will get online again but when we do I'll write another update.  There is a fellow believer from here in Galway, Padraig Costello, who has uploaded some videos from this morning on youtube. If a person would like to watch these videos they can be found at www.youtube.com/ridingforisrael.   This morning has been the start of a great adventure. I'm thankful and humbled by the calling and I look for God to open some amazing doors over the next few months.  Well I'll write again soon and until then God Bless and Happy Trails.  In Christ, Couy 2 Chronicles 7:14

Preparing for the Send-Off

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:31:29 +0100

Hello All,  After another full week of preparation I'm dead tired but feeling confident about the mission at hand. I've been horseback every day this week out at Mr. Willie Leahy's place and really getting familiar with a nice Irish Connemara pony. He's by far not bomb-proof but I feel that he will be fine to start off with. I've been riding him every day near the road and next to traffic and he has been doing just fine. After saying that I'm happy to announce that tomorrow is the big day. I will head out from Galway Ireland at 9:30 a.m. and begin the quest to ride across Europe horseback.   I have still been overwhelmed at times of the mission at hand but by God's grace and provision my soul's at ease. Over this last week Lanny and I have been so humbled by the Abundant Life Fellowships commitment to support this ministry. Just to give a bit of insight to the tremendous blessing they've been: They have blessed us with a really nice van that is insured, licensed and ready to go. 10,000 personalized tracts written personally by Pastor Kevin Sanford. A video phone (which will be used for you-tube videos to upload to site), a commitment to manage the web-site and a personal commitment to be the supply station for the entire trip. I'll tell you it is so overwhelming the love that they have shown to Lanny and I since we have arrived.   The church is planning a great send-off from a historical site in downtown Galway in the morning. The local media has also been contacted and I've been on the local radio and also in the local newspaper speaking about the ministry. The church is going to bring musical instruments and plenty of Gospel tracts.  I will ride (by God's grace) from Galway to Caughwell Ireland tomorrow. It is right around 15 miles and will be a good first days ride. I have roughly outlined an itinerary:  Saturday 26th--Galway to Craughwell--16miles Sunday 26th--Craughwell to Dartfield--11 miles Monday 27th--Dartfield to Balinasloe--15miles Tuesday 28th--Balinasloe to Athlone--16miles Wednesday 29th--Athlone to Fahreen--15 miles Thursday 30th--Fahreen to Rochfortbridge--16 miles Friday 1st May--Rochfortbridge to Griffinstown--9 miles Saturday 2nd-- Rest the Horse and ourselves Sunday 3rd--Griffinstown to Kilcock--21 miles Monday 4th--Kilcock to Dublin--21 miles  All in all it should be right around 150 miles and take right around 9 days ride. I hadn't been to Griffinstown yet but look forward to spending a day of rest there. It will be interesting to find out the history of this town. Maybe I'll find a distant relative.  I'm not sure when we will board the ferry to the U.K. but should be sometime around the first week of May. It will take us a bit longer to get across the U.K. but I hope and pray to be into France by the end of the month. There is an event called "March for Jesus" at the end of May in Paris and I'd love to make it there for this. Pastor Kevin Sanford will be there along with many other preachers and evangelists. After spending 6 years working in Paris at the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show I'd really love to make it back. This time for Jesus. Praise God!!  Everything has come together in such a blessed way. The dollar is weak and the euro is strong but I know that God will provide the way. I am still praying for provision as far as the horse goes. The horse I'm starting the trip on is pretty pricey and I'm hoping and praying for support. I have worked an agreement out with Willie Leahy to lease the horse for 50 euros a day. I'd like to keep the horse for the English side of the trip but have the option to return the horse after the Ireland trip. I'll just see how it goes. If I just rent the horse for the 10 days across Ireland it will be around 500 euros and if I find a way to buy the horse I can apply that amount to the total price of the horse. Gasoline is also a lot more expensive here. It's around $7.30 a gallon and Lanny and I have been burning quite a bit. I'm sharing this with you to not ask for support but to let anybody know that all support would be so greatly appreciated. I have recently added a pay-pal account to the site and it is secure and any money given would be directly routed to my account. I then receive a message on my e-mail verifying the amount and who it is from. Again, any donations would be very greatly appreciated.  Well my eyes are aching and I'm about completely give out. I will write again very soon to let you know how tomorrow goes. Please forgive me if this update sounds like a zombie wrote it but that's kinda the way I feel right now.  I'll write again soon and until then God Bless.  Love in Christ, Couy Griffin Romans 10:9,10

Week 1

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:05:41 +0100

My first week here in Ireland is coming to an end and what a great experience so far. I can't begin to explain how much favor the Lord has given me since arriving here in Ireland. From the traveling mercies to the wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ God is so faithful. The Christian brothers here in Galway have made us feel so at home here and the blessing through the Abundant Life Fellowship has been just that. ABUNDANT!! Praise God!! Pastors Kevin and Heather Sanford and the congregation here at Abundant Life have truly blessed us with the use of a church vehicle while here in Ireland. It has been such a blessing in making preparations for the trip and I thank God for their generous heart.  Lanny, myself and another brother from Abundant Life, Padraig, took Joseph to the airport in Dublin earlier today. This past week has been really special to have Joseph here in Galway with us. He is such a dear brother in Christ and a great inspiration for myself. Joseph has such a boldness for preaching the Gospel and is a true inspiration for any evangelist to be around. Praise God for Joseph's willing heart to serve the Gospel.  We have spent this last week making preparations for the trip and also going out into the streets and preaching the Gospel. This last week has been pretty busy with outreach and probably the biggest night happened last Thursday. We went out with a group from Abundant Life and really had a great night out witnessing the Gospel. We handed out many Gospel tracts and many one on one opportunities to share Christ. The most encouraging story of the night was told by Alan and Christen as they led a man in prayer to re-dedicate his life to Jesus. The man they prayed with had at one time been very involved in a religious church but over time had fallen away from the church and from fellowship. Alan and Christen shared with us how the man burst out in tears as they witnessed to him and how his tears turned to joy as he once again came before the cross. Praise God!  We plan to go to church here at Abundant Life in the morning and look forward to the fellowship at church. It'd be hard to put into words the blessing this church has been and I thank God for them.  Last night (Friday night) we really had a great evening. Lanny, who has such a heart for the Jewish people, led us in a Seder dinner for Passover. It was a great evening and we had around 12 people show up. Joseph prepared a great meal and the teaching by Lanny on Passover couldn't have been any better. We all prayed, sang songs and had a wonderful time of communion taking the Lord's supper. After dinner two Irish brothers, Padraig and Alan, played traditional Irish songs with the guitar and accordion and what a fun time we had. We learned some traditional Celtic dances and really had a good time.  I have plans on Monday to try out a horse. We met a man, Willie Leahy, who is probably one of the most well-known horseman in Ireland. I have spoken to Mr. Leahy on two different occasions and he has really been helpful. Mr. Leahy has a huge herd of horses and told me that he should have a horse to suit my purposes. Horses are sure a lot more expensive here in Europe than back home though. With the U.S. dollar being so weak and the horses being so pricey I'm sure hoping for God to continue to open doors. A guy could spend $5,000.00 on a horse really easy. I reckon I'll just stand on Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you". I know that as long as I'm seeking to serve God and fulfill the purpose He has given me a five thousand dollar horse is nothing.  After praying, checking our budget, and looking at the task before us we have changed our plans a bit. I believe we will start the ministry by me riding and Lanny going ahead beforehand in the car to make preparations. Lanny will take the car and scout out the road ahead making accommodations. From places to camp to places to keep the horse there will be details to be tended to and I know there’s none better than Lanny. This will also give Lanny a chance to share Christ as well.  Well I'll write again early this next week and share in our horse-trading experience here in Ireland. Until then Happy Trails and God Bless,  Love in Christ, Couy I Cor. 5:7