“Listening with Our Eyes”

“Belfast Northern Ireland and the McCracken Memorial Presbyterian Church Yuma, First Presbyterian Church

Matthew tells us that when Jesus stepped off the boat and saw the great crowd, “he had compassion on them.” Before any miracle, before any teaching, before any bread was broken, Jesus simply looked — and in looking, he listened. He listened with his eyes. He perceived hunger, weariness, longing, and hope. His compassion began not with words but with attention.

That same spirit shaped our mission journey to McCracken Memorial Presbyterian Church in Belfast. We arrived with plans, supplies, and a schedule — but the real ministry began when we slowed down enough to see. In Messy Church, we listened with our eyes as children splattered paint, built crafts, and revealed their joy. We saw curiosity and courage in young faces eager to learn. At the Taughmonagh elementary school, as brushes swept across walls and hands cleared the schoolyard, we saw pride growing in the teachers and gratitude rising in the neighborhood. We received a heartfelt email from the principal expressing her deep appreciation of the work that was accomplished. “This would have taken me years to do on my own,” Avril said.

And in the warm fellowship of McCracken’s congregation, we saw faith lived with generosity, humor, and steadfast love. Our mission team of 18 were filled with the love of Christ’s spirit as we embarked on this journey. (Our group included a multigenerational group from 10 years old to 80).

Like the disciples, we sometimes wondered whether we had enough — enough energy, enough time, enough skill. But Jesus’ words echo across the centuries: “You give them something to eat.” Bring what you have. Offer your loaves and fish. Trust that God multiplies what is given in love. And God did. Our small offerings — paint strokes, songs, games, prayers, conversations — became abundance. They became relationship. They became shared ministry.

On August 9, 2026, when Rev. Michael Fitzsimmons stood in McCracken’s pulpit to preach, it was a moment of holy multiplication — two congregations, two cultures, one table. Symbolically, bread was broken in Belfast nourished hearts in Yuma. Compassion traveled both directions.

The theme of our devotions, “listening with our eyes,” became the thread that tied the whole week together. It reminded us that mission is not fixing, rescuing, or accomplishing. Mission begins with seeing — truly seeing — the image of God in one another. When we listen with our eyes, we notice needs before they are spoken, joys before they are celebrated, and burdens before they are named. We become attentive disciples, ready to offer our loaves and fish, trusting God to do the multiplying.

And just like the crowd on the hillside, we left Belfast filled — not only with food, but with fellowship, gratitude, and the quiet miracle of shared compassion.

We look forward to our partnership with the McCracken church in the future. Perhaps a Presbytery team in the future can be assembled. If you are interested, please contact me at mjfitz523@gmail.com. Maybe there is interest in 2027 or 2028?