Dan
I was born into an Irish Catholic family in New York City. When I was a baby, our family moved down South looking for a better life. Though somewhat moral and a decent student, seeds of destruction planted in my childhood bore fruit in my last few years of high school. Binge drinking and drug abuse became a frequent occurrence. Knowing college was beyond my reach, but still searching for something better, I joined the Marine Corps. My searching ceased at a military mission church in Okinawa where I heard the gospel and accepted Christ as my Saviour. The transformation was radical. God graciously forgave my sin and welcomed me into His loving arms. The Marine who led me to Christ, Fred Auston, thoroughly discipled me.
Nearly one year later, the Marine Corps transferred me to Quantico, VA, where I began attending Heritage Baptist Church. The Lord allowed me to bear fruit in both the military and the bus ministry, where many of those who were saved are still faithfully serving Christ. While serving in these ministries, God called me to the mission field of Ireland during a preaching service.
One month after arriving at Heritage, I met my (then) future wife.
Beth
My parents were saved when I was 3 so I was raised in a Christian home.
I made a profession of faith at age 5. At age 12, our family moved. Our new pastor brought salvation into every message that he preached. I came under conviction that I was not truly saved. I tried to convince myself that I must be saved by doing good things at church. This did not bring me the peace of mind for which I longed. When at camp with my church youth group, the preacher made it quite clear that salvation is "Not by works of righteousness which we have done." It cannot be earned, but is freely given to all who simply place all their faith in Christ Jesus. That evening I swallowed my pride and accepted Christ as my Saviour!
During my senior year of high school, God worked on my heart about being a school teacher. I had other plans for my life. Turmoil filled my heart as I fought doing God's will for my life. Surrendering to God's will to be a teacher filled my heart with peace. To pursue this will, I went to Bible college to train to be a high school math teacher. While at Bible college, God worked on my heart about missions. I surrendered to go wherever God wanted me to go.
After graduating from Bible College, I moved to Northern VA to teach in Heritage Christian School. It was here that I met the man I was to marry, Daniel Canavan. We were married on November 3, 1990. Nearly two years later, Dan & I became the happy parents of triplets: Andrew, Becca & Caleb.
Andrew
Living In Ireland was just life. It was normal; I couldn't imagine anything else. When I was 5 years old, my parents began deputation, and by the time I was seven years old, Ireland was my new home. Could there have been an easier place to grow up? Yes. Could there have been a better place? For me, No. Ireland was the place God chose for my family, and also the place he chose for me to mature into the godly young man he would have me to be. From K5 to 11th grade, I was homeschooled by the most wonderful teacher in the world; upon entering my senior year, the Lord opened up the door, so that I was able to attend a Heritage Christian School, in Northern Virginia.
My Dad led me to the Lord when I was nine, on a park-bench in Southeast Dublin. When I was 14 years old, I heard a message about being wholly surrendered to the Lord, and it was there that I first fealt the call to missions. Throughout my teenage years, God has continued to lead me to missions, where I don't know, When, I don't know, but in preparation for his calling, I am studying Pastoral Ministries at the Crown College of the Bible.
Some of my hobbies include: piano, sailing, soccer, I am so thankful to God for giving me the faithful, dedicated and loving parents he has, and my amazing brother and sister. God has blessed me abundantly, even when situations don't quite seem to be fair. I only hope, that I can continue to be a testimony, encourager, and shining light of his truth.
Becca
Growing up in Ireland was very special to me for many reasons. One of those reasons is that is where I was saved. Although I made a profession of faith when I was five, I didn't make the decision for the right reason. I did it simply because I knew that was what I was supposed to do. At the age of nine, one night while my dad was preaching on hell, I realized I was a sinner, and the only way I could get to heaven was through Jesus Christ's death on the cross as a payment for my sin. That night I asked Jesus to save me, and he did. Later I was baptized with my brother Andrew. While Ireland may not be the place of my birth, it claims the title - home, in my heart. It is said "Your home is where your heart is," my heart is in Ireland. Partly it is the unsurpassed beauty of the Irish country, but nothing comes close to the relationships with the people I have had to leave behind. The friendship in our church has truly bonded us like a family. Working with my parents for the last ten years has helped me to see the tremendous need in reaching the Irish people! The burden of the Irish people is indelibly imprinted upon my heart. It was a privilege to grow up in Ireland. Of course, that doesn't mean it was without difficulties, but what situation is? I was blessed to have the best teacher in the world provide my education for the first eleven years of my life, she also happens to be my mother! For almost my whole life my dad has been my pastor, he has been a wonderful, Christ-like mentor to me. Together they have lovingly equipped me with invaluable advice, a godly outlook on life, and prepared me as I venture out into this next phase of my life.
This past year of furlough has been a wonderful and useful experience for me. I greatly enjoyed being a part of Heritage Baptist Church and School. Though both were a big adjustment, the people, by their warm and caring spirit, helped us to transition smoothly. It was a lot of fun participating in the activities of Heritage Christian School, especially the musical opportunities!
I will be attending the Crown College this fall along with my brothers. I am looking forward to this opportunity as I pursue a major in Elementary Education
Caleb
I have had the unique privilege of being a triplet and growing up on the mission field. When I was five, my parents started deputation to raise money to go to the mission field of Ireland. Half-way through deputation, at the age of six, I accepted Christ as my Savior. Following another year of deputation, we crossed the pond.
In Ireland, I had the opportunity of taking piano lessons from an older Irish gentleman who, in his younger years, had played in the National Concert Hall. While taking piano lessons, I began experimenting with writing my own music. At first, I wrote only simple piano compositions; however, in the past year-and-a-half, I have tried writing Christian songs to be sung. Though not educated in the laws of composing, I believe God has given me the ability to express my creativity in composing, and when I go to college, I plan on studying and improving myself in this area to more effectively serve God.
In addition to music, I would like to study engineering. Having taken Calculus and Physics in high school, my appetite has been whet to know more; therefore, after attending Crown College for a year, I plan to attend some other university to study mechanical engineering.
