Team Newcastle West
Praise the Lord, someone came to the Lord this week! On Friday, Brian Aggett visited several travellers with Kathy Moriarty and a traveller named Miles professed salvation. Please pray for him.
We wrapped up kids club on Friday and were blessed with a good turn out and unusually sunny weather for the entire week. Several moms said they would be interested in later kids clubs.
We headed into downtown Dublin on Saturday planning to use the paint board but were rained out. We handed out tracts instead.
Today, Sunday, is the last day of our official duties. We leave tomorrow morning for our three-day team trip.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thursday, June 4
Hey everybody! Greetings and God Bless! Things are slowly wrapping up as our time is coming to a close. Today we letterboxed all day and worked really hard at getting magazine numbers to a minimum for Kevin and Katy when other members of the Waterford Team leave. Later into the evening, the men had some male bonding time and the women had a fellowship time with a couple other female members of the Waterford Assembly. We had a lot of fun and learned a few new things about ourselves and the others. We pray for continual support for the people we meet here in Ireland as well as for our work in the missions field. Have a great day and talk to you all very soon!
Friday, June 5
Today was a good day! We have less than one thousand magazines left! Over 14 000 magazines have been distributed across the Waterford area whose population is around 18 000. This afternoon we also travelled door-to-door again. Ashley and Deirdre, another member of the Waterford Christian Assembly had a really good conversation with James, a man who practices Gnosticism. He seemed really interested in what we had to say and hopefully he makes it out to the Gospel meeting we are holding tomorrow night at Dooley’s Hotel. They also got to speak to a Buddhist lady and although she was unwilling to speak at first she also seemed accepting of what they had to say. Please keep everyone in your prayers, especially with the Team Trip coming up and the travelling we will be doing across the country! That night Daniella, a lady from the Waterford Christian Assembly and her son Jordan came over and made a wonderful dinner for us. And a few others joined in a few games after dinner with some singing in between. That’s all for now and we will talk to you soon! Have a great day and God Bless!
Saturday, June 6
Ah Saturday, a relaxing day of the week no doubt and this morning we took a very nice break from doing our letterboxing that is now complete, or very, very, very nearly. After a great hot lunch made by Katy, we headed out to the city centre to do some more open air work. It was very cold and we got rained out, but we met a number of other believers, one man, named Dave was looking for an assembly to join. Kevin thinks we may join the Waterford Assembly which would be fantastic! Pray for him and the others posted in the blog above and before. The Team Trip is coming up and we head out to meet one another on Monday! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel across Ireland! Thanks very much for your support! Have a great day and God Bless!
Hey everybody! Greetings and God Bless! Things are slowly wrapping up as our time is coming to a close. Today we letterboxed all day and worked really hard at getting magazine numbers to a minimum for Kevin and Katy when other members of the Waterford Team leave. Later into the evening, the men had some male bonding time and the women had a fellowship time with a couple other female members of the Waterford Assembly. We had a lot of fun and learned a few new things about ourselves and the others. We pray for continual support for the people we meet here in Ireland as well as for our work in the missions field. Have a great day and talk to you all very soon!
Friday, June 5
Today was a good day! We have less than one thousand magazines left! Over 14 000 magazines have been distributed across the Waterford area whose population is around 18 000. This afternoon we also travelled door-to-door again. Ashley and Deirdre, another member of the Waterford Christian Assembly had a really good conversation with James, a man who practices Gnosticism. He seemed really interested in what we had to say and hopefully he makes it out to the Gospel meeting we are holding tomorrow night at Dooley’s Hotel. They also got to speak to a Buddhist lady and although she was unwilling to speak at first she also seemed accepting of what they had to say. Please keep everyone in your prayers, especially with the Team Trip coming up and the travelling we will be doing across the country! That night Daniella, a lady from the Waterford Christian Assembly and her son Jordan came over and made a wonderful dinner for us. And a few others joined in a few games after dinner with some singing in between. That’s all for now and we will talk to you soon! Have a great day and God Bless!
Saturday, June 6
Ah Saturday, a relaxing day of the week no doubt and this morning we took a very nice break from doing our letterboxing that is now complete, or very, very, very nearly. After a great hot lunch made by Katy, we headed out to the city centre to do some more open air work. It was very cold and we got rained out, but we met a number of other believers, one man, named Dave was looking for an assembly to join. Kevin thinks we may join the Waterford Assembly which would be fantastic! Pray for him and the others posted in the blog above and before. The Team Trip is coming up and we head out to meet one another on Monday! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel across Ireland! Thanks very much for your support! Have a great day and God Bless!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Team
We haven’t fallen off the face of the earth! Rather we moved into a new location where we have no Internet access. So here’s a little update to cover the last three days.
By the way, we have had beautiful sunny weather since Friday, which has helped facilitate our work! Sunny days are a rarity in
Sunday
Sunday, we worshipped with the saints at Newcastle West Bible Fellowship in the morning. Mylene and Rachel took Natalie and Gillian’s Sunday school classes. In honor of Kevin’s birthday, Jewel made a fajita lunch and we had the missionaries and John Griffin join us at our little rented house. We did a few more doors late afternoon and enjoyed a campfire, BBQ and devotional by Brian A. in the evening.
Monday
Monday morning we packed the minibus and headed back to Greystones where we at lasagna lunch made by Ron as well as Frank and Grace Carolan. We then drove on to Shankill where we are now staying in a large old home that was just purchased by the local Shanganagh Bible Chapel a few weeks before.
Tuesday
We distributed Bible packages in the morning and did door-to-door in the afternoon. Our first kids club in a nearby neighbourhood was a success despite some initial opposition. The president of the neighbourhood association suggested that perhaps we should not be here. We had 12 great kids out. Jewel visited the travelers (a nomadic gypsy people native to
Wednesday
More letter boxing and door to door work, a visit to some of the travelers for Rachel, and another good kids club. The kids were very attentive.
We have found the residents in this town to be somewhat less responsive than those in Newcastle West. Please pray the Lord directs us to people who are seeking Him.
Thanks for your prayers!
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Team
On Monday, the Kilkenny team (formerly known as the
Today, Tuesday, we began letter boxing areas of Kilkenny with “4You” magazines in the morning and then went into downtown Kilkenny to do some open air work. Tim Hood, Ernie, and Matt all did the sketch board while the rest of us passed out tracts and talked with people around the area. Heidi and Tim talked to some young girls for quite some time and a few of them were really interested. They were engaged and asked a lot of questions, they didn’t just accept it and “yes” Heidi which was encouraging. Sarah, Jen, Ernie, and Suzy all had long conversations with people from all walks of life and today was also Matt’s first open air sketch board experience! He did so well and we are all so excited for the great things the Lord is doing with him and for our team.
Since we are settling into a new area we ask that you pray that we settle in quick so we can get into the groove again. We are going to be doing a Kids Club on our own (through the Kilkenny assembly) and so we need to plan games, stories, and get kids! Please pray that we are effective in canvassing for the club and that we look to the Lord for guidance in all decisions. Pray for sarah because she is leading the club this week and this will be her first time as head leader. Lastly pray for our fearless leader Tim. He has been so great and decisive but it takes a lot of energy. We are so thankful to have him as our leader and we are also thankful for our whole team and the great experiences we are having together.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Team Waterford
Hello dear readers! Today was a momentous day – we did not letterbox! This morning began with our usual devotional by David. He shared from Acts 1 and discussed how we needed to be unified in presenting the gospel and to go out in the Lord’s strength. It was an encouraging time once again.
Around 11 am, the team packed up the sketch board and some song visuals, and headed for the park. Once there, we attempted to look casual by tossing a ball around till Kevin had the sketch board ready. Once ready, a few of us went and invited the kids from the park to come for a Bible lesson and some songs. We got started by singing to just the team, but God blessed our efforts and several young girls came and listened to the songs, the verse game, and the Bible lesson. Ashleigh and Sarah handed out Wordless Book bracelets to more kids afterwards. After another verse game, the team was finished and headed back to the house for lunch. Tim Hood came by for lunch and to help in the afternoon.
Since God had provided a rare sunny Irish day, the team headed to the square for an afternoon of sketch boarding and open air evangelism. Kevin, Josiah, and Tim all skillfully presented a sketch board message, while the other team members engaged in conversation. Ashleigh and Sarah had the opportunity to have a conversation with two girls, Megan and Teesha. Megan, rather hardened to religion and uninterested at the beginning, slowly came to reveal that she blamed God for her friend’s untimely death a few years ago. Sarah was able to share some of her experiences and is praying that Megan will be thinking about it and be reading the tract. Tim and Kevin also engaged in several interesting conversations around the sketch board. The Wilsons came over for some evening fellowship but otherwise the team enjoyed a quiet night of rest and relaxation.
Team Dublin
The Shanganah retreat is taking place this weekend (Friday through Monday) at Carraig Eden in Greystone. The Dublin team has been able to help out with preparing meals for the Shanganah assembly as well as fellowship with them during the day. Jim Van Dine has been giving great talks on David “A man after God’s own heart” so that we can all emulate David’s submissive heart in our own lives.
On Saturday we had the opportunity to go into downtown Dublin to help out with some on-going open air work with Vincent Gannon. The team passed out numerous tracks and Bibles to passers-by and many of the team members had great discussions. Heidi was able to talk with an atheist man for a long while and really get him thinking about the Lord through her own happy, friendly demeanor. There were many people who asked for prayer including a lady named Kathleen who went home with a New Testament. Because the weather was so nice many people were out and about and much more willing to talk which was really an encouragement. We came back to Carraig Eden to have dinner and hear another great talk as well as fellowship with some fun quizzes administered by Frank Carolan.
The Shanganah assembly has been so welcoming and friendly to our team that we all feel like family. It shows how strong a bond can occur between strangers when they first have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
We ask that you pray for energy for our team because we have had a number of late nights and early mornings in addition to many long spiritual conversations which can be very engaging but draining (in a good way!). We ask that the Lord would keep our spirits high and in constant remembrance of his gift to us on the cross so that we can continue to put him first, others second, and ourselves last.
Tim Hood (centre, in grey striped shirt) speaks with a passserby in Dublin.
Matt Furey (right, in black hooded sweatshirt) speaks with a couple of folks in Dublin.
Jen Nygaard, Sarah Mattox, Joan Plympton, Matt Furey, Ernie Imken.
Kids club.
Heidi Koppen delivering Bibles.
Team Newcastle West
Saturday was our day off. We had a splendid day at the seaside. Colin and Natalie Burnett and their daughter Ashley showed us the town, cliffs and beach of Kilkee, about a two-hour drive from Newcastle West.
The cliffs were breathtaking and inspired a couple of us to sing Majesty while we gazed at them. Amy and Rachel ran into some cliff fisherman (they have massive poles and lines with as many as six hooks!) and shared the gospel with them.
We ate lunch and spent the afternoon on the beach, though the water was too cold for us to venture very far into it. Traditional fish and chips were had for dinner, also on the beach.
Andrew, our leader, bought some of the local fare – what looked like fresh sea snails – and shared it with us. The sign said, Winkles and Dillisk. The winkles are the snails, and we’re still not quite sure what dillisk is. You pull the snail out with a pin and it is a tiny, curly, fishy tasting little creature.
Colin Burnett played guitar for us each morning while we sang before our group devotional.
Brian Russell (left) and his wife are visiting from Eastbourne. He led us in morning devotions on Friday. On the right is Andrew Shanks, a full-time worker here and Brian's nephew.
Andrew Cockburn, our team leader, speaks with some Catholic school girls on Friday when we took the paint board to Limerick city.
Colin speaks to some boys.
Colin preaching with the paint board.
Hello dear readers! Today was a momentous day – we did not letterbox! This morning began with our usual devotional by David. He shared from Acts 1 and discussed how we needed to be unified in presenting the gospel and to go out in the Lord’s strength. It was an encouraging time once again.
Around 11 am, the team packed up the sketch board and some song visuals, and headed for the park. Once there, we attempted to look casual by tossing a ball around till Kevin had the sketch board ready. Once ready, a few of us went and invited the kids from the park to come for a Bible lesson and some songs. We got started by singing to just the team, but God blessed our efforts and several young girls came and listened to the songs, the verse game, and the Bible lesson. Ashleigh and Sarah handed out Wordless Book bracelets to more kids afterwards. After another verse game, the team was finished and headed back to the house for lunch. Tim Hood came by for lunch and to help in the afternoon.
Since God had provided a rare sunny Irish day, the team headed to the square for an afternoon of sketch boarding and open air evangelism. Kevin, Josiah, and Tim all skillfully presented a sketch board message, while the other team members engaged in conversation. Ashleigh and Sarah had the opportunity to have a conversation with two girls, Megan and Teesha. Megan, rather hardened to religion and uninterested at the beginning, slowly came to reveal that she blamed God for her friend’s untimely death a few years ago. Sarah was able to share some of her experiences and is praying that Megan will be thinking about it and be reading the tract. Tim and Kevin also engaged in several interesting conversations around the sketch board. The Wilsons came over for some evening fellowship but otherwise the team enjoyed a quiet night of rest and relaxation.
Team Dublin
The Shanganah retreat is taking place this weekend (Friday through Monday) at Carraig Eden in Greystone. The Dublin team has been able to help out with preparing meals for the Shanganah assembly as well as fellowship with them during the day. Jim Van Dine has been giving great talks on David “A man after God’s own heart” so that we can all emulate David’s submissive heart in our own lives.
On Saturday we had the opportunity to go into downtown Dublin to help out with some on-going open air work with Vincent Gannon. The team passed out numerous tracks and Bibles to passers-by and many of the team members had great discussions. Heidi was able to talk with an atheist man for a long while and really get him thinking about the Lord through her own happy, friendly demeanor. There were many people who asked for prayer including a lady named Kathleen who went home with a New Testament. Because the weather was so nice many people were out and about and much more willing to talk which was really an encouragement. We came back to Carraig Eden to have dinner and hear another great talk as well as fellowship with some fun quizzes administered by Frank Carolan.
The Shanganah assembly has been so welcoming and friendly to our team that we all feel like family. It shows how strong a bond can occur between strangers when they first have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
We ask that you pray for energy for our team because we have had a number of late nights and early mornings in addition to many long spiritual conversations which can be very engaging but draining (in a good way!). We ask that the Lord would keep our spirits high and in constant remembrance of his gift to us on the cross so that we can continue to put him first, others second, and ourselves last.
Tim Hood (centre, in grey striped shirt) speaks with a passserby in Dublin.
Matt Furey (right, in black hooded sweatshirt) speaks with a couple of folks in Dublin.
Jen Nygaard, Sarah Mattox, Joan Plympton, Matt Furey, Ernie Imken.
Kids club.
Heidi Koppen delivering Bibles.Team Newcastle West
Saturday was our day off. We had a splendid day at the seaside. Colin and Natalie Burnett and their daughter Ashley showed us the town, cliffs and beach of Kilkee, about a two-hour drive from Newcastle West.
The cliffs were breathtaking and inspired a couple of us to sing Majesty while we gazed at them. Amy and Rachel ran into some cliff fisherman (they have massive poles and lines with as many as six hooks!) and shared the gospel with them.
We ate lunch and spent the afternoon on the beach, though the water was too cold for us to venture very far into it. Traditional fish and chips were had for dinner, also on the beach.
Andrew, our leader, bought some of the local fare – what looked like fresh sea snails – and shared it with us. The sign said, Winkles and Dillisk. The winkles are the snails, and we’re still not quite sure what dillisk is. You pull the snail out with a pin and it is a tiny, curly, fishy tasting little creature.
Colin Burnett played guitar for us each morning while we sang before our group devotional.
Brian Russell (left) and his wife are visiting from Eastbourne. He led us in morning devotions on Friday. On the right is Andrew Shanks, a full-time worker here and Brian's nephew.
Andrew Cockburn, our team leader, speaks with some Catholic school girls on Friday when we took the paint board to Limerick city.
Colin speaks to some boys.
Colin preaching with the paint board.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Team Newcastle West
When Aomen lost his job today, Jewel Hobbs met him with warm word and a Christian magazine. She was with the team in Limerick this afternoon. She told him about the article on the economic downturn and it led to an opportunity to share the entire gospel. His eyes shaded by sunglasses, he was wiping his eyes before she finished.
“It was God’s perfect timing,” said Jewel, who had six solid conversations this afternoon in the city’s shopping plaza where the team set up a paint board to preach the gospel and hand out tracts and magazines.
One man, working as the mime in the square, told her his mother handed out tracts about Jesus too, but he didn’t believe. Two young boys wanted nothing to do with God, though they were raised by Baptist parents who encouraged them to walk in the way. But they and several others listened to her share the gospel.
Near the end of the day, Jewel was picking up discarded tracts when she came across Dave. He asked her many questions, such as “How do I know that this is the Bible I can believe?” She presented the gospel to him. At the end of their conversation he said to her, “so what you’re saying is God sent his Son to die for our sins and if we place our trust in the work of Jesus Christ then we can be forgiven for doing anything?” She ended up handing him all the literature she had just collected from the ground. He said he would read it tonight. “I said, it’s a lot of literature I’ve given you, but he said, no I’m going to read it all.”
Our hearts are cheered as we near the end of our time in Newcastle West. We leave on Monday. Amy Deligdisch, who leads our kids clubs, noticed a change in the answers of one young girl named Erica who came every day. Amy asked how we can know we will go to heaven. On the first day, Erica said, “sacraments and prayer.” On the last day, she said “believe in Jesus.
Tomorrow is our day off. We will head to a beach and enjoy some sun and rest.
When Aomen lost his job today, Jewel Hobbs met him with warm word and a Christian magazine. She was with the team in Limerick this afternoon. She told him about the article on the economic downturn and it led to an opportunity to share the entire gospel. His eyes shaded by sunglasses, he was wiping his eyes before she finished.
“It was God’s perfect timing,” said Jewel, who had six solid conversations this afternoon in the city’s shopping plaza where the team set up a paint board to preach the gospel and hand out tracts and magazines.
One man, working as the mime in the square, told her his mother handed out tracts about Jesus too, but he didn’t believe. Two young boys wanted nothing to do with God, though they were raised by Baptist parents who encouraged them to walk in the way. But they and several others listened to her share the gospel.
Near the end of the day, Jewel was picking up discarded tracts when she came across Dave. He asked her many questions, such as “How do I know that this is the Bible I can believe?” She presented the gospel to him. At the end of their conversation he said to her, “so what you’re saying is God sent his Son to die for our sins and if we place our trust in the work of Jesus Christ then we can be forgiven for doing anything?” She ended up handing him all the literature she had just collected from the ground. He said he would read it tonight. “I said, it’s a lot of literature I’ve given you, but he said, no I’m going to read it all.”
Our hearts are cheered as we near the end of our time in Newcastle West. We leave on Monday. Amy Deligdisch, who leads our kids clubs, noticed a change in the answers of one young girl named Erica who came every day. Amy asked how we can know we will go to heaven. On the first day, Erica said, “sacraments and prayer.” On the last day, she said “believe in Jesus.
Tomorrow is our day off. We will head to a beach and enjoy some sun and rest.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, 29 May 2009
Team Waterford
Hello friends! The team woke up this morning only to find a very overcast day, as is typical in Ireland. After breakfast, the team had a study focusing on a passage in Daniel 9, which spoke about the importance of praying to the Lord despite the Lord’s sovereign will. The team then loaded their bags with the magazines and headed out to do some letterboxing, praying that the rain would hold off. In response to prayer, Ireland weather surprised the team and it turned into another bright and sunny day! Instead of doing door to door after lunch as routine, Kevin suggested more letterboxing. Waterford is stressing the importance of getting literature into people’s homes and as a result the goal is to hopefully get 15,000 magazines out. The team has made a dent into that number by decreasing it to about 13,000. Pray that this ministry continues to go smoothly.
After letterboxing, the team headed to the Wilson’s house, enjoying a lovely supper and tea as well as a trip to the nearby beach. Please continue to pray for the people the team meets on the doors and the conversations that we have gotten into these past few days. Pray for the upcoming open air ministry as well as some children’s work. Also, one of our team members, Sarah, is a little under the weather. Pray for her quick recovery. Continue to pray for those people who we will come in contact with soon as well, that the Lord would open their hearts to the wonderful words of the gospel!
Hello friends! The team woke up this morning only to find a very overcast day, as is typical in Ireland. After breakfast, the team had a study focusing on a passage in Daniel 9, which spoke about the importance of praying to the Lord despite the Lord’s sovereign will. The team then loaded their bags with the magazines and headed out to do some letterboxing, praying that the rain would hold off. In response to prayer, Ireland weather surprised the team and it turned into another bright and sunny day! Instead of doing door to door after lunch as routine, Kevin suggested more letterboxing. Waterford is stressing the importance of getting literature into people’s homes and as a result the goal is to hopefully get 15,000 magazines out. The team has made a dent into that number by decreasing it to about 13,000. Pray that this ministry continues to go smoothly.
After letterboxing, the team headed to the Wilson’s house, enjoying a lovely supper and tea as well as a trip to the nearby beach. Please continue to pray for the people the team meets on the doors and the conversations that we have gotten into these past few days. Pray for the upcoming open air ministry as well as some children’s work. Also, one of our team members, Sarah, is a little under the weather. Pray for her quick recovery. Continue to pray for those people who we will come in contact with soon as well, that the Lord would open their hearts to the wonderful words of the gospel!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Team Waterford
Wesnesday
Hello all! Wednesday was another semi-routine day for the Waterford team, but it was a great day nonetheless. We went letterboxing in the morning and covered quite a bit of ground. Up and down the hills of Waterford, in and out the gates, and around the dogs of course too! After a fabulous lunch by Katie, we split up into teams and went door to door for the afternoon.
The Lord provided our teams with some interesting conversations. There were several New Testaments handed out. Josiah and Amy had the opportunity to witness to several Muslim men. They were invited in for tea, spent about 45 minutes having a Christ-focused conversation, and sent David back that evening for further study. While David was studying with the Muslims, the rest of team as well as Sarah Wilson drove out to Kilkenny for the Wednesday night prayer meeting. Josiah shared his testimony, and Kevin shared a message from God’s Word. Kevin spoke about Ephesians 6, teaching that Christians need power, protection, and prayer in their spiritual battle.
The message and the prayer and the fellowship were an encouragement to the team as we are fighting a spiritual battle here in Waterford. On the drive home, we took a scenic detour through downtown Kilkenny and stopped at the local chipper where the team enjoyed some fish and chips. Thankfully, despite narrow roads and a dark night, Art drove us safely back to the house in Waterford.
Thursday
Greetings from the Waterford TnT Team! Kindly, Kevin gave the team the morning off after our late night outing to Kilkenny. We slept in and enjoyed apple cinnamon pancakes for breakfast. David came over around eleven and shared with us from Psalm 51 on the importance of confessing sin so that our prayers are not hindered. It was a great message and provided some good discussion with him and the team. After lunch, the team went out for door to door work on an unusually sunny Irish day.
Unfortunately, despite the pleasant weather, it was a rough day on the doors and there were very few opportunities for conversations. The neighborhoods where we worked this afternoon were very much closed to the Gospel.
Pray that God will provide us with good opportunities and that we will not get discouraged. Sharing the gospel is not about us feeling good so we will be trusting the Lord to work. In the evening, the ladies had a Bible study with women from the church at the house while the guys found other ways to refresh themselves from a busy day, including some leisurely yard work at the house!
Wesnesday
Hello all! Wednesday was another semi-routine day for the Waterford team, but it was a great day nonetheless. We went letterboxing in the morning and covered quite a bit of ground. Up and down the hills of Waterford, in and out the gates, and around the dogs of course too! After a fabulous lunch by Katie, we split up into teams and went door to door for the afternoon.
The Lord provided our teams with some interesting conversations. There were several New Testaments handed out. Josiah and Amy had the opportunity to witness to several Muslim men. They were invited in for tea, spent about 45 minutes having a Christ-focused conversation, and sent David back that evening for further study. While David was studying with the Muslims, the rest of team as well as Sarah Wilson drove out to Kilkenny for the Wednesday night prayer meeting. Josiah shared his testimony, and Kevin shared a message from God’s Word. Kevin spoke about Ephesians 6, teaching that Christians need power, protection, and prayer in their spiritual battle.
The message and the prayer and the fellowship were an encouragement to the team as we are fighting a spiritual battle here in Waterford. On the drive home, we took a scenic detour through downtown Kilkenny and stopped at the local chipper where the team enjoyed some fish and chips. Thankfully, despite narrow roads and a dark night, Art drove us safely back to the house in Waterford.
Thursday
Greetings from the Waterford TnT Team! Kindly, Kevin gave the team the morning off after our late night outing to Kilkenny. We slept in and enjoyed apple cinnamon pancakes for breakfast. David came over around eleven and shared with us from Psalm 51 on the importance of confessing sin so that our prayers are not hindered. It was a great message and provided some good discussion with him and the team. After lunch, the team went out for door to door work on an unusually sunny Irish day.
Unfortunately, despite the pleasant weather, it was a rough day on the doors and there were very few opportunities for conversations. The neighborhoods where we worked this afternoon were very much closed to the Gospel.
Pray that God will provide us with good opportunities and that we will not get discouraged. Sharing the gospel is not about us feeling good so we will be trusting the Lord to work. In the evening, the ladies had a Bible study with women from the church at the house while the guys found other ways to refresh themselves from a busy day, including some leisurely yard work at the house!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Team Dublin
For the past three days the Dublin team has been letterboxing “4 You” magazines and New Testaments to many homes in Shankhill and the Shanghana area during the morning hours. After lunch we have been going door to door talking to people about the Lord and how the Bible says we can know that we have eternal life.
Many conversations have been very in depth and have shown that there is an interest in spiritual things in Ireland despite the fact that the general population recently have been turned off the Catholic church. They are so against Catholicism that they are almost ready to throw out all religion. Most people become very intrigued when they hear about our certainty of our own salvation.
On one occasion Matt and Heidi spoke to a girl named Ciara about eternal life and she was so amazed by their faith and certainty of their salvation, even though they are young. She was very interested about the meeting in Shankhill and even came to the prayer meeting that same night. Heidi had the chance to go back to her the next day and develop a friendship. They get along so well we cannot doubt that the Lord has His hand in it.
Similarly Preveen and Suzy were invited into The Fitzpatrick’s home to discuss Jesus Christ and many other spiritual things for over two hours. There were many great questions asked and the gospel was clearly given and although the Fitzpatricks had things to do, they all stayed the whole time and listened and talked.
Many occurrences like this have happened throughout our week in Shankhill to which we thank God that we have been instruments of his will.
We are also thankful that the Bible we were waiting for (which we were told wouldn’t be here for another three weeks) arrived today!
Secondly we are thankful that the weather has been unexpectedly sunny and beautiful with very little rain. We would like to ask for prayer in following up on people who were interested as we went door to door.
Fellowship.
Door-to-door distribution.
Kids club.
Kids club.
Team Newcastle West
Wednesday we had a wonderful day on the doors. Although many were not home, many of those that were, were willing to talk.
Please pray for Hilda and Miriam, two ladies Brian Aggett and Rachel De Lazzer spoke with on Wednesday on the same street. Both seemed genuinely interested in the Scriptural truth we shared with them. Pray that the seeds of the Word would not be snatched away. We returned to do doors in the evening Wednesday night and found many people home.
Today we continued with door-to-door work and had yet another successful kids club. That will be the last kids club we have this week until we head to Dublin on Monday. Please pray that the children remember the Bible stories and memory verses we taught them.
We just finished the Thursday evening Bible study. We praise the Lord that a man named Steve came out to the meeting whom Mylene Lavoie and Brian Aggett met on the doors this week. We believe he is saved but had nowhere to fellowship. Please pray for his growth and that he would continue to come.
We head to Limerick tomorrow for open-air work.
For the past three days the Dublin team has been letterboxing “4 You” magazines and New Testaments to many homes in Shankhill and the Shanghana area during the morning hours. After lunch we have been going door to door talking to people about the Lord and how the Bible says we can know that we have eternal life.
Many conversations have been very in depth and have shown that there is an interest in spiritual things in Ireland despite the fact that the general population recently have been turned off the Catholic church. They are so against Catholicism that they are almost ready to throw out all religion. Most people become very intrigued when they hear about our certainty of our own salvation.
On one occasion Matt and Heidi spoke to a girl named Ciara about eternal life and she was so amazed by their faith and certainty of their salvation, even though they are young. She was very interested about the meeting in Shankhill and even came to the prayer meeting that same night. Heidi had the chance to go back to her the next day and develop a friendship. They get along so well we cannot doubt that the Lord has His hand in it.
Similarly Preveen and Suzy were invited into The Fitzpatrick’s home to discuss Jesus Christ and many other spiritual things for over two hours. There were many great questions asked and the gospel was clearly given and although the Fitzpatricks had things to do, they all stayed the whole time and listened and talked.
Many occurrences like this have happened throughout our week in Shankhill to which we thank God that we have been instruments of his will.
We are also thankful that the Bible we were waiting for (which we were told wouldn’t be here for another three weeks) arrived today!
Secondly we are thankful that the weather has been unexpectedly sunny and beautiful with very little rain. We would like to ask for prayer in following up on people who were interested as we went door to door.
Fellowship.
Door-to-door distribution.
Kids club.
Kids club.Team Newcastle West
Wednesday we had a wonderful day on the doors. Although many were not home, many of those that were, were willing to talk.
Please pray for Hilda and Miriam, two ladies Brian Aggett and Rachel De Lazzer spoke with on Wednesday on the same street. Both seemed genuinely interested in the Scriptural truth we shared with them. Pray that the seeds of the Word would not be snatched away. We returned to do doors in the evening Wednesday night and found many people home.
Today we continued with door-to-door work and had yet another successful kids club. That will be the last kids club we have this week until we head to Dublin on Monday. Please pray that the children remember the Bible stories and memory verses we taught them.
We just finished the Thursday evening Bible study. We praise the Lord that a man named Steve came out to the meeting whom Mylene Lavoie and Brian Aggett met on the doors this week. We believe he is saved but had nowhere to fellowship. Please pray for his growth and that he would continue to come.
We head to Limerick tomorrow for open-air work.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Team Waterford
Kevin Woytowich, leader
Katy Woytowich, assistant leader
Art Cavenagh, driver
Sarah Von Bergen
Amy Dial
Josiah Hartley
Ashleigh Wilson
Ashley Hotel
At long last we hear from the Waterford folks. Here's their post:
Hey everyone, greetings and God bless! This paragraph is a collection of events from Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Friday
So, journeying back to Thursday evening, we received our team groupings. Friday afternoon after lunch we left the house in Greystones, located in Wicklow, Ireland. We drove the three to fours hours and after a quick meal at the new house we relaxed and had a Bible study with David Wilson and his family who are full-time missionaries in Ireland.
Saturday
Saturday started with devotional time like it will every day from now on, we started litter boxing (putting magazines in people’s post boxes), and got rained out. We had lunch and luckily the sun came out. Kevin led the team into Waterford’s City Centre and we set up signs and started walking around talking to people and preaching the gospel.
Sarah and Amy got a huge crowd of young people and shared the gospel with them for at least an hour. Halfway through, a man was picking on Sarah for a bit, but the great thing about the people of Ireland is that the people will always vote for the underdog. After the man walked away, they really started to listen to what Sarah was telling them. Josiah and Ashleigh had a long conversation with a couple and then a man.
Catherine Watterson, a Christian from Northern Ireland and Ashley Hotel got to speak to an older man who has practiced other religions before and is now looking for the truth. He asked if someone could come and visit him soon for a follow-up. We ask that you continually pray for these people as none of them know the Lord and are searching for something. Pray that the Lord provides the truth for them so they can join the Waterford Christian Assembly, or another chapel. Thanks for your prayers! God Bless!!
Sunday
Sunday was a very busy day for the Waterford team. We attended the Waterford Christian Assembly and Sarah, Amy, Ashley, and Ashleigh taught the Sunday school class. Olivia joined the class and played the games and singing. After the lunch meeting we had a bit of quiet prayer time and then we had the assembly over for a time of fellowship. It was really fun meeting with all the different people, and hearing the different testimonies and how the Lord has worked in each of our lives.
Monday
Well another busy day, as they all should be doing the Lord's work! We started our actual schedule and have it down to devotions in the morning, then breakfast. After breakfast we letterbox (put magazines/pamphlets into residents mail boxes) until lunch, and then after lunch we either go door-to-door and tell everyone of the gospel, or we go and do open-air evangelism. So the teams for the door-to-door work were Sarah and Art; Kevin and Ashleigh; Ashley and Wayne (member of the assembly in Waterford); Amy and David; and Josiah and Catherine. It wasn't a very successful day and a lot of doors were shut to the members. Please continually pray for the people over here who do not believe in the Lord or believe something else. They need the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives!
Tuesday
Today was a good day. A lot of ground is being covered with the letterboxing and it seems like the Lord is providing more open doors. Going door-to-door the other day was pretty sad and you could almost feel the darkness, but today the sun was out and the Lord was opening new lives to us. Art and Ashley found a couple of women who did not own a Bible, but asked for a copy. We gave one a New Testament and the other the Gospel of John. Even better the one women is willing to call members of the assembly to ask questions about the gospel after she is finished reading it. Please pray for her and the other people that were met by team members and ask the Lord to continue to work in their lives.
After dinner, the rest of the team letterboxed and there will be rough estimates of how many magazines and New Testaments have been given out in the past few days! Thanks to all! God Bless!
Kevin Woytowich, leader
Katy Woytowich, assistant leader
Art Cavenagh, driver
Sarah Von Bergen
Amy Dial
Josiah Hartley
Ashleigh Wilson
Ashley Hotel
At long last we hear from the Waterford folks. Here's their post:
Hey everyone, greetings and God bless! This paragraph is a collection of events from Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Friday
So, journeying back to Thursday evening, we received our team groupings. Friday afternoon after lunch we left the house in Greystones, located in Wicklow, Ireland. We drove the three to fours hours and after a quick meal at the new house we relaxed and had a Bible study with David Wilson and his family who are full-time missionaries in Ireland.
Saturday
Saturday started with devotional time like it will every day from now on, we started litter boxing (putting magazines in people’s post boxes), and got rained out. We had lunch and luckily the sun came out. Kevin led the team into Waterford’s City Centre and we set up signs and started walking around talking to people and preaching the gospel.
Sarah and Amy got a huge crowd of young people and shared the gospel with them for at least an hour. Halfway through, a man was picking on Sarah for a bit, but the great thing about the people of Ireland is that the people will always vote for the underdog. After the man walked away, they really started to listen to what Sarah was telling them. Josiah and Ashleigh had a long conversation with a couple and then a man.
Catherine Watterson, a Christian from Northern Ireland and Ashley Hotel got to speak to an older man who has practiced other religions before and is now looking for the truth. He asked if someone could come and visit him soon for a follow-up. We ask that you continually pray for these people as none of them know the Lord and are searching for something. Pray that the Lord provides the truth for them so they can join the Waterford Christian Assembly, or another chapel. Thanks for your prayers! God Bless!!
Sunday
Sunday was a very busy day for the Waterford team. We attended the Waterford Christian Assembly and Sarah, Amy, Ashley, and Ashleigh taught the Sunday school class. Olivia joined the class and played the games and singing. After the lunch meeting we had a bit of quiet prayer time and then we had the assembly over for a time of fellowship. It was really fun meeting with all the different people, and hearing the different testimonies and how the Lord has worked in each of our lives.
Monday
Well another busy day, as they all should be doing the Lord's work! We started our actual schedule and have it down to devotions in the morning, then breakfast. After breakfast we letterbox (put magazines/pamphlets into residents mail boxes) until lunch, and then after lunch we either go door-to-door and tell everyone of the gospel, or we go and do open-air evangelism. So the teams for the door-to-door work were Sarah and Art; Kevin and Ashleigh; Ashley and Wayne (member of the assembly in Waterford); Amy and David; and Josiah and Catherine. It wasn't a very successful day and a lot of doors were shut to the members. Please continually pray for the people over here who do not believe in the Lord or believe something else. They need the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives!
Tuesday
Today was a good day. A lot of ground is being covered with the letterboxing and it seems like the Lord is providing more open doors. Going door-to-door the other day was pretty sad and you could almost feel the darkness, but today the sun was out and the Lord was opening new lives to us. Art and Ashley found a couple of women who did not own a Bible, but asked for a copy. We gave one a New Testament and the other the Gospel of John. Even better the one women is willing to call members of the assembly to ask questions about the gospel after she is finished reading it. Please pray for her and the other people that were met by team members and ask the Lord to continue to work in their lives.
After dinner, the rest of the team letterboxed and there will be rough estimates of how many magazines and New Testaments have been given out in the past few days! Thanks to all! God Bless!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Team Dublin
Last night the team spent the evening with some travellers, a nomadic Irish people similar to gypsies. Two of them made professions of salvation. One of them, Gary, was especially keen. “He asked some really pointed questions, like how can a person be born twice” said team leader Tim Hood. Please pray for Gary and the other traveler, whose name we plan to post later.
The team did door-to-door work for the first time today. They met a young girl named Ciara, age 19, on the doors and brought her with them for dinner this evening. Please pray for her.
Tim says they have distributed 1,000 Bibles on the doors over the past two days. They have held two successful kids clubs as well.
Team Newcastle West
We finished magazine distribution this morning for the designated neighbourhoods. We followed up with some door-to-door work this afternoon but few people were home. Still some good conversations were had.
After the unwelcome reception we received at the neighbourhood where we held the kids club yesterday, we moved to a new neighbourhood where parents were keen to have us. It went very well and the kids were all unsaved, as far as we know and happy to be there. Please pray for Amy Deligdisch as she co-ordinates the kids club efforts again tomorrow and Thursday. Pray the teaching may lead to the salvation of children and parents.
Last night the team spent the evening with some travellers, a nomadic Irish people similar to gypsies. Two of them made professions of salvation. One of them, Gary, was especially keen. “He asked some really pointed questions, like how can a person be born twice” said team leader Tim Hood. Please pray for Gary and the other traveler, whose name we plan to post later.
The team did door-to-door work for the first time today. They met a young girl named Ciara, age 19, on the doors and brought her with them for dinner this evening. Please pray for her.
Tim says they have distributed 1,000 Bibles on the doors over the past two days. They have held two successful kids clubs as well.
Team Newcastle West
We finished magazine distribution this morning for the designated neighbourhoods. We followed up with some door-to-door work this afternoon but few people were home. Still some good conversations were had.
After the unwelcome reception we received at the neighbourhood where we held the kids club yesterday, we moved to a new neighbourhood where parents were keen to have us. It went very well and the kids were all unsaved, as far as we know and happy to be there. Please pray for Amy Deligdisch as she co-ordinates the kids club efforts again tomorrow and Thursday. Pray the teaching may lead to the salvation of children and parents.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Updates from Team Dublin and Team Waterford coming shortly!
Team Newcastle West
This morning we delivered Christian magazines on the doors.
Our kids club went well this afternoon though there were few unsaved children there. Near the end of our session, two women approached and told our missionary hosts that the neighbourhood was a private estate and we were not welcome. We will go to a new estate tomorrow. Please pray we will get unsaved children and their parents for the coming kids clubs (tomorrow through Thursday). Amy Deligdisch, our Child Evangelism Fellowship expert on the team, organized the event and assigned us our various roles.
Our missionary hosts took us up into the rolling hills around Newcastle West for a short evening hike. We had opportunity to witness to several men we met along the path.
Team Newcastle West
This morning we delivered Christian magazines on the doors.
Our kids club went well this afternoon though there were few unsaved children there. Near the end of our session, two women approached and told our missionary hosts that the neighbourhood was a private estate and we were not welcome. We will go to a new estate tomorrow. Please pray we will get unsaved children and their parents for the coming kids clubs (tomorrow through Thursday). Amy Deligdisch, our Child Evangelism Fellowship expert on the team, organized the event and assigned us our various roles.
Our missionary hosts took us up into the rolling hills around Newcastle West for a short evening hike. We had opportunity to witness to several men we met along the path.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Note: The Dublin and Waterford teams have limited or no Internet access. Updates from those teams will be posted as they come in.
Team Newcastle West
It was one of the best tract distribution days the missionaries in Newcastle West have had in a while. The team went to a nearby agricultural fair to man an “Ultimate Decision” booth and hand out tracts.
“It was very encouraging,” said Andrew Shanks, one of the full-time workers here. He said that a surprising number of people were willing to talk. “Normally it’s just the three of us,” he said. “The highlight for me was standing back and looking and at one time there were three or four of you having conversations.”
The Lord also blessed us with a perfectly clear day, allowing us to move freely through the fair grounds distributing literature.
Kevin Bibelhausen preached a gospel message using the paintboard. It was his first time doing so. He was encouraged that, though there were few listeners, the painting was used twice by team members to illustrate the gospel in later conversations.
Please pray for Martin, a man in his mid 30s. Mylene and Andrew Shanks spoke with him. “He understood that he had to get right with God,” said Andrew. He took a copy of Ultimate Christianity and The Uniqueness of Christianity CD and said he planned to listen to it on his way home.
The Ultimate Decision booth.
Mylene Lavoie speaks with a passerby.
Colin Burnett using the paint board.
Andrew Cockburn preaching with the paint board.
Amy Deligdisch.
Team Newcastle West
It was one of the best tract distribution days the missionaries in Newcastle West have had in a while. The team went to a nearby agricultural fair to man an “Ultimate Decision” booth and hand out tracts.
“It was very encouraging,” said Andrew Shanks, one of the full-time workers here. He said that a surprising number of people were willing to talk. “Normally it’s just the three of us,” he said. “The highlight for me was standing back and looking and at one time there were three or four of you having conversations.”
The Lord also blessed us with a perfectly clear day, allowing us to move freely through the fair grounds distributing literature.
Kevin Bibelhausen preached a gospel message using the paintboard. It was his first time doing so. He was encouraged that, though there were few listeners, the painting was used twice by team members to illustrate the gospel in later conversations.
Please pray for Martin, a man in his mid 30s. Mylene and Andrew Shanks spoke with him. “He understood that he had to get right with God,” said Andrew. He took a copy of Ultimate Christianity and The Uniqueness of Christianity CD and said he planned to listen to it on his way home.
The Ultimate Decision booth.
Mylene Lavoie speaks with a passerby.
Colin Burnett using the paint board.
Andrew Cockburn preaching with the paint board.
Amy Deligdisch.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday, May 24, 2009
Team Dublin
Tim Hood (leader)
Heidi Koppen (assistant leader)
Ernie Imken (driver)
Joan Plympton
Matt Furey
Suzi DeMatteo
Jen Nygaard
Sarah Mattox
Today the team was on O’Connell Street, Dublin’s main downtown thoroughfare, for street preaching and tract distribution. They handed out upwards of 500 tracts. “Everyone on the team had lots of opportunity to talk to different ones who were quite keen,” said leader Tim Hood.
One man to pray for is Peter. Joan Plympton gave him a tract. He said he had no problem understanding that he was a sinner. “He said, ‘I know I need to get right with God,’” said Tim. When Tim asked him if he read the Bible, Peter pulled out a New Testament and said he had just started reading it. Tim explained what he needed to do to be saved and felt he was quite close to the Kingdom.
Three young teenagers, Aoife, Nairead, Nianh, were also very interested in the gospel that was being preached. Please pray for them as they read the literature given to them.
Ernie Imken demonstrates the gospel message by paint board.
Jen Nygaard, right, speaks with a passerby.
Tim Hood preaches the gospel by paint board.
Team Newcastle West
James is 77 years old. The older he gets, he finds himself thinking more about spiritual things. Amy Deligdisch, teamed with Colin Burnett, spoke with him on the doors today in Newcastle West. He seemed to understand that he was a sinner. “You’ve really given me something to think about,” he said as they finished.
“It was just really exciting because we didn’t go in circles and he really came to an understanding,” said Amy. Please pray for him as he reads over the magazine they left him.
Other people to pray for include a Muslim man spoken to by Brian Aggett and Jewel Hobbs. Brian was thankful for an Arabic article in the magazine they were distributing. “What would have been a very difficult conversation was made very easy,” said Brian. “He translated it aloud for me.”
Pray for Christine, a woman met by Brian Kramer and Kevin Bibelhausen, who had many questions about why God allows suffering. She has lost her husband, granddaughter and others close to her in the last year and a half.
Tim Hood (leader)
Heidi Koppen (assistant leader)
Ernie Imken (driver)
Joan Plympton
Matt Furey
Suzi DeMatteo
Jen Nygaard
Sarah Mattox
Today the team was on O’Connell Street, Dublin’s main downtown thoroughfare, for street preaching and tract distribution. They handed out upwards of 500 tracts. “Everyone on the team had lots of opportunity to talk to different ones who were quite keen,” said leader Tim Hood.
One man to pray for is Peter. Joan Plympton gave him a tract. He said he had no problem understanding that he was a sinner. “He said, ‘I know I need to get right with God,’” said Tim. When Tim asked him if he read the Bible, Peter pulled out a New Testament and said he had just started reading it. Tim explained what he needed to do to be saved and felt he was quite close to the Kingdom.
Three young teenagers, Aoife, Nairead, Nianh, were also very interested in the gospel that was being preached. Please pray for them as they read the literature given to them.
Ernie Imken demonstrates the gospel message by paint board.
Jen Nygaard, right, speaks with a passerby.
Tim Hood preaches the gospel by paint board.Team Newcastle West
James is 77 years old. The older he gets, he finds himself thinking more about spiritual things. Amy Deligdisch, teamed with Colin Burnett, spoke with him on the doors today in Newcastle West. He seemed to understand that he was a sinner. “You’ve really given me something to think about,” he said as they finished.
“It was just really exciting because we didn’t go in circles and he really came to an understanding,” said Amy. Please pray for him as he reads over the magazine they left him.
Other people to pray for include a Muslim man spoken to by Brian Aggett and Jewel Hobbs. Brian was thankful for an Arabic article in the magazine they were distributing. “What would have been a very difficult conversation was made very easy,” said Brian. “He translated it aloud for me.”
Pray for Christine, a woman met by Brian Kramer and Kevin Bibelhausen, who had many questions about why God allows suffering. She has lost her husband, granddaughter and others close to her in the last year and a half.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Team Newcastle West
Andrew Cockburn (team leader), Ontario
Jewel Hobbs (assistant leader), Ontario
Brian Kramer (driver), Minnesota
Brian Aggett, Washington
Kevin Bibelhausen, Iowa
Amy Deligdisch, North Carolina
Mylene Lavoie, Quebec
Rachel De Lazzer, Ontario
Today was a travel day. We spent most of the afternoon watching the Irish countryside pass us by as we headed about three hours west from Greystones, Co. Wicklow to Newscastle West, Co. Limerick.
Full-time worker Colin Burnett and fellow missionary Andrew Shanks from the assembly in Newcastle West drove out to Carraig Eden to spend the morning with us and share their testimonies.
Colin and his wife Natalie were previously missionaries in Africa and later carried on a ministry to the poor in Hamilton, Ontario. He spoke of how the Lord put Ireland on his heart. When they came to Newcastle West, he said they found that they were reaping seeds that had been sown earlier by John Griffin, a chimney sweep in Newcastle West who had been praying for a church to come to the town for five years before Colin and Natalie arrived and established one. Our team will be helping them in door-to-door, open air and children's work in the week to come.
Watch for updates and photos from the Dublin and Waterford teams tomorrow. We'll have photos tomorrow as well.
Packing up at Carraig Eden in Greystones, Co. Wicklow Friday afternoon.
Arriving at Newcastle West Bible Fellowship in Newcastle West.
Pizza dinner with Colin and Natalie Burnett and Andrew and Gillian Shanks, missionaries in Newcastle West.
Andrew Shanks, Andrew Cockburn and Colin Burnett planning the following day.
Kevin Bibelhausen, Andrew Cockburn and Brian Kramer in TESCO shopping for food.
Andrew Cockburn (team leader), Ontario
Jewel Hobbs (assistant leader), Ontario
Brian Kramer (driver), Minnesota
Brian Aggett, Washington
Kevin Bibelhausen, Iowa
Amy Deligdisch, North Carolina
Mylene Lavoie, Quebec
Rachel De Lazzer, Ontario
Today was a travel day. We spent most of the afternoon watching the Irish countryside pass us by as we headed about three hours west from Greystones, Co. Wicklow to Newscastle West, Co. Limerick.
Full-time worker Colin Burnett and fellow missionary Andrew Shanks from the assembly in Newcastle West drove out to Carraig Eden to spend the morning with us and share their testimonies.
Colin and his wife Natalie were previously missionaries in Africa and later carried on a ministry to the poor in Hamilton, Ontario. He spoke of how the Lord put Ireland on his heart. When they came to Newcastle West, he said they found that they were reaping seeds that had been sown earlier by John Griffin, a chimney sweep in Newcastle West who had been praying for a church to come to the town for five years before Colin and Natalie arrived and established one. Our team will be helping them in door-to-door, open air and children's work in the week to come.
Watch for updates and photos from the Dublin and Waterford teams tomorrow. We'll have photos tomorrow as well.
Packing up at Carraig Eden in Greystones, Co. Wicklow Friday afternoon.
Arriving at Newcastle West Bible Fellowship in Newcastle West.
Pizza dinner with Colin and Natalie Burnett and Andrew and Gillian Shanks, missionaries in Newcastle West.
Andrew Shanks, Andrew Cockburn and Colin Burnett planning the following day.
Kevin Bibelhausen, Andrew Cockburn and Brian Kramer in TESCO shopping for food.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Today we knuckled down on door-to-door and open-air basics. Ron Hampton gave us an overview of priorities on the doors. “Find the one person that wants to keep going,” he said, as opposed to trying to get to multiple homes quickly.
Kevin Woytowich, one of our team leaders, reviewed some common questions on the doors and possible ways to answer them including everything from “God is not important to me” to “Everyone has their own religion.”
Tim Hood, previously a missionary in the south of Ireland for 10 years and another one of our team leaders, went over some dos and don’ts. Be perceptive as to their sincerity, he said. Try not to veer off track. Don’t be in a hurry but keep the conversation flowing. Ask questions and don’t monopolize the conversation.
We later got some practice time. Leaders posed as residents answering their doors.
Andrew Cockburn taught us how to preach a simple gospel message with a paint board and how to approach those who stop to listen. Tim added a rope trick that can serve as a teaser to the paint board message.
Today was lovely on the coast. It hardly rained but once in the evening.
After four days together, it’s tough to know we’ll split into three groups tomorrow and head to different parts of the Republic for the rest of our trip before we rejoin for the three-day Ireland tour at the end. Teams were announced tonight. We leave tomorrow after lunch. One group begins in Dublin, another in Waterford and the third, in Newcastle West, Co Limerick.
Morning session on door-to-door techniques.
Andrew Cockburn teaches us how to use a paint board to preach a gospel message in the open air.
David Wilson, missionary in Waterford, tells us his testimony after lunch.
Playing round robin before dinner.
Jewel Hobbs, Amy Deligdisch and Kevin Bibelhausen helping in the kitchen after lunch.
Kevin and Mylene Lavoie in the kitchen after lunch.
Danny and Pat Gleason from Shankill sharing their testimony after dinner.
Kevin Woytowich, one of our team leaders, reviewed some common questions on the doors and possible ways to answer them including everything from “God is not important to me” to “Everyone has their own religion.”
Tim Hood, previously a missionary in the south of Ireland for 10 years and another one of our team leaders, went over some dos and don’ts. Be perceptive as to their sincerity, he said. Try not to veer off track. Don’t be in a hurry but keep the conversation flowing. Ask questions and don’t monopolize the conversation.
We later got some practice time. Leaders posed as residents answering their doors.
Andrew Cockburn taught us how to preach a simple gospel message with a paint board and how to approach those who stop to listen. Tim added a rope trick that can serve as a teaser to the paint board message.
Today was lovely on the coast. It hardly rained but once in the evening.
After four days together, it’s tough to know we’ll split into three groups tomorrow and head to different parts of the Republic for the rest of our trip before we rejoin for the three-day Ireland tour at the end. Teams were announced tonight. We leave tomorrow after lunch. One group begins in Dublin, another in Waterford and the third, in Newcastle West, Co Limerick.
Morning session on door-to-door techniques.
Andrew Cockburn teaches us how to use a paint board to preach a gospel message in the open air.
David Wilson, missionary in Waterford, tells us his testimony after lunch.
Playing round robin before dinner.
Jewel Hobbs, Amy Deligdisch and Kevin Bibelhausen helping in the kitchen after lunch.
Kevin and Mylene Lavoie in the kitchen after lunch.
Danny and Pat Gleason from Shankill sharing their testimony after dinner.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
By now, we’ve all more or less adjusted to the fact that you don’t leave the building without an umbrella or at least a rain jacket. But having the sea on our doorstep more than makes up for the fickle weather.
We’ve yet to get right down to any active evangelism and are still learning the ropes, so-to-speak. One of the organizers and teachers here, Jim Van Dine, gave us some guidelines this morning on effective ways to witness. Steering us to the gospel of John, he suggested using the approach of that particular book in presenting the gospel on the doors. The word “believe” occurs in John 98 times. It clearly presents who Jesus Christ is and the gift of salvation He freely gives to those who receive it. “Jesus offers eternal life as a gift … Lead off with that,” he said, suggesting that even if someone cuts you off before you can finish, you still leave them with the most important idea.
He suggested steering away at least initially from anything the person has to do, and focusing on what Christ has done.
He also talked about avoiding what can be misleading or confusing terminology, such as “inviting Christ into your heart.”
In the afternoon, we had a group picture taken by Ron Hampton’s photographer son-in-law Jeremy, who is here visiting with his wife Meagan. We also continued with some labeling we started yesterday. There are 25,000 gospel magazines in all that need contact information labels on them. They will be used for distribution in counties Dublin, Waterford, Kilkenny and Limerick.
Three of our team members, Child Evangelism Fellowship veterans, ran through the Five-Day Club program from the CEF. The TnT team will be involved in child evangelism as part of this trip. We were taught the general format – memory verse, songs, Bible lesson etc. – and how to make it engaging for children.
Frank and Grace Carolan, who are native Irish and local missionaries in the Republic of Ireland, joined us for dinner and shared their testimonies. Grace shared how dire it was for her to leave her family’s Catholic faith around 20 years ago when she became a believer. Her father said he disowned her as his daughter.
Tomorrow, we go door-to-door.
We’ve yet to get right down to any active evangelism and are still learning the ropes, so-to-speak. One of the organizers and teachers here, Jim Van Dine, gave us some guidelines this morning on effective ways to witness. Steering us to the gospel of John, he suggested using the approach of that particular book in presenting the gospel on the doors. The word “believe” occurs in John 98 times. It clearly presents who Jesus Christ is and the gift of salvation He freely gives to those who receive it. “Jesus offers eternal life as a gift … Lead off with that,” he said, suggesting that even if someone cuts you off before you can finish, you still leave them with the most important idea.
He suggested steering away at least initially from anything the person has to do, and focusing on what Christ has done.
He also talked about avoiding what can be misleading or confusing terminology, such as “inviting Christ into your heart.”
In the afternoon, we had a group picture taken by Ron Hampton’s photographer son-in-law Jeremy, who is here visiting with his wife Meagan. We also continued with some labeling we started yesterday. There are 25,000 gospel magazines in all that need contact information labels on them. They will be used for distribution in counties Dublin, Waterford, Kilkenny and Limerick.
Three of our team members, Child Evangelism Fellowship veterans, ran through the Five-Day Club program from the CEF. The TnT team will be involved in child evangelism as part of this trip. We were taught the general format – memory verse, songs, Bible lesson etc. – and how to make it engaging for children.
Frank and Grace Carolan, who are native Irish and local missionaries in the Republic of Ireland, joined us for dinner and shared their testimonies. Grace shared how dire it was for her to leave her family’s Catholic faith around 20 years ago when she became a believer. Her father said he disowned her as his daughter.
Tomorrow, we go door-to-door.
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