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.
