Street Evangelism, Gospel meeting, Door to door work

The past three days have been filled with activity for the team as we have moved into the home stretch of our time here in Ireland. On Saturday, after another morning of distributing the 4You magazines, the team hit the streets of the Waterford downtown core for the second afternoon in a row to strike up conversations and hand out tracts.

A number of notable conversations included one Victor had with a gentleman fundraising for the SPCA, who was an evolutionist by persuasion, but was open minded and was found to be receptive; and graciously recieved gospel literature that catered to the scientific mind. Callie and Josh had a couple of good conversations, particularly with teenagers who were spending their day off school in the square; two girls, Jane and Kelly, were especially interested in what the Bible had to say about Jesus and the significance of His death. Their religious upbringing made them extremely receptive to the truths of scripture, and they were left with alot to think about and reading material that outlined the simple concepts of the Gospel and what it means to humanity. In the meantime, as Brian was sitting in the square working on his Gospel message for Sunday evening, a woman by the name of Christina sat by him, and after striking up conversation with her, Brian soon found out that her husband had passed away about five years ago from multiple sclerocis, a disease that one of Brian's family members' had suffered from in the past. It was made very apparent that their meeting wasnt an accident! They were able to talk briefly about the Gospel, and she was invited out to Sunday's Gospel meeting, but said she wouldnt be able to make it because of a time conflict. These were just a handful of the promising dialogues that were had over the course of Saturday afternoon; and we would request that you would remember Jane, Kelly, and Christina in your prayers as the truth that they heard would take root.

Sunday morning, the team broke bread at Waterford Christian Assembly, and in the Family Bible Hour, Leonard Carolan shared from the word about prayer. Leonard had to leave soon after the meeting, and his presence will be missed as the team continues its work here in Waterford. On Sunday evening, Waterford Christian Assembly had rented out a conference room in the Dooley's hotel, and held an open Gospel meeting for the public. Invitations for this meeting had been handed out the previous two days, and four people turned up for the 8 oclock session. It began with David taking favorites for songs, followed by a special number by Heidi, and finally the message from Brian. During the course of the message, a fellow in the back, Guiness in hand, became very vocal with his questions, mentioning his Catholic upbringing and asking what Brian was trying to get at with the message. God be thanked, Brian kept his cool as he answered the man's questions, and was able to finish the message as planned; but not before the man had gone up and left, shaking his head. Pray for this man! His name also happens to be Brian! Whether he left out of disinterest or true conviction, what he heard that evening was the truth; so the rest is left to the work of the Holy Spirit. The others that came stayed for a good while and talked amongst the various team members. Good conversations were had over tea; in the meantime Victor was out in the streets striking up dialogues with passerby in the downtown core. Alot of literature was given out in this time.

Today (Monday), the 4You magazines were again delivered in the morning, and the first round of door to door work in the Waterford area ensued after lunchtime. Part of the work here includes the offering of the Jesus: Fact or Fiction DVD, free for a three week borrowing period, after which an assembly member comes to pick it up with no obligation. The DVD includes the Jesus film (most historically accurate film about the life of Jesus in existence), as well as bonus features that look at Christianity in an apologetic light (with interviews with Josh mcdowell and Ravi zacharias).

Tommorow, God willing, will be the teams last ministry day in Waterford, and will be following the same pattern as today's activities. Pray for focus for the team and boldness as they hit the doors again tommorow. Thank you to all that have been faithfully following the team's activities so far, and for the prayers and support thereof. God bless!

-Josh George, filling in for brian kramer