Ireland Welcomes the Queen! How about the Team?

The TnT Team arrived in Ireland to begin almost 4 weeks of outreach this past Tuesday, the very same day Queen Elizabeth II arrived to spend 4 days visiting the Emerald Isle.

(The photo shows the queen being shown the Book of Kells at Trinity College, Dublin which is a 1200 year old ornately illustrated Celtic copy of the the four gospels)

The arrival of the queen was momentous as this was the first visit of a reigning British monarch to Ireland in 100 years. While this queen has spanned the globe over her 85 years, it has never been considered possible for her to set foot in this country just off the west coast of Britain. Even now, her visit has resulted in the largest security operation ever seen on this island.

For some 800 years until this past century Ireland was under the rule of the British monarch and there has never been an acceptance of that fact on the part of the large majority of the Irish. 800 years of unrest and rebellion culminated in the regular sounds of bombs and bullets from the 1960s until this past decade. The effect of this queen's visit is already making a difference in Ireland. She announced that the Irish and the British are now "firm friends and equal partners". Significantly the queen also frankly offered, "With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently -- or not at all." The reality of a lasting peace is now sensed by many in Ireland and the UK.

How about the 2011 arrival of the TnT Team? While not on the level of the welcome received by a visiting monarch, first the saints in Shankill, Co Dublin and now in Newcastle West, Co Limerick have warmly welcomed the following team members: Tim Hood (BC); Heidi Koppen (IA); Art Cavenagh (MB); Ernie Imken (NY); Stephanie Perkins (GA); Katie Doolan (MB); Noelle Cottom (OH); Elisa Cooper (IA); Trinity Yarish (MB); and Jordan Evans (MB).

Paul the apostle quoted in Romans 10:15, "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" PLEASE PRAY that as a result of the team's visit to Ireland there will many who are reconciled to God, who will experience peace with God, through trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul then goes on to say in verse 17, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." There will be much sowing of God's Word over the next three weeks: 30,000 4YOU.ie gospel magazines, hundreds of other tracts, scores of New Testaments, not to mention the public preaching that will take place in buildings, on the streets and in parks across the south of Ireland.

Whatever the impact of the queen's visit, we know the team's visit will have an eternal one!

A Long Walk - Newcastle West, Co Limerick

The team is almost all here! Two more of our team members arrived late last night, and we're settling into our new house. This morning, we met together for a time of worship and devotions before specific preparations for our ministry. We spent about two hours delivering gospel magazines to neighborhoods in Newcastle West. It was quite a walk, so we were thankful for dry, sunny weather. We put most of the magazines in mail slots, but occasionally we met someone in their garden. The Irish people are really gracious and friendly and were happy to take the magazine. It makes us somewhat excited although still somewhat apprehensive about going door to door. Please pray for us to not be afraid but have confidence in the Lord to work through us. This evening we ate dinner together with some of the local believers--we have enjoyed getting to know them, and they will be leading us in local ministry for next several days.

We are excited about the rest of the trip, but we would appreciate your prayers for stamina and unity as some are tired in adjusting to a new environment and schedule.

Until next time!

Elisa

DREAM COME TRUE!

Arrived in Ireland. Wow! What a beautiful country. We arrived here and the first thing I noticed was the accent. That's when it hit me: I'm in Ireland!! (which is a dream come true by the way).

We've met some really great people so far. We were taken around Dublin on a grand tour hosted by two of the guys or 'lads' as they'd call them here, from the church. It was fantastic! Already I feel totally welcomed and at home here. I'm so excited for what God has in store for our team. Lately we've been taking evening walks which are lovely. There's a nearby village Shankill that we've been spending a lot of time in buying the delicious chocolate they have here and then we sometimes take a walk down to the beach which is also very near. Now I'm making it sound like it's all fun and games. Which it definitely is.

But apart from touring around and exploring, we've also spent some time going out and slipping the gospel magazines into the mailboxes of the neighborhood houses. And we've also spent a portion of the day learning about Ireland's history and beliefs. Ireland is so far everything I'd hoped for it to be and more. And I know that God has an amazing plan for our team and what's next to come. Tomorrow we head for Newcastle West, Co Limerick to work with the Burnetts, Shanks and the Newcastle West Bible Fellowship.

Trinity Y

The LORD Has Provided!

For the past several years we have been trusting the Lord to provide tens of thousands of copies of the Irish gospel magazine, 4YOU.ie. This is a 16-page, full-colour glossy magazine that is packed with relevant, interesting and challenging articles explaining the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Again this year, through a donation from an organization in Canada, 30,000 of these magazines will be distributed throughout the Republic of Ireland via TnT Teams. 16,000 will go out in the city of Waterford alone.

We continue to trust the Lord for His provision for all the other expenses associated with this year's outreach. Please pray with us.

As God's Word goes out, remember: "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17

Ireland 2011

Only two weeks to go!

This year's team members are only two weeks away from arriving in Dublin, Ireland to begin what will be almost a month of intensive orientation, training, evangelistic outreach and ministry to Irish believers and assemblies. I know that some will be becoming increasingly fretful and even fearful re this whole experience from making sure they have everything they need, to traveling overseas, meeting a whole lot of new people with whom they're going to be living at close quarters, fellowshipping with Christians and churches they’re unfamiliar with; being involved in door to door and open air evangelism. No doubt there are even some that might be thinking, “What have I got myself into?”

This is a good time for us to pray for those who have taken this step of faith. It is a good time for the team members to be reminded that it is the Lord who has led them to this decision. It is a good time to be reminded from the scriptures that the best antidote for fear is faith. When faith soars fear sinks! We do well to remember the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He (the LORD) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Isn’t it great to know God will use even our weakness as we trust Him. I believe one of the reasons we have enjoyed such blessing year by year is that our teams are made up of saints who are fearful yet faithful in the Lord’s strength.

It is important to be reminded about the Lord Jesus as He commissions His disciples in a very applicable passage in Matthew 28:16 “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.”” Simply put, as the Lord Jesus sends His disciples to teach and testify, He assures them of His power and presence. All the 2011 TnT Team members can be assured of the same.

The Lord has blessed us with 10 team members so far who will be joining us for all or a part of the mission including 4 who have worked with TnT Teams in previous years. We continue to pray for some additional help. This means we will have only one team that will work in three different areas of the country: Co Dublin, Co Limerick and Co Waterford. They will be working with national believers, workers and missionaries who are experienced in evangelism and ministering the Word. For everyone but especially our first-timers fear will give way to faith and this "trusting the Lord" will be the key to what is accomplished for eternity.

Please pray for these team members as they prepare, as they travel starting May 13th, and as they serve the Lord in Ireland, some until June 25th.

Fruit Will Come

It was great to have the whole team once again to come down to the Rathnew traveller/gypsy site, where last year's TnT Team had led a teen girl to the LORD. They were able to see her again this year, and her sisters, two of which have subsequently come to the Lord.

We hope to have the future teams every year to be encouraged as they come to the traveller site and see Mary blossoming as a believer, and hopefully other fruit will come also!!

Jim and Kathy Moriarty

Ron's Message to Team

Dear 2010 TnT'rs

Even though I wasn’t involved directly with the team this year while you were in Ireland, please know from all the reports I’ve received, the team has been successful in accomplishing the good work of encouraging and building up believers and assemblies in Ireland along with the missionaries and national workers. You have also accomplished the good work of evangelism as you have distributed the magazines and NTs, and personally been a witness at the doors, on the street, and at the kids clubs. While it is the Lord who will reward you, I want to personally express our thanks to you for being willing to take the steps of faith that brought you to Ireland in the first place and the ones you’ve had to take day by day while you’ve been there.

The Lord Jesus told His disciples in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit --fruit that will last.” As we know from the context this verse doesn’t speak about salvation but rather of serving the Saviour. I trust that you have truly sensed that it was indeed the Lord who led you to get involved this year. I trust that as you obeyed the Lord in going with the gospel throughout that you have been encouraged by the immediate and visible fruit that you have seen. Please know that the greater fruit of all this serving and sowing, the “fruit that will last” will only be really understood and appreciated as it’s revealed to you in eternity.

And as I’ve already said, it is the Lord who will bring His abundant reward for faithful service and eternal fruit with Him. In the meanwhile, I trust you already have a sense of being rewarded not only through the response to the work you have done, but also through the relationships you have experienced with your fellow team members, Irish believers and the missionaries.

Six years ago following the visit of the team that year, Leonard Carolan emailed me the following that I’m sure he would echo again this year: “It was something that I couldn’t emphasize enough to the team when they were here. The team members themselves could never fully realize how appreciated the yearly visit is and how people were fired up for Christ by their coming. The effect is unbelievable, such an encouragement. I know, as I’m one of the encouraged! The arrival of the TNT crew is anticipated months before and remembered years after.”

I have no doubt that you have appreciated the extra service Brian, Heidi and Len have provided as they have accepted leadership roles and especially Brian as he’s driven you around Ireland. I want to thank them as well along with Jim and Frank, and everyone who has had to take on more as a result of me not being there. I also have no doubt that you have been overwhelmed by the generous hospitality of your hosts in every place where you have gone. God is indeed good, isn’t He!

I trust you have a memorable last night together with each other, the saints and the missionaries. As you return to your homes remember to water with prayer all the seed that has been sown trusting the Lord for the increase. As you return to your home assemblies, recount with joy the good work the Lord has accomplished in you and through you and don’t discount the possibility that you might be called upon to provide fresh vision and leadership for evangelism in your area. Don’t forget to thank those who faithfully supported and prayed for you. As they have expressed their partnership with you, be sure to share with them the results of that faithfulness.

Again, my thanks to each one of you for your participation in the 2010 TnT Team outreach. We trust the Lord will lead you to consider re-upping in years to come (see Ernie, Joan, Heidi and Brian for details).

Every blessing
Ron