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.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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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