Persistence

This trip isn't about me, the experience I'll gain and the lessons I'll learn. It's about proclaiming the glory of God to this beautiful yet barren land called Ireland. That being said, I am learning some lessons about church planting. I think the primary lesson would be one of persistence, how to deal with disappointments without being disappointed and giving up. I know God has ordained Grace Church and my involvement. I have seen reasons why and know there are reasons invisible to me at the moment.

The BBQ

The weather could not have been any better for a spring day in Ireland. As we pulled up to the community center where we have church (and the BBQ), kids on bikes came up and asked us when it started. They said they were coming and their parents too. As I heard this, my hopes went up, thinking about having a hundred non-believers fellowship with us and hear the gospel. But it ended up being more like ten non-believers, seven of which were children or teenagers. Now, don't get me wrong, I am thankful that they came (even if most of them only used us to get a burger and dessert) and that they heard the gospel, but I was hoping for more. The few adults there that weren't part of the church were friends/neighbors of church members. Apparently, in Ireland, if you even mention that you're part of a church that's not theirs, people aren't apt to voluntarily come no matter what you give them. Plenty of good has come out of the BBQ and probably more good that I can't see yet. 1) Like I said, at least ten, maybe a dozen, who don't believe the true gospel heard it (some of them likely for the first time). 2) The neighborhood knows that we're here and can't accuse us of not reaching out. 3) We have had plenty of meat to grill with here over the last week. 4) We made some good contacts with the local children. As we were setting up, a pair of 8-year-old twins kept yelling for me to let them in the gate. I couldn't, as I didn't want to be responsible for them, but I was friendly to them and told them they could have the first burgers. When it started, they really latched onto me. They told me all about their family (12 children including 3 sets of twins and a newborn). Two of their older brothers came to the BBQ. When it was all over, the twins stayed and helped us clean up. They were so proud of being able to help. So I am going back to the neighborhood tomorrow, hoping to meet them again and make contact with their family, maybe see if there is anything Grace Church can do to help them out. Pray for that family, the Kennedys.

Bible Study

I met with a couple of the African guys earlier this week and we finalized plans to meet at 5:30 Thursday evening in the Community Development Project. It was in writing on the flyers I made to advertise the study in the Rectory, where they live. I prepared my teaching on "I am the bread of life" from John 6 and was ready to go. Sandra and Patrick came along with me (James had to work late). We got there and waited and waited. We ended up leaving about 5:50 as I could not get a hold of Abraham (I got a hold of Nchedo to find out that he was in Dublin). It wasn't until later in the evening that I heard from Abraham, saying he was having some equipment dropped off and the guy came late. He said when he went there, he was told that we had left. He explained he hadn't called because he didn't have any credits left on his phone. He was the only one coming as the other guys were out of town (a lot of them go back and forth between New Ross and Dublin). So that was disappointing, but Abraham said they discovered they could have the room and the CDP every Tuesday night at 7pm, which is a much better time. I'll be gone this next week, but will plan to start the Bible study (God-willing) the following Tuesday. I already have my teaching prepared.

Advanced Preparation

My friends coming next week and my parents and sister the week after leaves me with only the time this week to prepare multiple Bible studies and a sermon. So I've been doing a lot of that this week and I'm pleased to say that I'm done (at least have a rough draft for the sermon) and wouldn't be blogging if I wasn't.

The Tom Report

Also, I have spent more time discipling Tom this week. We visited Kilkenny, a highly-praised old town just less than an hour away. We had a good conversation about John 11 over lunch and a woman came up to us as she left and said, "I am a follower of Jesus, God bless you both." This was a rare treat and I wish we could have talked more, but she took off pretty quick. It was encouraging to think that many of our conversations in public are being overheard (even eavesdropped on) and those people are hopefully hearing the gospel. Tom and I talked about baptism for the first time. He has a proper Biblical understanding of it and I've asked him to think/pray about it and let me know when he's ready. When he is, he'll be baptized in the public (indoor) swimming pool in New Ross. It will be a good witness to his parents, who have been around a good deal lately. His dad hasn't gone to church for years, his step-mom goes to a Baptist (more or less) church in Wexford, but Tom told me he's not sure she's saved. It seems to be more of a social gathering for her. Tom has been teaching her the stuff he and we talk about.

Getting Busy

This past week has easily been the busiest week I've had. Until now, I've easily found time to exercise and read. The last two mornings, though, I've been up before 6:30 just to have time to exercise. Besides meeting with Tom and preparing to teach, I've been doing some work outside the house to prepare for a mobile home to be put on the land (I think I explained this before). It's here now, so there is a place for guests to stay and there's a group of five Floridians coming in August. Also, there is an elderly woman in the church who has an unbelieving husband. I met him a few weeks ago at James' birthday party and he told his wife "we got on well." He's an Englishman, very intellectual, but insecure. His wife invited me over for tea so he and I could talk more. We talked mostly about literature (what little I know) and we're planning to meet again. Pray that it's an in to the gospel. I also met with a group of ministers in County Wexford for a morning prayer meeting, everything from Church of Ireland (Anglican) to Pentecostal. It was encouraging to see unification on the gospel (for the most part).

A Good Report From Nashville

I recently got a message from Gillian and Georgina's sister Sinead, who lives in Bellvue, TN. As many of you know, this was the area hit worst by the Nashville flooding. I had met Sinead once when visiting Miles and Gillian one night. She asked if West End Community Church was my church. She asked because a team from West End has helped restore her house. She was so grateful and moved by this act of compassion. I was proud to call West End my church home. I know Miles and Gillian have prayed for her, and I truly believe God is not done saving members of that family, perhaps by using a natural disaster and resulting act of service.