Brian
The week my parents were here, Brian Hill, a 24-year-old seminary student from Florida arrived here. He will be here two more months and will continue much of the work I started. He and I have had great conversations as we are like-minded in so many things. In really just a week of doing ministry together, the two of us have entered into a valuable friendship. It's always hard to walk out on any ministry work, but it feels so much better knowing that God has provided a theologically sound, passionate and competent person to take my place. He has already developed a good way with Tom and with the children in the neighborhood (more on that later).
Tuesday Night Bible Study
I've talked about it before, but the doors God has opened for Grace Church is not what I or anyone else but God expected. I have continued to meet with several of the political exiles from Africa, and we are meeting Tuesday night at 7:30 to discuss the "I Am"s of John's gospel, a study that Brian will continue when I'm gone.
The Children of Pondsfield
The other open door has been with the children and youth in the neighborhood surrounding where we meet. I have continued to seek relationships with the Kinsler children (I was previously misinformed that the last name was Kennedy), especially the twins Adam and Aaron. These are the children who came to the BBQ with some of their friends. Since then, I've played hurling and Gaelic football with them. I have met their mother and she is not suspicious of us (Brian and I), but very touched that we want to play with kids and be positive role models. The kids are actually hilarious, so it's quite fun being with them. This morning, Adam showed up at church with his black vest and slacks on. I took him out during communion and we talked about the story of Zaccheus. When I asked him later to tell the others about Zaccheus, he said instead, "Jesus died on the cross for us." This is another that we had talked about, both after playing (Gaelic) football on Saturday and earlier that morning. Adam said he would come back to church next week. He has eleven brothers and sisters, most of whom I would imagine don't know why Jesus died on the cross (as Adam and Aaron didn't). As I write this, I am fighting back tears. I am realizing that the BBQ was certainly not in vain, and that the numbers were low so that we could talk more with the children. I am hopeful that Adam's whole family will be saved, starting with Adam. I may not see this, but seeds have certainly been planted and God is gracious to allow me to see some growth before I depart from Ireland. They are tentative plans for a kids camp week, kind of a VBS-type thing (but only for an hour and a half, not a full day) in early August. Brian and I met with a woman named Joanna, who works for Child Evangelism Fellowship, about the possibility of doing a club. Her organization could provide guarda (police) clearance to allow us to legally be around children and could also provide insurance. The police clearance takes at least six weeks to obtain, so we're looking at later this summer, after I've gone. Still, it's comforting to know that we are doing something for these children, as I believe that's where the Lord is leading us.
Tom's Baptism
Tom has continued to grow in confidence and understanding of the gospel through the study of the Bible. His understanding has exceeded what I thought possible a couple months ago, not because of me, but because of God at work in him. Last night, he went to a pub with Brian and I to discuss the final chapter of John's gospel. While we were talking, we were approached by a man named Francis, who listened for a while, then argued, then considered the gospel. He told me he would call me to get together and talk this week. Anyway, Tom and Brian and I have made quite a trio. Tom prayed yesterday and thanked God for his best friends. It will be hard to leave, but I know I will see him again and Tom desperately wants to visit America. His baptism is next Sunday in the sea about 15 miles south of New Ross. They have asked me to do the baptism, and I am honored to take part.
Vision
This week, there have been several much needed talk about vision. Everyone involved in Grace Church has the same heart, and that is to glorify God and see lost people saved. However, there are differing ideas about how to go about this. Not everyone needs to have the same role, but everyone needs to be united under the same vision. Conversations with my family helped me to take initiative in having these discussions this week. After these months, I don't claim to be an expert in church planting, and every church and situation is different, but there are a few things I have learned in working with the Lord to build Grace Church. First, to repeat my mother, find where God is working and join Him. Try to build relationships wherever you go in a number of different ways. Then constantly be following up with those contacts/relationships, even when they shaft you. If one wrongs you, that's a great opportunity to forgive them and thus show the gospel. I believe ten conversations with the same person is better than a hundred conversations with a hundred people. I believe one relationship made for the glory of God is better than handing out a hundred tracts. Not everyone here sees things the same way I do, but we can still work together in different roles to lift up the name of Christ. Brian does see things the same way, and he has met a lot of the contacts I have here and will continue to meet more next week. It's good that he came before I left, so I can introduce him to people and then he can follow up, having met them. The last thing about church planting, don't give up when you don't see measurable progress. Trust that God is working and you should too. No regrets.
Vision. AMEN.
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