Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

The team has been up for two days now in Atticall. On Monday, Zak and Peter hosted a brilliantly done gameshow marathon at the Gaelic Association Club. Several people came out, and the craic (as they say here) was great. The main purpose was to reintroduce the team to the community, but Zak made it clear why we were back: because we love Jesus, and we want others to love him. 

Yesterday (Tuesday) the Lord brought about 6-7 teens to the various teen programs and 4 adults yesterday to the coffee break. Last night we went out and watched a Gaelic football match and interacted with the dozen or so spectators, just to get the word out about the Americans being back in town and the programs. As with last year, the work in Atticall begins small, but word-of-mouth spreads quickly.

Peter pointed us to the gospel in the life of David amid his sin and repentance with Bathsheba. A couple of good conversations ensued as the teens wondered aloud alternatively why 1) God would let off a murderer or 2) thinking that God is so merciful that he'd let David off no matter what David did. Pray for wisdom as we follow up on these conversations today.

Tonight there is a camogie tournament game that we'll be attending after Joel opens the Word and we spend some more time with the teens. Tomorrow the program will begin properly. Due to a schedule conflict this year, we'll be back in the community from Saturday through Tuesday with Treasure Hunters for the kids in primary school. This has freed up the various Treasure Hunter workers to spend time with the teens and adults in the morning.

One might be discouraged when looking at the number of people who have come out, but as with last year we trust that our God will provide fruit in his timing; our work is faithfulness as he gives grace to us. Pray that we'd ask for more grace to be faithful today, and in so declaring our inability and thus humbling ourselves that we'd speak boldly of the glories of God in the gospel.

Last night a rainbow extended above the misty clouds that were covering Knockchree (the local "hill" that towers over Atticall). Just as it signified God's blessing and promise to not judge the earth with water, so we desire that God hold back his wrath from those of our friends who don't yet acknowledge him as Savior and Lord. Might it be, Lord.



Daniel