Goodbye in Atticall

After worshiping together on Tuesday morning, we filled the minibus and left for Atticall for our final morning session.  Treasure Hunters ended with the final scenes of the puppet show.  After many close but unsuccessful attempts to find Jesus with his time machine, the main character concluded that he doesn't need to time-travel to find Jesus; he can find him in the Bible wherever he is.  Between scenes, Zach clearly presented the gospel to the children and to the teens who also watched the puppet show.

Besides watching the show, we played games with the teens, and then transitioned into a Bible study for the third morning in a row.  Monday we looked at Peter's denial of and restoration to Jesus in John's gospel, as well as Jesus' teaching about his role as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep in John 10.  Today we opened John 11, and Daniel and Peter taught about Jesus' bold statement, "I am the resurrection and the life."  On hearing that some of the girls did not have a Bible, we decided to purchase several Teen Bibles that afternoon.

Between the morning and evening times in Atticall, the team gathered for a final debrief.  Much encouragement was shared, and we celebrated the many visible evidences of God's grace to each member.  He has truly shown his care for us and given us great joy in Christ during the last two weeks in Northern Ireland.

Our final night in Atticall brought a talent show at the Gaelic Club.  The previous year's show gathered many attendants, and also opened the door for further ministry opportunities.  Many from Atticall joined us again for this year’s show and enjoyed the various acts, including: Peter, Rachel, and Matt playing a song; Grant playing his guitar; Trish singing; and many from the team performing dramas.  Stephen, the minister at Kilkeel Presbyterian, ended the event with a message about the supremacy of being Christ's over all other possible identities.  He shared from 2 Corinthians 5:17, our theme verse, and encouraged conversation over its message.

As it was our last night in Atticall, we said goodbye to the teen girls with many selfies, hugs and tears.  We gave away the Bibles, signing our names and writing encouragements on the opening pages.

Consider praying already for the Bible studies and other gatherings that will be taking place in Atticall during the following months.  Exposure to the gospel and genuine Christian fellowship for the teen girls will be limited; pray that God would raise up more laborers (Matt. 9:38), encourage those already involved, and continue bringing the teens to events.  We are grateful for the joy that we've seen in some as they have received the word; pray that time and trial would show their hearts to be good soil (Matt. 13:8, 23), and that they would bear fruit and endure.  

Thank you for "your partnership in the gospel" (Phil. 1:5).

Matt Klem