Israel - The Mediterranean Sea

Watching the sun set on the Mediterranean Sea, one cannot stop thinking and talking about how not too far up the coast from here, Paul and Barnabus took their first missionary journey. Acts 13:42 "Many jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabus and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God."
The sunset was beautiful and it was fun watching some kids fish as the sun was slowly setting.
Above was an elderly man fishing with nets in an old boat. We enjoyed just watching him and thinking of some of our bible heros that were fishermen when our Lord called them to come and follow Him.
Above is the beautiful view from the promenade in Netanya. With the high cliffs and t-shirt weather, we had a wonderful day.
As the locals say "Shalom."

Israel

Jer. 31:6 "There will be a day when watchmen on the mountains of Ephraim will call out this message: 'Arise! Let's go to Zion, to the Lord our God''

In just a couple of hours we will board a plane to the destination of our dreams, Israel.

Nu 14:7-8 "And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. (KJV)

We will arrive early Sunday morning.

"THE CALL" - IRELAND

On October 27th, we arrived in Dublin airport. A team of five ministered at their second annual conference. Pictured above is Pat Johnson, Patrick Mullins, Pastor Terry, Pastor Pat and Cora Chaffin. A team that drove straight to the church from the airport and worked continually for a week. This team preached 5 adult services, one youth service, one leadership training, 8 children's ministry services and 5 services of nursery duty. It was exhausting, exciting and blessed all at the same time.
The children loved to dress up and be involved in the bible skits.
We used many modes of teaching to the children. They loved the eagle puppet and Cora who acted as a little girl who finally received the lord into her heart after days of searching for the truth and the reason she was created.
The team was continually loved by the children.
These children were so eager to learn. They wanted to participate in everything and to the parents delight went home excitedly telling them all they had learned that day.

The children were eager to learn to go deeper in worship with their Lord.



Then there were the five services to the adults. While the rest of the team was upstairs ministering to the children and infants, Pastor Terry preached morning and evening to the adults. Many reports of what the Lord was doing in the hearts of the people was encouraging. Pastor James felt that God was going deep into the hearts of the people with much needed refreshing after coming out of months of construction and hard work in the church.


Saying good-bye is always the hardest part. It seems each year we get closer and closer to our Irish brothers and sisters. Some of the children cried while many adults were disappointed we couldn't stay longer. With promises of returning, we departing feeling the Lord's pleasure on this conference and on the Family Worship Centre.
God was faithful to once again, give times of refreshing, binding up the broken-hearted, renewing the call of God on many peoples lives, through His Spirit. We are so grateful that He allows us to be a small part of the great things God is doing around the world.

IRELAND CHURCH CONFERENCE

On October 26th, we will be leaving for Ireland with a small faithful mission team. We will be working with Pastor James and Rachel (pictured above with their family.) We have been asked to return for our second annual church conference. The theme this year is the "Call of God." One exciting component this year is that they have just completed their new church building. Last year, while we were there, it was under construction. Below is a picture of the Pastors dedicating their building to the Lord.
Below is a picture of the new sanctuary where we will be ministering the conference. We will be leaving Monday, October 26th and returning Wednesday, November 7th. Spending 10 days encouraging, refreshing, ministering and fellowship with our precious Irish brothers and sisters in the Lord is greatly anticipated.
Below is a map of southern Ireland. It is small but if you look closely you can see a small yellow dot where Portlaoise is located. Dublin, which most people are more familiar with is to the east. We fly into Dublin and drive to Portlaoise, staying in the homes of the warm Irish church members. This conference includes a Kids Club Vacation Bible school for 3 days, a service to the youth, 5 services to the adults, one leadership session and 5 more services to the children. We also serve in their nursery enabling church members to attend the conference. This is quite a full and exciting itinerary. We ask that you keep us in our prayers.

THREE YOUNG MARTYRS

When our oldest daughter, Lori was 15 years old, she went to Africa for a month. She recently posted this blog and we wanted to share it.

WARNING: GRAPHIC POST OF MARTYRS AHEAD

While I was in Uganda, we visited the tomb of 3 young Christian boys who were martyred for Christ. As our guide was telling us the story, I remember not being able to hold back the tears. I was the exact age of the oldest boy that had given his life. Even after all these years, I never forgot their story...

In the morning Mackay heard that three of the boys who had been captured on the previous day were not only bound as prisoners, but that Mujasi was threatening to burn them to death. The boys were named Seruwanga, Kakumba, and Lugalama. The eldest was fifteen, the youngest twelve.

The boys were led out with a mob of howling men and boys around them. Mujasi shouted to them: "Oh, you know Isa Masiya (Jesus Christ). You believe you will rise from the dead. I shall burn you, and you will see if this is so." A hideous roar of laughter rose from the mob. The boys were led down the hill towards the edge of a marsh. Behind them was a plantation of banana trees. Some men who had carried bundles of firewood on their heads threw the wood into a heap; others laid hold of each of the boys and cut off their arms with hideous curved knives so that they should not struggle in the fire.

Seruwanga, the bravest, refused to utter a cry as he was cut to pieces, but Kakumba shouted to Mujasi, who was a Mohammedan, "You believe in Allah the Merciful. Be merciful!" But Mujasi had no mercy.

We are told that the men who were watching held their breath with awed amazement as they heard a boy's voice out of the flame and smoke singing,

"Daily, daily sing to Jesus,
Sing, my soul, His praises due."

As the executioners came towards the youngest and feeblest, Lugalama, he cried, "Oh, do not cut off my arms. I will not struggle, I will not fight--only throw me into the fire."

But they did their ghastly work, and threw the mutilated boy on a wooden framework above the slow fire where his cries went up, till at last there was silence. One other Christian stood by named Musali. Mujasi, with eyes bloodshot and inflamed with cruelty, came towards him and cried:

"Ah, you are here. I will burn you too and your household. You are a follower of Isa (Jesus)."

"Yes, I am," replied Musali, "and I am not ashamed of it."