We leave today for Northern Ireland and Ireland. We are flying British Airways into Gatwick airport and on to Dublin, Ireland.
Please hold us in your prayers as this is a difficult time to be traveling. Not one of the young people on the team or their parents considered canceling. I praise God for their faithfulness.
This was the last mission trip Mike and I made last August. Personally, I miss him more than I have words to write. Please pray for me.
Ask God to do great and wonderful things in the lives of the people we meet in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
In Jesus,
Linda for the Ireland Puppet Team
Sam Shaw
Katie Humfleet
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Hanna Sager
Jon Bova
August 18th, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
CHILDREN PRAYING
We are in Northern Ireland! Straight from the Dublin Airport yesterday, we went to do
a puppet show for the children in Belfast. They live in a very difficult place where hate is the rule. By the time they are 10, they have seen too much and
been taught many things that are wrong. Giant murals of men in ski masks holding guns decorate the sides of buildings.
Sam has been doing puppet shows all week in this place with his Irish team. Last night, we were blessed to do the program. On the Antrim Road, there is a
little Baptist Church that loves children. Last night, in this place, we heard children praying out loud asking Jesus to forgive them. This is not a common
sound in Northern Ireland. Yet, 2 nights in a row, Sam has been blessed in this place. Ask the Father to teach these children about His love!
Pray for this little church. Two nearby churches are closing and another stands mostly empty, with half of it being used by an Indian culture group. These
churches died because they had no vision, so it is very important that we pray and encourage this little light that remains. For 10 years, they had nothing
for children, but God changed their hearts. This week was a new experience for them. Ask God to strengthen them and bless them!
They have also begun a Bible study for women. Ladies are coming that do not know Jesus. Pray for a family outreach that they are doing September 4th-10th.
ENGLAND
On the airplane, I met a very nice young man who is enjoying the gift of his first child, but he did not seem to know much about the
Giver. He works with people who are doing research papers for their doctorate and was very excited about his little girl.
We talked about the children around the world and how they respond to the stories of Jesus. That led us to commenting on the difference in response in
western cultures. I asked him whose side he was on, believers or scoffers. He quickly told me that he goes to church sometimes. I said, "But do you live
with passion for Jesus Christ?"
He is a very nice man who, like all of us, could be so much more if he lived sold out to Jesus. Please pray for him!
MIKE
I awoke this morning in a lovely room at Murlough House that Mike and I enjoyed many times. I was tempted to be overcome by a flood of
emotions, loss, and pain, but God is so good! Years ago, I painted many plaques with scripture and quotes to decorate this house. As my eyes focused, I saw
this verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I read another scripture, "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through
him who loved us!" As I went to make my tea, I read, "How great is the love of the Father."
God used the walls to speak to me! My tears dried and I leave for ministry in the south this morning full of joy and excitement! I praise God for my dear
husband and thank God for all the fun we had in Northern Ireland through the years. Please pray for us as we travel with the Irish band "Reality". Ask God
to do great things.
In Jesus,
Linda for the team
for
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Hannah Sager
Jon Bova
Sam Shaw
Katie Humfleet
August 20th, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
We need you to pray, hundreds gather in the rain to watch the programs, but we need
you to pray against the rain. The band and the puppet equipment are all very wet. Many other problems on the street. Pray extremely hard.
In Jesus,
Linda for the team
for
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Hannah Sager
Jon Bova
Sam Shaw
Katie Humfleet
August 23rd, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
TRALEE
Would you stand in the wind and rain to listen to a Christian band? Soaked and cold,
would you stand another 30 minutes to watch a puppet show and hear a Bible story? Hundreds gathered in the streets of Tralee as we shared and did exactly
this! Most of these people do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, but they were hungry to have what they did not possess... Hope, love, peace. Most
would have been taught that being good will get them to heaven, but the law only shows us our sin. They crave mercy and grace.
Their need humbled me. I love Jesus, but I do not demonstrate in my life such hunger for Him. I want to love Jesus more because of what I saw lost people
do standing in the rain and cold!
Please pray against the rain every day, but thank God for the way that He is moving even in storms! For several days, we were literally soaked, but all of
us continued to do the shows because the crowds, hundreds of people, never diminished. People came to us and told us that they stayed because they thought
if we were willing to stand in the rain, it must be worth hearing. We have no easy access to dryers as most people to not own them, so all of us have had
wet clothes and we have seen hair dryers used to dry out disassembled keyboards. No one cares. No one complains. We have joy!
SUNDAY MORNING
The face of Ireland is changing. Everywhere we go, fields are being filled with houses. Sunday morning, we worshiped with people from
Nigeria, Ghana, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, India, Seychelle Islands and America. The world is moving here and we have had the opportunity to share with
people from all over Europe, even people from Latin and South America.
DRUNKS
In Galway, the most interesting drunks always attend our shows, along with hundreds of other people, families and couples. This time one danced to our
music and mimed me for the better part of two hours. He kept his beer cans stacked close by and informed us that he had been Jesus and still was from time
to time. Patrick was a very well educated and troubled man. Beg God to deliver Patrick from darkness into light.
GALWAY
None of us could believe what we saw God do in Galway! Following an amazing time of prayer, where we all prayed and confessed our own
sin, we went down town. These evening shows generally start at about 8.30 and run towards midnight.
Reality, the Irish Christian band that we travel with, shares and sings three songs, then the puppets do two songs and I tell a Bible story in between.
We finish with testimonies and go back to the band. For every single part of the program, including the Bible story, crowds of hundreds clapped and
sometimes cheered.
None of us could believe their response to the Gospel. What was shared was not a watered down Gospel that avoided words like sin and death, but a clear
explanation of Jesus as the only way to God. All of us talked about His hope, His peace and His joy and they crowded around to listen. Even the Bible
stories that I told grabbed their full attention. People kept coming up to different ones and thanking them. How do you explain these things outside of
the power of prayer? As you pray, you are our partners in this work, thank you!
REALITY
Reality is an amazing Irish band made up of people that have normal everyday jobs. They are not paid, they have not been to Seminary
and most of their ministry expense they pay for themselves. For up to 30 years, some of them have continued to minister, though they have often seen
little response. They are in their 20's, 30's and 40's and travel as a family, bringing all of their children with them. All agree that in the last few
years there is a moving of God's Spirit in Ireland. Please pray for them by name; Stephen, John, Dana, Michelle, and Sharon. Please pray for the support
team (family and friends) that travels with us by name; Julie, Raymie, Anne, Claire and Valerie. Also pray for their children; Brandon, Jade, Nikita,
Jade and Lauren.
Ask God to give us great love for one another, a sweet Spirit and joy as we serve.
In Jesus,
Linda for the team
for
Sam Shaw - Irish Director
Jade Rodgers - Irish puppeteer
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Katie Humfleet
Hannah Sager
Jon Bova
August 24th, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
STORIES
Be blessed and challenged by the following stories that you read. These are some of
the children, teenagers, and adults that we are praying for. Pray with us.
A LITTLE GIRL, TRALEE
A sweet father came and asked us when we do our next show. He was waiting for us at
8:30 p.m. when we arrived. In God's plan, his dear little girl did not have the clear mind that other children enjoy, but she loved the puppets.
It began to rain, but she did not care. She smiled, laughed, and clapped. Her father tried to shelter her with his coat. The rain came down harder. I
noticed him from the stage and took him one of the band's umbrellas. He was so grateful.
This was the night that no one believed we would stand in the rain and share. Many told us that they stayed to hear what we thought was so important that
even rain, wind, and cold would not make us leave. For this one child alone, her smiles and laughter, it was worth it all.
Who knows what she truly understood? I believe that one day we will stand in heaven and with a clear mind she will tell us about Jesus that she learned
about in an Irish rainstorm. Pray for her!
JOHN-GALWAY
John's brother is a failed catholic priest. His own understanding of the scriptures is very confused. He thought that he had to have the
sacraments to be forgiven.
Our friend explained that Jesus alone is sufficient for forgiveness and salvation. He wanted nothing to do with religion as he had seen it, but did not
understand the difference in a relationship with Jesus. Please asK God to give John understanding of his words.
The very mention of Jesus's name startled him. It seemed to shock him.
ERIC AND SHANE-TRALEE
Eric and Shane are two young men who have led very troubled lives. Eric was abused as a child, suffered the loss of his father and
granny and was in prison 9 years. He had been in many street fights, had the scars to prove it and was sure that there was no way out for him.
On a rainy, cold night he heard about Jesus who always offers a way out, Jesus who gives up on no one. He heard it in the music, through the puppets,
in the Bible story and the testimonies. Eric listened. Eric and Shane said, "We could not believe that you continued in the rain. We thought it must be
special." Pray for them to come to true faith.
PAUL-GALWAY
Paul's pain made him stop on a busy street late at night and listen to the gospel. He could not get over his mother's death and tried
to drown his hurt with alcohol. Raymie prayed twice with him. Please pray for him to put his trust in Jesus who heals the broken-hearted.
JOSEPHINE-GALWAY
Josephine is homeless, very small and in her thirties. She came to a street show and just wanted to talk. Though she had considered
many other choices, all kinds of false faiths, she had found no peace. She had found nothing real. Please ask the Father to show her Jesus who is the only
way.
ITALIAN COUPLE-GALWAY
An Italian couple was totally thrilled with what they have heard. They said that they had never heard what we were all sharing.
Reality, the Irish band that we work with, gives out free CDs of their music and it includes a testimony. They were so excited they said that they were
going to copy it and give it to all of their friends.
2 MEN-CASTLE BAR
An older gentleman and a man in his late thirties sat through 2 full programs of music, puppets, and Bible stories. They asked me
questions and were genuinely interested in the answers. One asked if I would honour him with a drawing.
A LADY-CASTLEBAR
So many people are so hurt. A mother of 6 wonderful children, she was rejected by her husband. I encouraged her to see herself through
her Fathers eyes…a beautiful lady. Please hold her in your prayers.
KEITH-WESTPORT
Keith is a rare young man in Ireland. He is really excited about Jesus Christ. He said to me that he did not want a piece of God, but
all of Him. Broken by his father's sin, he fell deeply in love with Jesus. Please ask God to make his will clear for Keith.
GRANDFATHER-WESTPORT
A sweet grandfather, very religious, brought his grandchild to a puppet show. He was very moved by what he heard and even traveled 30
minutes by car to come to a second show. In conversation with him, I asked, "Are you afraid to die?" He said, "Always. I am always afraid to die." I shared
with him how trust in Jesus takes away this fear. Please pray that he comes to true faith.
COUNCIL MEMBER
Frustrated by yet another rainstorm Steven admitted that he was sitting in the equipment trailer unhappy, but God showed him his plan.
Because he was over by the road, a man in a car stopped to talk to him. The man was the governing body of the town, the Council, and said that it was the
best show that he had ever seen. He asked the band and Sam's puppets to come to the town festival next July. 50,000 people attend! What an opportunity and
Steven would not have been near the road to speak to the man if it had not rained. God is so good!
PRAY!
In Jesus,
Linda for the team
for
Sam Shaw - Irish Director
Jade Rodgers - Irish puppeteer
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Katie Humfleet
Hannah Sager
Jon Bova
August 25th, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
ORLAITH
Orlaith is one of the angriest little girls that I have ever met. She tried to throw a
chair through the puppet stage. She and her friends did bury us in plastic cups, magazines, and trash of every kind. They threw anything they could find at
the band, then the puppets, and me. More, they cursed all of us, made sexually explicit gestures, screaming in our faces, and challenged us to give up on
them. They laughed at us and made fun of the Gospel, and us but none of us got angry.
We left that place broken for these children. They crave love. One little girl mocked one of our team's little girls who was sitting in her mothers lap. She
made fun of her because it was something she wanted so much, to be loved. As soon as she got up, the little girl climbed in our friend's lap and pulled her
arms around her. She continued to sit in Julie's lap and even sat quietly through the prayer. When I heard this story I cried for Rosemary and her great
need.
In order to do a puppet show; we had to make a human wall of kneeling, smiling band members to keep the puppets from getting pulled out of the stage.
Still, there was a group of 8 little boys who stared in wide-eyed wonder, enjoying and listening. Many adults were listening to the Gospel. Hungry to hear
about hope and love.
Orlaith would come up to me and scream in my face during the show. She flipped chairs and cursed. I bent down, smiled and said, "I know why you are angry.
I know that someone hurt you very bad, but this will not fix it". Her eyes grew big and for the fist time that night, she was quiet. I told her about Jesus
who could fix her broken heart. Her anger came because she was sexually abused and could not make it stop. I ache for this little girl to know Jesus so
that when she is forgiven, she can forgive the people who hurt her.
These children live in a very bad housing estate where there is abuse of every kind. The children experienced physical and sexual abuse and learned very
young to use drugs and alcohol. Little children smoke. Sexual activity starts at a very young age. No one gets married and they have no understanding of
love that lasts a lifetime
BALLINA
Ballina is a place that there is little hope of God's light. It is a very hard place
to talk to people about Jesus, but that is what we did at two street shows Thursday afternoon. Christians sharing tend to be somewhat fearful of the
response that they will get because of past problems. Sam was even asked not to use his chalks and draw pictures last summer by people that he worked with.
We prayed and asked God to open doors. We did not want to walk in fear. God was so good to us. Some local people, who did not believe as we do, were still
so excited about the show that they asked us to come again and offered to advertise it. Many people accepted the bands free CDs, listen to the Bible stories,
and even returned to attend a later program. He brought with him his three daughters and all of their children and thanked us for coming after the show. He
does not believe in Jesus Christ as his saviour but he was drawn to what he saw and heard. Please ask God to call him, his daughters, and his grandchildren
come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Still this has been a very hard place for generations, people here have been taught that being good is what God requires. They do not understand that none
of us are good but only faith in Jesus will save. Most do not attend any kind of church except on special holidays because it holds no meaning to them.
Beg the father to show them real faith.
PRAYER
Please pray for us as we travel to Dublin today to do street shows. Ask the Lord to call many to the shows to listen and many to
faith.
In Jesus,
Linda for the team
for
Sam Shaw - Irish Director
Jade Rodgers - Irish puppeteer
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Katie Humfleet
Hannah Sager
Jon Bova
August 26th, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
BLESSINGS
Thank God for the many blessings that the Lord has given us in Ireland! Remember…all of our shows on the street are
done.
1. A little boy who came up to me after a show, looked up with big brown eyes and said, "That was the greatest
story!" I had told him about Jesus.
2. A young man on the street professed his love for Jesus. He said he wanted to live sold out for God. So I said, "Then son,
you need to think about what you want your legacy to be. How do you want to spend your life?" An incredible conversation
followed.
3. A young divorced woman who talked for a long time to our friends at a show. She received encouragement and great council.
4. Jon Bova celebrated his 15th birthday in Ireland with cake, presence, and the opportunity to share Jesus with thousands
and thousands of people
5. We are so blessed by all of the incredible scenery…green fields that do not end, castles, Galway Bay, sheep, and amazing
mountains. Every wonder we see proclaims the glory of God!
6. The opportunity to climb a small part of Croagh Patrick. Tens of thousands of people climb this mountain every year,
believing that they will receive forgiveness and help for their loved ones who have already died. The more devoted climb
bare foot. This is a very popular site among Catholics here who do not understand that it's not what we do that saves us,
]but who we know. Only Jesus gives forgiveness.
7. So many people watched our puppet shows and listened to the band from nearby windows and doorways. Others, drove past
very slowly, trying to hear all they could. One family was listening to the story of Jesus calming the storm as they were
stopped in traffic. I asked the children to scream like the people in the boat and the people in the car screamed too. They
were so caught up in the story.
8. Some have great wealth and amazing treasures. So do I! I am blessed by the children we serve. A little girl begged,
"Please can I have another story?" A little boy said, " You are the greatest story teller." A little girl asked "Can I have
a piece (meaning a drawing) of the story to carry home?" When she received it, she was all smiles.
9. Sam and I have delighted in watching the joy! Some get so excited when they understand the story that they have heard is
true. So many children hear the Bible stories and are amazed because they have never heard them before.
10. All of us are so blessed by the friendship and fellowship that Reality and the Puppet ministry enjoy. We laugh so much!
11. This was Heathers first time to lead a team and she has done an AWESOME job.
PRAYER
Please pray for these last two days in Dublin. Ask God to give us the right places to share. Ask Him to
pour out his spirit.
In Jesus,
Linda for the team
for
Sam Shaw - Irish Director
Jade Rodgers - Irish puppeteer
Heather Kelley
Mykayla Kelley
Katie Humfleet
Hannah Sager
Jon Bova
August 28th, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
IMPORTANT CORRECTION to a pervious email!!! We meant to write…Remember all of our
shows in the street are done in the open air. That is why we kept asking for you to pray against the rain. We have not stopped since we arrived, doing
our first show straight from the airport. Please forgive our mistake.
HARD PLACES
Can you imagine living in a place where people seldom marry and often switch partners?
Your best friend's father is also your father and you mother may have several children by different men. Drug, alcohol,verbal, physical, and sexual abuse
are common experiences. Murder is not something you read about, it is what you have seen. It is a very hard place for children.
God's word says, "Where sin abounds, so grace abounds." As we did the show, we saw His great grace. In this dark place, many adults and children gathered
to hear about Jesus. Even when it started to rain, they stayed. Nothing discouraged them from hearing about Jesus and His forgiveness.
Afterwards, one family was so very kind to us. They served us warm mugs of tea and let us use their hairdryer to try and dry out our clothes. Their
kindness warmed us more than the tea.
HILLTOP SHOW
On top of a hill overlooking the mountains of Mourne, surrounded by the prettiest
green pastures that you can imagine, we did a puppet show for children who did not want to listen. One little boy picked up a large rock about to throw it
at us and suddenly dropped it. Others started to leave and turned around and came back and sat down to watch the show. God was gracious and many did
listen. We were really praying and yes, it rained on us again. We have grown accustomed to being wet.
THE SHANKHILL ROAD
Through the years, this place has often been in the news as people reported on the
"troubles" of Northern Ireland. Many homes there were burned out a few years ago and are now boarded up. Rival Protestant terrorists groups struggle for
control of the area. Giant murals decorate the walls of the apartment buildings proclaiming various slogans. All encourage the children who see them to
grow up hating.
The children here are often ill behaved and not welcomed into many of the churches. Tonight we worked with a lovely little church that really cares about
these children and sees past who they are to who God can make them.
As a finish to this show, Sam juggled with knives. These were tough kids and they really liked the knives! Sam used his juggling to share with them how
only Jesus could deal with the pain of their sin. He does a great job sharing with children!
All of us, including the people who normally work with them were amazed at how well they listened. We talked with them very honestly about how God changes
people from the inside out. We told them the story of Joseph and encouraged them to let Jesus take away their hate and give them forgiveness and love.
Please pray for these children! Ask God to give them the courage to believe that love is possible. Ask the Father to turn them from hate to belief in
Jesus!
DUBLIN
For 2 days, we did afternoon and evening shows in Dublin on the streets. We had the
expected problems with drunks. We had dancing drunks, streaking drunks, and one who tired to kiss the dancing bear puppet.
Four drunk young men arrived in the middle of the Bible story. I said the name of Jesus and they immediately began to curse me and worse, curse Jesus Christ.
Their timing was incredible as this was the place in the story where I always quote the scripture. I said, "Jesus said, ‘Forgive your enemies. Pray for
people who hurt you.'" I truly did not change what I always say in the story. When they heard these scriptures, their mouths fell open, they walked away
and gave us no more trouble. The word of God is very powerful and convicting.
Young people who had been at our shows in other cities, some 2 hours away, came to Dublin to see it again. One family found us by accident but was so
excited because their little girl had been begging to so the puppets again. So many adults came to see the band, but stayed to watch the puppets and
listen to the Bible story. Awesome!
When we arrived, some acrobats were set up in the spot that we wanted, but God even used that problem to help us. The young men were African immigrants
who finished their show and graciously gave us their spot. More, much of the crowd that they had gathered stayed for our show. The next day some
different performers would not give us their spot even when we offered to rent it from them for 2 hours. Again God used this problem and we were guided
by the local police to an even better location. So many times on this trip to Ireland, we have seen God take big problems and turn them into big blessings.
Dublin is a very international city and we had the opportunity to share with people from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. A lady
who was from Israel told me she was very touched when I shared with her that many American Christians were praying for her country. A man admitted to us
that he had ruined his marriage with an affair. I encouraged him, since he was a believer, to remember his spiritual responsibility to his family. Pray
that he will find the strength in Christ to go to his children and ask their forgiveness. Presently, they are so angry with him that they will not talk
with him.
AEMON
Aemon is a homeless man that we meet in Dublin. Ann, the lady in charge of feeding
the entire team, befriended him and noticed him standing in the rain listening to our show. The rain was really coming down and he had no rain coat. She
went to a nearby store bought him a rain coat, prayed that he would still be standing there, and was delighted that he was still watching the program.
Denver, a young man helping pass out tracts and CDs, saw that he was hungry and bought him a meal.
Our new friend seemed genuinely touched by the kindness that he received and helped us move all of our equipment for the 2 days that we were in Dublin.
He also asked for CDs and tracts to give to the other men at the Salvation Army Shelter. More, he stopped drinking! He explained to us that for many
years he had lived in America. He said he wished he had never left because there he had a life. When you see someone on the street, you never know where
they have been, and what they have suffered. I beg you to really see people and not walk past them without trying to see them as Jesus would see them.
Please pray for Aemon. Please ask God to give him continuing strength not the drink. More, ask God to give him a deep, strong faith so that he can stand
against all temptations.
In Jesus, Linda for a very wet, tired, and happy team!!!
September 9th, 2006 Northern Ireland and Ireland
Dearest Friends,
Safe Home
We are "safe home." This was the blessing our friends spoke to us as we all said
good-bye at a party Tuesday night. There were lots of tears and long hugs and we all struggled to say what can only be said best when we join forever in
heaven. It was a very difficult parting as we have all become family. . . the Agape Puppets, the Irish Christian band Reality, Sam Shaw's God's Handiwork
Irish Puppet team, John and Jo Moxen of Project Evangelism, and so many other dear friends.
Mike and I have been working in Northern Ireland since 1998 and so we have many friends there. All welcomed my new puppet team with the same love they
showed Mike and I. After so many years, words fail me to describe what has grown in all of our hearts. Many of our Irish family tried to fly from Northern
Ireland to Mike's funeral, but the shortness of time kept them from coming. However, quite a few of them flew over in January because they loved Mike and
wanted to comfort me.
All of these truths combined to give us an incredible time of ministry. Throughout Ireland, in Dublin, Tralee, Castlebar, Ballynae, Westport, and Galway we
watched in amazement as hundreds and hundreds, finally thousands of people when added all together gathered in the streets and heard about Jesus Christ.
They consistently stood in the rain, ignored cold and wind, and clapped, sometimes even cheering for the Gospel. As you prayed, you stood with us!
Thank you!
More, we were blessed to share with children in Belfast and in neighboring towns. In all of these places, both in the North and the South, we encountered
so many hurting children, teenagers, and adults. Their only hope, our hope is Jesus.
Please pray for God to pour His Spirit on this land. Ask God to help people to understand that it is not religion that will fill the God shaped hole inside
of them. Ask the Father to call Ireland to a relationship with his precious son Jesus Christ.
Memories
When I left for this trip, I asked all of you to pray for me because this was also the
last trip that Mike and I made together. I will admit that I was often overwhelmed by the memories. During the time that I was in Ireland, we celebrated
Mike's 11 month's being with Jesus. However, a friend helped me to put it all in perspective. She said, "Linda, be grateful. You were loved. Not many
people can say that." Her words encouraged me and challenged me to be more grateful, to focus on the blessing above all else.
So here are two blessings of so many that I was given on this trip.
Blessing #1 – Last year, to celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary, Mike bought me a beautiful bracelet composed of Celtic war shields. He said that it
would always remind us that we were in a battle for the hearts of children in Ireland. It was a beautiful and extravagant gift.
When I went back to the jewelry store where we bought it, the owner immediately recognized me. He remembered us and our conversation from last year. He
asked me how my trip to Eastern Europe had turned out. It was while I was in Moldova last year that Mike went to be with Jesus and I shared that truth with
him. He was very moved and did a very kind thing. He offered to engrave my bracelet as a gift, a remembrance. I was very touched.
I beg you to pray for this dear man. We talked about Mike and the legacy he possessed by the life he led. I gave him a Bible. Please ask the Lord to bless
him with a clear understanding of what it means to trust in Jesus alone. Ask the Father to call him to true faith. Pray for him to have a great desire to
read the word of God.
Blessing #2 – If you know me, you know that I love rings and that I honestly do not need another ring. However, one afternoon in Dublin I had a real desire
to buy another ring, a thought that truly embarrassed me. I went to see a street vendor that the girls had bought from, that I had spoken to about Jesus.
We talked a bit while I looked at rings. Then he asked me if I was married. I told him about Mike and the faith that carried us through our lives together,
that sustains me now. I shared with him stories about the children that we serve and how faith in Jesus fills their eyes with a beautiful light.
Then he wrapped up the ring that I had chosen and said, "Will you please take this as a thank-you for the work you do?! God bless you, ma'am." Then he
hugged me! I was overwhelmed by his kindness.
Please pray for this kind man to meet the One who is the source of all kindness. Ask Jesus to call him to faith!
Praise Report
Some of you will remember how our pastor and his wife, Travis and Kimberly Hutchinson,
gave us the great pleasure and honor of being their son, George's grandparents. Now we have the wonderful pleasure of welcoming George's brother, Paul, as
our third grandson.
Paul was born on Monday, September 4, weighing only 5 pounds, 4 ounces, but perfect in health. Kimberly had an extremely difficult pregnancy and had to
have an emergency C-section 5 weeks early. Praise God that mother and baby are doing great.
Please ask the Father to call Paul to faith very young and make him a great man of God!
Prayer Request
We have a show for Moslem children from five African and Middle Eastern nations on
Friday night and two outreaches with Waterville Baptist and Highlands Presbyterian (our home church) on Saturday.
Sunday we fly to Ukraine to work in orphanages, schools, shelters, and churches. Start praying.
In Jesus,
Linda
For Sam, Mykayla, Heather, Jon, Hannah, Jade, Katy, and all the members of Reality
