The opportunity to engage in open-air evangelism over the course of the Outreach Weekend was severely curtailed by the weather, diverting us from town centres to going door-to-door.
However, open-air meetings were conducted in Letterkenny, Donegal Town and Ballybofey (Co. Donegal) and in Dundalk and Drogheda (Co. Louth).
While each meeting underlined the providence and protection of God, none did more so than the opportunity that arose in Ballybofey.
The 15 people in this outreach group, making their way home to Co. Tyrone and Co. Londonderry, were delayed in leaving their base in Rossknowlagh through the length of time it took to clear the snow and ice from cars.
However, when we arrived in Ballybofey, drawing up in the carpark beside the famous McElhinney's store, we noticed a lorry that had been in use as a makeshift stage. A couple of men were setting up a sound system ... and we wondered ..... .
On asking permission to use the stage for a short Gospel service, we were directed to the office of the 'events manager,' who promptly agreed that we could make use of the stage. She explained that they had booked a brass band to perform during the time slot in which we had appeared; the band had been in contact to say that it would not be able to make it through the snow. Therefore 2o minutes were made available to us.
We commenced by singing, 'Would You Be Free From Your Burden of Sin, There's Power in the Blood,' gave our version (that's being kind to us!) of a few Christmas hymns, after which Rev. Jonathan Creane preached.
As we climbed down from the platform, a sense that God alone had opened this door for us was felt by all. We earnestly pray that our joy on earth will be combined with joy in heaven over a sinner in Ballybofey who may have been led to that repentance that day.
No comments:
Post a Comment