Dear Praying Friend,

Greetings from Cork in the name of our risen exalted Saviour and Lord.  May you enjoy the “blessed hope” of the promised return of the Saviour and meantime know much of the presence and power of the Spirit of God as He dwells within every Believer in Christ.

In the Good New Caravan recently the children and young people have been taught about Jesus’ ascension, the Holy Spirit indwelling the Believer and of Jesus’ Second Coming. These teachings brought what they believed into stark contrast with the message of the Bible.  The children were brought to realise that they were not “eagerly waiting” for Christ’s return!   For some their main concern was to know who would get the caravan and jeep if I was to be taken to heaven!  When one boy wanted to know if he could have it, I said to him that I hoped he would not be around to get it!  I hoped he would want to be ready and eagerly waiting for Jesus – not the caravan!

I wrote a song to focus on the blessed hope of the believer in Christ, and it continues to be quite popular:  “Long before I knew Him Jesus planned for me.  Made a home in Heaven where sin will never be.  I know I will go there, for Jesus is the way, and I’ve trusted Him to take my sins away.”  The tune is “Jesus bids us shine” (There already was another verse someone had written focusing on the ransom paid by Jesus -  “Long before I knew Him…..” )

Pray that the Word of God will turn many to righteousness in these days.   Pray for the ongoing caravan ministry  - its regular two-week cycles of classes into around 40 different areas of the city.  At present John usually has help one day a week.

Thank you for praying for the Patrick’s Day parade here in Cork.  The Good News Caravan was given a good place in the parade – 14^th – and the weather was excellent, bringing out very large crowds.  I took the WONDER BOOK as my theme, but I didn’t want it to appear in any way to be competing with or adding to the Holy Bible.  Seven large 4-foot square posters surrounded the outside of the caravan.  Each one highlighted the importance of the Holy Bible as the all-important Book.  The wonder book was highlighted as bringing illustrated BIBLE STORIES for the children.  The posters announced that the postal delivery of the free booklet was due in Cork in January 2004. One of the wonder questions I asked on the back of the caravan, under a large open Bible quoting some words from John 3:16-17, was, ”Why don’t you love and trust JESUS as your only Priest and Saviour now?”     Fliers, having a competition requiring information from the posters, were given out to encourage people to take note of the message on the sides of the caravan.  Tracts were also given out.  Pray that seed sown will produce a harvest for God’s glory.

Good News Camp fever is in the air!  Already there are disappointed children who are too late booking in to get a place.  Most of the children booking in are from the schools ministry of the Beamishes working in County Cork.  Pray for adequate numbers of suitable camp officers to be found to staff the camps.  Four one-week camps are planned in Kinsale during July.

Pray for our Church (Baptist) here in Cork going through a time of transition!  Due to serious overcrowding on Sunday mornings we have decided (given 100% vote of approval in our recent members meeting!) to hold a simultaneous morning service in a Community School on the south side of the city.  An adequate number from the church, mainly from the south side, have committed themselves to the transition due to commence in May.   We have been involved with the Church Outreach work on the south side for some time.  Pray that this may be the nucleus of a new Church.

Pray that we, and our family, will each walk in truth and righteousness for His name’s sake.