When the long Irish nights arrive, it is a reminder of the song, “Work for the Night Is Coming” and the fact that the world is getting darker in every way and that the Rapture could happen at any moment. We need to be looking up and always aware of His imminent return.
November
The month began with the finale of the Ladies’ Fall Getaway, and all of Kelly’s preparations since August panned out successfully. She was even able to get a local tourist spot, The Burren Perfumery, to donate a box of free samples for the ladies. That next weekend, Pastor Bryan Johnston from Ontario, Canada, preached for us in our Sunday school and morning service. It came at the right time, because I ended up with a fever that weekend. On one Wednesday, we had a lady who was planning a second visit to our church with a member who rarely attends the midweek service, and two hours before the service, our power went out. I ended up having to cancel the service, but since we had a lady visitor, lady member and her daughter, and another lady who were all planning to come that night, Kelly asked if she could meet them for a Bible study at a local hotel. So they met, and it was a great blessing. We ended up getting the power back on at 11:00 p.m. and found out a woodpecker had split the pole. Many of the missionaries in Ireland met for Thanksgiving. I sent Kelly and the boys up for the Thanksgiving fellowship while I fulfilled my duties for the Day family at the church in Clare. The next day, my lovely wife and the boys worked together to cook a small Thanksgiving dinner for the family to have together.
December
At the beginning of December, we had a very big snowstorm, with gusts up to 40 mph. All the trees around us were bending and swaying. At 11:30 p.m., 10 minutes after Keith II went to bed, a large evergreen fell and hit the side of the caravan Keith’s been living in. It landed in front of his door, so he had to climb out of the window to get out. He came and banged on our door all shook up and frightened. The next day, we split the tree into logs and found our internet wire was knocked down as well, but it was still running. The Andrew Canavan family in Galway were able to purchase a home, and we sent our two oldest boys to help them do some initial renovations before moving in. Keenan helped on the third week, because with Keith II preparing to attend college, he needed to finish building a rock wall for Kelly. He was digging rocks out of a field in the cold, wet weather but was able to get it finished the day before leaving for America on December 30. Throughout December, I preached Christmas messages, and we got out as many Christmas tracts as possible during the time people are more open to hear about why Jesus Christ came. One Irish lad who regularly attends our church had three visitors who came to Sunday and Wednesday services. They have come back several times since and still don’t clearly understand the Gospel and how to be saved. One of them is a lady who is confused about the Rapture. She respectfully challenged me that the word is not in the Bible, but I was able to explain that the words Bible and Trinity are also not in the Bible, and that the word Rapture comes from the Latin word raptura for the Bible phrase, “caught up.” I was also able to show her clear verses in I Corinthians and I Thessalonians regarding this amazing event and glorious hope that will remove us before the seven years of God pouring his wrath on this earth. For our Christmas service this year, we continued to have our Wednesday meeting, but instead of a Bible study, I read a book called, Nothing to Give for Christmas, which is a Gospel story.
Soul Winning
As we continued getting the Gospel out in the Limerick area each week, on one Saturday we drove up to Eyre Square in Galway City to help Pastor Canavan distribute Christmas Gospel tracts called, “The Most Expensive Christmas Tree,” and had a great day. Galway has a Christmas Market in Eyre Square every year, with lights, Christmas foods and treats, gifts, a Ferris wheel, and carnival rides and attractions. It draws people from around the country and is very busy, so it was an ideal location for to get the Gospel into people’s hands. The weekend we went, the Galway people were thankfully very receptive in receiving the tracts.
Please pray for these needs:
1. Co-laborers in Limerick
2. Protection over the ministry
3. More visitors on the countryside
4. Guidance and wisdom moving forward
Last, I thank everyone who sent encouraging emails, letters, Christmas gifts and offerings and for your faithful prayers and support.
For the souls in Ireland,
Keith Hamilton
