Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I’m writing this letter just before Thanksgiving, so you should be getting it before Christmas. The Lord has really blessed our family in many different ways, and we are so thankful that He clothed Himself in human flesh so He could humanly fulfill the law and be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Then He offers us salvation for free. What an amazing, “unspeakable gift” (II Corinthians 9:15). May we all be diligent this December, and in the coming year, to let others know that this gift of salvation is available to them as well.

September

We have had several new people inquire about and begin Biblical counselling with us. Often, we take our life and families for granted, but when I hear the stories and see the lives of people who have broken health, broken families, broken marriages, or children who are not living for the Lord, it is evident that, were it not for the grace of God, I could be in the same position. When people are not walking with the Lord and trying to live the Christian life in the flesh, it has devastating consequences in the long run. I am thankful for my salvation, the Lord’s calling to serve Him in Ireland, my faithful wife, my family, my kids in their Bibles every morning, my wife’s hard work homeschooling through some health issues (but nothing serious), our church having a free building to meet in, faithful people attending, and for chickens, sheep, and cats to kill the country rodents. Over the years, the Lord has provided for us in the difficult times and in the less difficult. We also have an abundance of supporting churches and individuals who pray for us and help us financially. In church, we have been going through the Old Testament for our Sunday Bible Class, and several months ago, I started an afternoon service I call “The Picture Bible.” It covers events from the beginning of the Bible to the end, with pictures, maps, and archeological evidences. It is a family learning time, and everyone seems to be enjoying it. On Wednesdays, we finished the book of Revelation, and I began going through the Psalms. We also stopped our weekly attendance to the churches in Ennis and Galway and are now going biweekly. Eventually, we will lower this to monthly. We had four first-time visitors attend the services in September. Also this month, our family jumped back into school full force. I also dragged my feet for many months, but I finally completed Keenan’s Irish citizenship application. My mom had a major surgery in September, cleaning out her clogged arteries. She needs open-heart surgery, but the doctors don’t believe it would be wise for her in her 70s and with several health conditions. When one of the boys showed interest in visiting the college Keith II is attending, I thought to put it off for another year, but with our oldest boy still at home being 17, my mom’s bad health, and an opportunity to visit Keith II, I prayerfully decided to make the trip for three weeks at the end of September. The Lord provided the finances, some accommodations, and help with our services in the church, so it seemed to be the Lord’s will. We flew over on the 29th of September. After many years, my mother-in-law was finally able to fly out to Ireland for a couple of weeks. She arrived just before Kendrick’s birthday on the 27th and stayed for another week after the boys and I flew to the U.S.

October

We visited Keith II and the college Open House during the first week of October. After, we drove to Fort Myers, Florida, to see my parents and sister; then we got a cheap flight directly to Maine. In Maine, I have a cousin, Jason, whom I grew up with. He was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, along with other rare and lethal complications, so I took the time to go see him. He had made a profession of faith when he was a teenager. While there, I showed the boys several places from my childhood, we visited my grandparents’ gravesite, and I got to visit with my Aunt Sheila, her son, Jason, and his partner. I also met with our home-church pastor in Manchester, New Hampshire, Pastor David Carlson. I was thankful for being able to break away. It is a difficult thing in Ireland, finding someone to fill in for you who understands the mindset of the people here, especially to fill in for an extended time. This always makes me wonder why many people will only support church-planting “Pauls” but often will not support a “Silas.” Unfortunately, my wife cannot fulfill the position of a “Silas,” nor do I want her to. I am thankful for the few men, from different churches in the country, who have filled in for us over the years while we were in the USA. The problem is that they have to leave their weekly duties at their own churches. Returning to the USA for extended periods is very difficult, especially when these few men are in demand for others who have to return for family emergencies. Closing the church doors for three to six months would be an unthinkable and devastating option. One missionary had to do Zoom services from the USA, and I wondered if his people would still be there when he returned. Thankfully, they were, but they struggled. This time, Pastor Andrew Canavan from Galway and Pastor Andrew Day from Ennis were able to help with our services. Before I left, I challenged our church people to read a chapter of the book of Proverbs each day of October. I offered a special gift (a Bible T-shirt) for those who completed it, and we had seven people who were able to. At the end of the month, there was an annual Ladies’ Meeting here in Ireland. This year’s theme was “Back to Basics,” and Kelly got to take part in the services and help them prepare decorations. We were able to get a lady from our church to attend, and she also brought a friend. Kelly also brought another pastor’s wife, who came for the first time. All of the ladies came back refreshed and excited for the next one in 2026.

Soul Winning

We continue getting the Gospel out on Saturdays and encouraging our people to join us, looking for opportunities to give the Gospel, as well as handing out tracts during the week. John, one of our regular attenders who often brings visitors, brought a Catholic Polish lady one Sunday. At the end of the service, we were able to explain salvation to her several times. She had never heard it before and said she needed time to think about it. I find this to be the case all too often. Please pray that these seeds that were sown will lead her to salvation.

Please pray for these needs:

1. Co-laborers in Limerick
2. Protection over the ministry
3. A new building in the city
4. Guidance and wisdom moving forward

Last, I thank everyone who took the time to send encouraging emails, letters, birthday gifts, and for your faithful prayers and support. I also want to thank Pastor Carlson, Marge Smith, the Jackson family, Gospel Baptist Church for their love, support and prayers over the years, and Winkler Road Baptist Church for allowing us to stay in their lovely prophet’s chamber.

For the souls in Ireland,

Keith Hamilton