3 Berry Drive,
Newtownabbey,
BT37 0FY.
Email: robert_irene@talktalk.net



Dear Friends,

It is a joy to have the opportunity to tell something of what the Lord has done over the last few months. Our son, David once again joined Irene and me as we helped out at some camps at Oceanview. All three of us had our own responsibilities and the Lord greatly helped us all. The first camp was really international in that the children from Sligo and Galway etc. were joined by others from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nepal and the Philippines. We often smiled as the children sang the choruses, especially their favourite, as it summed up that whole week, “If you’re black or if you’re white or if you’re in between, God loves you”. The truly wonderful thing was that many children and young people from those summer camps put their trust in the Saviour. Here are some of their names: Eili, Roisin, Nicola, Kelvin and Shona. Please pray that God will help and keep them by His great power.

When Irene and I worked in South East Antrim, everyone knew us. Today, nearly two years into our new ministry, we have many new folks supporting and praying for us who know little of our background or, more especially, our family. The enclosed leaflet entitled, “Meet the Family” will hopefully rectify that. We have asked our children to write something about themselves and we hope you will enjoy reading their stories.

Although it was only at the end of June, it seems an age since we last stood in a morning assembly and we are looking forward to getting started again. Most of the schools have now booked us for the incoming session but we would value prayer concerning the last few. One has a new Principal and we are trusting that the door will remain open, please pray. Irene and I could not help but laugh recently when five very enthusiastic boys approached us. Actually, we were in the car at the time and preparing to drive onto a main road when they knocked the window. With big smiles they proceeded to speak what has become a very familiar chorus, “We know you, you come to our school, when are you coming back?” We never, in our wildest dreams, thought we would ever have such a precious ministry … but we do, and it is wonderful. Thank you for standing with us in this great work.
On a more personal note, Irene is going into hospital for an operation on her bowel (nothing sinister) on 15th September. She will be in for five days and will be unable to drive for a further three weeks. We would appreciate your prayers concerning the operation and over the period of recuperation. Robert has a number of school assemblies to speak at during that time but will, with the help of others, seek to honour those bookings.

Please remember our Family and Friends Night on Wednesday 29th October. The venue is, as always, our home church at Abbots Cross Congregational at 7.45pm. The theme for the evening is, “The Ministry of Small Things”. Many of God’s people often doubt themselves and wonder what they can do for the Lord. Irene and I have learned that, in spite of our limitations, what really matters is what God is able to do … with small things! You see, it is not the length of ministry that matters but rather the depth! Although this is officially a meeting, it is in reality just a group of friends getting together, and we would be delighted to have YOU along!

God bless you,

Robert, Irene, David (and Faldo)