As we have now left 2017 behind, and entered the responsibilities of 2018 - which may bring the conclusion of our service, rather than the conclusion of another year (Rev 4:1-2) - Helen and I wish to acknowledge the prayers and support of the Lord's people over the past months, particularly since our paths were directed into other areas of service; through and since Helen's illness, from which the Lord has granted a wonderful recovery.
The interior of British Columbia, like the Scottish Islands, and like the South of Ireland; have a number of assemblies quite isolated and fellowship between them requires effort and time in travel. In many parts of the world where assembly testimony is plentiful and other testimonies are nearby, we often forget that some saints have no support to lean on, except the Lord Himself, their unity, and the power of the Spirit of God.
The Gospel in the Pacific North West: (British Columbia, Canada & Washington State U.S.A.)
The assemblies in Westbank in the Okanagan, and in Kamloops further north, both arranged gospel outreach in the early part of the year and I was invited to help in both campaigns. Both assemblies are relatively isolated and are themselves three hours apart. The urban areas are difficult as many places are today with changing populations, increasing affluence, and large timber milling and rail freight yards set in difficult terrain, did not make for easy door to door activity. Many of the believers are first generation Christians and have many family members who are not saved. In both places we had the joy of seeing unexpected relatives attending, and though we were blessed to see the Spirit of God working in salvation, we left a great many who were, by their own admission, 'awakened' but have not yet come to faith in Christ. Between the two gospel campaigns there was time to drive (a vehicle having been kindly provided by the assemblies in Vancouver) to Okanogan and Omak in Washington U.S.A. The assembly at the end of the Okanagan Valley is small, about 10 members, but it was a joy to see other Christians from the community attend and the short visit was very encouraging.
The week before Easter I travelled across to the Port Alberni Assembly on Vancouver Island for a few nights ministry, then down to Snohomish district to the new Clearview Gospel Hall north of Seattle WA. The topical teaching on 'The Scriptural Principles of Gathering' was well received and well supported by other believers.
Following on from the British Columbia and Washington journeys, I flew across to Ontario, where Helen was able to join me (which was our first overseas trip together since her recovery), for further ministry in the Sarnia and London assemblies.
The Gospel in the Highlands & Islands:(North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland)
Since the autumn of 2015, when first invited, I have been travelling regularly to Wick Assembly in Caithness, and to the various small assemblies in the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands. What commenced as single visits, and getting to know the local saints, led on to requests for gospel activity, both in Caithness and on the Orkney Mainland:
Early in May, having driven up from our home in County Antrim through to Orkney, so that I had transport for door to door work on the island, and was able to take literature for a Book Stall to run during the campaign. We visited over 5,500 homes and the other two small assemblies supported the gospel meetings in Kirkwall well. Not only was there good local support but over 25 visitors, many of them students, came onto the island to help in the door to door work. Some local people and visitors to Orkney told in conversations after, that they had heard the gospel of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus for the very first time.
After the gospel campaign, a visit was made to the smaller islands of Westray and Papa Westray for Bible Teaching meetings. It is good to see evidence that the Spirit of God is not bound, and though we did not know of anyone coming to faith in the Lord Jesus during the May-June campaign; on a further return visit to all the island assemblies in November, we had the great joy of seeing a young man of 15, from an assembly background on Papay, profess faith in the Lord Jesus after a ministry meeting. This was a real encouragement to all the believers in the various island testimonies, as well as to his immediate family.
A return visit was made to the Shetland Island assemblies in July, for ministry and for a Conference, and in August joining with the local saints for a period of outreach and gospel activity from the assembly at Culloden, Inverness. They are continuing with a programme to put a 'Gospel of John' into over 20,000 homes in Inverness shire within a five-year period. D.V.
The Gospel in Connaught, S. W. Ireland:
With Sligo town being three hours drive from our home, and the other towns in Mayo a little further, it has been possible to visit the south west of Ireland several times in 2017 helping with the outreach work from the small assembly in Collooney, County Sligo.
Though not large in number the Collooney assembly is active in door to door work and gospel outreach. With a locally produced 'Gospel for Sligo' Calendar, it has been possible to gain a foothold on thousands of doorsteps, but we felt the Lord was directing towards the town of Tubbercurry for an opportunity in the gospel. We approached the 'Parish Committee' and we were very kindly granted the rental of a large room in 'St Brigid's Hall' in the town centre for three weeks in August and September for gospel meetings.
As well as 'Kids Bible Club' meetings in the morning, we had daily open-air preaching sessions in the square, and a gospel meeting each night. The number of new contacts, adults and children, who came in to hear the gospel was far beyond our expectation, and we returned for the 'midterm' week in October for further meetings. We left many dear friends not yet having 'confessed faith' in the Lord Jesus, but it was a joy to hear, at the conclusion, of a young mother who came to know peace with God after the final meeting.
I leave N.Ireland to travel to Maun Botswana on Tuesday 16th Jan, next week. I will be having meetings in Francistown and then in various centres through Zambia as far as Loloma, returning to N. Ireland in mid March, Lord willing.
Winter 2017 Written by David & Helen McKillen - Ireland mdmckillen@gmail.com
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