If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9
It is Wednesday evening and we’ve been busy preparing for the mission next week at the Royal Welsh show in Builth Wells. It’s a great opportunity – over 250,000 visitors over four days. Mostly everything is now packed – two new trade gazebos, all the displays, over 2000 individual gospel literature, loads more … and the coffee machine!
The plan is to head down South on Saturday in the van (making a quick stop at Bryn y Groes t drop the bookstall for the camps) and set up in the afternoon. The team will be arriving on Sunday and Monday – there are six members for the week, plus an extra 30(ish) day team members. God has been very good in providing the team.
I was chatting to Sam (team leader) today on the phone and sharing some of our hopes. These form the basis to the prayer points:
The team – pray that we would develop a deep fellowship and spiritual bond during the week. It’s important to us that we are bound together in the love of Christ during the week – so that we can help each other and share this love with others.
The practical things – please pray for the practical elements – tents, electricity, welsh weather, vans, Welsh roads, mud etc. don’t always go together! Pray that all would be glorifying to God.
Our witness – please pray for our witness with the organisers and other traders during the event. We experienced both positive and negative things last year. Our main aim is to be salt and light to all.
Gospel clarity and honesty – one of the things that both myself and Sam feel strongly about is that we are clear with people. We want people to understand who we are, why we’re there and what we have to offer. This is not always easy to do in a way that engages with people in our society – so many people see Christians and are turned off straight away. One of the main ways we do this is to speak to people about their own life and experiences – challenging them and asking questions. It’s easy to talk to people about life and the problems we face, but it takes courage to challenge people with the gospel. Please pray that the team would have courage and sensitivity to do this.
Our brothers and sisters at the show – we’re aware that there are other Christians working on the show ground in so many ways. Please pray for them. We ask that you’d pray especially for the Show Jesus team, who we work closely with. They are always and encouragement and do a great work.
The lost – this is what it comes down to! We want to see people saved for the glory of God. Please pray that we would see people saved this year. The need is great, but it is not impossible for God.
Thank you again for your continued partnership in the work – your support and prayer are vital to us.
Could I also ask you to pray for a few other things (as I have your attention!):
- We’re very low on numbers for the Eisteddfod mission in a few weeks’ time – pray that we’d get more volunteers, especially on the first and last weekends;
- Our camps are staring on Saturday. Pray for Andy, Alison and Matt will be leading in Bryn y Groes;
- It would be great if we could find a volunteer who could drive from Builth to Bangor on Thursday (the last day of the show) to transport the stuff back to the North Wales office. Please pray for this.
We’ll continue to send prayer updates during the week to our mission mailing list (join here)