We held our first of four nights in the park on Friday past. With lots of help from some resound-ers and SMW-ers we entertained 70ish people with bouncy castles, football, a magnificent barbeque and amazing kid’s games.

Along the way we all got to have some good conversations with people from the area, and they got to know who we are, find out more about us, and hopefully over the coming weeks they will remember us and want to get to know us more.

As with anything around these parts, there were lots of people standing around the fringes, not sure whether to take part or not - so we would love it if you could pray that over the coming weeks we get the chance to know those people better too. The whole point of these nights is to find the ‘People of peace’ that Jesus wants us to connect with over the coming months - so please pray that we find those people!

Massive thanks to all the people who gave of their time to come down and help us - we REALLY appreciate you and think you are wonderful.

If you’re free - feel free to join us next Friday (5.30 to set up, 6.30 to eat) - we would love to see you there.

Ryan

Ramy and I have been spending a couple of nights a week in one of the pubs recently, partly to try and connect with some people who we wouldn’t meet otherwise, and partly so I can beat him at pool and make him feel bad (I can write that here because he can’t get back at me).

Its been good fun and we’ve met a few characters, let me introduce a few.

A couple of weeks ago we walked in and 3 ladies were sitting at one end of the bar, they seemed in good form. After a couple of minutes they called us over, and asked us where we were from as we looked like visitors. Although slightly insulted (I live all of 2 minutes away), I said Bangor and Ramy said “Lebanon”. One of the ladies said “Where’s that?”, he said near Israel, she said “Where’s that?”. 

He changed tack.

“Have you ever heard of Beirut?”.

“Beirut - of course I’ve heard of Beirut. The Shankill is Beirut!”.

I don’t think either of us was expecting that answer. Anyway, we laughed, we talked some more and then Ramy beat me at pool (I know its hard to believe…).

We’ve seen these ladies a few more times since, and they’re always up for a chat. About a week later after the Beirut incident, then shouted at us from across the bar “Youse are Christians aren’t you?” - they really know how to offend me. We ended up having a chat about church and stuff, which was pretty cool. Hopefully we’ll get to have a few more chats like that with them.

I’m trying to not name them, or give away too much info, but there are 3 of them, and they would love it if you would pray them into Jesus’ kingdom (in a pre-destined, future would love it kind of way.)

Ryan

A few months ago the minister of Woodvale Methodist Church, Margaret Ferguson, had the idea of getting the youth from all the churches on the Shankill together for a monthly worship and teaching service. Having the idea is one thing, but actually making it happen is something entirely different. She has tireless worked on contacting and involving each of the 40+ churches on the Shankill road and getting them involved in this event called Engage. No one has ever managed to make something like this happen around here before.

Last night we had the privilege of organising the second event in St. Michael’s Church of Ireland halls. The night was themed around prayer, and we invited Alain Emerson from 24-7 Prayer Ireland to come and speak. 

Around 200 kids turned up and we worshipped together and it was amazing - it reminded me of what Psalm 133 says - “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity“.

With the help of Richard (from the Moneyrea well), Christina and Charles we led the worship before Alain came and shared a very challenging message.

The night was topped off with some hot dogs provided by St. Michael’s - food is always a good way to end a night!

Its great to have begun working here at a time when God is clearly beginning to move His people to work together and seek to bring the Kingdom to the Shankill. These are exciting times!

Ryan