Week 2

Well my second week here in Wales was great! I spent the better part of saturday and all of sunday in Melksham, England where I preached the morning and evening service. That night I was taken on a tour and saw a Saxon chapel which dated back to the 10th century! The history is just amazing I'm told that within a few miles of the house I'm in here in Narberth there are ruins from a 5th century Celtic chapel! Anyways, the services were great, it was the first time I had to run the whole service, announcing the hymns, leading in prayer, and then preaching, and closing with a hymn. The church seemed pleased with the preaching and they couldn't have been any more kind and gracious to me, it really was a great time.

I got back to Narberth here in Wales on Monday afternoon at which point in gorgeous weather the Rees family, some church members and I went for a picnic on the beach! On tuesday night I led the church Bible study, we studied the Judges Ehud and that was a lot of fun to teach on. I was able to establish a connection with a youth minister/evangelist from another Baptist church in the area and I believe I'll be going with him on wednesdays to hang out with some local middle schoolers and do a Bible Study. These middle schoolers are not Christians but I am prayerful for fruit, they asked some great questions this past Thursday.

Also, this past thursday the men from the church had a Bar-b-que. I was the youngest there by far, which made it intimidating to give my testimony, but I emphasized that what I had been saved from was not different nor less severe than any thing they needed to be saved from regardless of our age difference and life experience difference. Most of the men there were not Christians so it was a great time to share the Gospel and how it's has proven true in my life. They seemed to receive it well and over all the night was great.

On a few occasions this week I simply sat out front the church, which is in the middle of the town, with a table and some tracts and talked to whoever stopped by. I got to share the Gospel on various occasions and certainly had some interesting conversations. I am prayerful that this ministry will be fruitful.

Overall it was a great second week. Pastor Rees and I are getting along quite well and he teaching me alot, so I am very thankful for that. I'm also getting to know others in the town, so it's neat to go out for a walk and just randomly see people you know. Some prayer requests are:

Please continue to pray that I meet some people my own age. The lack of Christian presence among anyone remotely near my age is depressing and I'd love to have the opportunity to share the Gospel with such people.

This next week I'll be speaking at an elementary school assembly and then having further interaction with a 5th grade class. The laws about sharing your faith in the schools here are much less restrictive than in America. Pastor Rees told me I don't have to hold anything back, so this is a great opportunity, please pray for this.

I'll be preaching in a Small town called Kilgetty at a local church that I believe is Pentecostal, at least in name. Pray for that message that it honors God and affects the people.

Please pray for the youth meeting I'll be attending on Thursdays.

These are the specifics but of course my whole time here needs prayer. Thank you all so much for your prayers and I'll have more updates in the next week!

God bless
Cole