Week 3

Well, my third full week in Wales proved to be very busy but equally great with the first two weeks. I preached in a small church meeting in a community center on Sunday Morning. It was very different from the other churches I've been in, namely because it was very informal in style and even in dress, I felt odd being the only person in a suit. The people were very kind and seemed very receptive to the sermon, so I'm thankful for that.

As I mentioned last week I had the opportunity to go into the schools this week as well. I went into an elementary school on Tuesday and was able to talk infront of the whole school for about 10 minutes. That portion was mostly on being from America though I got to speak about what I had come over to do and my time in seminary. I was then able to spend about 30 hours with small groups of 5th graders and we just talked and they told me things they knew about America and that proved to be a good time to share more about why I had come to Wales and who Jesus was and everything. The best opportunity proved to be the next day where I was able to accompany another local pastor into a high school class where he had been asked to speak on why he disagrees with evolution, his talk was amazing. Towards the end of the class the teacher who is a Christian asked me if I'd like to share how I became a Christian as such things came up in the evolution talk. So for 5 minutes I shared my testimony talked about sin, talked about Jesus being God and free from sin and spoke of how I came to understand my need for a savior, it was great. I've seldom had such a rush evangelizing and the kids asked some great questions afterwards, so that was great.

I also go to share the gospel to a group of middle schoolers that come to a church for mostly fun and then some Bible study. These kids are all unchurched and have no idea about the gospel, beyond what they learn for 20 minutes every week. I was able to share about sin with them and then elaborate on our need for a Savior. They were receptive and asked question and watnot, so overall my interaction this past week with kids of various ages was very encouraging.

I'm beginning to know many of the people in the church a lot better. Even most of the people within the church are unsaved and searching for answers. In the next few weeks I'll likely play golf with one man who has just been diagonsed with multiple sclerosis(not sure if spelled correctly) and he is really seeking out the answers, so I'm prayerful about that. Others have invited me over for tea or to come look at pictures, so I'm glad to be connecting more with them now as I'm approaching having only three weeks left.

This week also proved to be great for touristy related things. I walked around Skoma island the most populated area for bird breeding in the world or something along those lines. The landscapes were amazing and there were 1000's of puffins all over the place. I also visited a castle which was still full intact, Pembroke Castle the birthplace of Henry VII. I'll have pictures of these places posted shortly on facebook.

So all in all it was another great week. Here are some prayer concerns for the upcoming week.

Tuesday night Bible Study, I'll be teaching on 2 Peter 1: 5-11, I did verses 1-4 last week.

Wednesday I'll be back in the Elementary school to work with some 5th graders.

Wednesday I'll be speaking at the Ladies fellowship.

Pray for Pastor Rees and other pastors in the area, I am becoming all the more aware of their need for prayer and encouragment as there is so little fruit to be seen in all of Wales.

Pray that I continue to connect with people, especially those who need to hear the Gospel.

Thanks for your prayers everyone.

God bless,
Cole
God bless
Cole