A few updates on the Reformed Parish Mission effort.
Leah. First of all, after some initial baby steps, there’s been some definite faltering. Church attendance has been more checkered (and that’s putting it nicely). She has been, however, a part of a Zoom Bible study I lead, where my wife, Leah, and a couple of other young single ladies join me for lessons in Genesis. She’s very attentive and an eager learner. I’m often struck at how on-point her answers and observations are, given her lower education and troubled past. A sharp cookie! But still, concerned about her spiritual state, as well as that of her fiancé.
Two recruits. Very encouraged indeed by two more helpers, one young lady from a local Russian Baptist church. A good pastor friend of mine recommended her after I reach out to local pastor friends to find some assistants, especially for Fatima. It’s trickier ministering to single ladies, for obvious reasons. My wife helps me, but its limiting. Plus, Fatima has needed a bit more hands-on ‘life-assistance.’ So it’s been a blessing to have “Natasha” come along side to serve her in a practical way and be another voice pointing her in Jesus’ path.
The other is a young man, “Ronald,” who attended a public lecture I recently gave at a pastors’ meeting in Massachusetts on Thomas Chalmers. Seems like a conscientious and zealous young Christian fellow who is happy to lend a hand. For starters, I’ve invited him to join a men’s Zoom study in Romans with a young man who has started attending church and may not be “far from the Kingdom.” Depending on how things go, might use him to help with other male outreach contacts.
Fatima. This Iraqi Muslim friend has now attended church twice, which I take as a big step. Very recently, we invited her to the Genesis Zoom study with the other ladies, and she was happy to join. My wife, Aubrey, and I actually went to her apartment to help her ensure the connection, and we Zoomed the rest in. We read Genesis 24 and the beginning of 25, Sarah’s death and burial and Abraham’s serving finding Rebecca. How striking it was to point out to everyone that this new visitor of ours personally lived in Mesopotamia, the land from which father Abraham actually came. “Ur?” She said. “Oh, yes. I know Ur.” Almost like we would say, “Boston? Oh yes, been there, know Beantown well!” Very open. And so happy that she now has two new Christian lady friends and another young lady who lives close and attends our church.
Neighbhors. I have some neighbors who have had some very difficult struggles at home. They have come to church several times and are open to the Gospel, but as yet unconverted. Trying to minister to them during this heavy affliction. Please pray that God may break through.
Ten dollars. Several years back, I met a rough-around-the-edges Irishman who gruffly barked out “Gimme ten dollars!” just as I was introducing myself at the door. Taking a page out of William Guthrie’s playbook, I retorted with a smirk, “Ok. You come to church, and I’ll give you ten dollars!” He replied, “Alright! You got it. And you’re gonna love me!” Well, I visited him two or three other times in as many years, with no success on the church score. But just a few weeks ago, who should show up out of the blue but my ‘ol chum, “Paddy!” I knew he wouldn’t take the money. So I dropped it off in an envelope a week later.
Please pray for them, that they may come under true conviction of sin, repent, and take the righteousness of Christ freely offered to them. Pray also for me that I will continue to be patient, not to give up, and that God would stir up and renew within me a genuine passion for the lost.
West Port Experiment 
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