So things have changed greatly since I've been back, not just in my own life but in Waterford City as well. It seems a different city I have come back too. What with the state of the country it seemed a deader place with little going on. And if I'm being honest I found it very hard to settle back home, it just seemed a much darker place, especially since I had just come from an environment where I was surrounded by christians and was in the Word every day. But God is good and faithful and has given me encouragement, in the form of friends! Since I've been back I've met so many christians in Waterford it seems like they are springing up like rabbits. With the brand new church building we have for Calvary Waterford the growth has been amazing, and the fellowship as a result of that has helped so much. God has given me new friends from around Ireland and strengthened friendships with old friends from the church. It really is amazing the impact hanging around with fellow believer can have. They make Waterford a brighter place and I'm thankful for them.
Not only has there been fellowship with believers with the church but we also had teams from America over too. We had a team from Tucson, Arizona over for a month, which included some awsome people, including Kevin Dodd, Ariel Porteck,Ashley Short, Vivian Tovarez, Paul and Roland. These 6 people were great to be around for the month, and many laughs, cries and midnight banter was had. Just having them over here and hanging out and talking to people brought light to the city for that month and hopefully they will be back again. We also have another team here as well, not even a week after the Arizonianites left, a group of young men and women from Denver Colarado, and Charlestown, South Carolina, and its been great having them here.
So God has been moving in Waterford and its amazing to see it. There has been growth in Calvary Waterford very steadily, and new believers in other churches. A member of my family has come to the Lord recently and many members of my family have been going to church. It was amazing to have both my little brothers and sister, and four of my cousins at church on one sunday, I didn't see that happening for a long time and it just shows God answers prayers and has a plan for my family, something I am extremely greatful for. To add to this great in our own church there has been great unity amongst the christian churches in Waterford lately. A few weeks ago was the Tall Ships Race where a number of tall ships docked in the city for the weekend to prepare for a week. This brought much excitement and life to the city, with a total of 500,000 people visiting Waterford City over the weekend. Now Waterford doesnt even have 50,000 people in the city so it was a different sight altogether. This was an opportunity to reach out to people that could not be missed, so four churches in the city, Calvary Waterford, Waterford Baptist Church, Tramore Bible Fellowship and Waterford Christian Assembly got together to prepare for a weekend of evangelism, and what a weekend it was. We had 20,000 tracks printed out telling the story of John Newton, the man who wrote the song Amazing Grace and had his life turned around by God, and we had just about all of them handed out. Along with that there was street preaching, discussions and just fellowship among the members of the different churches. There was some problems, with having to be moved once to a different location, and general slander by the people of the city and tourists. And while this might seem discouraging, it just shows that God is making an impact, and it can be seen by people and is effecting them, so His word does not go void it seems. So all in all it was a great weekend of talking to people and forming friendships with christians from different churches in the city.
So what has been going on personally with me since I've been back in Ireland? It seems like not a lot at first but really God has been working in me and having me serve Him. For one I've been given the opportunity to serve in the church. I have been playing bass as part of the worship team with Sebastian Muller for sundays since I've been back, and it is an honouring thing to be a part of it. Also I get to lead the call to worship every second sunday to lead people's hearts to the right place to worship God, and its been great just reading through the Psalms and see God's glory and love. It's great to see what He's shown me in doing this. The Psalms really just show to me how great God really is, and how He is ultimatly in control of everything in this world, and just how glorious He is, and that He not only looks upon us, but sent His son to die for us it truely something else, it is love beyond measure. Also Tea and Coffee outreach has started up again and me and Sebastian are heading that up. It is a really good thing and I love doing it. We all get together beforehand to pray for the outreach and then go to the city centre to hand out tea and coffee to people. It really is just a non threatening way to show the love of Christ in a practical way. With the culture in Ireland people don't like people standing on soap boxes in the corner of a square and condemning people, so it really is just a way for people to come and ask about what were doing, and being able to share the gospel with them, and if not, just to show these people love. It has gotten positive feedback from people and many good conversations have been had. It has been such an honour and a humbling thing to be able to serve God in these ways. When I look back on the last two years and all God has done in changing me and my life it is simply amazing, and I never would have thought in two years I would have gone to a Bible College, go to a church and be able to serve God,it is amazing and so is He!
So if you haven't figured out by now from the title, it has been hot this summer in Ireland, a very rare thing, and I think I may be the only person in the country to be annoyed about this, I simple cannot take hot weather. I feel hot enough as it is when it's cold out, and so the heat has been something I'm struggling with., as the heat makesa me very grouchy...I cannot wait for the winter...but the sun is nice enough when there is a cool breeze. Also I got to be involved in a Christian kids camp in Avoca in County Wicklow, 6 weeks ago. I was a leader there and had to look after my own group of kids. Now if you know me well you'll know I find it hard to put up with kids, and so God really used this as an opportunity to give me patience with them and a love for the children. Funny enough two days after I get back I get sick, and have been so up until yesterday. It's been an experience having to rely on God these past few weeks for strength to get up and go, and it has been a humbling thing, as I can't rely on my own strength, so even this sickness turned out for my own good.
Now the more awkward part of this blog, something I haven't done before. As you all know I was in Bible College last semester, and I feel called back there for the next semester in September. God really used Bible College to mature me and teach me more about Him and He wants me back there. Unfortunatly all my efforts to get a job this summer has not gone well. It seems that there is no jobs in Waterford whatsoever, and any that do pop up are swiftly taken by people who have had experience working in the fields. So far God has provided for me weekly, and now next week I should have enough for the deposit for the Bible College, a week before it is due, a miracle God has done, and so it seems He's going to provide for the rest of the money. So if anyone feels lef by the Holy Spirit to help get me to Germany, it would be an honour and greatly appreciated to help me get there, or contact me at my email, dannykeating1990@hotmail.com . If not then all I ask is for your prayers that God will be faithful and provide. Thank you all for reading, and I will try keep you all updated the best I can.
God Bless,
Danny.
