We flew Monday into Tuesday to Belfast, Northern Ireland. On Wednesday, Gregg and Evie (daughter of our friends, Rev. Ray and Linda Lanning, from Grand Rapids) Somerville took us to Down Cathedral and Museum in Downpatrick to learn about the history of Patrick, the “Apostle of Ireland,” who brought Christianity to this land. His grave is marked by a stone near the cathedral (photo #1). It was a beautiful day for a ride through the countryside of the “Emerald Isle” (photo #2). We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a renovated farm with Gregg and Evie and their baby (photo #3).
After supper in the home of Rev. Robert M. and Emma McCollum, we went to his church, Lisburn Reformed Presbyterian Church, where I gave an address on “Assurance of Faith” (photo #4 with Rev. McCollum) to about 150 people. Folks from a number of local churches attended, including dear friends of many years, Rev. Andrew and Joan Woolsey (photo #5), whom we rejoiced to see and visit with again.
After the meeting, we fellowshipped with a good number of people. It was great to converse with a group of warm Brazilians (photo #6), now living in N. Ireland, whose former pastor in Brazil, Rev. Breno Macedo, is studying for his PhD at PRTS in Grand Rapids. It’s a small world.
